Home stretch

Great return so far, but I knew I'd hit a snag somewhere. Left Iowa City this morning (along with Bill & Hill) and headed east.

I hit the most horrible weather on 70 heading toward Columbus, OH. I'd hoped to make it to Zanesville, but drove into the biggest, blackest clouds with frightening lightning, and it was never-ending. People pulled off under the underpasses--even trucks pulled over. I plugged along, I knew if I stopped I could be stuck for a long time. Finally exited where they had some motel signs, but I couldn't find the motels because I couldn't see. Utilized Bertha's search feature, she said turn left, said I was at destination, etc. but I didn't believe her (I couldn't see because of driving rain!) Fortunately she also gave a phone number, so I called the motel and asked if they had rooms and if so, how could I find them. They had rooms and they were just a block away. Another vote for GPS.

Anyway, unless I run into that storm again, I should be home tomorrow (Thursday) night. So John, I'll have plenty of time to prepare for your arrival!

Iowa City

I'm staying in a 37.99 Motel 6 tonight, Iowa City, IA, pirating internet. Bill & Hill in town, that's all the news. I figure I've only got one more night--somewhere in Ohio--and I should be home late Thursday. John & Co. to arrive Friday afternoon, I know I'll be tired but I just love being around those two boys

Kadota, S.D.

I'm Kadota, S.D., tonight. I left Butte, Mont., this morning - just calculated my mileage - 675 miles today!

I left at 7 a.m., arrived around 4:40. It was 75 all the way. I know things will slow down as I head eastward, so glad I did so well today. Weather perfect, though much hotter than it was when I went through here three weeks ago.

Winging it

Left Seattle this morning, 55 degrees, I'm in Butte, MT tonight, 85 when I arrived. Made reservations for South Dakota tomorrow night. Note to self: next time factor in traveling during July 4 holiday (many motels are full).

I spent most of the time planning my trip TO the west coast; this part I'm making up as I go along. I learned that the white figure up on the mountain is "Our Lady of the Rockies." I didn't even realize I was IN the Rockies.

Port Angeles, WA, Vancouver Island

Beautiful drive to Port Angeles, WA from Oregon. Then took the ferry to Victoria, $44, 1.5 hours. The downtown area is touristy but fun.

At one point the harbor cruise boats performed a synchronized waltz to the Blue Danube. The aborigines sell handcarved items and jewelry along the bank.

Saw lots of Smart Cars on Vancouver Island--gas is around $1.11/litre. Love the Arbutus tree, the only native broad-leafed evergreen in British Columbia.

Two different galleries had the diving pig print that I have in my living room. Guess it's not as unique as I thought!

More photos

Space Needle

You would love the Space Needle. Expensive, but what a view. In the cityscape photo my hotel is at the bottom left corner. I also took the monorail downtown. Can't wait to explore more tomorrow. Worst traffic I've encountered so far on the trip was coming into Seattle but once off the freeway, it wasn't bad.

Evergreen digs

My Evergreen hosts live in an area near Cobble Hill on Vancouver Island, about 30 miles north of Victoria. They not only had a beautiful place (they turned over the lower level to me, these shots are from "my" balcony) but were so nice. They took me sightseeing when I got there and I saw things I'd never have known about. Victoria was a delight, I arrived Sunday morning via ferry from Port Angeles, WA and had no trouble finding my way around.

This morning Des (for Desmond) cleaned my windshield and hood because of all the bugs! That island you see in one of the photos is Salt Spring Island--they said it was settled largely by draft dodgers, now has an art colony there.

Took the ferry from Sidney (Vancouver Island) to Anacortes, WA this evening, neat little town, I'll explore more tomorrow before heading down to Seattle for the LAST LEG of my trip. I'll have wifi there.

Carlton, Lincoln City, Mt. St. Helens

Love my little "carriage house" in Carlton, it has everything I need but wifi. I arrived Saturday afternoon. The area is beautiful, in the Willamette Valley, loaded with wineries.

