Counting Sheep!

Lots of miles . . . and lots of big horn sheep!

The 'luxury' of motel rooms and restaurants got old very quickly. Although the last review was originally scheduled for Saturday, the owners were very accommodating and we did Clearwater, BC (review # 92) a day early. When we wrapped it up about 1:30 Friday afternoon, we decided to point the car south and head 'home'; albeit it's still not 'home, home'.




We were treated to herds of big horn sheep at the beginning of our trek along the Canadian Rockies and then again as we left the area. It's amazing to us that these wild creatures show no fear of humans - or vehicles.



We also took time to stop at a huge glacier and Roger got some awesome pictures. The weather cooperated this year and it is one of the most scenic drives we've ever taken.

Last year the 8% downgrades coming south made me extremely nervous, but I blamed it on towing a 38 foot fifth wheel behind us. However, those same grades are no better in a rental car. They are just plain scary! So glad that portion of the route is behind us.

Turned the rental car in this morning, saving a couple days on the cost. Spent some time then pricing the dishwasher I picked out, buying supplies, and getting prescriptions refilled. Have decided to buy it at Sears, and the sales guy was generous enough to tell us that it was going on sale tomorrow, so it would be worth waiting one more day. So we'll venture out again tomorrow and make our big purchase. We get some strange looks when we tell them we want to pick it up in Oklahoma! But as is always a danger when shopping for one thing . . . I found a washer & dryer that I fell in love with! Maybe next year. Roger still has a TV to buy when we get home.

This afternoon we've spent getting re-acquainted with our recliners. Pulled some left-overs out of the freezer and popped them in the crock pot. It's a good day.

The Waddling Dog Inn and John

What a delightful surprise for these two dog lovers! But first, to get from there to here.

The day had been a bit stressful; dealing with the unknown always is. Had a good exit review with the folks at the Burlington, WA KOA – then it was time to pack up for our time across the border. With the blessings of our boss, we had made arrangements to leave the yellow rig stored at this KOA, and rented a car for our trek to Canada.

Over the years we have had so many major hassles with the border crossings – the yellow rig just is not well received at the Canadian border. The major issue seems to be the Canadians concern that we are ‘stealing’ work from Canadian citizens. Last year they requested documents that do not seem to exit (per the KOA legal experts), so it was decided that this season we would simply go in as KOA employees on holiday.
In reality, that is just what we are . . . for after dragging that 38 foot of trailer around since mid-March, a few motel rooms with unlimited hot water for showers is in indeed a ‘vacation’! Add the luxury of getting to eat out for a few days; and we call that a pure holiday. True, five reviews to do in the process, but we will also get to see lots of beautiful country as we drive between the parks.
Picking up the car went without a hitch and we were soon headed north. We breezed through the border with only a bit of a ‘language’ issue. The border guard couldn’t understand Roger’s Oklahoma ‘english’ and he couldn’t understand her Canadian 'twang’.

Having planned for delays, and having none, put us in Canada about 3 hours prior to our reserved ferry sailing of 7:00 p.m. Drove around a bit until we found the “abc Country Restaurant” and it seemed a pretty safe choice for an early supper. Got a bit of a shock when we ordered ‘unsweetened ice tea’ only to be told they had none . . . only sweet tea! (Thought I was in Virginia again!)

I was so shocked I looked at the waiter and said, “You are kidding, right?” He assured me he was not. He then stated the only ‘unsweetened’ tea they had was ‘regular’ tea, and it was definitely not iced. Although both Roger & I have taken ourselves off carbonated diet drinks, we opted for a known and ordered a couple of Diet Cokes.

Roger’s meal of fish & chips . . . and mine of a bacon cheddar steak burger – complete with a side of wonderful homemade onion rings hit the spot. Frankly, our bodies haven’t ingested that much ‘grease’ in months. . . not since our last Del Rancho sandwich, anyway!

