All good things must end!

With an uneventful two days of travel, we have arrived at our final campground in Prince George BC. We will have some quiet time before getting ready for the farewell dinner. To say the least the last get together was as much fun as the rest of the adventure! We all had time to visit with fellow travelers and then entertainment was provided by our fantastic tour guides. The highlight of which was a song loosely based on the twelve days of Christmas I truly wish that I had a copy of the lyrics but the gist of them was based upon the caravan tour before us had a couple get married while on the tour and all of the other guests got to participate. Our claim to fame was that we had 14 or 16 cases of Covid-19! Even with that many people getting sick we all managed to remain upbeat and ready for the next adventure.

By the time we are ready to leave the next morning we have decided to team up with Bill and Connie Johnson from the Phoenix area. We still have over 500 miles to go before getting to the states, so we decide to spend a couple of days in a small town called Cache Creed. First order is to see about getting some of the incredible dirt off of the RV and car. The host of the campground gave us permission and the cleaning began. Although we spent several hours it will be a long time before the RV is really clean. Infact, it will possibly only get clean once we return to Delaware! On the second day we are joined by another member of the tour, and it feels like old times. The highlight of this stop was while Judy and Edgar are out for an after-dinner walk, they are surprised by a bear cub which climbs a tree in the park. We all get to see it and take pictures, but this cub is small enough I am cautiously watching for its mamma bear! Thankfully after backing away the cub climbs down and scurries off.

The next day we are finally going to get back to the US, but Bill and Connie will be going straight to Phoenix while we are heading toward Seattle. Getting back into the states was rather uneventful but while at the border the agent asked if I knew the tag number of the RV which I did. Then he wanted to know the tag on the car I gave him the four numerals which prompted him to ask for the rest of it. When I told him that Delaware had car license plates with only one numeral, he had to see for himself. He walked all the way to the back of the car and then he had to yell at the other agents about our four-digit tag. After that he couldn’t have been any better. I only wish I had taken his picture.

Our first stop is in Anacortes, WA and we will spend a couple of days here. I have to admit that being on the road since June my memories of what took place at what time is starting to run together. Looking at my photos I see a lot of coastline and one really neat old house.

Our next stop is in Snoqualmie, WA and it is very interesting to see. There are old railroad cars, old logging exhibits and old waterfalls. I am continually amazed by the enormity of the old Redwood trees growing in this area. The ones that are still standing are impressive but the cross section of some of the ones that have been harvested is mind boggling. Having always enjoyed old steam powered equipment I enjoyed the static display of the old trains and such, but it made me sad to see how badly they have deteriorated. Possibly before they completely rust away some type of restoration can be done.

From here our next stop will be going to Olympia, WA which is the closest campground we can find near Seattle so we will have to travel a bit to be tourists! There is so much we want to do and somethings that we cannot. Years ago, I remember having a meal in the restaurant located at the top of the Space Needle and I so wanted Judy to have the same experience but to my dismay they no longer offer food service up there. However, we did get to tour the tower. Our ticket to tour the Space Needle also included admission to the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit. The artist Chihuly develops fantastic artwork using blown glass. The sculptures designed by him, and his assistants is truly unbelievable. If you ever get a chance to attend a showing of his art, go! The three photos below are just a small sampling of his art.

While in Seattle one has to go to the Pike Place Fish Market as well as all the other stores in the area. Although we didn’t get close enough to get great photos, we did get to see the men tossing the fish around the market. I was really amazed at the selection of fish for sale and the knowledge of the people working there.

Just one floor down below the fish market was a rather infamous display of how gross humans can actually be! I am talking about the “Gum Wall” and to me it is one of the grossest things I have ever seen. However, it wouldn’t be a visit to Pike Place Market without seeing it.

Although we are preparing to celebrate Christmas in San Diego, CA my next report will be from Olympia WA and points south. Hopefully someday I won’t be three months behind.