hey, i wake up this mornin, and its not raining, pretty nice.
i decide to take my time today, i waiver between staying another night or heading out. i ended up heading out.
i make a few stops, nice sights, and on one i hike down to the lake with my grapes.
i head out and go to the hoover dam. wow. what a dam. i got out and walked all across it and then went back. after the dam i headed towards the grand canyon. not much between the dam and the canyon...lots of desert.
dadgum. talk about a ditch. the canyon was absolutely gynormous and humungo. i walked around here for a bit and then headed out...for it was also pretty touristy, and i felt like i was one of the few americans there.
on the east side of the canyon, actually in the forest area, i managed to find a spot to plop. if it would have rained this time, it would have been interesting getting out. so i set up shop. the ground was hard in two of the corners, so i ended up only putting three stakes in. it was a beautiful day so i didnt think anything of it.
after milling around i went to sleep only to awaken at about 23.30 by some stinking awful sound. it really sounded like a cyote but i dont know if it was injured or in heat...but it was weird. luckily the sound seemed to be going away. well, all by yourself, in the middle of the forest, not a nice place for a rabid wolf...but luckily it didnt come to any of that.
however, at about 0.30 the wind started picking up. now i didnt think much of it, only that my tent was plowing up and in around me. one corner of my fly had come off (and for those that dont know a fly is the extra covering that straps on top of the tent). so i get up and fix this. meanwhile, without much weight anchoring the tent down it started to float, but due to my cat like reflexes, i managed to squeeze back in and position my sleeping bag on one corner (although anchored it had come up, and the other unanchored corner. this wind kept on persisting, and went so far as to start pulling the other corners off of the stakes. well, i got fed up with almost blowing away, so rather than being anchor in the tent, i decided to pack up and sleep in the car again...first time in both the tent and car in one night.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
the trek home: day 6 lake mead
so i wake up to rain once again. its not bad, just a slight drizzle, but enough to make the tent nice and wet. i pack up and get going for the day. i head towards kings canyon and sequoia national park. i start hitting snow not to far along on my way up. i am gonna make it to sequoia national forest, even though there is one set of tracks through the snow and my car isnt exactly winterized. so i keep following these tracks...but i get to a place where they turn off and do not continue going. by now i am about 8-9000 feet up with a thicker snow. i turn off and go to the lodge and wait for a bit. i clean the car, eat breakfast and go and check, and there are still no tracks, so i go back and talk to someone at the lodge (for it is now open) and they say that you need a 4-wheel drive with snow tires or snow chains, neither of which i have. she also tells me that the fine would be hefty if i got stuck or pulled over. so i head back to where i came from and end up going a little north to at least see what a sequoia looks like.
i continue heading south after getting out of the national park. i head south on these wonderful roads...reminiscent of highway 1 north of san fran, sept there wasnt any ocean in the middle of cali. no speed limit, but the car could only handle about 35-40 on some of these switchbacks.
i finally get out into straight road country (for the most part) and head south to bakersfield and on up to las vegas.
ok time for creepy story...well, it was creepy to me at the time.
advert your eyes if you must
so i stop at a rest stop in cali on my way to vegas. i get out and it is fairly busy and so i go to the restroom and i nod to some dude sitting on one of the benches outside. who knows what he was waiting for...but anyways...so much for being polite. i head into the restroom and i do my duty standing up. well, this same dude comes in (and i only notice this from my peripheral vision because i didnt want to acknowledge him). so he comes in and stands next to me...not doing much, but i think he checks me out (or tries to anyways). i make sure to finish up quickly, zip, and turn the way he was not facing and i left without lingering...almost a beeline to my car...i dont care if people were around, not something i really care to wait on.
ugh...with slight shivers
anyways, i head out and call the lake mead area a couple of times and try and get a free spot, and i do on the second time. i stop to get a map of the area at a visitor center, and then head into las vegas.
wow.
i just drove the strip, and saw all of it from my car, but it was still an interesting place. i dont know that i would call it my annual vacation spot, but some of the illusionists and other shows might be pretty sweet to see...about a weekend's worth is all i would care to visit. but regardless, it seemed like an interesting place.
after crusin the strip for about an hour (cause it was the beginning of the weekend and about rush hour) and then i head towards lake mead.
i managed to get there in time to see a little and pick a spot. i picked one, and then went to another. so i set up my tent, let it air out, and then set it up for sure...on a nice rocky surface.
stars were nice during the night
i continue heading south after getting out of the national park. i head south on these wonderful roads...reminiscent of highway 1 north of san fran, sept there wasnt any ocean in the middle of cali. no speed limit, but the car could only handle about 35-40 on some of these switchbacks.
i finally get out into straight road country (for the most part) and head south to bakersfield and on up to las vegas.
ok time for creepy story...well, it was creepy to me at the time.
advert your eyes if you must
so i stop at a rest stop in cali on my way to vegas. i get out and it is fairly busy and so i go to the restroom and i nod to some dude sitting on one of the benches outside. who knows what he was waiting for...but anyways...so much for being polite. i head into the restroom and i do my duty standing up. well, this same dude comes in (and i only notice this from my peripheral vision because i didnt want to acknowledge him). so he comes in and stands next to me...not doing much, but i think he checks me out (or tries to anyways). i make sure to finish up quickly, zip, and turn the way he was not facing and i left without lingering...almost a beeline to my car...i dont care if people were around, not something i really care to wait on.
ugh...with slight shivers
anyways, i head out and call the lake mead area a couple of times and try and get a free spot, and i do on the second time. i stop to get a map of the area at a visitor center, and then head into las vegas.
wow.
i just drove the strip, and saw all of it from my car, but it was still an interesting place. i dont know that i would call it my annual vacation spot, but some of the illusionists and other shows might be pretty sweet to see...about a weekend's worth is all i would care to visit. but regardless, it seemed like an interesting place.
after crusin the strip for about an hour (cause it was the beginning of the weekend and about rush hour) and then i head towards lake mead.
i managed to get there in time to see a little and pick a spot. i picked one, and then went to another. so i set up my tent, let it air out, and then set it up for sure...on a nice rocky surface.
stars were nice during the night
the trek home: day 5 sequoia national forest
i get up early in the mornin, and haul my tent and stuff up the hill and then begin packing so as to not wake the roomies.
i head out and go across the famous golden gate bridge and on into the city of san francisco. nice little town...need to head back and see it someday. yeah, i mainly just cruised through town...nothing like heading through downtown during rush hour. that, and the long day of travel ahead, i didnt do much sight seeing.
i make my way towards yosemite national park.
nice country on the way to the park
nice park.
cant even explain the beautiful views of the waterfalls, of el capitan...
it was a bit touristy in the valley, and i bet would have been better in the backcountry...but i didnt take that chance, for as i was milling round, the rain started to come in. up in the higher elevations it started to snow...so i decide to head on to kings canyon and sequoia national park. i end up calling and they dont have any free campsites, but i could camp anywhere on the side of the road in the national forest.
