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Published: September 10th 2007
As planned we set sail on the good ship Malaspina en route to Bellingham for a three day poor man's cruise. A unique setup where you are permitted to pitch a tent on the upper deck or win the dash for a sun lounger on the open sided solarium, also on the upper deck. We were well prepared and even beat a German couple at their own game. The next three days were spent cruising through the now famous Inside Passage. We feasted on provisions we bought prior to boarding which included such delicacies as pot noodles, pringles and the now obligatory trail mix. Not exactly a novel experience for two ex naval personnel but a relief to find there was no watch keeping, man over board drills or evening rounds. To while away the hours we named the countless islands as we passed them according to their shape and size. The highlight of the cruise was to see a school of humpback whales as we passed between 'One Tit' and 'Vanessa Phelps' Arse'. By the end of three days a close community had formed including Jaimie, an American physical therapist on her way back from working on Kodiac Island to
Tommy the truck
1994 Ford ranger, 4cylinder, 1 careful owner + 1958 clapped out rugby vet, 8 1/2 st, not so careful owner.some warmth in Tuscon. This gave Nik an opportunity to talk shop for the first time. Another interesting encounter occurred in the canteen when Nik with a pensive look on his face trying to recall the Spanish for socks in our daily quiz was approached by an eighty year old Alaskan female biker. She said 'A hansome chap like you should try and smile more often' (at this point I was nearly sick). Ten minutes conversation later Nik was presented with a badge and honourary membership of the Wild Walrus bikers gang. He intends to wear his leathers for his daily bike to work next year.
We arrived as planned in Bellingham scurvy free and chilled out. The next goal was to get some 'hot wheels' for our new plan, which is to try and drive the extent of the American continent, North, Central and eventually South. After a couple of false starts we met a guardian angel in the form of a second hand car dealer called Tom. In the space of three houirs we were the proud owners of 'Tommy the truck', complete with all required legislation. On the road again with a newly acquired air matress for
the back of the truck as an alternative option to the tent. After the long hike in Washington's Northern cascades having sighted a grizzly bear it was obvious that the bear threat was no less than it was in Alasksa. We continued to use the same safety strategy when walking through forest trails. Nik insisted on walking ten yards behind me, as he explained that if a grizzly tried to sneak up behind me he would be there to fend it off.
Our first night in the truck wasn't very successful and failed to meet our expectations this was due to the fact that we had overlooked that our chosen site was 2,500 ft above sea level. The temerature dropped rapidly after sunset and it wasn't long before we were slipping into the early stages of hypocondria. To add to the experience it was deathly quiet and pitch black, in fact, total sensory depravation. The only sound being the previously unheard sound of the churning over of our internal organs. This lead our imaginations to believe that we were surrounded by huge one eyed crocadillapigs. We won't do that again in a hurry.
Our passage through Washington made us realise
A lake in Idaho
I read all my books like this! that this had been the real 'Wild West', cowboy and indian country. A few stops in smaller towns made us feel like we had walked onto the set of Bonanza. After three days on the road and great weather we have passed through Idaho and into Montana, next stop Glacier national Park.
Nik says if someone has the time can they give him an update on the rugby, or is it best he doesn't know!
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brian
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france 12 argentina 17 new zealand 76 italy14 australia91 japan 3 england 28 he he he usa 10 wales42 canada 17 south africa59 samoa 7 scotland56 portugal10 ireland 32 namibia 17 england play south africa 9pm french time on friday possibly midday alaska enjoy brian