tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29231986643663894942024-02-19T04:43:34.777-08:00Norm and Alison's RV adventuresOn to the Pacific Northwest....Norm and Alison's Travel Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750229221971316367noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923198664366389494.post-10796968895331473992017-08-19T18:22:00.000-07:002017-10-06T14:06:17.996-07:00Cave Junction, Obrien, Oregon <br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">August
17<sup>th</sup> – 19<sup>th</sup>,2017</span></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">We were so surprised to see what looked like Customs down the road. Did we take a wrong turn? I thought we just crossed the boarder from Oregon into California? What's this all about? Come to find out, it was the "Citrus Fruit Police" making sure no one was bringing into California any potentially contaminating citrus fruit. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Here in the Cave Junction National Park area, the forest
fires nearby were becoming more noticeable.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The sky had a eerie hue, almost like a sunset. The air was definitely
smelling of smoke from a large, out of control fire only 15 miles away. It was a little nerve wracking not knowing which direction the fire might spread. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">We heard about this cool saloon across the street, McGrews, which was also described as a wonderful restaurant, so
decided to walk over and check it out. This is not something we
typically do, but I was yearning for a little “gaiety”, and it's never too hard to persuade Norm if a beer is involved, and it was, after all 5PM the official "happy hour".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> Walking into this very rustic restaurant, we wondered where everyone might be. We checked</span> out
the bar to see if that was where people were hiding, and saw only two guys
seated at the bar.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Long gray beards, and
attire straight out of the 60’s.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Norm
and I looked at each other, and simultaneously said “Oh, Boy!” One fella turned
and gave us a big, friendly grin, introducing themselves as the Dooby Brothers !<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>That smile was hard to resist, so we took a
seat at the bar next to them, and was both entertained and fascinated by their
care-free marijuana-induced aura.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Traveling around the country is all about seeing and experiencing the unusual and stepping out of your comfort zone when possible. These two men called themselves the "Dooby Brothers" and were so darn friendly.! They willingly answered all my questions about marijuana. How it is grown and how the different varieties have different "characteristics". All very fascinating. I have led such a sheltered life! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">This guy is quite the character! In fact, everyone there was!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">They
explained how beer and whiskey chasers only enhanced their outlook on life, as
he proudly showed us he collection of electronic e-cigarette devices or “vape”
he called it.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Different type of weed for
different affects?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Fascinating.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I have always been a “good girl”, and have
never been around anyone that smoked pot or did drugs (that I knew of) so
talking to these guys was “on the wild side “ for me!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">I ordered a simple Cosmo martini, but the bar tender
didn’t really know how to make it. “I never had “fancy people” in here
before.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Fancy?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>No make-up and old clothes not much better
than hiking attire make us “fancy”?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This
place is a hoot!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">It appeared everyone in this bar were legal marijuana
growers.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They hugged, laughed, and
shared their “blends” with one another.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Maybe I have been missing out on something great.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I am too afraid to try any mind-altering
drugs – I detest even have a booze buzz.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>I am trying to preserve the few brain cells I have left!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Norm says he is very allergic to pot.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>How does he know that, I wonder……..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Our new friend told us of this miracle salve he makes
from organic herbs (most important ingredient is marijuana, of course) and bees
wax that has cured his arthritis.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I
showed him my still-swollen and sore thumb and he generously gave me some to
put on. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Norm tried some on his knee, and
thought it made it better, as well.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Later
that night, I could have sworn my thumb took a turn for the better!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I was hooked!<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Does that make me a junkie?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The menu in this little rustic place in a town of
about 500 looked quite good, it’s reputation excellent, and the atmosphere
interesting to say the least, so we made reservations for the following night
in their outdoor dining area, where we would also have the special treat of
listening to a local band playing.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">At this point in the trip, I was definitely needing a
“spouse-less” day, and to me, one cave is not all that different from another.
Add the fact that the temperature was nearing 100 degrees, I quickly declined
the Cave tour that would require a hike up a mountain in the heat and
smoke.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Norm would never pass one up, and
I am sure enjoyed his own “me time”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">I spent the few hours talking with friends and family
and doing a few chores. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The next night we went back to the bar, dressed even
more casually, while nervously looking over our shoulders at the beautiful
sunset and the flame-red sky.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It was
getting really close, but no one seemed to be more than a little concerned.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Sitting at our table we enjoyed the group immensely! They started with wooden flutes playing soft music, then by night's end entertained with soft Rock!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Over the next 4 hours we were treated to a shockingly
incredible meal that started with a free appetizer of fresh vegetables and homemade
dressing, to the delicious main meal.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The waitress was friendly and apologetic for the very slow service.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Norm and I actually were glad that the meal
stretched out for hours, allowing time to enjoy the entertainment and of course,
a few additional beers and rather good wine. The Dooby Brothers, and then
several other people, stopped by our table several times to meet us and
chat.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1AYpyxrWHdgHTVjz1b6GX31wNH_S7NdluCSi4trIkn4LGgo7qTyJ3tFB8hXOKsjeJ9ArNono_d9sZaCD7rIE3J1PprcQKNH4m2I487_uz_PEVLf5OF_cG-6Eso7fnKrh653vHUbEnYDE/s1600/20170818_192136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1AYpyxrWHdgHTVjz1b6GX31wNH_S7NdluCSi4trIkn4LGgo7qTyJ3tFB8hXOKsjeJ9ArNono_d9sZaCD7rIE3J1PprcQKNH4m2I487_uz_PEVLf5OF_cG-6Eso7fnKrh653vHUbEnYDE/s640/20170818_192136.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">This band had quite a variety of instruments, and their sound was incredible. One member was a long-time music teacher. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">I would be remiss to not say that this band was
amazing!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They played a broad range of
music from Celtic to classic Rock n Roll!<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>If they had a CD we would have purchased one, and that says a lot! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">We stayed until the band finished, and walked back to
the RV a little after 10PM.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>What a great
little town, filled with very happy people that enjoy a simple life of good
friends, small pleasures and a very strong sense of community.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The sunset was very pretty, but knowing it was from nearby forest fires was a little unnerving. </span></td></tr>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Norm and Alison's Travel Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750229221971316367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923198664366389494.post-72314446271937565422017-08-18T16:19:00.000-07:002017-10-06T13:56:25.920-07:00Gold Beach, Oregon <div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>August 13-17<sup>th </sup>2017 </b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During our drive to Gold Beach, we finally left the fog behind and was blessed with warm, brilliantly sunny days here on the southern coast of Oregon!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We have been in contact with fellow RV friends from
The Villages, and low and behold, they coincidentally are nearby! We made plans to meet up here in the Gold
Beach area. They have a smaller, 25 foot
motor home so they found an camping spot right on the Rogue River. We were at a nice campground called <i>Honey
Bear by the</i> <i>Sea</i>, albeit RV’s were pretty close to each other. We were, however, glad we were not buffeted by the incredible winds those who had fabulous
views of both the sea and the brilliant sunsets, had to endure.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfwcNwwxgnD-wI5_1_c3_31Ex-1NFxYQxIvoKQBp-I5QFOpkhCOwmcVjYif0e0lBSTO4MEoH8rYKm0TbtaCXpFbsO8C44cnTbjMHroPSw4lIYmdKbWZ2N2wSFOBgYyXImvNqgrh2boXg/s1600/gold+beach+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfwcNwwxgnD-wI5_1_c3_31Ex-1NFxYQxIvoKQBp-I5QFOpkhCOwmcVjYif0e0lBSTO4MEoH8rYKm0TbtaCXpFbsO8C44cnTbjMHroPSw4lIYmdKbWZ2N2wSFOBgYyXImvNqgrh2boXg/s640/gold+beach+11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">It was so fabulous to finally see the coast once the fog/smoke retreated</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIBonWE9yld-pcf3Aj2W2CJ-wcYTfVOOCJFX1e0D-c2HNaLNeiWku3sImp1_kcRDVVSqi_PetDi1iO2dkKm6yOQgNX0PwSO0sWjgeebHE5X4gitxrQz3RfzLf6xXZ8MQudmA5tOJuvd4/s1600/gold+beach+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIBonWE9yld-pcf3Aj2W2CJ-wcYTfVOOCJFX1e0D-c2HNaLNeiWku3sImp1_kcRDVVSqi_PetDi1iO2dkKm6yOQgNX0PwSO0sWjgeebHE5X4gitxrQz3RfzLf6xXZ8MQudmA5tOJuvd4/s640/gold+beach+12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">After pulling over at a scenic rest stop, we discovered a path leading WAY down to this beautiful beach. The hike back up on this very hot day was pretty tough, but worth it. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We met up with Carmen and Allen at a local restaurant
and had dinner, catching up on each other’s travel stories. On the way back to the park Norm and I
stopped and watched the sun drop below the horizon in a blaze. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Having experienced the taste of huge, perfectly
ripened fresh blackberries on the side of the road the other day, Norm and I
went blackberry picking at the campground.
