Peter's & Cindy's Great Escape 2004
,,,or...
OUR GREAT ESCAPE 2004
There has been a major computer error: either mine or in the system where I was working; I have lost everything from May 21st onwards to June 17th, my last entry.
I am trying to recover the missing entries. Hopefully, by going back in History of a previous computer that I used I can get it back. Unfortunately, I have to await the opportunity of a previous host to get into his computer and try. Maybe he will recover it and forward it to me.
For now, I think that I will carry on from sometime in June and maybe go back and forth as the mood strikes me. Or, I could give a quick capsule comment of what we did.
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date: The PLAN: and The REALITY: COMMENTS if not as planned...
MAY
Saturday, May 1st: leave Pierrefonds and travel to Brampton, west of Toronto. Roof box painted but paint still wet. Will leave Sunday.
Sunday, May 2nd: leave Brampton and travel to Michigan City, Indianna. Left Pierrefonds hours behind schedule. Paint still tackey. Weather is wet and windy. Lousy driving weather all day. Get to Brampton hours behind schedule.
| less than 2 minutes here | | we catch up to Route 66 just south of Chicago | | the Luna Cafe | |
Monday, May 3rd: Michagan City to St. Louis, Missouri. (Actually, we were to stay in Bridgeton, outside of St. Louis.) Left Brampton and got to Michigan City. We are 1 day behind schedule.
Tuesday, May 4th: Initial plan was to stay and tour about in St. Louis for the day staying overnight in Bridgeton, again. Reality: Michigan City, Indianna to Bridgeton, Missouri. Getting off a day late, we decided to catch up on the overall plan by staying only this one night in Bridgeton.
Wednesday, May 5th: Bridgeton, Missouri to Springfield, Missouri. As planned.
Thursday, May 6th: Springfield, Missouri to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Camped west of Tulsa as planned.
Friday, May 7th: to continue camping west of Tulsa. Campground was so noisy we hardly slept. We pack up and find motel on south side of Tulsa. Stayed at a new Red Roof Inn, great place.
Saturday, May 8th: originally, had planned to stay here another night or to add a night at Oklahoma City. We decided to drive to Oklahoma City. Actually, the OKC plan was to camp south east of OKC near the town of Norman. Campground there so full and noisy that we find a motel south of OKC -- Ramada Inn. Great place.
Week 2
Sunday, May 9th: Mother's Day. Plan to tour about OKC. We did. Stayed at the Ramada another night instead of camping.
Monday, May 10th: plan was to spend another day in OKC. Instead, we travelled to Foss State Park much farther west in Oklahoma. Camped.
Tuesday, May 11th: Plan was to get to Foss State Park. We are already here.
Wednesday, May 12th: To travel from Foss State Park to Palo Duro State Park south of Amarillo, Texas. We did. Very nice campground.
Thursday, May 13th: Travelled from Palo Duro State Park, Texas to Brantley Lake State Park, New Mexico, north of Carlsbad.
Friday, May 14th: we visited the Living Desert State Park north of Carlsbad in the morning, Carlsbad Caverns in the afternoon, the bat flight at the Caverns in the evening and returned to the campground as planned. Very nice campground.
Saturday, May 15th: Planned and did travel from Brantley State Park, New Mexico, thru the Guadelope Mountains, El Paso, Texas, Las Cruces, New Mexico and arrived at Rock Hound State Park in southwestern New Mexico south of Deeming. Another very nice campground.
Week 3
Sunday, May 16th: Plan was to camp at the Chiricahua National Monument in very southeastern Arizona. Instead, we motel it in Willcox, along the interstate in southeastern Arizona. We will use Willcox as a hub for a couple of days to visit surrounding sites instead of breaking and pitching camp each day at different places for the next few days. We do a big figure "8" visiting ghost and desert towns south of Willcox.
Monday, May 17th: Instead of camping at Cochise Stronghold, we are still at Willcox, but we do travel to Tombstone as planned. We return back to Willcox for the night.
Tuesday, May 18th: Plan was to travel to Kartchner State Park a little further west in Arizona. Instead, we do lots of dirt roads going to Fort Bowie and later to Chiricahua National Monument and back to Willcox.
Wednesday, May 19th: Plan was to go thru the caverns at Kartchner State Park. Instead, today is a laundry day. Also visited the Rex Allen Museum in Willcox.
Thursday, May 20th: plan was to leave Kartchner S.P. and travel south west to Patagonia Lake State Park. We left Willcox, drove west to Tucson, got the memory cards transferred to CDs and then drove in a clock wise loop south to Patagonia Lake S.P. (Nice park, some shitty people -- turns out that this is "a party" park.)
Friday, May 21st: Plan is to go south to Nogales, Arizona, then to walk across to Nogales, Mexico and to return to Patagonia Lake S.P. We do.
Saturday, May 22nd: Plan is to drive north up the interstate with several side visits to old Spanish missions and maybe an indian reserve or two. Continuing north through Tucson we are to camp at Catalina State Park. We do. Along the way we did stop in at Tumacacor, Tubac and San Xavier Del Bac. Catalina State Park is almost deserted. Great place north of Tucson, set against the Catalina mountains. We also tour west of Tucson and find the Tucson Mountain Park, Old Tucson Studios, the Arizona-Senoran Desert Museum and Saguaro National Park, West Section.
Week 4
Sunday, May 23rd: No specific plan other than to tour somewhere about Tucson and surrounding area. We got to Old Tucson Studios before it opened at 10:00and stayed til it closed at 4:00. Over to Saguaro National Monument, East Section afterwards. Back to Catalina S.P.
Monday, May 24th (the Queen's Birthday): Again, no specific plan except to tour about Tucson area. We did go west to the International Wildlife Museum, all of which is inside. Next stop, the Arizona-Senoran Desert Museum -- most of which is outside, in the heat. It is hot here. Laer in the day we visit the Old Tucson Artisants in the old town area of Tucson. Back to the campground in Catalina S.P.
Tuesday, May 25th: Another day with no specific plan. We drive over to Sabino Canyon and take the shuttle service part way up the mountain. Walk back and find stream to wade in. Back to the shuttle for rest of journey down. Next stop is the road up Catalina Mountain further east. We get half way up. Road closed. Blasting up ahead. Found some bargains at a discount mall and then at a regular mall.
Wednesday, May 26th: Plan is to go north to Globe, Arizona -- not on the interstate, but via back highways. Then the next night to drive a long way around to end up northeast of Phoenix. Instead, we go all the way to Fountain Hills, north east of Phoenix. We camp at McDowell Mountain Regional Park. It is flat and wide open. A few trees are outnumbered by sparse cactus. We are almost alone here. The route to campground is a revision to the plan. We go thru Globe and continue to Mesa and up to Fountain Hills and on to the campground.
Thursday, May 27th: No specific plan. Just take a couple of days to sitesee around greater Phoenix area. First plan was to do a mall or 2 and maybe the zoo. We did 4 malls and old town Scottsdale. No zoo. It was stinking hot. A/C in the malls was a welcome relief.
Friday, May 28th: Nothing specific planned here either. We decide to pick up some of what we missed the other day on our path to Phoenix. South east to Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, lunch in Coolrige (which is anything but cool) to Florence, Miami, tonto National Monument, Roosevelt Dam. Then 22 miles of the gut-wrentchingest, teeth clenchingest, hair straighteningest, toe curlingest, white knuckle drivingest stretch of dirt road that I have ever done. Twisty-turnies, up hill and down, switchbacks, on the edge, no guardrail, and sometimes not even two lanes wide. I didn't know if there would be a pickup truck or sunlight hitting me as I wound around blind corners, sometimes down to 5mph. Never have I driven an automatic transmission in low gear so much in such a short drive. And most of it in 4-wheel drive just-in-case. I am told that this was a most scenic drive. What I saw of it, was.
Saturday, May 29th: No plans. Just to tour about. We have to do laundry. Took hours to find a place way north of Phoenix in Cave Creek. A few hours later we are south and some where on the north side of Phoenix and in a mall. For dinner we have reservations at Rawhide for a western cookout; where they filmed the Rawhide TV series. Great dinner.
Week 5
Sunday, May 30th: Plan is to drive a counter-clockwise arc going north-east, north, north-west, west from Fountain Hills to Pine, Strawberrry, Camp Verde and on to Cottonwood to camp at Dead Horse Ranch State Park. We do. And after setting up camp, we set out north to Sedona, up Oak Creek Canyon, more north towards Flagstaff to be able to catch the Interstate to come back south and back to Cottonwood to the campground. Good campground.