needless to say, i got a prime spot to camp.
as i passed it, i saw a potential spot and figured that i would cruise a bit more and check if i found something closer to the park...but as i got to thinking about it was a prime spot for me to camp, and luckily i didnt go far before i decided to head back. well the sandy road that i thought were just two drive ways not going far back ended up being driveways to a nice bit of free camping.
after changing and setting the tent up, i read for a bit. nice chillin by myself, and i head to bed.
i head out and go across the famous golden gate bridge and on into the city of san francisco. nice little town...need to head back and see it someday. yeah, i mainly just cruised through town...nothing like heading through downtown during rush hour. that, and the long day of travel ahead, i didnt do much sight seeing.
i make my way towards yosemite national park.
nice country on the way to the park
nice park.
cant even explain the beautiful views of the waterfalls, of el capitan...
it was a bit touristy in the valley, and i bet would have been better in the backcountry...but i didnt take that chance, for as i was milling round, the rain started to come in. up in the higher elevations it started to snow...so i decide to head on to kings canyon and sequoia national park. i end up calling and they dont have any free campsites, but i could camp anywhere on the side of the road in the national forest.
needless to say, i got a prime spot to camp.
as i passed it, i saw a potential spot and figured that i would cruise a bit more and check if i found something closer to the park...but as i got to thinking about it was a prime spot for me to camp, and luckily i didnt go far before i decided to head back. well the sandy road that i thought were just two drive ways not going far back ended up being driveways to a nice bit of free camping.
after changing and setting the tent up, i read for a bit. nice chillin by myself, and i head to bed.
the trek home: day 4 san fran
the night was beautiful...not to windy where i was positioned.
today is the day that i accomplish some business.
i check back into the office to let them know that i will be staying a second night. i scout around and check out the lighthouse and the point overlooking the beach and on out into the ocean.
i decide to head into town to check stuff out and get me some internet to figure out the next part of the journey. i head into sausalito and try and find some hotspots, unsuccessfully at one cafe but the whole town has wifi, but you have to log in on a web page. so i hook up in the car and try and find one floating around, cheenchy i know but i have learned from some of the best.
after sending a bit of communication, i begin to head back, but stop at a nice little grocery store, buy an apple, ask for directions to the nearest electronic store because i tell myself that my phone and taking videos does not do any of this justice. i eat my apple on the boardwalk and then head to marin city to a best buy there and check them out. i had great service and settled on a panasonic lumix 7.2 mpx (DMC-LS70S). man, it was nice to finally have a camera to take pictures with. so, i go back and take pics...i went picture crazy having been so long without a camera and having so much to take a picture of.
i met a couple that was gonna be roomin in the campsite with me (they end up sharing more of it than you would imagine). so i sit back and enjoy the beautiful day reading...some of it anyways...cant ignore the great sights.
later that evening i end up meeting four peeps from tahoe (2 that are flying out and two dropping them off). well, i end up watching a nice sunset and they come and join up. i hung out a bit afterwards and just chilled and chatted...seemed like social people, easier to socialize with.
so i crash and expect to head out in the mornin.
today is the day that i accomplish some business.
i check back into the office to let them know that i will be staying a second night. i scout around and check out the lighthouse and the point overlooking the beach and on out into the ocean.
i decide to head into town to check stuff out and get me some internet to figure out the next part of the journey. i head into sausalito and try and find some hotspots, unsuccessfully at one cafe but the whole town has wifi, but you have to log in on a web page. so i hook up in the car and try and find one floating around, cheenchy i know but i have learned from some of the best.
after sending a bit of communication, i begin to head back, but stop at a nice little grocery store, buy an apple, ask for directions to the nearest electronic store because i tell myself that my phone and taking videos does not do any of this justice. i eat my apple on the boardwalk and then head to marin city to a best buy there and check them out. i had great service and settled on a panasonic lumix 7.2 mpx (DMC-LS70S). man, it was nice to finally have a camera to take pictures with. so, i go back and take pics...i went picture crazy having been so long without a camera and having so much to take a picture of.
i met a couple that was gonna be roomin in the campsite with me (they end up sharing more of it than you would imagine). so i sit back and enjoy the beautiful day reading...some of it anyways...cant ignore the great sights.
later that evening i end up meeting four peeps from tahoe (2 that are flying out and two dropping them off). well, i end up watching a nice sunset and they come and join up. i hung out a bit afterwards and just chilled and chatted...seemed like social people, easier to socialize with.
so i crash and expect to head out in the mornin.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
the trek home: day 3 san fran
alas, i rouse to the sound of a nice rain on the tent. so i figure that i might try and catch a little bit more sleep while it is still raining...no sense of getting soaked while packing up the tent. so the time finally came...but barely. i managed to get stuff packed and then grab everything and head to the car... well, the bike in mud isnt the best form of transportation. i get to the car and put everything in just in time for the rain to start picking up.
my journey continues to the south...i run into a bit of rain, nothing heavy...but constant. the view was cool. to see the fine mist in the redwoods was pretty sweet. anyways, i finally make it out of the rain, stop at a big foot shop...nothing of the sort, but they had lots of chainsaw chiseled statues...not much to write home about.
so, i drive and drive, and hit the coast where i can, but i then decided to head inland for a bit to go to a bigger city and stop at a grocery store for food and gas... you know me and plans, i didnt see a store, but i did get gas. the plan from there was to head to point reyes national seashore. that also didnt work out quite well. i head to the coast and end up going north instead of south...so much for explicit directions. well, i am glad that i ended up going the wrong way cause the scenery was absolutely beautiful.
i get turned around and head back south...and you would figure that this road would head south...but there was no normal method to these roads, and not much like i could navigate while driving. anyways, i get to a town called petaluma, get directions and then head back to where i am supposed to be. still, i run into roads that go anywhere...but i do manage to stop at a nice cheese place adn get some samples. i think it was called something like a french shop or something....
i get to point reyes and ask for the usual free camping, but they didnt have any...but they had a phone, and after a long conversation with someone, i managed to get set up at golden gate national rec area with a free site...only an hour away...only because of the windy (or shall i say curvy road). i would definitely suggest a nice drive on it, as long as you dont have a vehicle that is prone to tipping.
beautiful
so i finally get to the place, and get my tent airing out from this morning's rain. chicago, you have one mean rival. the wind was insane...so i set my tent up in an ivy enclosed base of a tree...it was pretty nice. i met some people up from spring break, visited the nice view of the gate.
much distracted...try to write further...better...
nice view
my journey continues to the south...i run into a bit of rain, nothing heavy...but constant. the view was cool. to see the fine mist in the redwoods was pretty sweet. anyways, i finally make it out of the rain, stop at a big foot shop...nothing of the sort, but they had lots of chainsaw chiseled statues...not much to write home about.