Trying to escape the huge thorns, we filled our bellies as well as a
couple of pints before heading off to Jerry’s Rogue River mail boat run tour. We enjoyed the late afternoon boating up the Rogue River, stopping a few
times along the way to look at a little local wildlife, most of which are
pretty common in Florida. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBSBi_JWwnViWD_L4a-l3l4N1xfmlrpzWGjwPr-caVg0nebsUhpu-bEOa96fRsqMFBPTovKnwYYzmVW0xUCZQTl23HuPowWz2nvBXS1ClbmLWH8ztZfvP2WM87FX4ifI_J-fmXega3Pw/s1600/gold+beach+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBSBi_JWwnViWD_L4a-l3l4N1xfmlrpzWGjwPr-caVg0nebsUhpu-bEOa96fRsqMFBPTovKnwYYzmVW0xUCZQTl23HuPowWz2nvBXS1ClbmLWH8ztZfvP2WM87FX4ifI_J-fmXega3Pw/s640/gold+beach+7.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">These Common Mergansers weren't so "common" to us. We had never seen such a bird. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We hit it off with another couple with whom we chatted
throughout the ride, and also at the restaurant we stopped at, which was at the furthest
point of our tour. It was a lovely day,
but a little boring. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2S15rNvSw_6uVnkdwljLEjMh8H0HSdn-43fIb_9SKm9SlvVGln1G0b8B6jtQUQ0aRjrRXJ0w6UGaf02ASf1tHtNEf1vk-Hen09SlxFrML6DfGZNaKrdFSZfvOWjCdQnqlYOByUQTQ1qo/s1600/walport+to+gold+beach+map+1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2S15rNvSw_6uVnkdwljLEjMh8H0HSdn-43fIb_9SKm9SlvVGln1G0b8B6jtQUQ0aRjrRXJ0w6UGaf02ASf1tHtNEf1vk-Hen09SlxFrML6DfGZNaKrdFSZfvOWjCdQnqlYOByUQTQ1qo/s640/walport+to+gold+beach+map+1.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Every once in a while the boat captain/tour guide would through in an exciting 360 degree turn to give us a little thrill and get us a little wet! It was more funny than thrilling, but the cool water felt really good.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> I had wished we had
taken the jet boat ride trip option, but Carmen and Allen said it, too was
boring and the extended trip with the intense sun and wind was just too
much. I felt a little better. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifN3gpu-4Yg783dtden6H32YGcqmi8eMiS0a8flvRw09CoGhapF5-jqmCo_EtAFlNxoXDmCPyLyHMlyEdwD63Sy-MzAS9qy30Paf27uykwXFS7hcZ9BZ_1WIup_7hX4T1fCDUvwiAF6Ts/s1600/gold+beach+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifN3gpu-4Yg783dtden6H32YGcqmi8eMiS0a8flvRw09CoGhapF5-jqmCo_EtAFlNxoXDmCPyLyHMlyEdwD63Sy-MzAS9qy30Paf27uykwXFS7hcZ9BZ_1WIup_7hX4T1fCDUvwiAF6Ts/s640/gold+beach+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Gold Beach is the furthest campground south we
are staying at on this trip. From here we will drive south in the car a couple of hours to California in order to see <i>Jedediah</i> <i>Smith State Park</i> which is also, we found, part of the
<i>Redwood National Park</i>. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbmCaeBGJE9O__BuQWsF7wZBtN7y41N5qeOoFbKfC7jV0uZCAW_-Bc39ZewCGhXaWNBrq_URtHB-NgfOiAVWzI1Lj1_c83XBdyuzVpUnKEI4WU4BNG5pJLgGwzro8g8tAa9dUcvqWwVg/s1600/gold+beach+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbmCaeBGJE9O__BuQWsF7wZBtN7y41N5qeOoFbKfC7jV0uZCAW_-Bc39ZewCGhXaWNBrq_URtHB-NgfOiAVWzI1Lj1_c83XBdyuzVpUnKEI4WU4BNG5pJLgGwzro8g8tAa9dUcvqWwVg/s640/gold+beach+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">These incredible artists were painting a mural on the Visitor's Center at Jedidah State Park </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9jPZgohwiAzOBleQnikCv5KUJgCWVZf1ozwYMbg3ETXy5DclS3Pu_rEG0miNr1YylUsKWhXbL9BC2du1Yi7hhTMdJ4xtBVacqbexbWpxoSTkJfsHB_lG1wRy4ocD-DX0rrNQvoAgetk/s1600/20170814_111141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9jPZgohwiAzOBleQnikCv5KUJgCWVZf1ozwYMbg3ETXy5DclS3Pu_rEG0miNr1YylUsKWhXbL9BC2du1Yi7hhTMdJ4xtBVacqbexbWpxoSTkJfsHB_lG1wRy4ocD-DX0rrNQvoAgetk/s640/20170814_111141.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The talent of these artists painting a mural on the Visitor's Center just amazed me.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxP7o_o2BJDttaQDJwxQ6o6HlrT3SftDYsLJ6FKVjUFAHTWTT3Zj-_zXT7l05_N9IrsP-qmHFjYeyZrhRz9IoyAwmz_8vwpfWobU89MIltHSTTxE-jt10LvEN4aXdfD0hTVCkKGujIcM/s1600/gold+beach+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxP7o_o2BJDttaQDJwxQ6o6HlrT3SftDYsLJ6FKVjUFAHTWTT3Zj-_zXT7l05_N9IrsP-qmHFjYeyZrhRz9IoyAwmz_8vwpfWobU89MIltHSTTxE-jt10LvEN4aXdfD0hTVCkKGujIcM/s640/gold+beach+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The giant Redwoods dwarfed Norm!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It was extremely hot, so we took the dirt scenic drive
among the majestic giant redwoods centuries old, stopping to take pictures
and a couple of hikes along the way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">he
parking spots at the few trail heads were packed, but we were fortunate to squeeze
ourselves off the road and park among the bushes. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4i0R5M7mOH3bltpHcjYqq6xp3_UQWWtNtlalZTBWldh_BVQ-V8OwE2z0Pk0gxjw8wo3p00TI0PhL05t2F2H2YydL7kI1H7J1IUGxvfZdexNJuDN8UkeAj6w-m0vJ_sn28WXGsGbWAhk/s1600/Gold+beach+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4i0R5M7mOH3bltpHcjYqq6xp3_UQWWtNtlalZTBWldh_BVQ-V8OwE2z0Pk0gxjw8wo3p00TI0PhL05t2F2H2YydL7kI1H7J1IUGxvfZdexNJuDN8UkeAj6w-m0vJ_sn28WXGsGbWAhk/s640/Gold+beach+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">We took advantage of the lovely trails meandering among the redwoods at the Jedidah State Park/Redwood National Park.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3AEtifJw0B-6GFhpOoSS7BV83R9P9bXrzTE-PA7mmLc8cZfpWik6bYLvhuP3wu0CoNGe0uSXAbyQ9aqnkNCJpwZAk5ock48yMJVmlkc9j4JzWfdpUcpToVDGd6uHz0rrjfnzYOUL6sSA/s1600/gold+beach+13.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3AEtifJw0B-6GFhpOoSS7BV83R9P9bXrzTE-PA7mmLc8cZfpWik6bYLvhuP3wu0CoNGe0uSXAbyQ9aqnkNCJpwZAk5ock48yMJVmlkc9j4JzWfdpUcpToVDGd6uHz0rrjfnzYOUL6sSA/s640/gold+beach+13.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The road through Jedidah Smith State Park were awesome! Tightly woven between the trees, it was a little nerve wracking and very dusty! We were glad we hadn't already washed the car.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We stopped at a couple of small seaports, hoping to
buy some fresh fish. We didn’t have any
luck, but we did enjoy hanging out with a herd? Gaggle? Harem? of sea lions
about 50 feet from a pier. They barked and frolicked in front of our eyes! I felt lucky, since the fog had become
incredible thick along the coast and even if one went to the commercial “Sea
Cave” tourist trap, I don’t think you would have been able to see them since