Monday, May 31st: We have a few days here to explore around Sedona, Oak Creek, indian ruins, mining towns, etc. Today we head west to Jerome, an old mining town half way up a small twisty turny mountain road -- paved. We walk about town, drive over to the Old Ghosttown Goldmine and explore lots of memorabilia. Late lunch is in an old restored hotel farther up the mountain. Next is a many mile, megatwisty paved road to Prescott. We had expected to find another old mining town with newer sections. It is too new. Dissappointed. Come across a casino in native territory outside of Prescott. Too smokey and noisy. Back to Cottonwood and the Dead Horse Ranch State Park.
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JUNE
Tuesday, June 1st: No specific plan; just to tour about. Very nearby is Tuzigoot National Monument -- pueblo ruins on a hill west of Dead Horse Ranch State Park and east of the mining town of Jerome. It is hot and dry all around here. Repeat, it is hot and dry here. Later, we drive up to Sedona and take several scenic side trips around the area. A couple of them are on dirt roads; one is a real white knuckle drive up a mountain. Again, without guardrails. I wanted to know where the jeep trail tours go. I followed one heading out of downtown Sedona. Now I know. When we retire here I can run such a business. Ha, Ha.
Wednesday, June 2nd: Another no-plan day around Cottonwood/Sedona. Over east to Fort Verde State Park. How disappointing. We don't even get out of car. Then, a bit north to Montezuma Castle National Monument -- cliff dwellings a short walk from the visitors' center. Another short drive and we are at Montezuma Well National Monument -- a sink hole and cliff dwellings. From here the natives were able to irrigate their crops for miles around back a thousand years ago. Then, we are north to Flagstaff along Route 66 thru town. From Flagstaff we go south down the Oak Creek Canyon road, thru Sedona and back to Cottonwood and the D.H.R.S.P. for the night.
Thursday, June 3rd: plan is to drive to Winslow, Arizona and camp at the Homolovi Ruins State Park with stops along Route 66 where the interstate has not paved over it. Good plan and that's what we did. East from Cottonwood to Interstate then north to Flagstaff. East to cliff dwellings: too steep and far to hike in this very hot and dry weather. View from visitors' center. Onto interstate and off at exits where we find Route 66 -- sometimes for a few miles and sometimes only for a few hundred yards. At Twin Arrows there is 1 person at the gift shop. The gas station is dead. No other people or businesses around. Everything, repeat everything, is in ruins at Two Guns. At Meteor City exit there is an RV park, a gas station and a couple of small businesses catering to tourists. We exit the interstate into Winslow, Arizona, such a fine sight to see. there's a girl my lord in a flat board Ford slowin' down to take a look at me. Taken' it easyyyyeeeee... Yes, the famous in song, Winslow, Arizona. We do the tourist thing and get our picture taken at the corner in Winslow, Arizona. Onwards to the campground north-east of town. Too hot to pitch the tent. Did I mention that it is hot and dry around here? Back to Winslow and more of a tour of the town. Later, back to Homolovi Ruins State Park and pitch the tent. Very nice campground. Hot and dry.
Friday, June 4th: Plan is to drive east to the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Park with stops along the way off interstate onto old Route 66. Plan realized. We got as far east as exit #339. Long slow drive thru the Petrified Forest. As a kid my dad took us thru here. I remember the Petrified Forest part more and the desert less from that trip. This time, the other way around. We cannot get as close to the petrified logs now as we did then. The desert is more colourful now. Maybe I am less colourblind (?) now.
Saturday, June 5th: Plan is to go west to Flagstaff, north to Sunset Volcanic Crater and Wapatki Ruins National Monuments on way to Grand Canyon where we will camp for 3 nights. We did as planned. Took a little extra side trip north into indian land across the Little Colorado River and had lunch outside the Park. Lots of side trips in the Canyon to the canyon viewpoints. Good thing I had camping reservations: even though the campground is huge, the place is packed.
Week 6
Sunday, June 6th: Plan is tour about the canyon rim viewpoints. After a slow, relaxing start we do get out and visit lots of viewpoints. Did see a coyote and several deer today.
Monday, June 7th: another tourabout day. We took the free shuttle service from the Visitor Center area to the western shuttle that then took us to the far western end of the canyon that one can visit without a special permit. We take the shuttle and get off at each viewpoint and get back on to the next. Eventually we get part way back and walk about the lodge/souvenir/visitor area, before getting the other shuttle back to the car. Back to the campground for the night. More deer.
Tuesday, June 8th: plan is to go south to Williams; pick up Route 66 west to Kingman, hopefully have time to go further west to Oatman and back to Kingman, then north to Hoover Dam and on to Las Vegas. Went as planned except for detour to Oatman. No time. Running slow as Route 66 is more enjoyable at 50mph. rather than faster. Had to pull out of line before the trip across Hoover Dam. Since 9/11 there is more security around certain key installations like Hoover Dam. Had to open up the roofbox before they would let me across. No problems. Got to Vegas and later walked the streets and casinos til we dropped around 2:00am. Motelled it at Howard Johnson's on the strip as reserved.
Wednesday, June 9th: No specific plan for the next few days. Just enjoy the time in Vegas--shopping, wandering thru casinos, hotels, etc, and walking the streets. Had a great time again. Outlet mall, Fremont Street, hugs from the Marvalettes, singing along with them and the Drifters, gambling quarters and winning some and losing some, and out 'til after 2:00am again.
Thursday, June 10th: Again no specific plan. Went to a time-share presentation. Very tempting. Cindy got her hair done. Back to the strip. Thru many of the bigger casinos/hotels. A little gambling, but mostly siteseeing. Fountains at the Belaggio; Caesar's Palace, etc. We are pooped again, this time about 3:00am.
Friday, June 11th: again no specific plan. Short ways down the strip to the Stratosphere to see Viva Las Vegas. Later thru lots of casinos/hotels. In about 2:30am.
Saturday, June 12th: plan is to end up in Death Valley tonight. We don't. We have decided to stay another day/night in Las Vegas. Take a tour of the Hard Rock Cafe and its casino. Then back to get packed so we can be out early tomorrow. Then it's into the strip and down to the Venetian. We take the inside gondola ride. Just like one is in Venice. Into the Imperial Palace. Look-alikes: Elvis, Madona, Blues Bros., Ray Charles, Tian turner, Liza Minelli, etc. Into Maurgaritaville, Flamingo, Harrah's (great music), Bally's, Paris, etc.
Week 7
Sunday, June 13th: Plan was to spend the day touring around Death Valley. Drive to Death Valley takes us to Death Valley Junction, California (ghost town, population=2) where we meet half the population which is outnumbered by the wild horses around town--we see 5 of them. We swing back into Nevada, thru Beatty where we stop for late lunch/early dinner. There is a brothel (it is legal in Nevada) across the hiway. Next stop is the ghost town of Rhyolite. No one here. Then a short drive and we are back into California and soon into Death Valley. Wow! Campground is huge and just about empty. We decide to continue south thru park. Come eventually to lowest point in North America -- 282 feet below sea level. Sign is way up the side of the mountain just east of us. More mountains are across the flat valley -- both sets of mountains run north/south. We travel south between them on the east side of the valley. There seems to be water, or is it a mirage, on the west side of the valley. Sun is setting behind the western mountain range. We are the only ones here. The wind is breezy and hot and it is trying to suck the moisture out off us. It is like a sauna though, as well. Hot this late in the day. For an hour and a half we see no other human. We do see some wild life crossing the hiway in front of us as we continue south thru the park and all the way to the interstate. Arrive about 11:30pm. We spend the night in the car -- sweating. We move on at 3:30am when I have to find a rest room. Oh, the airconditioning is a welcome relief as we drive half a mile to an open restaurant. It is stinking hot even this late at night/early in the morning. We drive half an hour and come to a rest area. We try to get some sleep here. It is still stinking hot. Cindy has her window open all the way and her head is almost hanging out.
Monday, June 14th: Plan is to drive from Death Valley campground west thru to Victorville then south east to Joshua Tree National Park which is south towards Mexico and east of Palm Springs. We awaken in the rest area already long out of Death Valley. It is stinking hot already at 5:30am. When we get to Calico Ghosttown, no one is there yet; it is too early. On to Barstow, outlet malls, then Victorville, (we picked up some of Route 66 thru here) then towards Joshua Tree N.P. No running water in the park. We find campsite amongst huge boulders. Great campground, except for lack of water. Weirdest looking trees.