so, i drive and drive, and hit the coast where i can, but i then decided to head inland for a bit to go to a bigger city and stop at a grocery store for food and gas... you know me and plans, i didnt see a store, but i did get gas. the plan from there was to head to point reyes national seashore. that also didnt work out quite well. i head to the coast and end up going north instead of south...so much for explicit directions. well, i am glad that i ended up going the wrong way cause the scenery was absolutely beautiful.
i get turned around and head back south...and you would figure that this road would head south...but there was no normal method to these roads, and not much like i could navigate while driving. anyways, i get to a town called petaluma, get directions and then head back to where i am supposed to be. still, i run into roads that go anywhere...but i do manage to stop at a nice cheese place adn get some samples. i think it was called something like a french shop or something....
i get to point reyes and ask for the usual free camping, but they didnt have any...but they had a phone, and after a long conversation with someone, i managed to get set up at golden gate national rec area with a free site...only an hour away...only because of the windy (or shall i say curvy road). i would definitely suggest a nice drive on it, as long as you dont have a vehicle that is prone to tipping.
beautiful
so i finally get to the place, and get my tent airing out from this morning's rain. chicago, you have one mean rival. the wind was insane...so i set my tent up in an ivy enclosed base of a tree...it was pretty nice. i met some people up from spring break, visited the nice view of the gate.
much distracted...try to write further...better...
nice view
the trek home: day 2 redwood
after awaking early in the morning, i sat and watched the sunrise...well, there was the part of the joke i forgot to tell you...i watched the sunset the night before...facing west, and that is where i parked for the night. so you can imagine the irony when one says they watched the sun rise while facing west. anyways, i waited until the light grew enough for me to do something.
having some time to kill, because of the anticipated meeting for the camera in coos bay, i decided to take a walk on the sand dunes down below, the same dunes that i had witnessed many-a-light go across in the night. these dunes were often visited by four-wheelers and/or dirtbikes. i walked the dunes for a bit, and then visited the forest surrounding the lake of umpqua state park. after doing the stroll through the woods, i, while still having plenty of time left, decided to take my bike out for a stroll. i would go in reverse of the way i had come, back through the forest onto the dunes. well, the forest was a pretty cool place to go dirt biking, nice hills and lots of mulch on the trails.
the hill leading down to the dunes was pretty cool too. only when i got out to the dunes, my mountain bike was not much fun. seeing how the propulsion was man made power, turning wheels that did not grip so much as spin, the end of playtime was quickly in sight...however, i did have a couple of runs down the dune...more like skiing my bike down the sand...but none-the-less it was fun.
after getting back and putting my bike back on my car, i headed to coos bay to pick up the camera.
so i arrive in coos bay, and after visiting the visitor center, i make it to a safeway...that i plan to buy an apple and kill some time waiting on the person who has the camera. needless to say that this safeway was not the selection king like central market is. so i read a bit, make a couple of calls to the person...and after no response i decide to start heading out of town. i stop at a gas station, and then make another call and reach a boy, who promptly hangs up the phone, upon which i then call back and leave a message saying that i am just passing through and will not pick up the camera. she said call after 9, which i called at 9.30 and waited for an hour, so i figure that i waited long enough.
after that i head down to cali, where i am stopped and asked if i have any produce in the car...nope just stinky socks.
so i get to crescent city to the park headquarters and ask where the best place is to visit, and where some free camping is. i got the hookup and headed out. i visited the national park down this long dirt road. these trees were so huge. if i were a giant, these trees would be my toothpicks. after eating lunch in the park, and enjoying the trees, i get back on some paved roads and head to the campsite. this campsite was at a place called nickel creek (yeah, like the band). after gearing up and meeting some people from philly, i go back and get my bike and head down the trail, figuring it would be better if it rained.
well, i fall asleep to the beautiful sound of the waves rushing up to the beach...
having some time to kill, because of the anticipated meeting for the camera in coos bay, i decided to take a walk on the sand dunes down below, the same dunes that i had witnessed many-a-light go across in the night. these dunes were often visited by four-wheelers and/or dirtbikes. i walked the dunes for a bit, and then visited the forest surrounding the lake of umpqua state park. after doing the stroll through the woods, i, while still having plenty of time left, decided to take my bike out for a stroll. i would go in reverse of the way i had come, back through the forest onto the dunes. well, the forest was a pretty cool place to go dirt biking, nice hills and lots of mulch on the trails.
the hill leading down to the dunes was pretty cool too. only when i got out to the dunes, my mountain bike was not much fun. seeing how the propulsion was man made power, turning wheels that did not grip so much as spin, the end of playtime was quickly in sight...however, i did have a couple of runs down the dune...more like skiing my bike down the sand...but none-the-less it was fun.
after getting back and putting my bike back on my car, i headed to coos bay to pick up the camera.
so i arrive in coos bay, and after visiting the visitor center, i make it to a safeway...that i plan to buy an apple and kill some time waiting on the person who has the camera. needless to say that this safeway was not the selection king like central market is. so i read a bit, make a couple of calls to the person...and after no response i decide to start heading out of town. i stop at a gas station, and then make another call and reach a boy, who promptly hangs up the phone, upon which i then call back and leave a message saying that i am just passing through and will not pick up the camera. she said call after 9, which i called at 9.30 and waited for an hour, so i figure that i waited long enough.
after that i head down to cali, where i am stopped and asked if i have any produce in the car...nope just stinky socks.
so i get to crescent city to the park headquarters and ask where the best place is to visit, and where some free camping is. i got the hookup and headed out. i visited the national park down this long dirt road. these trees were so huge. if i were a giant, these trees would be my toothpicks. after eating lunch in the park, and enjoying the trees, i get back on some paved roads and head to the campsite. this campsite was at a place called nickel creek (yeah, like the band). after gearing up and meeting some people from philly, i go back and get my bike and head down the trail, figuring it would be better if it rained.
well, i fall asleep to the beautiful sound of the waves rushing up to the beach...
the trek home: day 1 umpqua
after doin a load of laundry, and a few good bye's, i headed towards the coast once again...this time during the daylight. one cannot forget the great shopping i did at win-co...great prices, lots of selection, but probably less good for you than the co-op. anyways, i went back to newport and got to go see the lighthouse that i couldnt see because it closed due to being dark on my way to barbara's. while there, i received a call from mom. it was a great talk, thanks. from there i headed down the coast.
ever since the early start of this trip, i have said that i want to make this camping thing as free as i could...and so with this motivation in mind, i tried to head down on oregon's coast somewhere it would have been free to camp. this being one road in oregon's national dune area. however, this road turned out to be a dirt road, frequented by trucks and usually trucks with dirt bikes or four wheelers. needless to say this was not a nice road for a car to go down...especially when it was expecting rain the next day. so the plan changed and i figured i would try and head further down the coast to see what i could find. the plan was to not head to far down the coast because i needed to be in coos bay to try and pick up a digital camera (since mine had broken).
