Headin' Nord

We have now left Vancouver ( this morning) after a few very enjoyable few days visiting Sue's cousin Margret, who gave us a great walking tour of the Olympic Village area in Vancouver and of False Creek, which is a boat basin there. We also went to the market on Grenville Island where we had a great lunch at one of the food kiosks. I also had a chance to a couple of days with a good friend John and his wife Silvana. I have known John since public school days. We are Merritt, which is near Kamloops. The drive up the Coquihalla Highway was very nice. It took us through the Fraser Valley and ran adjacent to the Fraser River. We climbed from sea level in Vancouver to 4,000 feet at one point.....the Dodge performed the task with NO problems. We weigh over 9 tons, so you sometimes wonder.

Mainland again

These pics were taken in Chemainus, on Vancouver Island. It was one of the towns we visited on Tuesday, along with Duncan which is known as the City of Totems with 30 some odd around town. Ladysmith was another of the towns, which is supposed to be one of the prettiest small towns on the island. We found that to be true. Wednesday was the journey to Victoria and all it's Victorian splendor. There was a castle to be visited (not as big as Castle Loma, but impresssive none the less.) Also visited the beach and the waterfront and saw some very neat floating houses.....I could get used to them. The highlight of the day was "high tea" at the Empress Hotel. VERY $$$$$$ but a once in a lifetime ( at least for us) adventure. Today we caight the ferry to the mainland. We found the campground to be a bit further south than we thought but it's a beauty. We are only about a mile from the US border.
Try www.vopenhouse.ca/video/5124_ef7038 and www.vopenhouse.ca/video/4616_louie

for an idea of what living on the water is like.

Happy Birthday

Brandy, yes the wonder dog is one year old today !!!!!
After four nights at Qualicum Beach, we came south yesterday ( Monday) to Chemainus for three nights, prior to the departure to the mainland on Thursday.... Ontario, we saw Trilliums here at the campground, so if yours are not yet out, check the photo albums at http://picasaweb.google.com/192950A, there you can also see the Bald Eagle that was drinking at the pond begind the trailer in Qualicum Beach. Today we expect to drive to some of the small tons in the area and Wed "do" Victoria. It appears the temp in our home area are about the same as here, but we have a bit of rain today.

At our site in Qualicum Beach BC

So there were, Sue was getting ready to take the dog for a walk, when she came back in and said "look at this". This pond is right behind the camper and there was the Bald Eagle having a drink. This after we had returned from a drive up the East Coast of the island to Campbell River, just on a sight-seeing trip. Campbell River is the Salmon capital of Canada. On the wa, we also passed a place called Fanny Bay, which catches 8.5 million pounds of oysters per year.

Canada eh?

Yes siree, we're back on Canadian soil having arrived on Vancouver Island yesterday ( Thursday) morning after an early start from Sequim WA. The 100 mile trip up the island to Qualicum Beach (about 40 miles north of Nanaimo) was pleasant other than the drive through downtown Victoria with 9 tons of vehicle. Today we did a day trip around the area visiting several beaches and a very high lookout. Until I get my butt in gear with blog pictures, please check the Picasa albums at
www.picasaweb.google.com/192950A

We're BACK !!!!!!!!

Yes, here we are again. There were several days when there was no WiFi available nor service with the aircard.
Here is a brief rundown of our activities for the last while.
Fri April 9 we did a tour of the USS Blueback submarine. Boy, ya sure wanna ensure your fellow submariners had good hygiene. It really wasn't as small as what we thought it might be at 219 feet long, but not too large in diameter, maybe 20-25 feet. From there it was off to the Rhododendrom Gardens...yup spring is in full swing here in the Northwest.
Sat we took part in a tour of the underground city of Portland. This "city" was in it's heyday from the late 1800's until about 1917. It is a series of linked passages under the upper city where Shanghaiers would force men into cells and then sell them to captains of ships. Women were also forced into being ladies of the night in the same manner. We also drove over to Pioneer square. This is sunken plaza ( think sunken living room). A troop from Circe De Soliel were performing.
Sunday the 11th say drive to Seattle. On the way we stopped in to the LeMay Car museum. This is the largest collection of cars that is privatly owned....some 2100 cars and trucks. There are ONLY about in the varrious buildings at any one time due to space limitations. There is a fund drive on now to build a new venue where more than double that amount can be shown. Mt. Rainier in the distance at over 14,000 ft was great to see.
Monday we were visiting the ship canal at Lake Washington and the Hiram Chittenden Locks which are the largest ( longest?) in the USA. It was then off to see the wooden sail and power boats at the Centre for Wooden Boats. Some real nice craft and craftsmanship ( craftpersonship )?? there. The end of the day saw us visit Pike Place Market, sort of like St. Lawrence market, but different. Bought some EXPENSIVE salmon that was smoked, peppered and garlicked.....mmmmmm, good.
Yesterday, the 13th saw our good luck end as far as vehicle problems are concerned. The trailer required a new backing plate, and brake shoes on the rear left wheel and the truck needed a new U joint on the front of the rear drive shaft ( it has a hanger bearing) and a two part drive shaft.
Today we headed off to Sequim WA, stopping off at the Naval Underwater Museum at Keyport. It had everything from deep submersibles, torpedoes and dive gear.
We catch the ferry tomorrow morning at 8:20 for Vancouver Island where we will spend about a week.