Tuesday, June 15th: Plan is to tour about the park, and maybe neighbouring towns. We do. Found showers outside park. Touring outside park takes us thru Palm Springs. Returning to park we see what seem to be thousands of huge wind mills.
Wednseday, June 16th: Plan is to drive up to Los Angeles area and stay at the Red Roof Inn a couple of blocks from Disneyland in Anaheim. In driving to Anaheim, we strayed back to Bakersfield and met up with the old Route 66 again. We even found the original McDonald's today. It is now a museum, not serving food. Discovered who the first Ronald McDonald was.
Who was he you ask? Give you a hint: he became a tv personality, and still is.
After checking in at the RRI, we drive over to Downtown Disney, or was it the Disney Market Place? We stroll about and return to motel after late dinner.
Thursday, June 17th: no specific plans for our next several days: but we do want to get to Hollywood, Rodeo Drive, beaches, Santa Monica pier where Route 66 ends, maybe a tv or studio tour, Crystal Cathedral which is very close to our motel, etc. Today is visit the Crystal Cathedral day. It is nearby. There is a Sunday morning religious tv broadcast from here. It is quite the fancy, clean, classy place. We do our own tour about. From here we go south west t the coast and start a drive from Newport Beach all the way to Venice Beach with several scenic stops along the way. Then the long drive back to the motel.
Friday, June 18th: no specific plan. We drive north to Sandimas where we pick up Route 66 again and follow it west thru Hollywood, Beverley Hills, L.A. all the way to the coast and the Santa Monica Pier, with diversions to the Beverley Hills Hotel, Rodeo Drive, Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood & Vine, Mel's Drive-In. Eventually, the long drive back to the motel. The pier was a bit of a let-down. Years ago when I was about 13, dad brought us here. The place was known as Pacific Ocean Park, or Palisades of the Pacific, (after Palisades Park in New Jersey) and there was an old wooden rollercoaster in those days. I didn't do the coaster then. I wanted to do it this trip. The old coaster was gone and there is now a newer metal coaster that did NOT look like a challenge.
Saturday, June 19th: Up real early and shuttle bus over to Disneyland. Spent the entire day til closing at Disneyland and neighbouring California Adventure (Disney's latest park, just a short walk away). Was it the Beach Boys or Beach Boys look-a-likes that entertained us when we arrived after lunch at California Adventure? I did the Tower of Terror and got the t-shirt. Several hours of fun and walking about later we take in the closing parade at Adventure. Then it back to Disneyland for the closing fireworks. What a day.
Week 8
Sunday, June 20th: Up late due to Disney "hangover" -- the legs are slow to get us moving today. Eventually, we go north and west to the start of Mulholland Drive. Heading east on Mulholland we travel up and down hills , view the "Hollywood sign," take in the Rose Bowl, and end up in Hollywood. We do lots of the walk of stars, see the hand and foot prints outside the Chinese Theatre and see the new Kodak Theatre. Also get a parking ticket.
Monday, June 21th: Today is another Disney day. We go back and try to see what we missed before. I get to ride the California Screamer rollercoaster. What a blast! At the end of the evening there are 3 spectacular shows. And we see them all. The parade, the light and water extravaganza and the fireworks. We get back to the RRI and think that we have another day here. We don't; that's it; tomorrow we move on.
.Tuesday, June 22st: PLAN is to drive from RRI and travel over to the coast at Malibu, then go up the Pacific Coast Hiway to San Simeon State Park and camp there 2 nights.
We do.
COMMENTS: It is now sommer and it is colder as we head north. We left the Disney area. Shortly thereafter only a few miles up the interstate we are into another discount mall. A little further north on I-5 we enter I-10 west all the way to the Santa Monica pier again. From here it is north up the Pacific Coast Highway. We are both disappointed that it is hard to get a good view of the beach along the coast in Malibu. We see some coast, but most is blocked by homes between us and water. We take a short break to watch the surfers. Today the waves are weak. We continue all day up the coast with the zigzags to get closer to the shore when the hiway cuts inland. After megamiles of beach the shore is starting to get and then mostly stay rugged. We dilly dally so much along the way stopping at scenic viewpoints (and making some of our own) that it is getting dark and we still have miles to go. Hmm, the sun has set. Great colours. We arrive at the compground just as the ranger is leaving. God thing we have reservations. We get our site # and set up in the dark. Late dinner of items picked up miles ago. Wind is fairly strong and cold. So windy and cold that Cindy ate in the tent. The sport shirt and shorts I wore earlier in the day are no longer warm enough. I put on a fleecy sweater for extra warmth. Oh my, it is cold! This is summer and it is the coldest night of our journey so far. A noisy group across the way keep awakening us.
Wednesday, June 23nd: PLAN: drive up to Hearst Castle for the 10:30 tour. If weather cooperates, we will drive up the coast a bit to watch the sea lions and what ever other sites there are to see.
We do.
COMMENTS: Oh my god...was it ever cold last night/this morning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We put on clothes to go to bed. And it is damp. And it is foggy. We arrive at the Visitors Center at 10:05. We check in to find that we have been bumped to the 10:10 tour. Quick, over to the bus that takes us the 5 more miles up the mountain to the castle at the top. The sun has come out and the fog is dissipating and the air is warming. WOW!!! To be so rich!! What a castle, more than a mansion!!
Later we are back at the Visitors Center. We watch teh National Geographic movie about W.R. Hearst and the Hearst Castle. Food here is expensive. We go for a short scenic drive, get a late lunch and then more scenic drive for several miles up the coast. Wow!! Scenic!! Road is often on the edge of a cliff high over the rugged coast line and sometimes way below is a gentle beach. This road does have guardrails and a very good set of signs. We have climbed quite high in altitude -- looking both north and south there are spectacular views. This is an awesome place, too. At a sea level stop elephant seals (not sea lions) are coming ashore t bask in the sun. Sun is hot now. Wind is cool and strong. A naturalist ot one stop tells us that these are about 5 years old. They begin mating at about 8. That is at about 8 years, not at 8:00pm. Ha, ha. Eventually we are back in the campground. We see some deer. Again, now it is cold. Cindy eats in the tent, again. Oh, wow. Look over there; it's the ocean. Couldn't see it last night in the dark, nor this morning in the fog. But there it is. Visible from the campground.
Thurdsay, June 24th, Quebec holiday, and granddaughter Taylor's birthday. She turns 8.
PLAN: is to drive up the coastal highway to Monterey, with a tour around the 17-mile drive, and then find a place to camp north of Monterey.
We do.
COMMENTS: Alarm at 6:30, out of the campground by 8:00. North up the Pacific Coast Hiway, #1. A very short distance and a lone coyote is waiting on the dunes begtween us and the ocean. It trots off as I stop to take the photo. The coast is in FOG for awhile, but opens up to magnificent views all the way to Pebble Beach with lots of scenic stops along the way. Gas was up to $3.70 on the lonely sstretch of PCH before Big Sur. I paid $2.279, and later saw it for as low as $2.199 in Monterey. On the coast we saw elephant seals at the southern end, regular reals off Pebble Beach. There is a "17-mile drive" which costs $8.25 to drive. It goes around the Pebble Beach area just south of Monterey. THe famous "lone cyprus" tree is on this drive. Yes; I got photos. THesre is ocean; a bit of coast; the road; the "rough" and the golf course. We saw 4 deer in the rough.
We head northstill on the PCH from Monterey. Where to stay tonight? State parks are day-use and the beach areas are no camping. At Pescadero, there is a sign for a county park. We are now about 10 miles inland. Very tall trees shelter out the wind. Tent and stuff still damp from this morning's dew/fog. WE are in mountainous forest. It is damp & cool. I see a few stars at 9:30pm, but trees tend to block most of the sky. The coastal drive is so magnificent. Better than the Cabot Trail of Cape Breton and the mOuntain Road at Stowe combined. And there is a bit more of it tomorrow. There were deer in the frot yard of a home on our way in from the coast tonight. (and Canada Geese in Monterey.)
Friday, June 25th
PLAN is to drive up the coast, cut thru San Francisco seeing some sites on the way, then across the bridge towards Oakland and into Walnut Creek to my uncle's and aunt's.
We did.
COMMENTS: Camp is sheltered from the wind by very, very tall trees. Also filters out the sun; everything is damp. We go from the campground which is over 10 miles inland back to the coast and then north. More awesome views of the rugged coast, beaches, coves, mountain sides, side canyons, etc. Driving is on the edge for the most part.