after driving down the road a little bit, i managed to find a state park and check that out for campsites. well, the campsites were all pay...but you know me, my mind was at work to try and find a way to circumvent the whole...paying thing. well, not much one can do in the way of worming out of paying where parking is limited and usually regulated. but good thing about umpqua lighthouse state park, was that up by the lighthouse there was an overlook. this overlook did not have any specific signs that said one could not park there overnight...so i took them up on their absence of said legal binding signs.
wasnt the best night's sleep...nor the worst...but i did sleep.
ever since the early start of this trip, i have said that i want to make this camping thing as free as i could...and so with this motivation in mind, i tried to head down on oregon's coast somewhere it would have been free to camp. this being one road in oregon's national dune area. however, this road turned out to be a dirt road, frequented by trucks and usually trucks with dirt bikes or four wheelers. needless to say this was not a nice road for a car to go down...especially when it was expecting rain the next day. so the plan changed and i figured i would try and head further down the coast to see what i could find. the plan was to not head to far down the coast because i needed to be in coos bay to try and pick up a digital camera (since mine had broken).
after driving down the road a little bit, i managed to find a state park and check that out for campsites. well, the campsites were all pay...but you know me, my mind was at work to try and find a way to circumvent the whole...paying thing. well, not much one can do in the way of worming out of paying where parking is limited and usually regulated. but good thing about umpqua lighthouse state park, was that up by the lighthouse there was an overlook. this overlook did not have any specific signs that said one could not park there overnight...so i took them up on their absence of said legal binding signs.
wasnt the best night's sleep...nor the worst...but i did sleep.
Friday, April 27, 2007
bever fever
wednesday, after leaving brett's place, i headed out to olympia (for those that dont know is the capital of washington) and then i went towards the coast. i went to cape disappointment and saw the lighthouse and a nice full view of the pacific from there (i believe this was my first true view of the horizon-stretching pacific). from there i went down to oregon and further headed down the coast from there. it rained pretty much all day, but was sporadic. i called up barbara and decided to head to her place because of the constant rain. so i drove into newport and then took 20 east (highway 20 not interstate 20).
so i drive into town...and from newport on it was dark...and so you dont get to see quite as much...but i headed into town anyways and met up with barbara. i met her roomies and then we sat back and caught up.
thursday barbara and i went up to campus and we ate at a wonderful place called american dream. it is a great pizza place...way better than mellow mushroom, but that is ok. after lunch, and an unsuccessful spotting of her friend, we toured campus for a bit and then i went to the library where i started 'wide sargasso sea'. i met back up with barbara where we went to the store to checked out cameras. after that we bought stuff for mexican and we made tacos, queso, and watched amalie. afterwards i got to hang out with sarah for a bit and chat about stuff.
friday i had a nice day chillin round the log cabin in the woods as well as across the creek. i had a pretty good time enjoying the beautiful day in a nice hammock chair. that night barbara and i went to mcmanamins for food. this is a great place for burgers and stuff...but i chose a nice thai dish of chicken, rice, and red curry with coconut milk. after dinner i chatted a bit with danie.
saturday i chilled...as usual. i spent it reading, planning some more of the trip, posted, and went on bike ride to overlook rd. that night we went to pickup dinner at the co-op (a small place of organic and exotic food...pretty cool place. this was the north one not south one which i hear is much better). we came back and cooked and ate spaghetti, bread, cheese, and asparagus. i watched ray, a pretty good movie, and then watched wallace and gromit, both the curse of the were-rabbit and the wrong trousers.
so i drive into town...and from newport on it was dark...and so you dont get to see quite as much...but i headed into town anyways and met up with barbara. i met her roomies and then we sat back and caught up.
thursday barbara and i went up to campus and we ate at a wonderful place called american dream. it is a great pizza place...way better than mellow mushroom, but that is ok. after lunch, and an unsuccessful spotting of her friend, we toured campus for a bit and then i went to the library where i started 'wide sargasso sea'. i met back up with barbara where we went to the store to checked out cameras. after that we bought stuff for mexican and we made tacos, queso, and watched amalie. afterwards i got to hang out with sarah for a bit and chat about stuff.
friday i had a nice day chillin round the log cabin in the woods as well as across the creek. i had a pretty good time enjoying the beautiful day in a nice hammock chair. that night barbara and i went to mcmanamins for food. this is a great place for burgers and stuff...but i chose a nice thai dish of chicken, rice, and red curry with coconut milk. after dinner i chatted a bit with danie.
saturday i chilled...as usual. i spent it reading, planning some more of the trip, posted, and went on bike ride to overlook rd. that night we went to pickup dinner at the co-op (a small place of organic and exotic food...pretty cool place. this was the north one not south one which i hear is much better). we came back and cooked and ate spaghetti, bread, cheese, and asparagus. i watched ray, a pretty good movie, and then watched wallace and gromit, both the curse of the were-rabbit and the wrong trousers.
das boot
tuesday night, i show up at his front door, and he is wearing sunglasses. its alright...still great to see him. he had eye surgery earlier this week. we went off and ate at a nice little restaurant (if i remember correctly it was called steilacoom diner). we caught up a bit and hung out...man it was nice.
wednesday we just hung. went over to the coffee shop and got a bit of internet. that night we went out to eat at famous daves with mike and katie.
thursday we went to burs, which was a nice and greasy old diner, shared by the lion's club of lakewood. we also went up towards tacoma to half-price books and picked up a couple of good buys. after that we went back and chilled till we went to bible study. after bible study we headed to the sea-tac airport to go pick up abigail. we waited FOREVER...not really, just figured i might get a response from abigail if she actually reads this...
friday i chilled and then hung out with brett and abigail later that day...fuzzy details...jack in the box, apartment...panera...
sunday went to chapel and then over to brett's bible study leader's place (wes and josephene [sp]). we had easter dinner over there. it was pretty sweet...meeting up with the folks i met on thursday...lamb, ham, +++...and strawberry goodness. monday morning abigail went back to nac, and we chilled until the afternoon, then we decided to head to seattle. we went round pike's market...a market that had fresh fish and all sorts of food and goodies. we actually got to see them chunk some fish...as well as the original starbucks, and some sweet, homemade cheese place. we went and ate at red robin's (nice little hamburger joint). we then headed home, but not before stopping at denny park and checking out the seattle space needle too.
tuesday i chilled while brett was at work, and then we and ate dinner at his place...once again, great hangin out with him...but alas i headed out on wednesday
wednesday we just hung. went over to the coffee shop and got a bit of internet. that night we went out to eat at famous daves with mike and katie.
