Was it the sea air or the lower temperatures that allowed us to sleep so well in Bellevue (Seattle)?
After a lazy start, we made our way into downtown Seattle. We found our way to the needle, decided to take the Monorail to downtown, as it was cheaper than going up the hallowed tower. Downtown, we toured some shops, then went back to the Needle, where we had a lovely lunch at the Bee Cafe.
The highways of Seattle reminded us of those around Toronto; crazy busy, and rather repetitive.
As it was Sunday, one of the Duty Free shops at the border was closed. But a small one was open and we managed to get a couple bottles. At the border, the border guard wore plastic gloves and thumbed our passports. A few questions later, we were on our way.
Not long after, I thought I was going into an HOV lane, turned out we were taking a wrong turn on the highway. We went 4 km in one direction (including a trip under the bridge), turned around and came back.
If there's one thing B.C. knows how to do, it's ferries. They know how to line up the cars in a precise sequence. Get over 200 cars/trucks on and off a ferry in under 7 minutes. Once on the ferry, they offer Starbucks coffee, expensive raingear, and a view that can't be found anywhere but here, with Orcas in the water, snow-capped mountains in the background, salty air blowing in your face, and a group of people on the boat from all over Canada and the world interested in being there right in that moment.
7.30pm we arrived at Michael's home. Jenn had prepared a lovely Sunday roast beef dinner with potatoes, onions, carrots and gravy (including the ever-important horseradish). We enjoyed the meal out in the back yard with wine and the most amazing sky. What a lovely way to be welcomed.
REFLECTIONS ON OUR TRIP:
There is no way, not matter how hard you try, to keep a car organized when three people are traveling so far for so long. You just have to accept the mess. Except when it comes to the trunk! There is a science to packing the trunk that must be adhered to and only one individual can do this. Every day.
A bag of tangerines make great car snacking food. Dried apricots are preferable to dates.
Car camping requires a lot of gear, most of which you do not need. But you cannot know what you will and will not need until you get out there on the road.
That trip was fun!
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