We are into San Francisco. Several turns later I have us on Lombard Street. Remember the movie BULLIT? The car chase with Paul Newman down the street with the twistiest of turns and steep? Going up before on the other was also steep -- it feels like one is going to go straight up. Into low gear and hit the gas! There are cross streets and stop signs. We get to the top. Down is really lots of esses. Low gear and the foot over the brake. Going down is easier than going up.
A quick drive thru the Fisherman's Wharf area, the Embarcadero and we are getting near the Bay Bridge. It is long! and it is high! I don't like long, high bridges. Not only is it long and high, there is an upper and a lower deck. I'm in luck; the 5 lanes going east are the lower deck. Lots of bridge structure helps to block out the view. Some how I am in the middle lane with out having to aim for it. (I don't want to see down!) The middle lane is good, especially with high sides. I miss a sign getting off the bridge and end up on the wrong interstate: I'm now going north instead of southeast. Checking the map as I drive I find that I can loop around and get back to my plan. A couple of interstates and half an hour later I am close to Walnut Creek, our destination today. The cell phone is not working. Have to pull off and find a land line to warn Aunt Irene that we are getting close. Find a shopping mall -- that slows us down for Cindy to do some window shopping. We get to the gated community of over 6000 people. It's called Rossmoor; what a neat place. Unfortunately, uncle George is now in Montreal. Aunt Irene greets us and treats us to a delicious dinner at one of their favourite restaurants.
Saturday, June 26th
PLAN: initial plan was to tour about (or take it easy).
We tour about.
COMMENTS: We have been in touch with a distant cousin, Kathy. She and her husband live in San Francisco near the Lombard and the Fisherman's Wharf. They'll meet us for lunch at the wharf. We meet outside the Aquarium. Her husband, Bob, is a motorcycle cop. We follow him ot a place to park and walk a block or two to a fine restaurent for lunch. Excellent dining. Thanks to Kathy and Bob!!! I had a fresh tuna sandwhich. It was thick, and partly rare. They have things to do. We'll tour around and then meet them for dinner.
Cindy and I take a boat cruise of the harbour. Not the one that takes people to Alcatraz, but the one that goes out to the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz and the harbour. Recommended. One gets to see a view of San Francisco, the harbour, the docks, the bridges, and up close to the Golden Gate, etc. The wind increases as we near the Golden Gate Bridge. So much so that we are glad that we have wind breakers over our sweaters. Upon return to land we stroll thru the wharf area and come upon the cable cars. I get tickets and we are in line for well over an hour before we can get on. We get inside seats and are off. The driver and the passengers are the entertainment. People from everywhere. There is girl in her late teens from Russia, some Chinese locals, visitors from Australia, us from Canada, more tourists. The driver pulls and pushes the long levers that connect down below so that the cable car can go and stop. After a few steep hills and valleys we are at a stand still. The cable car ahead of us is stopped. There is obviously no way to pass it. Cable cars for safety reasons are supposed to be at least 2 blocks apart. We are almost on top of the next one. The driver there cannot "grab" the cable. Something is wrong. They need a pull. We have to wait over half an hour for a huge cable car tow truck to come to it's rescue. The driver is taking lots of ribbing from our driver about being a rookie driver. All in good fun. Then we are moving again. At the end of the line there is a large shopping complex. Of course we have to go in. I browse while Cindy finds shoes. My browsing actually ended when the shirt that I saw and liked at around $30 was really $130 and on sale at that. Cindy is in ladies fashions for those who don't know. Clothes and shoes slow me down everywhere we go. Today is no exception. She lucked out. They had her size and my credit card shrank.
By now we realize that we won't be able to meet Kathy and Bob for dinner. They are across town and we have to get back to the cable car. I call them. Bob offers to come and pick us up. Oh, thanks, but Cindy is still shopping and really, we would both like to do the return ride on the cable car. It is something new to us, and like a new adventure. We want to get outside seats on the return "voyage". After the shopping we are back in line at the cable car stand. Lenghty wait. Then we run and get outside seats but not together. Still, it is amazing to be on the outside with traffic all around you, people coming and going. The bells ringing, the driver announcing various stops and calling out many warnings to passengers and cars that are too close.
We get back to the Fisherman's Wharf end of the line and have to hike to the car which is way over at the east side of town. We poke about in a few shops on the way back and pick up some souvenirs. We get to the car and our legs are limp. We still haven't had dinner and it is getting late. The parking charge per half hour has met the maximum ($19.75) for the day. We see a Denny's and walk over. Later I find our way to the Bay Bridge, get us over to Irene's without missing the sign this time, despite the dark of night.
Afterthoughts: I hadn't seen Kathy since the summer of 1965. That was the summer that my dad got transferred back to Montreal and I was to soon start university. Aunt Irene had her hands full that summer as Kathy, her sister, my brother and I and more cousins (total of about 8) spent a couple of weeks at the log cabin north of Rawdon -- no running water, and the cabin was 6 miles in on a dirt road.
WEEK 9
Sunday, June 27th
PLAN: more touring about, laundry, or taking it easy.
We manage to sleep in, get a little laundry done, and we do take it easy.
COMMENTS: After sleeping in, Cindy and Irene go shopping. I try to get some journal info entered. Irene's downstairs' neighbours, Jim and Jen, invite us for cocktails. A few hours later we climb back upstairs all talked out, or almost. They are wonderful couple.
Monday, June 28th.
PLAN: was to leave Walnut Creek and go north into the Napa Valley.
We don't. Instead, at Irene's invitation, we stay another day.
COMMENTS: Need to finish off the laundry. Cindy takes long time due to all of the clothes needing time in the washer. Me, more time trying to get journal info entered. Then, we invite Irene out for dinner. Somehow, she ends grabbing the check. Thank you! again. Irene also takes us on the grand tour of her community. It has everything: 2 golf courses, 3 swimming pools, tennis courts, billiards room(s), photo darkroom, ceramics, sewing, crotching, theatre, lawn bowling, and lots of other activities.
Tuesday, June 29th.
PLAN: more of the Napa Valley.
We don't. Istead, we decide to drive over the Golden Gate Bridge and go up the coast as far as reasonbly possible.
COMMENTS: We are slow leaving Irene's. First decision is 1)acrosss the Golden Gate and right up the coast or 2)stay inland and up hte Napa Valley. Cindy want to do the bridge. I want to do the bridge. Over the bridge it is. From Rossmoor we go west to #24, I-580, then I-180. We cross the long Bay Bridge into San Francisco. A few twists and turns and wer're on Haight. It is "hippy-like." 50/50 chance that we will find Ashbery this way. A car is covered in fur. People look 'hippier," the hoes are painted more psychodelic, etc. We do get to Ashbery. It looks "boring' and not "far out, man." For those not up with recent history, the Haight/Ashbery area was THE hippy haven area in San Fran.
I don't redo Lombard Street. I figured with photos I'd lose over an hour of travel time. A few more turns and ther's the bridge. I miss the viewpoint turnout. Okay -- middle lane is further from edge. Oh, oh. Lanes reduced t 2. Remember, I don't like hights, and long, high bridges. We're almost across and to the right is the viewpoint on the north side. I get over in time.
Wow, it is windy up here. There is a passage under to the west side. Under we go. I get that feeling in my knees as I look down. So, don't look down. The other side is closed to pedestrians. Back we go under the superstructure, again. Oh, those knees. Several stairs later we are back at the road level. Oh, the awesome views. The bridge to the right, the city off to the left; the Bay Bridge is way over to the left off to Oakland, Alcatraz is closer to the left, the whole bay/harbour is in front of us, the ocean is way off to the right. We are up high; the wind is fierce.
We pick up the Pacific Coast Hiway. Twists and turns, up & down, on the edge, tight turns for miles and miles and miles. We are usually on the inside so it's not so hairy; but the twists and turns may see us on the edge. Down to 5mph, up to 40mph, down to 20, up to 45, back to 5, on the edge, tight turn up, around past a side canyon; on we go north. Not able to cover 70 miles in an hour here. Lucky to do 30 miles in an hour especially when stopping often to appreciate the views. Some of the best views are at points I cannot stop the car. Road too narrow, car behind too close, no where to pullout. Beaches, coves, craggy coastline, ups & downs, side canyons, the view from above, the arms, shoulbers and especially the neck are sore. Neck keeps whipping around -- one eye on the road and one in the rear view mirror, and both trying to catch the view. Up/down/left turn/right turn/on the edge/around/up/twist/turn/turn some more.
All the switchbacks are making Cindy naucious. Even I'm getting close to it on some tight curves. For lunch I have a muffin and a diet cola; Cindy has pepto bismol and a diet 7-Up.
