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Published: August 28th 2005
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Yakama, Washington to Vancouver Island BC
Deep breath every one this could be a long one.
The reservation turned out to be an excellent find. We spent 4 days there as it was a lovely park and we made use of all amenities. The temp hit 110f so the pool was much appreciated.
There is also a museum, Native American library and cultural centre which were hugely interesting and educational so that’s another lot of books on my reading list. The site is near the town of Toppenish which is a real “Wild West” Town. You can buy full Wild West outfits, the most amazing boots, Stetsons, & the most beautiful Native American blankets. However the main thing about the town is that they have painted their history on the walls of the buildings. There are about 110 murals in all.
Whilst we were there we had the opportunity to see KC & the sunshine band, not to be missed I hear you say!
Now I think Graeme probably missed out on the 70s disco phenomenon so I suspect it must be the first gig he has attended with giant disco ball and multi coloured feather boas.
What happens if you are unaware of "goatsheads"
This truck was great, all shiny and chrome, absolutly huge with loads of room inside.it was painted to match their rig with go fast stripes Unfortunately there is no photographic evidence.
Mock all you like but it was really good. A little disconcerting to see a 53 yr old man “boogieing tonight” (KC not Graeme) and the outfits, well ….. but great fun I could see the F9 lot giving it all they had
The audience were even more interesting than M K gig; it was like being in a casting studio for a Wild West movie, Cowboys, Indians & Mexicans. When the drummer did his solo bit he added some tom tom type drumming. The crowd loved it. It was a good evening set off by the surroundings, we watched the sunset over the snow capped mountain range, everything glowing orange, fabulous.
We met more kindness on our journey. We set out to ride our bikes to the wineries. We had hardly been a mile or 2 when Graeme got a flat tyre, we asked if there was a cycle shop in town, but there wasn’t, so whilst we decided what to do we went for a beer, when we came out both tyres were flat! On discussion with a passer-by we were informed that the cause was “goat’s heads” really
have you seen my guitar?
Not often you have to encourage Graeme to LEAVE a museum nasty sharp thorn type things which everyone but us knew about. Anyway this lady asked us into her office and then gave Graeme a lift to get some tyre mending foam. We made a wonderful mess with it but couldn’t fix the tyre so began pushing bikes back in a 105F.
We then noticed a truck passing that we had seen on our site so went and begged a lift back, they were more than happy to help.
Our luck continued, back at the Park we went to the reception to see if we could hire a car, but they were shut (as it was Saturday?) so the receptionist offered us her car for the afternoon which we gratefully accepted. So off we went and all I can say is thank goodness for the puncture, it was quite a long way, hilly and incredibly hot. We may have made it there but I am not to sure about the return journey.
Anyway after a lovely time at Yakama we set off to Redmond, Seattle to meet up with Graeme’s Relies, Roger & Kate. They had managed to book us into a park by the lake just a few
Just the odd chillie or two
This colourful stall is at Pike Place Market, which is the most fabulous market full of flowers, veggies, fish, crafts etc. Also famous for the very first Starbucks. miles from them.
We had a great time. It was lovely to see Roger and Kate and they really spoiled us. They provided a constant supply of meals, information, maps, books, gin & tonic (that must run in the family) good conversation and much more. Thank you.
Seattle is a fabulous city. Surrounded by lakes and sea, very green, small enough to get around and we had lovely weather. We did all the usual touristy things and had a great time.
Graeme thought he was in music heaven as there were so many good bands playing. We went to an excellent gig by Tinsley Ellis? (Scott & Emma know who he is)
Graeme also loved the Experience Music project (EMP) this was set up by Paul Allan (Microsoft guy) to house his Jimmy Hendrix memorabilia but is much more, very interactive. You can play on instruments and mixing desks. There is the most amazing “sculpture” of guitars.
Anyway after a great week we set of To Vancouver which has been highly recommended by everyone we meet, so high expectations.
Vancouver
Our first border crossing went smoothly. We had been warned that the customs people
Roger , Kate & Graeme
It was great to meet Roger & Kate. They really spoilt us by delivering a constant supply of meals, books, maps, gin & tonic and inside information of the area. can go right through your Rig but we had very nice man who wasn’t that bothered by our fridge contents or beer collection.