reviewers say they are about 300 feet off shore. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3PCiiQ1rOHMlSdJhOtTHj-91K0zBgGUwkI86Ni-yMoWlgSVjIqAVbN53p4rId6yCxV-G8o4NJ7Jh_IgVK4_iuGMrUSNSiN4k2PUYs0c4jG_HfOXum8y-_sVAIhQmcwgTw0XFFNAC_1w/s1600/gold+beach+10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3PCiiQ1rOHMlSdJhOtTHj-91K0zBgGUwkI86Ni-yMoWlgSVjIqAVbN53p4rId6yCxV-G8o4NJ7Jh_IgVK4_iuGMrUSNSiN4k2PUYs0c4jG_HfOXum8y-_sVAIhQmcwgTw0XFFNAC_1w/s640/gold+beach+10.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">I was regretting not having gone on the seal tour nearby, therefore I was really excited to discover a huge group hanging out on a local pier. We stayed and watched them frolic for quite a while. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It was a very long drive home, but a great day. We are so glad to have had the opportunity to see
these huge trees! Although further south
in California at Sequoia National Park they have even bigger redwoods, I can still probably cross them off my Bucket List!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The remainder of our stay we took another drive to
check out more of the coast. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2Veb-yzQ3fkrGA0bToM6-jdz0ztikAZCTs2jMzW7Ks-TFJRf4Max_pA43IOWBggxGNLST5vKADHnHMKxYpVXWtHtIj6xjJM0d1BC9bqOhMAEdEZiVprZrqGZbu9d2gt5MA2qt7I8Er8/s1600/gold+beach+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2Veb-yzQ3fkrGA0bToM6-jdz0ztikAZCTs2jMzW7Ks-TFJRf4Max_pA43IOWBggxGNLST5vKADHnHMKxYpVXWtHtIj6xjJM0d1BC9bqOhMAEdEZiVprZrqGZbu9d2gt5MA2qt7I8Er8/s640/gold+beach+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">We just had to stop to check out the dinosaurs at Prehistoric Gardens in Port Orford, Oregon. It looked rather interesting, but would be definitely worth our while to take the grandchildren when they get older. </span> </td></tr>
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Norm and Alison's Travel Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750229221971316367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923198664366389494.post-66619307805907413542017-08-13T11:50:00.000-07:002017-09-22T09:36:53.745-07:00Waldport, Oregon<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Tuesday
August 8<sup>th</sup> – Sunday August 13<sup>th</sup> 2017</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Driving further down the coast on Route 101 another
120 miles, it took about 3 ½ hours.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">A
lot of this route is inland so we couldn’t see the coastline, and when we did
that stubborn fog combined with some nearby fires added to the haze.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Driving inland the last few miles to Rovers
RV Park the air cleared and the sun shone just as the park advertised!</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDm_WXjD0TuBAURhGy1tIdmaUnwvdoGvb_av_hKXgqZHrmwSPW8sp8aeIirNz42Dm20KEcohcjX2BqaywaCZMo-HJUyMTxLL1h0EesjqG-M69lvix2ZGVBdfF9JQ2rWgws_peWR-QWzKI/s1600/to+waldport_LI+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="965" data-original-width="1600" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDm_WXjD0TuBAURhGy1tIdmaUnwvdoGvb_av_hKXgqZHrmwSPW8sp8aeIirNz42Dm20KEcohcjX2BqaywaCZMo-HJUyMTxLL1h0EesjqG-M69lvix2ZGVBdfF9JQ2rWgws_peWR-QWzKI/s640/to+waldport_LI+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">From Netarts to Waldport took about 3 1/2 hours. Trip in RV is in BLUE. Day trips as far south as Dunes National Recreation area in Reedsport is outlined in RED. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Our first impression as we pulled into the tiny
campground road was “Oh boy. This place looks really bad, and we are here for 5
nights!”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We discovered initial
impressions can be deceiving, but those same impressions were shared by nearly
all the other RVers here. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The site was probably the best in the place with
plenty of room and a pretty good view of the river in behind it.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Nothing special, but was adequate. We were a
little concerned by the fenced in doggie area beside us which is usually not a
good sign, and a huge area in back where large dogs can run free. We soon
discovered that the main reason people come here is because it is so dog
friendly. We somehow missed that on their website.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Over the next few days, Rovers RV Park ( it just
occurred to me perhaps the name “Rovers” means “dogs?” ( How in the world did
we miss the connection? ) became one our my favorite campgrounds.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The owners were constantly working to make
improvements, plus they had cable TV (Which means Norm will not have to cuss
Direct TV out again for lack of service! Yeah!) and free DVD’s, plus books that
people can take if they would like. The biggest benefit here was their approval
of RV washing, and working on your rig should you want to. “Knock yourself out”
the owners said. Since we have not found a place to do that in months, that was
such a big deal to us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They lit a huge
communal fire pit each evening that most of the campers attended. I went several
nights but Norm decided to stay inside. The people were very interesting, and
definitely funny.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This older Welsh couple,
who had just gotten their first travel trailer, entertained us with their
stories of trying to park. The wife was afraid that after 60 years of marriage
they may not make it to 61 after purchasing this tiny little trailer.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We roared with laughter!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It was great spending some time with a group
of hilarious people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Most everyone here had at least one dog, running free
and playing with one another.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They never
fought or barked.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Poop was collected as
far our shoes could tell.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We were
positively amazed!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Perhaps the secret to
doggie happiness is doggie freedom?</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwvYd6yAR2h01P1EDVc8QZnAo3FuP7hk1Vhqa6SnYvggnDCiA1GtaR3u7wMX7HsLzA6eEciv_FIC_3IYdIIs9esMkPt5H17e58j8fXY5b8V6PqPCqCsSDM3IeGYRFqxUmOGId9EOqt9M/s1600/waldport+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwvYd6yAR2h01P1EDVc8QZnAo3FuP7hk1Vhqa6SnYvggnDCiA1GtaR3u7wMX7HsLzA6eEciv_FIC_3IYdIIs9esMkPt5H17e58j8fXY5b8V6PqPCqCsSDM3IeGYRFqxUmOGId9EOqt9M/s640/waldport+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">These huge and delicious Oysters at Ona Restaurant in Yachats, Oregon were incredible! I never had tried Oysters before this trip, now I am hooked! ( I will never try a raw oyster, however )</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">We started out our stay in style by going out to
dinner at Ona Restaurant and Lounge in Yachats, about 25 minutes south. Parking
in this small but popular town was terrifying due to the aggressive maneuvers
people were using to snatch that rare parking spot I was about to pull