Hours more of switchbacks and awesome views. We try to stop for dinner; a very tasty one: Closed/closed/closed/way too expensive. Continue on. Well, it's this one or another hour to the next town. We settle for an Irish pub/dining room. It ended up hte ost expensive meal, yet, but what a meal!!!! Cindy has pepper steak; I have the captain's platter (shrimp/scallops/fish/seabass). Soup, salad and entree all excellent, dessert too; so was the service. Adjacent motel was $75 - $130. Next place is $130 for a nice ocean view, etc. But the nice view -- it's getting dark, and there will be fog tomorrow morning. When I draw this to their attention, the price drops to abut $100. Elsewhere, same thing, $125 becomes "only" $90. Still too much. Next town is bigger. More choice. I settle at $65. in Fort Bragg.
Gas was as high as $2.50; I paid $2.139 earlier. I see it here for $2.219 and top up before heading further north and likely higher prices.
Earlier, at the Point Reyes National Seashore, there was a mountain lion alert. We saw seals on shore at the inlet.
Wednesday, June 30th
PLAN: up the coast and spend the night at Eureka, California.
We contiunue up the coast.
COMMENTS: Foggy as predicted. It is siting high like a low overcast. Parking lot is wet. Rain last night. But, we are still without a rainy day since we left Chicago. It is cool, and a breeze keeps the fog away from the road. We're going north again. and it is more switchbacks, twisty-turny, up & down for miles. And, more awesome views. Eventurlly, we are off Rte #1 (the Pacific Coast Hiway) and onto US101. Just south of the town of Leggett, we pull into a private park and pay $3.00 each to view/drive thru the "drive thru" tree. There is a redwood tree so big that cars can be driven thru it. Coincidentally, there is a Ford Escape ahead of me. It fits -- I won't -- the roofbox is too high. The trees here are huge.
We are away from the coast now and theturns are more sweeping. Soon we are on the Avenue of the Giants. Huge, thick and tall and close. The road is narrow; narrow like the Lakeshore where the telephone poles are so close. Quick turns, fairly flat -- miles of trees that are awesome. These trees ARE huge. I stop and walk thru one that has a natural hole at the base. Another downed tree has a hollow segment tall enough to walk thru. Eventually, we get back to the coast and to Eureka. We motel it at Super-8 Motel.
Thursday, July 1st. CANADA DAY!!!!!!!!! We put on our CANADA t-shirts for the day.
PLAN: Further north up the California coast then inland to Crater Lake, Oregon.
We decide to forgo inland and enjoy the coast.
COMMENTS: Breakfast in our room. Back onto US101. Today we continue up the coast. More great views and off the coast in more huge redwoods. An inland drive and we come to the Ladybird Johnson Grove. More huge redwoods. During a lengthy chat in the parking lot, we hear of Fern Canyon, in a state park up the coast. We get up the coast, pay the day-use fee, and proceed to the parking lot which is a couple of miles thru along a dirt road but ends up right at the coast. There is a fairly level short hike (half km) into the very fertile valley. Large variety of ferns adorn the sidewalls of the canyon. A small brook, stream flows thru the middle. Very picturesque. Some of Jurasic Park 2 was filmed here. At the end of the trail, one can return the same way, or take one of two or three other trails. We opt to go up and back a different way. Up several stairs, past lots of old growth and huge trees. We get back to the coast and the ranger there tells us that we just missed two young buck elk. One the way in from the hiway we had seen a heard of females and a few young. From Fren Valley, we continue north to jCrescent City and motel it for the night.
Friday, July 2nd.
PLAN: tour around Crater Lake.
We don't. We never got there. Revised plan is to continue up the coast of Oregon.
COMMENTS: It is getting harder to get up early. We have done so mu;ch we are running out of energy. Has the adrenalin stopped flowing? Is it because we have not seen the sun any morning since we left Joshua Tree before L.A.? Fog, smog, or overcast has met us every morning while we have been on the coast. Was this really sunny California?
As we As we go further north I consider that travel up the coast is much slower than I thought it would be. Do we cut inland to Crater Lake now or continue up the coast? We decide to stay with the coast, and to take our time. Then the road seems to straighten out. Fewer tight turns means we go further, faster. The road is moving away from the coast more often, too. We don't see as much of the beautiful coastal views. We couldn't see much anyway due to the fog. A few scenic viewpoints draw us to the coastal edge. Wow. Still great views. This coast is just great. About half an hour later we are into Oregon and the fog has lifted. Clouds come and go all day. Rte 101 gets away from the coast. We take a few side trips to coastal towns and get some more great views. As it is getting later in the afternoon, we need to think of where to stay tonight. About 4 campgrounds are full -- this is the US long weekend, too. We near Reedsport, or. We end up in a motel. Luc=nch/dinner in town. Then a drive to the coast back tracking to where ATVs and 4-wheel drives are permitted on the dunes, motorcycles, too. The dunes are alive with the sound of engines. There are hundreds of motorcycles, ATVs, OHV (off hiway vehicles), pickups, SUVs, etc. Maybe a thousand. I head out to join them on the loose sand. It is too loose. I'm spinning tires. With the roof box and all of our gear we are too heavy. A slow u-turn and I have to get out of this.
Saturday, July 3rd.
PLAN: to the Oregon Dunes State Park.
We get up to Lincoln City.
COMMENTS: Another foggy morning. Road is mostly clear but fog rolling off the mountains and along the seacoast. We haven't had rain since May; 3rd. Is it rain or low fog today? It's fog -- no drops falling into the pond along the hiway. We take side trips into a couple af towns and a few beach loop goads. We get to Lincoln City. Motels show marquees for rooms at $35. They are asking for $89 when I pull in. Another marquee at $50 is now asking for $129. It is holiday time and most places are full or almost full. Prices have jumped everywhere up here. I find a new Motel 6 at only $;75 plus tax. We stay. Just down the road is a discount mall. In we go. Books, shirts, etc., all with no tax.
WEEK 10
Sunday, July 4th. Happy Birthday, USA.
PLAN: to stop at Astoria, Oregon.
COMMENTS: We slept in. Got going slowly. Drove around town (LIncoln City). Found a beach access for autos/SUV's to the beach. I venture part way, see a big-wheeled pickup get stuck where I was headed. Discression/wiseness cuts in and I slowly take a u-turn and leave the area. Zigzagging thru the streets we come upon a large casino, but not Vegas large. Here one can insert only bills; cannot play quarters, or nickels, althought the bet may be a quarter or nickle each flip of the button. We leave. We are away from the coast too much, now. We take a few loops off the hiway to get some more coastal views. Few to be had.
Across the Columbia River we go over a narrow, very high bridge into Washington. The coastal views are fewer now as we move more inland thru forest and valleys. Gas is cheaper here than Oregon. I tanked up in Oregon at $2.029. I see it at $1.989 in Aberdeen where we stop for the night. Motel it for $40. ...
Monday, July 5th
PLAN: up to Pacific Beach, Washington.
We get to Forks, Washington, which is inland and then break for a campground on the coast.
COMMENTS: Left motel. It ws not a good smelling place although just renovated. we go to Denny's for breakfast. Aberdeen is inlnad on a huge bay. we cut to the coast to a meninsula -- scenic drive sign guides us. It wasn't so scenic. We did see four deer grazing in a field. As we go along the hiway, there are few views of the coast. When we did see the ocean, it was quite scenic. We are back onto Rte 101 and going inland with rare swings to the coast for 60 or 70 miles. Another 30 miles of inland brings us to Forks. We go about 15 miles to the campground which is riverside very close to the Pacific Ocean. A short drive gets to the parking lot by the beach which is a short hike from parking. There are tree size hunks of driftwood here. A pebble beach -- no sand, but the pebbles are very smooth. We backtrack 5 miles to a little restaurent for dinner; then southwest to Quileute Indian Reservation. Fake totem pole here. The town is neater than the reservation we saw earlier today further south. Here there is avery scenic coast line, small harbour, some small islands, and an eagle. A bald eagle is perched on a small tree in a small island in the inlet. While driving back to the campground I see a hawk atop a short fir tree and then a panoramic view looking east -- snow peaked mountains with green mountains infront.
Tuesday, Junly 6th
PLAN: another day at Pacific Beach, Washington
We are already norht of Pacific Beach.