Reader's Digest trip report

Well, here we are 3+ months into "the trip". As of today, Thursday April 8th, we have had no truck or trailer problems ( knock on wood) after travelling some 8,231 miles. We purchased membership in one of the many RV clubs before we left home. There was a certain amount of apprehension doing this, but as it has turned out, the $50.00 was well spent. This Passport America club, offers 50% off the regular price of over 1,500 campgrounds across North America. Our lowest net cost per night has been $10.00 and the most expensive about $18.00. So when we cannot locate a Passport campground and have to pay the published price of $30.00 -$45.00 it make us appeciate the cost savings. So far, we have managed to stay about 1/2 our nights at Passport. Brandy has been excellant and requires a "hair or fur cut" about every 4-6 weeks, tomorrow being the next. We've had a chance to see and enjoy the Pacific Coast and the huge redwoods of California, as well as the barren landscape of the deserts of Texas,New Mexico and
Arizona. We arrive back in Canada on April 15th, arriving on Vancouver Island from Port Angeles WA.,for about a week before visiting with friends and family in Vancouver.

swap meet !!!!!!!!!

Thursday April 8 2010. We have just arrived in Portland OR., after an easy drive of about 170 miles from Sutherlin OR. There we spent a couple of lazy days doing some browsing of antique shops and sightseeing. The campground we were in, Hi-Way RV resort, was formally a drive-in theatre. We both agree it is one of the top 3 places we have stayed on this trip. They show movies a couple of times a week, on the screen that is still there. Last night was John Wayne . We also drove through a covered bridge, of which there are quite a few in Oregon. About 4 feet outside the trailer, there's a sandpiper sitting on a nest. She sure is vigilant and not much keeps her from performing her task. Upon signing in here this afternoon, a fellow asked if I was here for the swap meet. As it turns out, Portland has the largest auto swap meet in the Northwest and it's THIS WEEK-END. I hope to be able to visit at least a few of the 4,500 vendors....oh my!!!!

Headin' North

Saturday the 3rd of April had us returning to the Cookhouse for breakfast (orange juice, French toast, sausage, biscuits and gravy, coffee and scrambled eggs....and you could go back for more!!!!. After rolling into the truck, we headed up the coastal highway, also known as the Redwood Highway, stopping at many of the beaches along the way. Great Model A roads. Sunday the 4th had Sue at a United Methodist Church for Easter Service. In the afternoon we got in a cable car and went 700+ feet up a mountain to view the Trees of Mystery...quite a sight from the top and the trip up & back. We also tried to drive through a Redwood tree ( $5.00 please) but the truck was too wide. Today (5th) had us leave CA on Hwy 101 where we bid farewell tothe ocean views we have truly enjoyed. Heading inland on 199 aw us eventually get of I5 to our overnight here in Suthlin OR. It was a VERY twisty and hilly road after we left the ocean views but the Dodge handled to challange. If the pics I've tried to post don't transfer, check the albums at http://picasaweb.google.com/192950A.

Too HOT Ontario?????

Our departure from Nice CA. was much better than our arrival, as the damp weather had ceased. The drive from there to Eureka took us along Hwy 101. We did a small 32 mile detour onto the Avenue of the Giants highway, which runs beside 101. This is the road that goes through several large groves of Redwoods. These trees are HUGE. The one picture here ( if it transfers over) shows a "house" made from one log. We spent the night last night in Eureka and will be here again tonight (Friday). Last night, we had supper at a place called Samoa Cookhouse (www.samoacookhouse.net). This place has been a cookhouse since the late 1800's when it served as an eating place for loggers. It is family style, where they bring the veggies, spuds and meat on plates and ya help yer self. There is no choice of menu. Each day is different fare. Yesterday was pot roast, ribs, carrots, potatoes, bread, tea or coffee and cake....all home made, and yes.... you got everything listed in ample quantities, all for $15.99. Today we are going over the maps to decide what we are going to do as far as a route in concerned. We had no plans to be where we are, so some direction is needed.