into.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>When I hesitated to pull back into
traffic, obnoxious folks leaned on their horns to voice their disapproval.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>By the time we were able to park, that
special martini was all I could think of, and boy, was it good!</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqisCPBfN6fUGoCJEqvXTc3ISnKTghqX9IAvKivITcxZgg6Qv6Yb0a3cdN8Z7Ro8aLmzXzfCvlUW9qvRUqNSmI3311yyGhmQH1UgaT2gG5lxRWn6Y4_noQZDo60TeBvXemtf5DRwq6ak/s1600/walport+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqisCPBfN6fUGoCJEqvXTc3ISnKTghqX9IAvKivITcxZgg6Qv6Yb0a3cdN8Z7Ro8aLmzXzfCvlUW9qvRUqNSmI3311yyGhmQH1UgaT2gG5lxRWn6Y4_noQZDo60TeBvXemtf5DRwq6ak/s640/walport+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">We constantly saw Tsunami evacuation signs all over the west coast, but never saw one indicating a route up a set of stairs! Very unnerving. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The fog and smoke was still with us, but over the next
few days we headed both up and down the coast, seeing the sights in our car
that we otherwise could not in the RV. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92V0-4RZ7aBNRcl6TTC0SXEfqN4rrG9OU_OMH6LWqmgQ3tWF5KCsGwg9zX0A398Jt57HydJvlRZkWzb2xScOiPvfoWpKCGrPpWTtZGNCdB8IeVuEyW1lSjilEbJMoYXA8I7XCVtmaOmo/s1600/walport+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92V0-4RZ7aBNRcl6TTC0SXEfqN4rrG9OU_OMH6LWqmgQ3tWF5KCsGwg9zX0A398Jt57HydJvlRZkWzb2xScOiPvfoWpKCGrPpWTtZGNCdB8IeVuEyW1lSjilEbJMoYXA8I7XCVtmaOmo/s640/walport+3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Norm and I laughed when we saw this sign to Boston clear across the country. We lived very close to this same Route 20 when we lived in Massachusetts. It also reminded me just how far away from family we are!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">I spent one morning booking flights to visit our kids
when we get back.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I miss them so much,
we are going to go crazy when we see how our grand-kids, ages 4,3 and 2 years
old have grown.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>That is definitely the
downside of this fabulous trip. </span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Our brakes in the car have been scraping so we wanted
to have those checked at the local Honda dealer.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The appointment was at 3PM so we drove around
killing time and having a scenic picnic lunch overlooking the beach.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They looked at it very quickly and assured us
there was nothing wrong.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I emphasized
that the emergency brake was not working even when put to the floor ( which it
shouldn’t do ) but they insisted it was fine.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>I was skeptical, but hey – “if it ain’t broke don’t fix” they say!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Driving off the scraping noise was still
there but we were glad it checked out ok.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Perhaps there was just dust on the rotors.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkMGtswACazG55Pa7Pu8CHR_rvcoT1NtMA9V_wycLQAOe0cV4cwqWzkjzGCFe7pn2QrV-WFM2LPBV6J5LJJGaO4ePyZNEOpLt2Xj-2XKdlnc46bWsPpwuFxyyuAdWKigWO1cslNn-vjA/s1600/walport+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkMGtswACazG55Pa7Pu8CHR_rvcoT1NtMA9V_wycLQAOe0cV4cwqWzkjzGCFe7pn2QrV-WFM2LPBV6J5LJJGaO4ePyZNEOpLt2Xj-2XKdlnc46bWsPpwuFxyyuAdWKigWO1cslNn-vjA/s640/walport+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Stopping at a random parking lot, we climbed up over a small dune to this very beautiful sight! I just had to go back and get my camera!</span></td></tr>
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</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">During the next couple of days we drove around
checking out several beaches, many overlooks, and the Heceta Lighthouse where
the ranger gave a brief talk and tour.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;"> </span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAQ31SObkeXyDNBYEwH-drix-yqqpoOyneP9m9hWVed5Ai8cxMIlLBDMa2gkcxScVq08MzV4vCCb0tSGuh7TFb7ks03KQsBEXthg02iExpTderBC4yONB3raFB7EKfT8HQaepsz0GERs/s1600/20170811_143353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAQ31SObkeXyDNBYEwH-drix-yqqpoOyneP9m9hWVed5Ai8cxMIlLBDMa2gkcxScVq08MzV4vCCb0tSGuh7TFb7ks03KQsBEXthg02iExpTderBC4yONB3raFB7EKfT8HQaepsz0GERs/s640/20170811_143353.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Several volunteers gave tours of the Heceta Head Lighthouse.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwzCRjEmcLPU2EJbxy-ItxHikIqogjib12J5dXfk_Rj8MFMZq6IEyIYLDJo2jLuSO30G8imwKDqw4A6ASLSyDICW4Hhahk9C0b2x4-pfRSxnhAvB424EyPpUiRDN21lfH6Doye47wm-kw/s1600/waldport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwzCRjEmcLPU2EJbxy-ItxHikIqogjib12J5dXfk_Rj8MFMZq6IEyIYLDJo2jLuSO30G8imwKDqw4A6ASLSyDICW4Hhahk9C0b2x4-pfRSxnhAvB424EyPpUiRDN21lfH6Doye47wm-kw/s640/waldport.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Heceta Head Lighthouse in Yachats, Oregon</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Although tired, we wanted to check out the sand dunes
at the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Extending 40 miles from Florence to Coos Bay, Oregon<span style="margin: 0px;"> its</span> sand
dunes can reach the dizzying heights of 500 feet above sea level! Speaking of “dizzying” check out
the short video where I choose to roll down 100 foot dune.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I got a little dizzy, and a lot of sand in my
pockets!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Let’s just say I won’t be too
quick to do that again anytime soon.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We
didn’t drive the entire length of road where these sandy marvels beckon
travelers since we have seen plenty of sand dunes in our life.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We just wanted to see a BIG one! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4Xa80In373sp_psXwAQpyZjseZuxC7ipZIf9aXD0UICGxBWmiDLEXFOvnM9ls1Q0jpXoURxsZ2ldRoATZVeTgRKaRvQLxVcrtq0g80JR2f4Tkoqpp-S76rT12rN8Uc-pfk7IBDt5ld8/s1600/waldport+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4Xa80In373sp_psXwAQpyZjseZuxC7ipZIf9aXD0UICGxBWmiDLEXFOvnM9ls1Q0jpXoURxsZ2ldRoATZVeTgRKaRvQLxVcrtq0g80JR2f4Tkoqpp-S76rT12rN8Uc-pfk7IBDt5ld8/s640/waldport+11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Wait for me, Norm! Walking in deep sand while trying to take pictures was slowing me down!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">We had to check out where all the noise was coming from, and watched these crazy people ride almost vertically! </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">As we headed back the fog rolled in and within minutes