COMMENTS: It rained last night and is still raining as the alarm goes off at 6:30. Our first rain in 2 months. It is still raining when we finally rollout of the tent. Pack up in the rain and go north. Rain lets up soon after. Occasional low fog. A few scenic views along river/lake as we move inland. Have brunch at Grandma's Diner/restaurent. On to Port Angeles. Lady in Visitor Center gives some motel suggestions. We check into a small one called Ruffles. They wanted $67 a night. I got 3 night for $150. After a bit of shopping I find a road up a mountain in Olympic National Park. Soon the pavement is gone and I'm on dirt. Soon we are above the clouds and the road is getting narrow. We are still climbing; I'm honking the horn every 10 seconds just-in-case. This is more white-knuckle driving. Cloud, tight turns, narrow road, blind curves: this is crazy. I find a wider spot and pull a 3-point turn. Haven't seen a car for miles. On the way down one passes us on it's way up. Back to town and we find a Chinese restaurent that served up delicious food.
Wednesday, July 7th
PLAN: is to get to Port Angeles.
We are already there.
COMMENTS: Breakfast in room. Drive east to outskirts of Port Angeles to Juffy Lub for oil & filter change. We've done about 18,000kn so far. Farther east to Swquim. There is a JCPenny here; Cindy gets her hair done. I go to the local library It is not open til later. I scout around town. There are some cutsy places. I also find a used book store. I get 9 for only $6.15. Then, it is back to library to read e-mails and get another journal entry added.
Lunch is It's back to Port Angeles to the post office, then to the main area of Olympic Park. Our National Parks Pass gets us in free. It is about 28Km up the side of the mountain -- zigzagging all the way. But it is paved. Today we get a few K past the entry station and there is fog. At the top I can see about 100 feet when lucky. No panoramic vistas today. Going down is worse. We are on the outside of the road -- on the edge. At least it is paved.
Back to town. Cindy does some laundry. We pack up what we can so there is little to be done tomorrow as we have to catch the ferry to Canada. Don't want to miss it or we won't get to Victoria til very late afternoon. Placard outside the ferry port says to get there about an hour before the schedule parting time. For the 12:30 we should be there by 11:30 tomorrow.
We are down from the Hurricane Ridge drive and what to do for dinner? I head to the downtown/harbour area. Might be something near the ferry terminal. At the Red Lion Motel is the Crab House Restaurent. It is not a crab "shack" but a rather fancy place. We go the whole 9 yards for a pre-anniversary dinner: wine, salad bar, major meal and dessert. Mmmmm!!
Car is all packed up above. The roofbox is full. I did manage to repack some items differently so some souvenirs and gifts fit in giving more room in the back despite all of our purchases. I can still see out of the back window. Good thing that I did take out the back seats to allow for the extra space.
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Our Great Escape time in the US ends tomorrow. I have put together some of my "best of ..." thoughts in no particular order:
Best "awesome" areas: Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico
.......................Driving dirt roads in Arizona
.......................Grand Canyon, Arizona
.......................Death Valley at 282 feet below sea level
.......................Hearst Castle and the coast of California
.......................Las Vegas
Best "cactus" area: all around Tucson, Arizona
Best views: the California coast
Best wildlife: near Hearst Castle (coyote, deer, elephant seals, seals)
Best "theme" park: Old Tucson Studios
Best Route 66 state: Oklahoma
Most "rugged" road: the Apache Trail, Roosevelt Dam to Mesa, Arizona
Best time in Vegas: singing along with the Drifters and the Marvellettes
Best "other" entertainment in Vegas: the fountains and music outside the Bellagio
Best of Disneyland: the evening parade, followed by the Fantasmics and then the fireworks.
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Friday, July 9th
PLAN: take the ferry to Victoria, and drive north to Sydney on Vancouver Island.
We do.
COMMENTS: ferry to Victoria leaves Port Angeles at 12:45. Word is to be at the dock an hour before. To ensure we get on I plan to be there befor 11:00. We're up early. Eat in room. Load up rest of our stuff. Not in a rush. Lots of time. Let's go and be even earleir. Arrive at dock a bit after 10:00 -- there are over a dozen vehicles ahead of us -- maybe they missed the earleir ferry. I pay our $44.50US and we are guided to a "staging"area. We can lock and leave the car and wander about. To the pier for a coffee and washrooms. Browse thru a few shops. Sit and relax. Crossing the street I look back at the staging area. It seems full. Time is before 11:15. Good thing we didn't just arrive an hour early, we wouldn't be on this ferry and would have to wait til around supper time for next one. Across the street is a really neat shop. Some coke memorabilia, fine china, trinkets, kitchen gadgets, fancy clothes, funny cards, chocolate goodies, souvenirs, etc. We don't buy anything, but could have spent a small fortune if not already way over our duty-free limit. It is almost noon. We must be back on dock and in car by 12:15. A light rain has started. The ferry coming from Victoria is visible and will dock & unload soon. By 12:45 we are starting to load up. We get on early so we are upfront in the ferry. A huge RV is beside us and another is behind. And I was worried that we might not fir due to teh roof box. No passengers are permitted on the car deck once underway. Upstairs there is an outsidedeck aft for sitting or sstrolling. Large no-smoking lounge is upfront and the smoking lounge is amidship. We go upfront. Too windy and wet, outside. We dock 2:00ish in Victoria harbour. We are in first dozen or so off the ferry. First border check is no problem, but due to being well over our duty-free limit it is I have to go to pay up. But first, they have to do a "search" of the roof box. It took a few seconds. Inside, I have all of my receipts: a very nice young lady goes thru them, adds them up, converts it all to Canadian dollars and charges me $120. All of this takes time.
Meanwhile, Cindy is in the car wondering what's going on. Some smaller RV's/camper vans are getting a thorough going over/thru. I'm back & off we go. Find washrooms in the parliament building. Call our friend, Don, the mountie, who grew up in Lachine. He lives half an hour north in Sydney. We do a few blocks of downtown and then head his way.
Don takes us out in Sydney harbour via a borrowed, small cabin cruiser. Everything is calm but there are lots of distant clouds. It is quite scenic. He zips us over to where his sail boat is moored. It is a 38 foot, masthead rig's, sloop, with a 3-cylinder diesel engine. Don wants to take us sailing this weekend. Cindy can't wait to go. How soon? Will we find whales? I am very apprehensive. I am NOT a water person. But I am keen to give it a try. Tomorrow and if I survive that, then yes, we can continue on Sunday. We'll do a "ground" visit around Victoria Monday and leae Tuesday morning.
Don takes us out to a pub for a brew and snacks. Two beers later his girlfriend, Yvonne, joins us. We stay to eat and eat. Yvvonne, a flight attendant, has to fly out early tomorrow so she goes home and we keep chatting, packing it in about midnight.
Saturday, July 10th
PLAN: sail about or tour about.
We have decided to sail, and we do.
COMMENTS: Up slowly; breakfast; shopping list; directions. We'll meet Don at the yacht club, onboard. We shop for grub and find our way dockside. I help Don clean off the bottom of the dingy. He tops up the water tanks and does some other checks. We're underway. Away from the dock but still in the harbour he has ME take the helm. He takes it back as we near the fuel dock. After taking on diesel fuel, he heads us away from the dock and returns the helm to me. The wind is calm -- we're under motor power. Eventually we are out of the harbour and in the wide channel. He is taking care of the sail as I steer on. It is slow going at first as there is little wind. Not a problem as we are in no hurry to go anywhere special. I am much more relaxed than i had anticipated. Easy going. Wind is starting to pick up and it is getting chilly. Lots of cloud. Rain behind us. A few drops catch us once in a while. Hardly noticable. More rain is off our port side. We should miss it. The B.C. ferries are going back and forth each hour. I see the same one a few times inbound, outbound, etc. We see hayakers, a few others under sail, a seal, whale-watching boats coming and going, little islands off to starboard, small local ferried, a few fishing boats are heading in. Don checks his charts for a place to anchor for the night. He has me swing around the bouy, and come up a channel between a penninsula and a couple of small islands. 3 sailboats are docked next to some homes on the larger island. Ahead there is a sail boat at anchor near the end of the inlet. Don has the sail down by now as I take us thru -- slowly. HE probably would have gone more quickly. I'm a novice here! Still lots to learn! Like, don't swing the wheel around too far too fast without bringing it back some.
one eye on the depth meter (7.0meter plus is fine)
one eye on Don for signals
one eye on the starboard side
one eye roving back & forth at the scenery
one eye on the throttle control while gauging our speed
and don't forget that there is patch over one eye, eh, captain, a pirate's life for me. Har de har, har!
At our anchorange, Don Sea-B-Q's on board. We have a delicious dinner, talk for hours and finally bunk down for the night. Waters are calm but our quarters are cramped. I do feel the gentle wake of a boat passing in the night. Very awkward in the middle of the night crawling out of the bunk head-first to get to the head.