Tonight (Tues) I'm in Lincoln City, which is the central coastal area. I went to the beach and watched the wind surfers, sometimes they get airborne over the waves. This activity was also popular on the Columbia River, but I never saw them fly! Weather supposed to turn sour by Thursday, so thought I'd get to the beach while it was sunny. I plan to go into Portland Thursday with my slicker and umbrella.

I saw Mt. St. Helens (WA) earlier Saturday. There was a horrible fog as I neared the top, I could barely see the center line on the road and the speed limit was already 15 mph.

The Johnston Observation center is named for David Johnston, a USGS volcanologist who was one of 57 people who died in the May 1980 eruption. An excellent movie begins with his voice saying, "This is it, Vancouver, this is it!" The fog lifted as I left the center I found a good vantage point for a photo on the way down. Before Mt. St. Helens erupted, it had a peak, like Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams. There is still much barren land where the lava flow took out huge stands of trees. Really puts in perspective how much power MAN has!

FYI Mike--I saw the Spruce Goose Sunday, they have an aviation museum nearby. It is gigantic!

I'll have wifi again Saturday night--I'm staying in Port Angeles, WA and will take the ferry Sunday morning to Victoria, British Columbia to stay with an Evergreen couple. I can't believe this adventure is already halfway over.

Baker, Oregon

I'm in Baker City, Oregon, arrived yesterday to a gem of a motel that even had a coin laundry down the hall. This is an interesting part of Oregon, it's more like Utah and Nevada. I just missed the big Hells Canyon motorcycle rally last weekend.

Went to a museum this morning, then on to the Oregon Trail interpretive center, spent hours there, they've done a wonderful job. It's hard to imagine what the covered wagon people whent through. Then drove to a small town called Richland, all on one of Oregon's scenic byways. Just loved all the ranches with the livestock.

On to Carson, Washington tomorrow for my Evergreen stay.

Idaho Falls

I'm in Idaho Falls, moving on to Baker City, OR today. I was half-watching TV until I heard "Bill Gavin...FBI." They were interviewing him, remember the Gavins when we lived in Greenbriar?

Jody and Jill? Gotta be the same person, age was right, Boston accent. He's former FBI now, has something called "The Gavin Group," whatever that is.

Interesting, huh?!

Yellowstone was incredible--sensory overload the whole time.

Rapid City, SD

I'm in Rapid City, SD tonight (mountain time now). Drove through the Badlands Natl Park on my way, the Park Service has a loop off the interstate. Fascinating. Terrible thunderstorms, though, in stereo, the lightning was everywhere. It is a LONG way from Des Moines! But the speed limit in South Dakota is 75, so that helped...

I'm all booked on a Grayline tour so will be on that most of the day tomorrow, I'm looking forward to being a passenger.

Great time in Des Moines, my friend and her daughter took me to Pella (Dutch settlement) and then the Amanas settlements (sort of Quaker like people) Monday, we didn't get back until after dark. Yesterday we went to her daughter's favorite SALVATION ARMY store somewhere north of Des Moines, a great antique mall and a place called Valley Junction with neat shops.

Itinerary

June 1- drive to Ohio
June 2 - Indiana/Ill
June 3 through 5 – Des Moines
June 6 & 7 – Lv for Rapid City, SD, full day on 7th
June 8 – Lv for Yellowstone
June 11 – Lv Yellowstone for other parts of WY (maybe)
June 12 & 13 – Probably Idaho
June 14 & 15 – lv for Carson, WA, near Columbia Gorge
June 16 – Lv for Carlton, OR (sw Portland)
June 17 through 22 – Carlton
June 23 – Lv for Port Angeles, WA (Olympic Peninsula)
June 24 – Ferry from Port Angeles to Cobble Hill, Vancouver Isl. BC (near Victoria)
June 26 – Ferry from Sidney, BC to Anacortes, WA
June 27 – Seattle
July 1 – Lv Seattle for VA – no itinerary whatsoever!