hid the most photographed lighthouse on the coast.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Luckily, I pulled over, jumped out and got a
picture before it disappeared.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Norm was
wondering what the heck I was doing, then couldn’t believe how it was there one
minute and absolutely gone the next!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">As we were driving back, I swerved to the side of the road ( view point ) then grabbed my camera and jumped out to take this picture of Heceta Head Lighthouse as it suddenly peeked out amid the thick soup-like fog. I scared the crap out of Norm. A minute later, it crept back behind the fog. How neat!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaR55Y92fdcLDc_IEBiGmtPlJZ_kblmy166UGw4HHg2UPqSMfgwdNL_Dn3aoFAfPHoJKio7_RgTIDm0lWdJbD0Oon4KDiftg_nFHj3d-7NjVZwHTNqQ7MMJM_49EVu3H7Whz1gkvCE4E/s1600/waldport+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaR55Y92fdcLDc_IEBiGmtPlJZ_kblmy166UGw4HHg2UPqSMfgwdNL_Dn3aoFAfPHoJKio7_RgTIDm0lWdJbD0Oon4KDiftg_nFHj3d-7NjVZwHTNqQ7MMJM_49EVu3H7Whz1gkvCE4E/s640/waldport+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">We timed our visit to Devil's Churn during low tide. Boy, there are so many warnings! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4xxulEBYbBLWpcAeP8zWq-1xeKlTNhKF4fVnCn-gvEJkmHMtH-hHvzdp3PXaK85jmGiE-edwmN9u7HwqRNe5O75dL0inVVxSCMzVaVmCHU6SbgexXSrBsb80SDf_R_qy852UDxrM14w/s1600/waldport+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4xxulEBYbBLWpcAeP8zWq-1xeKlTNhKF4fVnCn-gvEJkmHMtH-hHvzdp3PXaK85jmGiE-edwmN9u7HwqRNe5O75dL0inVVxSCMzVaVmCHU6SbgexXSrBsb80SDf_R_qy852UDxrM14w/s640/waldport+12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">There was a very well built path down to the rocks so people can watch the incredible force of the tides as it "churned" its way into shore. People however ( we were among them ) climbed further out to get a closer look at nature's power. Norm and I, however, stayed away from the edge.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg672Z59tq2KtGLNin7qF93L6HF_Ljq29XV-UBnYqKOVwr657OZ4hRofYX_5dPjvb7uB1I8k8MSNvsvRmKWWglfl0VJVZKMytjjFHNzHvA5mWkmq4uRSB8jrcvLWp0blRTZ5KWip5OlGUE/s1600/waldport+9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg672Z59tq2KtGLNin7qF93L6HF_Ljq29XV-UBnYqKOVwr657OZ4hRofYX_5dPjvb7uB1I8k8MSNvsvRmKWWglfl0VJVZKMytjjFHNzHvA5mWkmq4uRSB8jrcvLWp0blRTZ5KWip5OlGUE/s640/waldport+9.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">This stupid fellow obviously did not give this ocean, or the many warnings, the respect they deserves! He was so lucky he didn't get swept off the rocks! </span></td></tr>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Norm and Alison's Travel Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750229221971316367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923198664366389494.post-86793182252792326202017-08-09T16:52:00.000-07:002017-09-06T11:49:51.620-07:00Crabs and crabs at Netarts Bay, Oregon<br />
<b><i>A<span style="font-family: "calibri";">ugust 4 -7<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup></span></i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The drive to Netarts Bay further south on the Oregon
coast, wasn’t nearly as bad as we thought it might be.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Perhaps it was because we left early.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>There were plenty of lookouts and interesting
shops we passed, but we are too big for most of them.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Without plenty of advance warning, Norm can’t
safely pull over anyway, especially if someone is driving too closely behind
him. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AN-0kCaTOhlFj03Kno2n33KtXFTwoEDRIzH9ILXh87mDcW7iqRsOTNhLpy3GuNA6uNGBp0V2OhxI1Zg6TYLOmWgbvjnAbLiMv1qDJe_ytLujllnOM26p-Of4QzZNCWhEAVlCQpz-egM/s1600/ilwaco+to+netarts+map.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AN-0kCaTOhlFj03Kno2n33KtXFTwoEDRIzH9ILXh87mDcW7iqRsOTNhLpy3GuNA6uNGBp0V2OhxI1Zg6TYLOmWgbvjnAbLiMv1qDJe_ytLujllnOM26p-Of4QzZNCWhEAVlCQpz-egM/s640/ilwaco+to+netarts+map.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The drive from Ilwaco south to Netarts Bay. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">As we traveled south and approached the mountains
immediately to our left, the fog came rolling in, unfortunately blocking out
any view whatsoever of the sea and coast .<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>We were so disappointed because this section was purported to be the
most beautiful 50 miles of the coast! Not all was lost, however, since it still
gave it a eerie affect. We later learned that when it is hot inland and the air
and water is cold on the coast it creates the fog.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I am surprised that I never knew that having
lived on the coast of Massachusetts in the fishing town of Gloucester, where there was frequent fog. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The fog, although rather awesome, blocked any view of the incredible coastline! Such a shame!</span></td></tr>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Netarts
Bay Garden RV Resort</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">, our next stop, had fabulous customer
service.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The staff were extraordinarily
friendly and helpful ( they very willingly allowed us to have a couple of
packages there, one of which, was a couple of month’s worth of mail.)<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>At this resort it wasn’t about the beach -
but about the water, and what’s underneath. Dungeness crabs by the thousands,
and this campground embraces the opportunity for their guests to gorge on these
coveted crustaceans.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7_LBsLH1NuO7s1rkbR35N-330XBUrGDLjMs_3YEz86rR1KgGD_wljgrtYLXufilDZFdUbBW9h37XRg2R4FqpQJPfIntYXipr9PnFJFoafvDn9HjXS_tz9w3WrFHV_JsmvwbSzsz36y0/s1600/netarts+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7_LBsLH1NuO7s1rkbR35N-330XBUrGDLjMs_3YEz86rR1KgGD_wljgrtYLXufilDZFdUbBW9h37XRg2R4FqpQJPfIntYXipr9PnFJFoafvDn9HjXS_tz9w3WrFHV_JsmvwbSzsz36y0/s640/netarts+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The people here at Netarts Bay Garden RV Resort were so friendly and helpful. Most were here for a month or more to crab for Dungeness Crabs. Instead of motorcycles, or ATV's, campers here brought small boats! </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Many of these sites had little sheds for people to
store their crab pots, plus there was a convenient boat launch and even a place
for folks to cook their crabs! It was crabbing season, so campers here took
their boats out early and got their fill. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">A great majority of the other campers have been here
for months, and come back each year during crabbing season.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They were all very friendly, courteous, and