We stayed in a park near the sky train (which was researched & recommended by Trish & Neal, thanks) so it was easy to get into the city. The park had all amenities and for the first time we had a land line phone in the rig, it was like having a new toy as a lot of you will know having received those lengthy calls.
Vancouver is a lovely city, on the water front, lots to do and Stanley Park is great, but personally we preferred Seattle, Perhaps we had been led to expect to greater things or perhaps we are already getting spoilt. Also due to the way we travel we probably see some parts the guide books don’t recommend and bits of it were like A/E on a Saturday night!!
So, next stop, off to Vancouver Island to go Whale & Bear watching, this will be the first ferry trip for the rig.
Our crossing was late evening and the sunset magnificent, the photo does not really capture it
Totem Pole, Stanley park
This is Chief Skedons mortuary pole. The First Nation people are famous for the Totem pole often carving them for deceased Chiefs. This one depicts
The moon, mountain goat, bear & whale. I bet Trish has a picture of this. but I tried. There is a great laid back feeling to this Island. We had an excellent site right on the water front overlooking Victoria. Where you could catch a water taxi into town. On our first trip a harbour seal was having lunch in the bay.
We are really taken by this Island. It has a micro climate as it is protected by the Olympia mountain range in Washington and therefore has the best climate in Canada.
Victoria is a beautiful town, full of flowers & lovely buildings, artists, modern and first nation & good cafes. The coast line is rugged with many bays and beaches. We decided to do the Sea side scenic cycle route so we saw it close up. I chose it as I thought” well I am not too fit but it should be ok, quite flat and easy. However I didn’t realise it has a Cornwall type coastline and 7 hours later, I now know I will never forget that fact. Still I live in hope and tomorrow we are going again along an old railway line route, surely that must be easy?
No it wasnt, 6 hours (and 40 miles) later
See, the bikes do work
A great day had cycling around Stanley Park.
on a gravel track is considerable hard work and trains do go up hill!!
We put the bikes on the bus to return and must have looked so exhausted that the nice driver, who was finishing his shift clocked off and took us as near to home as possible.
We have been almost 8 weeks in the rig and it is very much home, We have a long way to
go yet but already have seen & learned so much. It is great to be able to change the scenery outside your windows as you wish. However we still have lots to learn and its not all perfect. Last night we managed to BBQ the BBQ!! Still, having years of fire training came into its own. I gazed at the flaming, leaking propane cannister, the burning BBQ and the nearby vehicles, considered the "fire triangle" and had to decide whether to sacrifice 1 of our 2 bath towels to put it out, big decision.......
I also managed to put the camera in the washing machine. Current status, not working but it might dry out?
Having spent several weeks in towns we are now looking forward to some wilderness
Rock art
These rocks really do just balance there, we saw a child knock one over!! There are loads of them all along the beach apparently done by students. The last time we saw something like this was in Peru where they were built by travellers as thanks for surviving the altitude.
Next week we will be heading to the West & East coasts, which have many small villages and remote beaches. We are really looking forward to seeing the Whales & Bears.
Having great difficulty removing Graeme from this site as he loves it so much but if i can
once we leave here we will head across Canada and back into US through Montana.
I will probably not be able to “blog” until back into US so will catch up then. Hopefully with lots to adventures to tell
Bizarre fact. those in the South will love this. Traffic report on a Friday morning....." There is no traffic to report"
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annabel
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I continue to be very jealous of you both .It looks great and you sound as if you are having a brill time.Nice to hear you are meeting lots of generous kind people ,that is what travel is all about. We are fine ,roof kind of coming along ,thankfully not £22,000 worth.My own caravan ( not to your scale ) will be arriving soon ,yes this is how my life and the renovations are progressing .Cente sprung that one on me rather out of the blue and it may even be into the colder months AHHHHHH .A trip to the luxury of your rig is definatly on the cards. Lots of love Annabel,Cente and the furrey ones.