WEEK 11
Sunday, July 11th
PLAN: more sailing or touring.
We continue to sail.
COMMENTS: Omelets onboard for breakfast. No need t rush, we take advantage of the quiet, calm, restfull location and just ease back.
During the night at least 2 other craft passed us. One with loud music and another with a large wake.
To lift anchor, Don has me going back and forth. I motor us ot of the passage and eventually we pickup the ferry route thru Action Pass. Huge ships (the car ferries) are coming and going and I'm in the middle. I have the right of way but they are huge next to us. I'm not going to even get us close to them. I take evasive action moving far away and then cutting back nose first into their wakes.
We haven't seen any whales yet. Ferries again on return voyages. Wind calms and we go back to motor power. Half an hour later we are back to sail and cliping along at a 30 degree tilt.. This is great...as long as Don is nearby.
We get back to the yacht club and Don brings up into the dock. There is quite a tight turn here. After securing the boat we go for dinner in Sydnewy. Another delicious meal. Dessert is at the Dairy Queen then it's back to Don's More chatting and eventually to bed.
Monday, July 12th
PLAN: touring about Victoria.
We do.
COMMENTS: Don has lots to do so today is our day to tour on our own. We head to Bictoria looking for a Walmart where I want to get images from the digital camera memory card transferred to disc. After getting the system charged with almost 400 images at the photo counter at Walmart a different clerk tells me that it will cost $10 per 40 images. I have almost 400 and I want a back up disc, too. That will cost over $200 with tax. Across the US it cost about $5 to $8US per disc for the whole card, whether there were 20 images or 400. The other clerk tells me that it would be cheaper at Black's. I get directions and away we go. Fortunately, Black's is in a mall which is towards downtown, our destination.
Black's will do the disc plus a back up for less than $20. I find Cindy back at Sears in the mall: she has picked up some sale items. I get a jig saw on sale.
We also have to find the FIDO outlet in Victoria. It is on Yates. Coins into the parking meter and into FIDO. Our cell phone would cut out on us sometimes or not even come up ohter times. we get a new "inards" in the old shell; no charge and the phone works now.
Into the heart of downtown. Around the Empress Hotel. More coins into the next parking meter. We go in and wander around. After lingering around the hotel and surrounding area, we drive thru Chinatown. Back to the mall to Black's to pick up the discs and memory cards. We pick up wine and dessert for tonight. By this time it is too late to take in the Butchart Gardens. Back at Don's he has lamb chops, thick steaks and chicken breasts to g on the BBQ. His "yacthing friends, Jim and Gretchen, are in Sydney, up from Sacramento, California. We enjoy a great meal with two new, wonderful friends.
Tuesday, July 13th, our 26th anniversary.
PLAN A: Ferry to the mainland and stay at cousin Sue Ann's in North Vancouver, BC. Travel north and clock-wise to Whistler, then end up in Princeton.
PLAN B: Ferry to the mainland and stay at cousin Steve's in Princeton, BC and travel counter-clockwise back to Vancouver area.
PLAN C: Ferry to the mainland and stay at cousin Matt's in North Vancouver, BC and adjust the route accordingly.
Months ago Sue Ann made plans for us to stay with her and her husband, Chris, and their two sons, Matt and Harry. Since then, another visitor from Great Britain arrives, Chris and Matt are in the middle of plans to go to Wales and Scottland for a soccor tournament for Matt, and the house is going up for sale and is in total turmoil, or so it seems. Cousin Steve and his wife were going to be on our route later as we pass thru British Columbia. They are a couple of hours inland at Princeton. Arrangements change: we'll go there first, then to Whistler, and then to Vancouver area. I get an e-mail from Matt suggesting that we stay with him, then continue our journey. A few rapid phone calls later and we will stay at Matt's a couple of nights, then up to Whistler for a night or two at Cindy's cousin's place (Lee) and then back to Matt's and then mayber on to Steve's. In the middle of this I also want to see an old junior high school buddy, another cousin, Ron, and another of Cindy's cousins, Jay, and my aunti Vi.
Things are getting confusing and all we want to do is travel around and see everyone and everything.
At the last minute, we opt for PLAN C.
COMMENTS: We are up early and on our way from Don's heading north to catch the ferry from Sydney to Tsawwassen, south of Vancouver. We get waved onto the 9:00am ferry. I had expected to be early for the one at 10:00, but this is just fine; no need to wait, now. On board we go up to the breakfast buffet and relax as the ferry takes us over to the mainland thru the passage where we had been sailing a couple of days before. Just before we exit the ferry, there is an announcement that a transport has been in an accident blocking our hiway route to Vancouver. We sit on Route 17 for an hour til it is possible to creep around. Then it is up to Route 99, thru Richmond, and into Vancouver.
We tour about from downtown out to UBC and back. Finally, I find the right access and over the Lion's Gate Bridge we go. Then, east to North Vancouver and up to cousin Matt's place above the TransCanada Hiway. Matt's out. We go to the library for a short wait and then back to Matt's.
His mom, my auti Vi, lives nearby and walks over to join us for a short visit and dinner. We then drop Vi off and go to cousin Sue Ann's (Matt's sister) also nearby. This is Tuesday, and Friday Chris and their son, Matt, (not my cousin Matt) fly out to Scottland for the soccer tournament.
Wednesday, July 14th
PLAN: nothing special, tour about.
We do.
COMMENTS: Matt, Vi, Cindy and I are motorboating to Matt's retreat north of Deep Cove up the Indian Arm. Relaxing afternoon with late lunch on the BBQ on the deck of Matt's retreat. It is unreachable by car. He usually canoes to get up here. He says that a bald eagle can often be seen perched atop one of the tall pines nearby. No such luck today. This is his mom's first trip here. She is terrified of the water, more than me. We all get through okay.
After the return ride we treat Matt to dinner.
Thursday, July 15th
PLAN: up to Whistler, the Edgewater Lodge and Cindy's cousin, Lee, and his wife, Christine.
We do.
COMMENTS: from Matt's it is a couple of miles down to the TransCanada Hiway and then west to Horse Shoe Bay, the end of the hiway. At the end one can go left and drive onto the ferry or to the right and one is then heading north on the Sea-to-Sky Hiway, #99. Scenic views are back. Also, lots of construction. The province is widening the hiway to help accomodate the expected traffic which will be along here for the 2010 Winter Olympics from Vancouver to Whistler. Whistler will host several of the ski related activities.
A side trip into Squamish gets us to the lovely, new home of Dora and Greg. They used to live in Pierrefonds. Dora used to work with Cindy at Fairview. A small world: they were neighbours to the parents of our daughter's husband several years ago.
Lots of scenic views all the way up the hiway. Further north and we get to Whistler, world famous sky resort. A summer mecca for mountain bikers. The sky lifts take people and their bikes up the mountains for the "race" coming down. Cindy's second cousin, Lee, manages the Edgewater Lodge on the north side of town, just past the village. We check in.
Time for a more detailed visit to the village. All 4 large parking lots are full. Lots of mountain bikers and all sorts of others here. We tour about in the car and then take a short drive north more inland scenic views. Back to town and then a most delicous, and relaxing dinner. The lodge does not have a restaurant, it has a dining room of noted repute. The meal was to die for. Cindy has a garlic alergy. The chef prepared a sauce that made the scallops and shrimp the tastiest. The wine, salad, main dish, dessert, ambience, etc. -- just great, A-1!! The dining room looks out on a lawn and garden next to Green Lake behind which are the ski hills on the rugged mountains peaked with ice and snow, even this late in the summer.
Friday, July 16th
PLAN: to take it easy. Maybe, tour about.
We, both.
COMMENTS: Lee and his wife, Christine, join us at breakfast. It is great to stay in touch. Then, we are off on a journey north again on #99. Past Pemberton and beyond but not as far as Lillooet -- maybe two-thirds of the way. Lots of scenic views but too often nowhere to stop to safely take photos. Nonetheless, on the way back I make lots of photo stops. We also get out the car and make a short hike to Joffre Lake. Calm, relaxing -- small lake surrounded by trees with mountains in background, most with some ice/snow atop. Eventually, back to the village; we pick up some items for dinner back in our room and crash early. Must have been all that fresh mountain air. Our room (and all of the other rooms) has the same majestic view as one has from the dining room.
Saturday, July 17th
PLAN: tour about Whistler and then back to Matt's in North Vancouver.
We do with another side trip to Greg and Dora's in Squamish.