were happy to advise us on the area. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The few days we were here, the beautiful coastline was
playing hide and seek with the fog.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The
fog won most of the time.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Tired of driving and seeing nothing, we tried to wait
until the fog cleared. We gave up waiting and finally went to hike nearby Cape
Lookout State Park to see what we could see.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The park ranger suggested the best hike for the foggy conditions which
was the Cape Lookout Trail where on a clear day you can see all the way to Cape
Kiwanda! <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We had a pretty view, but only
of the beach below us.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We had a lovely
walk through the woods, trudging once again up pretty steep inclines, which is
not my favorite type of hike.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiam_iyaQeT_T7TmoJBwajWskZ8oI2_Zf-QfAf_xNNcKpI_pbIM8hFLGCsNJ4s8UbRtJvEi5tnosbST0eW15PKKrnrctoluikCC2v_8JePnvItez-uikrCEkZpqqWonxSq_1neau06fz0/s1600/netarts+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiam_iyaQeT_T7TmoJBwajWskZ8oI2_Zf-QfAf_xNNcKpI_pbIM8hFLGCsNJ4s8UbRtJvEi5tnosbST0eW15PKKrnrctoluikCC2v_8JePnvItez-uikrCEkZpqqWonxSq_1neau06fz0/s640/netarts+12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">This was one of the viewpoints on our hike at Lookout State Park. The fog hid the land at the top of this picture, but what we saw was sure beautiful. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8V9HITBSvkrZF9yp1ykMh9aLNTJnbn46JDq_llYzWVpMPWpLEEeR0MgtmWkrjxTkbu3ZofybazpgpRhggiMXtOcZuv4MTxQOyvl8DRN6U7SCUPicAfH0JxRAZhQZ1gTp8VprEko3548Y/s1600/netarts+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8V9HITBSvkrZF9yp1ykMh9aLNTJnbn46JDq_llYzWVpMPWpLEEeR0MgtmWkrjxTkbu3ZofybazpgpRhggiMXtOcZuv4MTxQOyvl8DRN6U7SCUPicAfH0JxRAZhQZ1gTp8VprEko3548Y/s640/netarts+13.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">A beautiful ( and bouncy ) suspension bridge was found along the trail</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpoaput-C6b3ubr-jcrmODttmuAKACWguKogYFY9xW4HMJwOKA9W6PNvtNO2olHoIY1kGJD7osnYskXiMJWwslgvHxwmaNUB7_7ZBQhFsgtwh_EbscJm-RawmjQL0VBCiF1R99DmjYIQ/s1600/netarts+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpoaput-C6b3ubr-jcrmODttmuAKACWguKogYFY9xW4HMJwOKA9W6PNvtNO2olHoIY1kGJD7osnYskXiMJWwslgvHxwmaNUB7_7ZBQhFsgtwh_EbscJm-RawmjQL0VBCiF1R99DmjYIQ/s640/netarts+8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Two trees in love..............how sweet!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAdl9S_76yw4KEUNBRwIvLJJRICouJb0WYzpBjOgyxvmsINkWcZBKoyljoJM4J-qEXoX1me-U8wFbX4Cg9ZDuUxGFofUxW4y91konixXs4rzfSnLZ8fvjxXTMYRbCUFn_AjiEw4CX9Ew/s1600/20170806_105642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAdl9S_76yw4KEUNBRwIvLJJRICouJb0WYzpBjOgyxvmsINkWcZBKoyljoJM4J-qEXoX1me-U8wFbX4Cg9ZDuUxGFofUxW4y91konixXs4rzfSnLZ8fvjxXTMYRbCUFn_AjiEw4CX9Ew/s640/20170806_105642.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The silent fog crept along the trail and reminded me of a horror movie....</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: red;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">While in Netarts we drove north to Tillamook which is
known for its huge cheese industry. We got some groceries and checked out cheese
factories.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>One, <i>Blue Heron</i> <i>French</i> <i>Cheese Factory</i>, was a small facility that
also had tastings of spreads and jellies.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>I fell in love with a Huckleberry preserve and the fact that I actually opened my wallet and purchased a jar is a testament to how much I loved it!</span><br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyMv_RzXropOMJyuoB0I9PVzADO7-I2AOy7u64iZ-y1FGlK5fec-YRDNPFRZWmn8-ndj9v4fWTNz9z6O0eIU02L1QhwOe-cHsVeYtm8ddI38E26VhCVxhdO3awZ4vJOP1EcajQKs4vfo/s1600/netarts+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyMv_RzXropOMJyuoB0I9PVzADO7-I2AOy7u64iZ-y1FGlK5fec-YRDNPFRZWmn8-ndj9v4fWTNz9z6O0eIU02L1QhwOe-cHsVeYtm8ddI38E26VhCVxhdO3awZ4vJOP1EcajQKs4vfo/s640/netarts+6.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT18RLTtVhersU01l4BI3dWrKLpjBAD6SnaWNgBZy-EzKBI2niWUsLWJpBeIrz6NOsfR4AyB5Tu0r8QmairlfxW3AWtT-zLyGCmyLtNb5gbBEDPYm-K7bHcfAn1j5TFkXBu-tHfDfpLeA/s1600/netarts+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT18RLTtVhersU01l4BI3dWrKLpjBAD6SnaWNgBZy-EzKBI2niWUsLWJpBeIrz6NOsfR4AyB5Tu0r8QmairlfxW3AWtT-zLyGCmyLtNb5gbBEDPYm-K7bHcfAn1j5TFkXBu-tHfDfpLeA/s640/netarts+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Tillamook Cheese Visitor's Center, had terrific educational displays (complete with plastic cows) of the modern dairy farming business. We read reviews that said this temporary building ( the new one will be completed next year ) was disappointing, but we were pleasantly surprised how huge it was. </span></td></tr>
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</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: red;"></span><span style="color: red;"></span><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The
other is the highly advertised Tillamook Cheese Visitor’s Center, where they
had a great mock dairy barn and informational boards describing the modern techniques
for raising dairy cows and the production of their dairy products. One placard
stated that their baby cows are immediately removed from their mothers so they
can monitor what the eat and drink. They are then put in cozy little pens to
ensure they don’t hurt themselves.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Come
on, now! Really?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It all sounded like
their cows must think they are in heaven, but I know better,
unfortunately.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Just do some research on
CAFO farming. Concentration Animal Feeding Operation. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Norm has had some dairy farm experience as a young
boy, and grew bored of the informational section of the Visitor’s Center, but I
found it quite interesting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7Luh50nY0HtwFUXj8-kleQ9rgbWfwehq5J7piKkMVRip2mkEiY5ZMVTbT7oXtqVMjOAviBhih5wX4GSoLvqYskNaNHG8NYWGuzVdh6oPMU-A9VpeABFHG87FFUSBB2AL030F4EUSEUU/s1600/netarts+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7Luh50nY0HtwFUXj8-kleQ9rgbWfwehq5J7piKkMVRip2mkEiY5ZMVTbT7oXtqVMjOAviBhih5wX4GSoLvqYskNaNHG8NYWGuzVdh6oPMU-A9VpeABFHG87FFUSBB2AL030F4EUSEUU/s640/netarts+4.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Norm and I are not real fans of cheese curds, so didn't wait in line for the chance to sample.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The big draw to this facility was obviously the
tasting room.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Long lines of people
