Bullington Family Trip 2010

[bullington]

This past week we took our 1971 GMC Suburban on our annual trip from Seattle Washington to Lake Wallowa Oregon. My wife's 82 year old grandmother grew up in the town of Wallowa during the 1930s and 1940s. For the first time in many trips to the lake, LaVerne wanted to show us her old stomping grounds. Here are a few pictures from our trip.


1971 GMC K10 Suburban
OEM 350 V8
SM465
3.73 Gears
235/75/15 Tires

Total Miles: 881
MPG: 12.6

Max Speed: 81mph
Avg Speed: 54.6

Highest Elevation:4565
Lowest Elevation:466


The whole family ready to go. The wife, daughter and two sons.



The Yakima Valley. Lots of hops and grapes are grown here.



Both of my boys zonked out and missing the flora and fauna of the Yakima Valley.



Crossing into Oregon near Umatilla Oregon. Columbia River in the distance.



Here is a random picture of the dash. The vintage Tach was all over the place during the trip.



Once in Pendleton Oregon we added the in-laws and grandma. Here is my father in-law taking the Suburban home. We just had Big Johns world famous taco pizza. If you ever make it Pendleton...get this pizza!



I love Eastern Oregon. Here is a shot just outside of La Grande (e is silent). Taken with my phone using a funky filter.



Nearing Elgin Oregon on the way to Wallowa Lake



Making our way down into the valley area.



When we reached the town of Wallowa LaVerne guided us to where she grew up. Here is the school she went to in the 1930s and 1940s. It has been turned into a house..but you can make out what it once was.

[bullington]

Here is a shot of most of the property they owned and ranched on.



Here is LaVerne pointing to where her house was. It was next to the orchard, she and her brother and sisters planted those apple trees in the distance.



Fun shot of the Suburban.



Another angle.



Here we are at the Little Bear Drive-In in the town of Wallowa.

[bullington]

LaVerne then took us to where most of her family is buried. There were tombstones dating back to 1863.



Cool barn on the way to the town of Enterprise Oregon



Looking pretty dark, this was the only day it was like it the entire week. Farm land on the way to Enterprise Oregon.



We stopped in Enterprise and loaded up on groceries. Next stop Joseph Oregon and the cabin.



Finally at Wallowa Lake. Pic from the deck of the cabin.

[bullington]

Here are the kids and grandpa with the first nights catch. Rainbow Trout.



You can take a tramway up to Howard Mt elevation 8500ft. Here is a view of Wallowa Lake from the gondola.



Here we are loading the Suburban back up.



Once on the road we went and visited my wife's other side of the family in Baker City Oregon. They run a ranch selling Hereford Bulls. We are taking her 91 year old grandfather out to lunch. He still works the ranch with his son and grandson.



Random picture of the ranch.



If you are ever near Baker City or Haines Oregon..Hit the Haines Steakhouse.

[bullington]

Kids loading up for the long haul home.



Heading down the hill into Ellensburg Washington. Almost home.



The suburban ran great the entire time. Overall the trip was awesome!! Thanks for looking.

[mosesburb]

Sweet vacation pics!! I am glad to see another Suburban being used for what it was designed for!! Looks like it was a great time. Time spent with the family, cruising around in a bishin' old Suburban--I don't think it gets any better than that!!
Thanks for sharing.

[Already Gone]

Thanks for sharing your family trip with us and we love Washington State and have ridden our Goldwing there a few times. Your kids will remember taking this special family trip all their lives. Did any people at gas sations, restaurants inquire about the Burb ?

[VA72C10]

Thanks for sharing. Love to see the stories and pictures from family vacations!

[72BlckButy]

Great pics, thanks for sharing and what a great trip.

[JoeKan]

Thanks for sharing your vacation with us. Your part of the world is very beautiful.

[Big Block]

Thanks for sharing. That's what it is all about family. A trip to remember.

[CG]

I really love the fact you took the burb and left your late model comfortable rig at home. Did the kids squak at all taking the "old truck"?

[rsavage]

Thanks for sharing. I am especially moved by the fact that you shared your time and vacation with the family's elders. I bet that they were pleased beyond belief. Great photos of beautiful country. never been out there and will have to put it on my bucket list. Eastern part dry because the rain can't get over the mountains?

[bullington]

Thanks for the replies, I'm glad you liked them. There will definitely be more photos of new adventures.

The kids love the Suburban and ask for it by name all the time. The main reason we have it, is so that all of us and our gear can ride in comfort.

Yes the east side is the dry side...basically in a rain shadow due to the fact that the clouds have to dump to get over the mountain ranges. I highly recommend Eastern Oregon...well pretty much the Pacific NW. I have included a google map link of Wallowa Lake.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...,1.783905&z=10

[1956cameo]

Very cool trip! I really hope when my boys are older my wife will let me do a family road trip in my burb. I have never been to Oregon / Washington but my wife and I dream about going all the time. That is my ultimate dream road trip; to drive the back roads of the PNW in a old suburban or blazer. Thanks for sharing!

[Average Joe]

Very cool trip and thanks for sharing. Sweet tach and great looking 'burb!

[FRENCHBLUE72]

That is so cool I wish my better half would let me find a nice burb like that..

[nbrfd007]

Are you using a HEI distributor? I saw where the HEI makes old school tach erratic. I saw a vendor somewhere has a regular type box to make the tach work as it should. Maybe somebody knows where.

[bullington]

No I'm using an old points style distributor, but it might have a petronix under the cap. I will pop it and look tonight.

[Tom Vogel]

Thank you very much for taking the time to post the pics. Family... how sweet it is!