QC03-07 And now to rest

September 13, 2010 (Mon) Yakima, WA to Edmonds, WA (214/5323) 54/77° - Gas is not cheap in Washington. We saw only prices over $3.00 as we drove to the campground last night. Some as high as $3.11/gal. We found the prices better in the city- $2.99 was common. When we saw a station advertising $2.91, we pulled in behind a van pulling a travel trailer. Big mistake! After waiting several minutes, Mark noticed the the van was not only not getting gas but was actually too far from the pump the get it if he wanted to. There seemed to be no one in the driver's seat and kids were running back and forth to the convenience store - and to the pickup truck at the other island not getting gas either. This went on for maybe another five minutes - it seemed like an hour - before there was any sign of drivers for either vehicle. We were completely blocked in, including cars behind us, so we couldn't leave. When we finally did get to the pump (maybe 15 minutes later) it was cash only, not even an option to pay more to use a credit card! We don't carry enough cash to fill the tank of a motor home. We went to another station.

The drive over Steven's Pass through the Cascade Mountains on US 2 was as beautiful as we remembered it from 5 years ago. The road has improved, widened to 3 or 4 lanes in many places, so we didn't feel guilty about our slow pace. We stopped at several scenic view points and took some good pictures. We hope!

We got to Phil and Gail's house high above Puget Sound at about 1:30. They and their daughter Alison greeted us and helped us make ourselves at home. It will be good to stay put for a while.

September 14, 2010 (Tue) Edmonds, WA (2) - A day of  shopping trips now and then for Joy and generally a day of relaxation for both of us. And, of course, lots of visiting.

September 15, 2010 (Wed) Edmonds, WA (3) - Phil took us into Seattle (Fremont actually) this morning. This is an artist's village with many very interesting shops. Among the many attractions is the Fremont Troll who lives under the Aurora bridge. The was commissioned by the Fremont Arts Council and built by several artists several years ago. It was meant to keep the area under the bridge from becoming an urban ghetto and tire dump.  We had lunch in a very good Thai restaurant in the village. On the way home we stopped by the Chittenden Locks which provides a link for boats between the saltwater of the Puget Sound and the fresh water of the ship canal connecting to Lake Union and Lake Washington. We are always fascinated with watching the boats go through locks.

September 19, 2010 (Sun) Edmonds, WA (7) The last few days have been full of all those things that make family visits so much fun - fun to experience, not so much fun to read about. Thursday, Joy, Gail and Alison went into Seattle, to the famous Pike Market to be exact, while Mark stayed home to fight a coming on cold. The girls ate at a French restaurant and pronounced it very good. Today Mark, Joy, Gail and Phil went into downtown Edmonds to the their "Summer Market", a weekly farm market extravaganza. (Maybe not really an extravaganza but big and interesting anyway). Other than that we all pretty much hung out nursing various stages of our colds.

One highlight, among many, was our spectacular view of Puget Sound from our bedroom window. What a treat that was!

Q066796 Phil and Gail's driveway (parked) (x7)

September 20, 2010 (Mon) Edmonds, WA to Dalles, OR (265/5588 miles) - A tearful good-bye and heartfelt thanks to Phil, Gail and Alison for sharing so much with us. We will be back and we won't wait 5 years next time. It was drizzly and overcast as we packed Q in preparation for the long trip home. The drizzle, just enough to allow the 18 wheelers to keep our windshield constantly covered, continued down 1-5 and East on I-90 until we started into the Cascade Mountains then it began to rain as if it meant it. The sightseeing was replaced with tension filled driving. It didn't let up until just before we reached Yakima - where it seldom rains. We stopped there, got gas and picked up supplies before going on. The winds picked up considerably as we headed for the Columbia River Gorge, blowing us around as much or more than it did when we crossed Kansas a couple of weeks ago. And it's blowing still.

This campground is run by the US Corp of Engineers, as are many on waterways with dams and locks. It's a first come, first served campground so we had hoped that getting here relatively early (4:00) in the middle of the week would mean we'd get a campsite and maybe even a good selection. Didn't happen! There are a lot of fishermen here expecting a run of salmon. So we are in the overflow area (read parking lot). But except for what looks like permanent tent village at the other end of the parking lot, the scenery is wonderful. There are high bluffs all around us topped with scores of wind turbines. While we can't see the Columbia River from here, there is an inlet a few hundred feet away. It's quiet now and we expect it will be overnight as well.

Q067061 LaPage Park (COE), Dalles, OR dry $6.00 B