thursday we went to burs, which was a nice and greasy old diner, shared by the lion's club of lakewood. we also went up towards tacoma to half-price books and picked up a couple of good buys. after that we went back and chilled till we went to bible study. after bible study we headed to the sea-tac airport to go pick up abigail. we waited FOREVER...not really, just figured i might get a response from abigail if she actually reads this...
friday i chilled and then hung out with brett and abigail later that day...fuzzy details...jack in the box, apartment...panera...
sunday went to chapel and then over to brett's bible study leader's place (wes and josephene [sp]). we had easter dinner over there. it was pretty sweet...meeting up with the folks i met on thursday...lamb, ham, +++...and strawberry goodness. monday morning abigail went back to nac, and we chilled until the afternoon, then we decided to head to seattle. we went round pike's market...a market that had fresh fish and all sorts of food and goodies. we actually got to see them chunk some fish...as well as the original starbucks, and some sweet, homemade cheese place. we went and ate at red robin's (nice little hamburger joint). we then headed home, but not before stopping at denny park and checking out the seattle space needle too.
tuesday i chilled while brett was at work, and then we and ate dinner at his place...once again, great hangin out with him...but alas i headed out on wednesday
back in the states
last time we left our beloved traveler he was stuck in line trying to cross the border into the united states...and now the rest of the story...
i finally crossed the border a whole lot easier than crossing into canada.
after i got into the states i traveled to the nearest and largest town...bellingham. i got there and went to the nearest information center to ask for the nearest camera shop (since my camera went out in canada) and where there was free wifi. i end up going to karl's cameras in the mall and they said that it would be 170 to send it off and fix it, and a couple of weeks...new plan...i head to best buy. i get there to check out camera's to see if there were any inexpensive ones i might get...no such luck. so i end up heading downtown to the bookstore to get wifi to check out my next leg of the journey...and camera's.
i end up getting there and figure that i might call my good friend brett and see if i end up heading his way that night or if another night would be better. turns out it was cool for me to head that way that day. so ... i say sweet...get to see the old roomie.
so i ride the bike a bit, the combination of downtown and the beautiful day just did it for me. so after the quick ride, i put er up and head towards lakewood. i decided to head down on highway 11 cause it was right at the bay, and i hadnt seen much of the west coast...so i figure that it would be a great thing for me to do.
well, i head down that way...absolutely beautiful. i ended up stopping again and pulling the bike off and riding down some hills, dirt biking and checkin out the bay. it was cool, and i would have done it a bit longer...but i was anxious to see the good friend brett. so i head down the rest of 11 (which was half by the bay and foresty and half plains and straight).
i drive 5 all the way down to lakewood. 5 goes through seattle and tacoma, and on to lakewood.
i finally crossed the border a whole lot easier than crossing into canada.
after i got into the states i traveled to the nearest and largest town...bellingham. i got there and went to the nearest information center to ask for the nearest camera shop (since my camera went out in canada) and where there was free wifi. i end up going to karl's cameras in the mall and they said that it would be 170 to send it off and fix it, and a couple of weeks...new plan...i head to best buy. i get there to check out camera's to see if there were any inexpensive ones i might get...no such luck. so i end up heading downtown to the bookstore to get wifi to check out my next leg of the journey...and camera's.
i end up getting there and figure that i might call my good friend brett and see if i end up heading his way that night or if another night would be better. turns out it was cool for me to head that way that day. so ... i say sweet...get to see the old roomie.
so i ride the bike a bit, the combination of downtown and the beautiful day just did it for me. so after the quick ride, i put er up and head towards lakewood. i decided to head down on highway 11 cause it was right at the bay, and i hadnt seen much of the west coast...so i figure that it would be a great thing for me to do.
well, i head down that way...absolutely beautiful. i ended up stopping again and pulling the bike off and riding down some hills, dirt biking and checkin out the bay. it was cool, and i would have done it a bit longer...but i was anxious to see the good friend brett. so i head down the rest of 11 (which was half by the bay and foresty and half plains and straight).
i drive 5 all the way down to lakewood. 5 goes through seattle and tacoma, and on to lakewood.
welcome home
ta-da. i have made it back to tyler safely. it was amazing! i hope to inform yall of the rest of the trip and hopefully show yall pics. i look forward to seeing some old friends when i get the chance.
...stay tuned
...stay tuned
Monday, April 23, 2007
when in roam...
do as the roamins do...right.
well, just a little update. i am now a showered human being, after being on the road for a week, i come back to meet some friends, take a shower, and sleep in a bed...hard to believe huh.
just a quick recap on what i did while i was gone
newport, lighthouse night, state park and dunes
redwood, nickel creek
golden gate national rec area, sausailito
yoesmite, national forest
kings canyon, sequoia national park, las vegas, lake mead
hoover dam, grand canyon, kaibab national forest
four corners, trek across new mexico, lubbock
you know the drill...i explain as i get time
well, just a little update. i am now a showered human being, after being on the road for a week, i come back to meet some friends, take a shower, and sleep in a bed...hard to believe huh.
just a quick recap on what i did while i was gone
newport, lighthouse night, state park and dunes
redwood, nickel creek
golden gate national rec area, sausailito
yoesmite, national forest
kings canyon, sequoia national park, las vegas, lake mead
hoover dam, grand canyon, kaibab national forest
four corners, trek across new mexico, lubbock
you know the drill...i explain as i get time
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
sausalito
currently here. north of san fancisco bridge. pretty sweet. come sometime if you got a chance. staying another nigt at the goldengate national rec area.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
and cue more traveling
well...the great adventures with brett and the great abigail (sound any better?) shall have to wait until another day...nothing like being behind on a good story.
hanging out with barbara, dannie, and sarah have been pretty fun.
short story...after traveling (wed i think) and raining all day...got to the house, caught up...b. thursday went to the campus of oregon state, ate at american dream pizza (great!) went to the library, started 'wide sargasso sea', met up with barbara, went to the store, checked out cameras, bought stuff for tacos, made tacos, queso, and watched amalie... hung out...s
fri chilled, went across the creek, hung in the hammock chair, went to mcmanamins (also great) came back, hung out...d
sat chilled, posted, went on bike ride to overlook rd. went to pickup dinner at the co-op (north one not south one which i hear is much better) came back, ate spaghetti bread cheese asparagus, watched ray...then wallace and gromit
and now i am prepping to head to oregon sand dunes, redwood...
hanging out with barbara, dannie, and sarah have been pretty fun.
short story...after traveling (wed i think) and raining all day...got to the house, caught up...b. thursday went to the campus of oregon state, ate at american dream pizza (great!) went to the library, started 'wide sargasso sea', met up with barbara, went to the store, checked out cameras, bought stuff for tacos, made tacos, queso, and watched amalie... hung out...s
fri chilled, went across the creek, hung in the hammock chair, went to mcmanamins (also great) came back, hung out...d
sat chilled, posted, went on bike ride to overlook rd. went to pickup dinner at the co-op (north one not south one which i hear is much better) came back, ate spaghetti bread cheese asparagus, watched ray...then wallace and gromit
and now i am prepping to head to oregon sand dunes, redwood...
summin up canada
mr. fox, this is for you...the continuation of the story.
well, after leaving my swank little half-driveway, i headed towards the great city of vancouver. man...this was a fairly nice city. i went through a part of downtown that wasnt quite so nice...but i bet that almost every big city has one of those. when i started heading for the west side...i started to see really nice houses, stores and stuff. anyways, i went to the college over on the west side, saw the nice bay or straight or whatever...not necessarily the pacific because of victoria island across the way.
wow...green wonderfulness. nice blue of the water...trees in bloom...it was schway.
after piddlin round the college area for about 5 minutes, i tried to find a better view of the water which entailed wandering unsuccessfully around the neighborhood. so with half the day already being gone, i decided to head back to the states.