COMMENTS: Breakfast in the lodge. Mmm. Into the village area. Gondolas up the mountain are not cheap. E decide to pass on them. We wonder around the town for and hour or two, into several shops/boutiques. We even get some RCMP souvenirs.
Back on the road again and we are going south with several photo stops. Visit with Greg and Dora. Then, more photo stops along the way. Side trips into a couple of coastal towns. We drive all around and through HorseShoe Bay with a relaxing stop in one of the parks that overlooks the islands in the straits. We pick up pizza for a late dinner back at Matt's.
WEEK 12
Sunday, July 18th
PLAN: nothing special.
COMMENTS: My cousin, Ron, is across the bridge just east of Vancouver and comes to North Vancouver to meet us for a long, lazy brunch. Haven't seen Ron in many years. Afterwards, Cindy and I are into West Vancouver and slowly go through 2 malls. Later it is dinner in the Mosquito Grill/Pub.
Monday, July 19th. News Flash: today marks the start of my 29th year at John Abbott College. Montreal was just gearing up for the 1976 Summer Olympic Games.
PLAN: a laundry day.
COMMENTS: We leave at 4:00ish to go to Ladner, not too far from where the transport was overturned on hiway #17 at #10 last week when we were heading from the ferry to Vancouver. We are going to have dinner with Wayne and his wife, Marilyn. I haven't seen Wayne in 30 years. Wayne and I were best of friends in junior high school and through high school, despite going to different high schools in Etobicoke (Toronto). WAe had kept in touch after I came to Montreal until he went west. Good thing we left early to get to Wayne's: where I was hoping to take #91 west, the sign said 91 -- I turned -- and the route was east only, for miles. Oh, well. Go to plan B, and cut back much farther over. We arrive a few minutes early, nonetheless. Great dinner; great time. Did not seem like it had been 30 years.
On our way back to Matt's, I missed a turn in the dark and almost went over the wrong bridge which would have put us far to much to the east. Despite the darkness, and the construction, and the difficulty of trying to figure where we were, I did get us back to a road which got us to another which a few more roads later eventually got us back to the TransCanada Hiway and then it was easy getting back to Matt's.
Tuesday, July 20th
PLAN: nothing special.
see comments.
COMMENTS: Slept in. Lazed about. eventually out for a scenic drive. ended up at lighthouse park. Went for the hike up & down hills to overlook coast looking across the bay to Vanvouver, Lion's Gate Bridge and North Vancouver.
Got to speak with Aunti Marge, cousin Jack not home' but spoke with his wife, Mary, all of whom used to live in Quebec.
Wednesday, July 21st.
PLAN: nothing special.
Into Vancouver. Drove around China Town, Gastown, downtown and across town. Stopped in Gastown. Strolled about. Filming was underway for an episode of "Smallville goes to Paris." Despite being in Vancouver, it really did look like a scene out of Paris. French signs, cars, scooters, the fashions on the actors/actresse, etc. The old steam clock in Gastown spewed the hour.
Took the drive up Grousse Mountain. Decided against the cable car to go to the top. Part way up is a man-made lake and a park. Scenes in the movie "Electra" were being shot here.
Back to Matt's -- he, his mom, his sister, his nephew and Cindy & I had a very pleasant dinner together.
Thursday, July 22nd.
PLAN:
Actual: Drive from North Vancouver to somewhere up the Okanagan Valley.
COMMENTS: We leave Matt's in North Vancouver. We are on our way home. We take a short tea break at Aunt Vi's before hitting the hiway. We go east on the T-Can. At Hope we detour thru the town for a few moments. Then it is east on #3 t Princeton. Still cannot raise cousin Steve. Further east, then north up the Okanagan. Between Summerland and Peachland we camp. Nice place on the side of a mountain between the lake and hiway; hiway is under construction. Traffic wakes us around 4:00am.
Friday, July 23rd.
PLAN:
Construction on the hiway keeps us up at 7:AM. We eat, pack up and get on our way quickly. Going north is very scenic: mountains, lakes, rivers. Through Revelstoke; Into Glacier, a time zone change, into Yoho NP, side trip to view the falls way up the side of a mountain. Falls cascade down to a river which passes by at our feet. Mountains all around. Many have snow/ice. This is a very scenic area.
To many stops for photos. But not really enough to capture all the beauty of this area. Again, some of the best views are at places one cannot stop and get out safely to take the photos. Mountains, canyons, rivers, snow/ice, trees, ruggid. Sp[ectacular views on all sides. We are into Alberta and the spectacular views continue as we go east and then north. Heading north we are looking for a campsite. Some are already full. I think we got the last site at a very good forested campground which is situated at the edge of a river/lake.
Saturday, July 24th
PLAN: Head to Banff.
Instead we head north to Jasper.
COMMENTS: Up and out early and on our way north. Wow!!! We hit the ice fields. Take the "bus" tour onto the glacier. Continue north and camp just south of Jasper. Into Jasper and tour about. Go a bit north and drive around a few lakes.
WEEK 13
Sunday, July 25th.
PLAN: Go south to Lake Louise.
We do.
COMMENTS: While taking down the tent the shock cord in 1 of the 3 poles that make the dome snapped. We drive into Jasper hoping that one of the shops will be able to do a repair. The Info Centre suggests that we try around the corner, a couple of doors down. Sorry, they don' have any poles but have them on order. They suggest that we try 3 doors east. Success. An hour later we are on our way south. A knowledgable young man was able to re-cord the pole.
A little south of Jasper we divert to #93A and take the back hiway for several miles. Some waterfalls and river scenes unfold to us. We conect back to #93South and the views are just as great as they were when we were going north. Stopped at the ice fields for llunch. Not many other options on this route for food. The food is nowhere as good as the views.
Eventually we get to Lake Louise. Very small town. Into campground. Set up tent. Then go exploring. To Lake Louise. Cindy has memories of a previous visit a great many years ago. The old lodge has been replace with a more modern hotel. Inside still has some of the old look. The view of the lake is still magnificent. Food at the new lodge is VERY expensive!!!!!!!! We leave and go back to town and dine at the local restaurant.
Monday, July 26th.
PLAN: Drive to Calgary.
We do.
COMMENTS: We are driving east on the TransCanada towards Calgary. How far will we get? The mountains are sitting there majestically, but in haze. Not good for photos. We get to Banff. Find a place to park and stroll up and donwn the main street. Find several shops with souvenirs we just have to have. Banff seems larger than Jasper and Lake Louise combined.
Eventually got to Calgary. Found a motel on the west end and then drove around downtown. Lots of "grubbies" here in the just east of downtown area. Very few people on the streets are dressed up as we drive around in rush-hour. A mostly casual place. We pick up some groceries for breakfast and tonight's dinner to have in our room.
Tuesday, July 27th.
PLAN: Continue east, find the Hoodos and see how far we get.
We do head east and find the Hoodos and then get to Swift Current.
COMMENTS: Out of Calgary we go north and east (away from the T-Can) to Drumheller, then south looking for the hoodoos. We go behond hoping for more. No luck. Back to the hoodoos and photos. decide to go back to Brumheller to gas up. returning south we go to side road to find "ghost town" -- this was an active mining area once upon a time. More south and east on back hiways looking for Dinasour Provincial Park. We get to the overlook area. Great scenery but no visitors' centre nor restrooms. We backtrack to the secondary hiway and there is a place to get some late lunch. We sit in the back with a couple of locals. Do they ever get a laugh at our expense: we did't drive far enough from the overlook.
Eventually we are back on the T-Can and on to Swift Current, Alberta.
Wednesday, July 28th.
PLAN: Drive further east.
We do, and get to Brandon, Manitoba.
COMMENTS: From Swift Current we get to the north-west corner of Regina and go into the RCMP training centre. We do the tour of the museum and the campus. This takes a couple of hours from our driving time but it was well worth it as we both enjoyed the time here. We contiunue on to Brandon, Manitoba where we motel it.
Thursday, July 29th.
PLAN: to continue east, as far as we can get.
We do.
COMMENTS: From Brandon we get to Winnipeg. Drive around downtown for about half an hour. A little side trip thu St. Boniface. From here we go east on the T-Can and then south to Steibach. We spend a couple of hours at the Mennonite Heritage Centre. Lunched there, too. Then it was back up to the T-Can and east. And more east all the way to Kennora. Motelled it.
Friday, July 30th.
PLAN: Can we get to Thunder Bay?
Yes, we do.
COMMENTS:
Saturday, July 31st.
PLAN:
WEEK 14
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...last updated:
....................................September 5, 2004
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