We lingered as long as we thought we could, then decided to head on to the ferry to Vancouver Island, arriving about 5:30. Thinking we still had another 90 minutes to kill, we delighted to find that there was a possibility of room on the 6:00 p.m. sailing, so our wait was short and sweet. Even lucked out and got one of the newer ships and our car ended up parked right by the elevator.

A very smooth sailing of about an hour and a half – and we were even treated to a pod of Orca whales frolicking alongside our ship, right outside our window.

Life is good, but then it got better! Drove off the ferry at Swartz Bay and headed south towards Victoria, looking for a likely motel for the night. Spotted a Super 8 that looked promising, but they only had one room left . . . and it was a smoking room. We declined and headed across the street to the Quality Inn, built in the English Tudor style.



When Roger came back to the car with the room key, he smiled and said, “There is a Basset Hound behind the registration desk.” He then handed me the key card and it said “Waddling Dog Inn”. Sure enough, the little sweetie was still on duty when I stopped to say hello. It made our day!



The interior of the inn is just as charming as the outside, and one gets the feeling that you’ve landed right in the middle of an old English hunt club. Pictures of Bassets, Basset figurines, even iron work Bassets on the exterior window sills, and best of all, a real live Basset!

We 'officially' met "John" the next morning. . . and learned he is actually "John the fourth", with a personality all his own. His owner tells us that he definitely appreciates the finer points of 'napping' - which is probably why we are such fans of the Basset Hound. They truly fit our chosen life style.

On the Downhill Run!

A very quiet 4th of July for us . . . rest was the order of the weekend.

Spent Friday morning finishing up the review here at the Ellensburg, WA KOA - then drove the 40 miles south to Yakima to do some shopping, errands and the ever present laundry! Wanted to get it all done on Friday, so we could truly have two whole days OFF!

Our Independance Day treat was chicken & noodles - Roger's favorite. I know that seems a bit strange, but we so seldom sit still long enough to put a chicken in the pot! Made enough that I fear we will be tired of them before they are gone. At home there is always lots of very willing family to help us eat them!

Did some shopping for a dishwasher - lots of looking - then decided to come back and do some research on-line. As always, I start out wanting the 'latest & greatest' - and usually most expensive, then talk myself into mid-range and sensible. Am giving serious consideration to a 'Bosch' - which has been rated #1 for the last three years.

I had been complaining loud and long about disliking my present dishwasher - the one that came with the house. So Randy & Shelly kindly took it off my hands earlier this summer, when theirs quit. Knowing I would have to purchase one when we returned home, the necessity of it became a bit more urgent when we learned that our house was the scheduled site for a couple of wedding showers in late August. After doing our research, it looks like we will indeed need to purchase it before we get to Oklahoma - to allow time for it to be shipped - even when purchasing it from Sears or Lowe's. Roger's thinking that if we go ahead and get it bought - just maybe the boys will find a way to get it installed before we get home! LOL

This week we head into our least favorite part of this Western region. Not because of the KOAs - or the owners - but because of the difficulty we have moving around in this area. We head to Seattle/Tacoma today - and should encounter the first of the world-renowned TRAFFIC! Then we head north for three visits, before heading on into Canada. The campgrounds are 400+ miles apart up there. Lots of beautiful scenery, but the Canadian Rockies make the US mountains look pretty tame. Then when we finish with the mountains, we have to face the ferry rides to and from the Victoria KOA on the island. Once we get back on US soil, it will be one more ferry ride over to the Port Angeles KOA - and then it should be smooth sailing south for the rest of the season. The only drawback then will be the heat!

But, at least, we are on the downhill run now. With luck, we should finish up mid August. We'll now be leaving the rig in Las Vegas, which will make it much easier to arrange for end-of-the season service on the truck & fifth wheel, as well as making it easier to catch a flight home.

Our new target date for home is now the third week in August. The wedding shower is scheduled for August 22nd and would at least like to get home and battle the dust bunnies before anyone else has too!

Eighty-three parks complete . . . which means only 30 MOL left to do! Not so bad if you say it REAL fast!