(a part of me wanted to go to victoria island, but i would surely do it an injustice by not staying long and not being able to view the oh so tauted gardens when they are not in full bloom...so i didnt....for another day right?)
well, i did head towards a ferry, cause i thought about it...but then i stopped at a shopping center, ate a huge cinnamon roll at a cafe, and then headed towards the boarder.
so i get to the line of entering the states...took almost an hour to cross the border...sittin in my car...listening to music...not the best hour i have spent anywhere, but the day was absolutely beautiful, so i didnt complain too much.
well, after leaving my swank little half-driveway, i headed towards the great city of vancouver. man...this was a fairly nice city. i went through a part of downtown that wasnt quite so nice...but i bet that almost every big city has one of those. when i started heading for the west side...i started to see really nice houses, stores and stuff. anyways, i went to the college over on the west side, saw the nice bay or straight or whatever...not necessarily the pacific because of victoria island across the way.
wow...green wonderfulness. nice blue of the water...trees in bloom...it was schway.
after piddlin round the college area for about 5 minutes, i tried to find a better view of the water which entailed wandering unsuccessfully around the neighborhood. so with half the day already being gone, i decided to head back to the states.
(a part of me wanted to go to victoria island, but i would surely do it an injustice by not staying long and not being able to view the oh so tauted gardens when they are not in full bloom...so i didnt....for another day right?)
well, i did head towards a ferry, cause i thought about it...but then i stopped at a shopping center, ate a huge cinnamon roll at a cafe, and then headed towards the boarder.
so i get to the line of entering the states...took almost an hour to cross the border...sittin in my car...listening to music...not the best hour i have spent anywhere, but the day was absolutely beautiful, so i didnt complain too much.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
another day of travel
so i head out early in the mornin and make towards kamloops and figured i would make my decision as to where i would go from there. i figured i would have enough gas to make it to revelstoke from golden...so i head out.
you would not believe the snow that i drove through. the road was pretty covered, and it was coming down. the highway was mostly 1 lane each way with occasional passing lanes. this road wound through the mountains and through two national parks, glacier national park and mount revelstoke national park. pretty, but for the most part my eyes were on the road.
so i stop at revelstoke, fill up the tank, and eat some more of my hard bread and then head out. travel was pretty smooth from there on out, roads were pretty clear anyways.
so i make it to kamloops and head into town and my phone rings. i received a call from jonathan creek about my application that i did last week, and the phone interview. she said that i had a position if i wanted it, and i said yes. score...gonna work at a summer camp in kentucky this summer!
stayed in kamloops a bit but then i bugged out. i headed out and decided to take trans-canadian (which i made the mistake of calling trans continental once) to hope.
i made a stop about the savona area, nice lake, mountains and golf course. also around this area, i stopped at a roadside place, ate, hiked, and took pictures, and found out that my camera was having some difficulties. anyways, i continued on the road towards hope.
b-e-a-utiful drive, absolutely gorgeous, and as a side note, the thompson river would be a good one to go rafting down. the scenery was spectacular, and i didnt get many pictures cause my camera was broke, but i did get some on the phone camera...gotta love it.
i eventually made it to hope about dusk and sunset. seemed like a nice little town, and i figured that i would stop and see about camping. well places were closed (and this whole winter thing hardly anybody is open...and they want to charge you money...psssh). so i figured that i would take 7 and see if there were any sweet places to pull of and sleep. no such luck. so i ended up heading to chilliwack, driving into the sunset.
as i got to chilliwack i noticed signs for camping and figured i would follow them...turned out it was like an rv park and wanted to charge...so i drove a bit further and found a nice little dead end driveway that i backed in and chilled for a bit. eventually i went to sleep. i woke up insanely early (primarily cause it was so stinkin cold...well my feet were) so i woke up and plotted some of the day's travels. as i was mapping and stuff i noticed a dude pull up on the other side of the fence (the driving range) and kinda check the car out. so i figured it was a good time to start heading out, things were starting to open up...
you would not believe the snow that i drove through. the road was pretty covered, and it was coming down. the highway was mostly 1 lane each way with occasional passing lanes. this road wound through the mountains and through two national parks, glacier national park and mount revelstoke national park. pretty, but for the most part my eyes were on the road.
so i stop at revelstoke, fill up the tank, and eat some more of my hard bread and then head out. travel was pretty smooth from there on out, roads were pretty clear anyways.
so i make it to kamloops and head into town and my phone rings. i received a call from jonathan creek about my application that i did last week, and the phone interview. she said that i had a position if i wanted it, and i said yes. score...gonna work at a summer camp in kentucky this summer!
stayed in kamloops a bit but then i bugged out. i headed out and decided to take trans-canadian (which i made the mistake of calling trans continental once) to hope.
i made a stop about the savona area, nice lake, mountains and golf course. also around this area, i stopped at a roadside place, ate, hiked, and took pictures, and found out that my camera was having some difficulties. anyways, i continued on the road towards hope.
b-e-a-utiful drive, absolutely gorgeous, and as a side note, the thompson river would be a good one to go rafting down. the scenery was spectacular, and i didnt get many pictures cause my camera was broke, but i did get some on the phone camera...gotta love it.
i eventually made it to hope about dusk and sunset. seemed like a nice little town, and i figured that i would stop and see about camping. well places were closed (and this whole winter thing hardly anybody is open...and they want to charge you money...psssh). so i figured that i would take 7 and see if there were any sweet places to pull of and sleep. no such luck. so i ended up heading to chilliwack, driving into the sunset.
as i got to chilliwack i noticed signs for camping and figured i would follow them...turned out it was like an rv park and wanted to charge...so i drove a bit further and found a nice little dead end driveway that i backed in and chilled for a bit. eventually i went to sleep. i woke up insanely early (primarily cause it was so stinkin cold...well my feet were) so i woke up and plotted some of the day's travels. as i was mapping and stuff i noticed a dude pull up on the other side of the fence (the driving range) and kinda check the car out. so i figured it was a good time to start heading out, things were starting to open up...
