Just Hello

Not much to take pictures of. I am sitting in front of a hotel while Jim and Sandy do laundry and get ready for the ferry tomorrow. For a few days while I am on the ferry I won't have Internet, so little or no updates. Maybe one tomorrow before we leave.

Few facts: We will be on the Alaska Marine Highway which is celebrating 50 years of service. The ferry is also called the Blue Canoe.

Waiting to catch the ferry,
Sugar

Birch Bay State Park

Today the weather was calling for a lot of rain, but was actually very sunny. Definitely cooler though. Jim and Sandy took another walk around the state park and by the beach. For lunch Jim rode his bike to the Bay Cafe to get clam chowder to go with hot dogs. Sandy did a quick trim to Jim's hair.

The picture below is an attempt to show how tall the trees are here. Using the red truck, the trees behind show how tall they are.

Tomorrow's schedule is pretty busy with a move to a hotel, doing the laundry and getting ready for the ferry.

Goodbye for now,

Sugar

Sunny Day

Wow, today was a mostly sunny day. A change from yesterday's rain. Sandy and Jim rode their bikes to Bay Cafe and had a breakfast sandwich. The cafe was in an old building that has been around from pretty much the beginning of Birch Bay. After breakfast a bunch of items were put out in the sun to dry out.

Before lunch my owners took a nature walk in the state park. A lot was learned about various trees in this area, including Red Cedar, Western Hemlock, and Birch Trees. Maple Trees were seen too.

It is hard to explain the green and rain forest appearance of this area of WA. The underbrush can be 20 feet high. The trees are so tall you can only see the tops by looking almost upside down.

Jim and Sandy went down to the beach at low tide. There were quite a few people digging for clams. The tide here goes way out, in the summer people wade in the pools left behind the tide as the water gets really warm.

Having fun,

Sugar

A Day at Birch Bay State Park

We all slept in today, really needed to rest up from all of that traveling. I am glad to hang out in the campground while Sandy and Jim explore the area. After breakfast the skies where pretty clear so off they went on a bike ride through the small town of Birch Bay. On the way they found the estuary for the Terrill Creek that is between our campsite and the bay. A small cafe is the center of town and is open from 8 to 3, hope to have breakfast there tomorrow. They also have wifii which Jim needs to use his Kindle. After a lunch of hot dogs, Jim and Sandy walked around the other camping area that is closed until May 15. While they were out it rained hard so they came back soaked, even with rain jackets. So, lots of wet stuff hanging around. Sandy did a little rearranging of my cabinets, a little painful for me, but needed. Below, the first few pictures are of our trail to the beach. We are all really enjoying this campground.

Enjoying this trip,

Sugar

Washington State

Today was a travel day of many differences. First was Pendleton hill which was very over rated as difficult. Then on to Snoqualmie Pass which is in WA. This pass was again not as difficult as we thought, mostly mountain type driving with no serious ups or downs or curves. But the weather was rainy and we could see fog up on the mountain tops, so weather is something to consider. Next was 405 to 5 North. This was very congested even for a Sunday morning. Now we are at Birch Bay WA State Park until Thursday morning. Jim and Sandy are loving it here. It is very green with the Bay just a short walk away. Bike riding and hiking are on the agenda over the next few days. Pouring rain at the minute. Jim put my rainfly on to keep the canvas dry.

BTW, we are now on Pacific Time, we were yesterday too. Also, saw a few people at Emigrant Springs looking for mushrooms. I guess they are worth $45 a pound.

Resting up today, total driven about 1,500 miles.

Sitting in the rain,

Sugar

Emigrant Springs State Park, Oregon

Jim and Sandy have been enjoying this campground and a day off from traveling. They took a short hike around the perimeter of the state park this morning.

Some history of the area has some interesting facts. This state park is close to the summit of the Blue Mountains and is on the Oregon Trail area. Back in January of 1812, before my time, the Astor Overland Expedition traveled this way making a trail for the Emigrants to use as the Oregon Trail.

I have traveled 1,100 miles as of this stop. Pretty good for this old VW.

Jim is going to make a campfire tonight. Fire wood is $5 for a cart full, about twice as much wood as we are used to for the price.

That is it for today,

Sugar

Three States

Another clear day for traveling. The travels today took us through 3 states, Utah, Idaho and Oregon. I also passed the 49th parallel which put me at the point of 1/2 way to the North Pole or the Equator. I will remember two things about Idaho. Bugs on my windshield, yuck. Also, lot of farms, potatoes anyone? Currently camping in Oregon Emigrant Springs. Tomorrow is a day off for all of us, just hanging around at this campground.

A few travel notes:
Wyoming on I80 was very windy and too many semi trucks to count
Utah was easy and had great scenery
Idaho was very buggy but greener.
Eastern Oregon has many mountain passes and was pretty dry.
Boise was a typical city driving on 184.

We have one more driving day to WA State. My owners Jim and Sandy are very pleased with my performance on this trip.

Signing off,

Sugar