awaiting the free samples of cheeses and curds dissuaded us from tastin</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">I am not sure exactly why we didn’t indulge.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Was it because we could look around at our overweight fellow Americans and see the negative effects of this sweet concoction? Or
perhaps the combination of it both being lunchtime <b>and</b> the long line?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7Luh50nY0HtwFUXj8-kleQ9rgbWfwehq5J7piKkMVRip2mkEiY5ZMVTbT7oXtqVMjOAviBhih5wX4GSoLvqYskNaNHG8NYWGuzVdh6oPMU-A9VpeABFHG87FFUSBB2AL030F4EUSEUU/s1600/netarts+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">They also sold grilled cheese sandwiches positively
dripping with cheese, but we went home and made our own (with a lot less cheese)
with the same Tillamook Cheese I had previously purchased from Costco.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">My thumb that I injured mountain biking July 2<sup>nd</sup>
in Port Angeles was still really hurting. Maybe more and more each day. I was
getting nervous that I may need to do more to it than I have been. I purchased
a couple different thumb splints but the part most sensitive ( top knuckle
upward ) was exposed and more vulnerable wearing the brace than without.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Not wanting to risk permanent damage I
decided to go to an Urgent Care facility 10 minutes away.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">I got right in to see the Physician’s Assistant that
seemed to know what he was doing. (Hopefully) He didn’t think I tore the tendon
most often torn by skiers. If I broke it, he said, too much time had passed now to do
anything about it.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>He offered an X-ray,
but could not give me a copy of it before we left, so I passed on that.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>He set me up with a better technique to brace
it, and off I went feeling more assured.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>A few weeks ago I did, however,
book an appointment with a really good hand orthopedist that was already
scheduling into October in case it wasn’t healed by then. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">We were really looking forward to meeting up with two
couples that we met in Vancouver Island back in July.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>After examining our itinerary, they saw that
we would be very close to them when we reached this destination, and invited us
to call them when we got here.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We did, and much to our
delight, they invited us over for a Crab Boil that they were having, with the
crabs that they would catch that morning!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Norm and I had never had Dungeness crab before, but we
do love crabmeat, minus the work. But we were more than up to the task!</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2wYe5x6mU857ISaPP6wSSKhYe3nQy3PZsXLYETdZryBlxLM8hOS3K7T293p0sFsExVki1JYpzwOWNQ_9B0NHIskGJ2dDlGpnuaC_c-p83L47f3dSnBvFTy3E-LQ821lsFzxeZMyEHHY/s1600/netarts+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2wYe5x6mU857ISaPP6wSSKhYe3nQy3PZsXLYETdZryBlxLM8hOS3K7T293p0sFsExVki1JYpzwOWNQ_9B0NHIskGJ2dDlGpnuaC_c-p83L47f3dSnBvFTy3E-LQ821lsFzxeZMyEHHY/s640/netarts+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">What gets better than this? New friends, a beautiful day, fabulous food and lots of wine!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">
</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">When we arrived, we felt like we were longtime
friends, catching up on all our travels.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">They had a couple of large coolers filled to the brim
with the 48 crabs they all caught that morning.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>They cooked them two different ways, so we could sample them both.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>And sample we did, and they were
incredible!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The crabs we ate with these new friends will be a
memory that won’t soon be forgotten.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The
flavors and aroma’s have made themselves home in my mind – making any future
crab dishes pale in comparison.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>A nice
problem to have, actually.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">We ate, we laughed, and we drank until it was no
longer safe to continue to do so, considering the 25 minute drive back. It was
such a great night!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtlX_uWPtjgLmfK-Lnchg54xqwrhC5MFu3uMkIjexHJ17HC56OyaX5_ggdk84k-VJ0kJEqo-ZcZy2mnMiv995ghWBXOMVY2hNtYElS6wA1OXp0PNx_vTNPGXh2bD85soA7iXCPDhIhQE/s1600/netarts+10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtlX_uWPtjgLmfK-Lnchg54xqwrhC5MFu3uMkIjexHJ17HC56OyaX5_ggdk84k-VJ0kJEqo-ZcZy2mnMiv995ghWBXOMVY2hNtYElS6wA1OXp0PNx_vTNPGXh2bD85soA7iXCPDhIhQE/s640/netarts+10.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Even in dense fog, if you get close enough to the Cape Meares Lighthouse you get a good look at it.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Again waiting out the fog on another morning, we gave
up and drove to Cape Meares later in the day, hiking to the light house.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The fog enhanced it’s coastal feel, so we
were glad we went. Fog comes and goes without rhyme or reason, so it’s
important to get out there anyway and see what you can. </span><br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Norm and Alison's Travel Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750229221971316367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923198664366389494.post-6425610849032550712017-08-08T22:17:00.000-07:002017-09-03T22:33:33.067-07:00The start down the Pacific Coast - Illwaco, Wa<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oIk36vTf_nt2M99j9EyRK8dykAUBGYOUNK5qkq92eu-_f6ggpt2JHAIeSmZksn_OOM9E1MrUYD6qYChb1UL5MliUGkrBtBwEMfY0tPNn2tiYXLKfzI8Rj1UJIWsvuaglly9_EfspuvU/s1600/map+to+Illwaco.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oIk36vTf_nt2M99j9EyRK8dykAUBGYOUNK5qkq92eu-_f6ggpt2JHAIeSmZksn_OOM9E1MrUYD6qYChb1UL5MliUGkrBtBwEMfY0tPNn2tiYXLKfzI8Rj1UJIWsvuaglly9_EfspuvU/s640/map+to+Illwaco.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">It was a good 4 1/2 hour ride south to our next destination. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: red;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><b>July 31<sup>st</sup> – August 4<sup>th </sup>2017</b></span><br />
<b></b><b></b><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The drive from LaPush to Ilwaco here in Washington, was
much longer than desired, but finding a campground that we could fit into was a