banff to golden
so i leave the house...after many thanks...and head towards banff national park. as i approach the gate i see that passing through doesnt cost any money...and so i just pass through, which is really what i did with a few stops for sighseeing.
i shall have to try and get some pictures up, cause it was pretty sweet. the town of banff was kinda resorty and had a castle and all.
lake louise was pretty cool, but from the pictures i have seen, it is also pretty sweet (if not sweeter) in the summer time.
from there i headed out to golden.
i stop at the information center (because i have crossed into another state, british columbia) there and talk a little about camping and stuff. she actually mentioned a nice little hostel she visited the other day and said that it was fabulous...so i decided to check it out for myself. she said that it would only be 30 bucks (which aint bad compared to hotels that are not less than 50).
well, i check it out and decide to stay. this place was like a log cabin with a bunch of rooms and beds. it also had a cafe and a lounge area with a big screen tv, and it had a kitchen.
i go get some food at the grocery store (iga) and then bring it back to the place....note to self, even though you think the bread is going to be good...it is usually better when it is soft. so i get back, put my meat and cheese in the fridge, eat a lil, watch tv, and go to bed.
just so you know...there were 8 beds in my room...and only 1 was full...mine. so i didnt have any roommates, but it was still fun.
i shall have to try and get some pictures up, cause it was pretty sweet. the town of banff was kinda resorty and had a castle and all.
lake louise was pretty cool, but from the pictures i have seen, it is also pretty sweet (if not sweeter) in the summer time.
from there i headed out to golden.
i stop at the information center (because i have crossed into another state, british columbia) there and talk a little about camping and stuff. she actually mentioned a nice little hostel she visited the other day and said that it was fabulous...so i decided to check it out for myself. she said that it would only be 30 bucks (which aint bad compared to hotels that are not less than 50).
well, i check it out and decide to stay. this place was like a log cabin with a bunch of rooms and beds. it also had a cafe and a lounge area with a big screen tv, and it had a kitchen.
i go get some food at the grocery store (iga) and then bring it back to the place....note to self, even though you think the bread is going to be good...it is usually better when it is soft. so i get back, put my meat and cheese in the fridge, eat a lil, watch tv, and go to bed.
just so you know...there were 8 beds in my room...and only 1 was full...mine. so i didnt have any roommates, but it was still fun.
calgary
after randomly driving around and finally finding a decent place to stop i get gas and then head to a parking lot. i have decided to bite it and pay for a hotel, cause i dont want to do the car thing, nor do i want to keep driving...so i wanted to see a little more of town, and figured i would enjoy the little splurge.
so i call up burly and get her parent's number and give them a shout (since they live in calgary) and i try and find what is cool to do there and where some good, relative inexpensive hotels are. So mrs. burly tells me of some attractions and then asks if i wanted to stay the night...i was...slackjawed...and said that i would be willing to if they were offering...a true blessing there, thanks guys!
so i was actually across the street from the chinook shopping center (which i didnt know at the time) and i saw a bank across the way and figured i would get the lowdown from an actual banker...but turns out they were closed, so i decide to go across the footbridge to this shopping center and see what it was all about...
GINORMOUS is what it was. i walked and walked and walked and that was about it...well i looked too. anyways as i was leaving i managed to see a little bank in the mall and decided to stop and ask questions. turns out i could use visa or master card, and all the calculations would occur automatically...sweet.
so i head downtown (or to the city centre as they say). pretty nice downtown. i walked and saw the calgary needle and the plus 15 (which is a second story mall in these buildings that are connected). i eventually ate at a place called earls. nice little place, and great food. i had the turkey gouda sandwich (with great sauce) and a little salad...superb.
after dinner i went to the island park and to some movie place/mall over there and then through the chinese cultural center.
i then headed to burly's place. i passed the ramps that they held olympic stuff on, it was pretty sweet. so i get there and we catch up and chat. it was a great time getting to talk to them.
in the morning they cooked me breakfast, which was great! and it made me feel extra special.
i then headed out to banff national park
so i call up burly and get her parent's number and give them a shout (since they live in calgary) and i try and find what is cool to do there and where some good, relative inexpensive hotels are. So mrs. burly tells me of some attractions and then asks if i wanted to stay the night...i was...slackjawed...and said that i would be willing to if they were offering...a true blessing there, thanks guys!
so i was actually across the street from the chinook shopping center (which i didnt know at the time) and i saw a bank across the way and figured i would get the lowdown from an actual banker...but turns out they were closed, so i decide to go across the footbridge to this shopping center and see what it was all about...
GINORMOUS is what it was. i walked and walked and walked and that was about it...well i looked too. anyways as i was leaving i managed to see a little bank in the mall and decided to stop and ask questions. turns out i could use visa or master card, and all the calculations would occur automatically...sweet.
so i head downtown (or to the city centre as they say). pretty nice downtown. i walked and saw the calgary needle and the plus 15 (which is a second story mall in these buildings that are connected). i eventually ate at a place called earls. nice little place, and great food. i had the turkey gouda sandwich (with great sauce) and a little salad...superb.
after dinner i went to the island park and to some movie place/mall over there and then through the chinese cultural center.
i then headed to burly's place. i passed the ramps that they held olympic stuff on, it was pretty sweet. so i get there and we catch up and chat. it was a great time getting to talk to them.
in the morning they cooked me breakfast, which was great! and it made me feel extra special.
i then headed out to banff national park
o canada
just a little side note
i dont know why, but 'official looking people with a mean grimace' intimidate me...
so, as i pull up to the gates to enter canada, the man pops his head out and asks me a barrage of questions, and much to my stuttering problem, i looked as guilty as all get out...nothing like a male traveling by himself into another country, not going to visit anyone in particular...yeah you get the idea.
well, after the meager attempt of my traveling explanation, he tells me to go park my car under the awning and go see the man inside and up the stairs. well, i go see him and the grimace continues. he takes a look at me, asks a couple more questions...which i felt more confident about answering this time...and takes my license and passport in the next room. my assumption is that he ran a background check cause of the little paper he gave me after he came out and said i could go after i gave it to the man downstairs. i happily left, and as i was leaving, the dude from upstairs came downstairs...without the paper i just handed the other dude...probably to laugh at my inability to communicate clearly...all because of the....something. i know i laughed, and would have laughed much more if i were them.
so i have officially made it to canada.
i drive up to fort macleod and go to a gas station there. i thought about filling up...but i didnt. i went in to ask how the whole money thing worked, with me having credit cards and stuff. well, they told me that i had to use visa at the pump (which wasnt all i could use) and so i left. as i was leaving, i felt hungry and where would i get some food...but i thought about the free advice i had just received and thought i would be nice and purchase something from them...not gas even though they said it would be more expensive in calgary.
mmm...orange cranberry muffin...
that and i was rockin it cause the american dollar is worth more than the canadian dollar, gas was at 95.9 cents, and the speed limit was 110.
stinkin yanks is what they would call yall (well maybe). and for those that might not know $1 can = $1.16 american, gas was priced by the liter (about 4 liters to a gallon), and speed limit was in kilometers/hour.
so i get up to calgary eventually and pay bout $1 for gas...still stinkin expensive (even more so).
so i am in the nice city of calgary
i dont know why, but 'official looking people with a mean grimace' intimidate me...
so, as i pull up to the gates to enter canada, the man pops his head out and asks me a barrage of questions, and much to my stuttering problem, i looked as guilty as all get out...nothing like a male traveling by himself into another country, not going to visit anyone in particular...yeah you get the idea.
well, after the meager attempt of my traveling explanation, he tells me to go park my car under the awning and go see the man inside and up the stairs. well, i go see him and the grimace continues. he takes a look at me, asks a couple more questions...which i felt more confident about answering this time...and takes my license and passport in the next room. my assumption is that he ran a background check cause of the little paper he gave me after he came out and said i could go after i gave it to the man downstairs. i happily left, and as i was leaving, the dude from upstairs came downstairs...without the paper i just handed the other dude...probably to laugh at my inability to communicate clearly...all because of the....something. i know i laughed, and would have laughed much more if i were them.
so i have officially made it to canada.
i drive up to fort macleod and go to a gas station there. i thought about filling up...but i didnt. i went in to ask how the whole money thing worked, with me having credit cards and stuff. well, they told me that i had to use visa at the pump (which wasnt all i could use) and so i left. as i was leaving, i felt hungry and where would i get some food...but i thought about the free advice i had just received and thought i would be nice and purchase something from them...not gas even though they said it would be more expensive in calgary.
mmm...orange cranberry muffin...
that and i was rockin it cause the american dollar is worth more than the canadian dollar, gas was at 95.9 cents, and the speed limit was 110.
stinkin yanks is what they would call yall (well maybe). and for those that might not know $1 can = $1.16 american, gas was priced by the liter (about 4 liters to a gallon), and speed limit was in kilometers/hour.
so i get up to calgary eventually and pay bout $1 for gas...still stinkin expensive (even more so).
so i am in the nice city of calgary
to fill in the details...
well, i figured, now is as good a time as any to fill in the details of the past couple of weeks. it all started when i headed out from patrick's place in great falls.
so i head up to glacier national park. ahh, the scenery wasnt too much to gawk over, but it did get quite a bit sweeter when i got closer to the park. anyways, i get there a couple hours before nightfall and i finished off some lunch meat and bread (which are truly a staple on this journey) and then i watch the beautiful sunset while i was setting up my tent for the night. i get up in the mornin (which is always the hardest part...its the transition from the warm sleeping bag to the not so warm air) and the weather seemed to be getting a bit worse (windy, clouds in the distance) so i decide not to stay another night, but to head on to canada, eh. yeah, glad i decided to pack up, cause as i was leaving the park, it started to drizzle and get a bit windier. so...i truck off to the great canadian state of alberta.
or so i thought...
well, prior to this little drive, i thought 'ah, its just gonna be a little jaunt up to canada, and it will probably be much like traveling to mexico, the whole easy crossing thing'.
i was wrong.
and as i was pulling up to the checkpoint...i felt it...oh man, im crossing into another country.
so i head up to glacier national park. ahh, the scenery wasnt too much to gawk over, but it did get quite a bit sweeter when i got closer to the park. anyways, i get there a couple hours before nightfall and i finished off some lunch meat and bread (which are truly a staple on this journey) and then i watch the beautiful sunset while i was setting up my tent for the night. i get up in the mornin (which is always the hardest part...its the transition from the warm sleeping bag to the not so warm air) and the weather seemed to be getting a bit worse (windy, clouds in the distance) so i decide not to stay another night, but to head on to canada, eh. yeah, glad i decided to pack up, cause as i was leaving the park, it started to drizzle and get a bit windier. so...i truck off to the great canadian state of alberta.
or so i thought...
well, prior to this little drive, i thought 'ah, its just gonna be a little jaunt up to canada, and it will probably be much like traveling to mexico, the whole easy crossing thing'.
i was wrong.
and as i was pulling up to the checkpoint...i felt it...oh man, im crossing into another country.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
hangin with the brett
aww man...it was nice up in lakewood hangin with the brett. this is the quick low-down...and i might get detailed later....
well, got in tuesday night after he had his surgery earlier that week. we went and ate at a nice pub/diner (stelicoom pub/diner i think was the name)...anyways it was down by the sound. hung out wed, went to eat with mike and katie. thursday went to burs, half-price, bible study, then went to go pick up abigail. friday i chilled and hung out with brett and abigail. saturday i did much of the same. sunday went to chapel and then over to brett's bible study leader's place (wes and josephene [sp]). monday went to seattle, tuesday chilled, and ate dinner with brett. wednesday i headed out to olympia and then the coast. i went to disappointment point, then down the coast of oregon. it rained pretty much all day, but the rain was not very steady either way.
well, got in tuesday night after he had his surgery earlier that week. we went and ate at a nice pub/diner (stelicoom pub/diner i think was the name)...anyways it was down by the sound. hung out wed, went to eat with mike and katie. thursday went to burs, half-price, bible study, then went to go pick up abigail. friday i chilled and hung out with brett and abigail. saturday i did much of the same. sunday went to chapel and then over to brett's bible study leader's place (wes and josephene [sp]). monday went to seattle, tuesday chilled, and ate dinner with brett. wednesday i headed out to olympia and then the coast. i went to disappointment point, then down the coast of oregon. it rained pretty much all day, but the rain was not very steady either way.
where to begin
i begin by sleeping, but letting those that keep track know that i am in the nice drizzled corvallis oregon...safe and sound. hangin out with the barbara
Friday, April 6, 2007
updatings
just so yall know, i am alive and well here in lakewood, washington.
after leaving great falls i went to glacier national park, stayed a night and headed to calgary. that night i got to stay with burly's parents and then headed to golden, bc and stayed in a pretty nice hostel there. i then headed out to a town outside of vancouver and stayed the night. the next day i then went to vancouver then crossed the border. i ended up where i currently am on tuesday night...but have been, for the most part, absent from internet until now....maybe someday will come the rest of the story.
after leaving great falls i went to glacier national park, stayed a night and headed to calgary. that night i got to stay with burly's parents and then headed to golden, bc and stayed in a pretty nice hostel there. i then headed out to a town outside of vancouver and stayed the night. the next day i then went to vancouver then crossed the border. i ended up where i currently am on tuesday night...but have been, for the most part, absent from internet until now....maybe someday will come the rest of the story.
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