challenge much before <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>this point south
on Route 101.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>There wasn’t much we would
be missing, so after we gut out this drive, it would be pretty easy sailing for
quite a while from here. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Upon arrival at this particular “Resort” we didn’t
fair too well.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The turn coming into <i>Eagles Nest Resort</i> was
ridiculously tight, between the overgrown bushes on the right and the dilapidated
booth on the left.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Having to choose which
to hit, Norm correctly chose the bushes, however we were furious that we had to
choose whether to merely scratch, or dent the length of the RV!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">We were assigned a campsite where the ground was
so uneven, we were sure to twist an ankle. Norm would never get any Satellite TV reception
there, so we asked to change sites.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I
must honestly admit that we asked for the next site, but Norm and I had a bit of a
communication problem getting into it, and got hung up on an overgrown
rhododendron. More stress. Norm then spent the next hour (or two) getting the satellite
to work.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgssZjDbG2hJUlLKBZnlUFyvFl2D_jKQvJ_FbruW_653MYyHxxxzQzwQcO20NWPWIopJENTp0jzILPDjDqRUlpZZlBD5VbZEK01BoxZxWkWfeLSiMF62yu089KjmjigEQYyll-XkgRq58A/s1600/illwaco+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgssZjDbG2hJUlLKBZnlUFyvFl2D_jKQvJ_FbruW_653MYyHxxxzQzwQcO20NWPWIopJENTp0jzILPDjDqRUlpZZlBD5VbZEK01BoxZxWkWfeLSiMF62yu089KjmjigEQYyll-XkgRq58A/s640/illwaco+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The sites here at Eagles Nest Resort were very heavily treed ( although it does not look it here ) and difficult to get into. I couldn't figure out why Norm was not paying attention to my directions until he finally told me his 2-way radio was dead!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Finally settled, we figured we had had enough
excitement for one day, and hung out awhile before our private happy hour and
dinner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The next day, without having done much “homework” on
the area, we headed up the peninsula to a few spots people told us we had to
see.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The wind was whipping so hard, that
when we got to the huge and beautiful beaches, we were getting sandblasted by
the blowing sand.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We walked down to the
water’s edge, looked around at the beautiful coast and returned quickly to the
car.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC6a9dgg68QdZGdF5s5MqT6p-BrouSAN7WZ1wC_EhIZAaxwrC2mfkRLVTpWc_ET8yOAha9JzmOu7XNpqdoAFdQe9qKCDtupaUbng3Ps8D-ev5ErhE1RMw4oyxGcCB2B1WWxo1GJ9I5w5M/s1600/20170801_124004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC6a9dgg68QdZGdF5s5MqT6p-BrouSAN7WZ1wC_EhIZAaxwrC2mfkRLVTpWc_ET8yOAha9JzmOu7XNpqdoAFdQe9qKCDtupaUbng3Ps8D-ev5ErhE1RMw4oyxGcCB2B1WWxo1GJ9I5w5M/s320/20170801_124004.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">25 MPH on the BEACH? Good Lord, watch out everyone!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">We drove around what seemed like hours searching for a
place for lunch.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Now we have not had
lunch out ( I believe ) since we left months ago just because of this.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I need to eat around noon, and it has to have
some gluten free options, so we find it so much more convenient to just make it
ahead and have picnic lunches when and where we want.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>(Cheaper, too)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCWlWlChvYuKrBj-IFxMkpVeLfPhWAWfm5ZA3DsSip9F_C473LZgTJ5zsVBF7tUwujbfZScdKh8ve7d1MTIEzgrm56F_EUow2JWb2i7uVWRrB13HRnqFydJYXICcWzaNFrZc37DLBy0w/s640/ilwaco+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Marshes Free Museum is where you can</span><span style="color: red;"> find antiques and oddities such as a two-headed lamb, shrunken head or the famous "Jake the Alligator Man" which customers are urged to join his fan club. Very Odd, indeed! Norm loved it here!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">I swore by the end of the day that we would never
again aimlessly drive around.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I want to
know what the area has to offer, decide what to do, have a plan and write the
addresses down!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Things and mood can
change, but I like to have an agenda.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Easier said than done.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I’d rather
play than pour over books and fliers.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">That night we headed into the nearby town of Astoria
and had dinner on the water at Bridgewater Bistro, and enjoyed the fabulous
view of the Astoria bridge.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The oysters
in the Pacific Northwest are huge and incredible!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I never thought I would like them, but
pan-sear them, and I am hooked!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We have
been eating them whenever we can.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapRnmIMGPeJJWG4St80_aRIICc-l59YafwujTULt6IJz29v0ekQIuldrK7rNnFBNCA_1UdaKGAFay7pU1TsLVenlCytOynIqBDG6lj2DerJmA3NLX5-302pnC5KkJq_bLRFJBfHot2Oc/s1600/IMG_8562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapRnmIMGPeJJWG4St80_aRIICc-l59YafwujTULt6IJz29v0ekQIuldrK7rNnFBNCA_1UdaKGAFay7pU1TsLVenlCytOynIqBDG6lj2DerJmA3NLX5-302pnC5KkJq_bLRFJBfHot2Oc/s640/IMG_8562.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Haystack Rock on Cannon Beach is seen all a tremendous amount of merchandise. Norm and I have seen so many nicer </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The next day, plan in hand, we headed south to Cannon
Beach where EVERYONE said we MUST go.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Since the interior of Oregon and Washington were having record breaking
heat ( 108 degrees ) there was a ton of traffic on their way to the coastal
beaches. The beaches are miles upon miles long and wide, so they all still felt
amazingly deserted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">We thought it best to hike before going to Cannon
beach, since the chance of not being in the mood to hike afterwards was pretty
darn good.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ecola State Park’s</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Clatsop
Trail</i> was a nice sounding hike that had the right amount of mileage for the
time and energy we had.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>What we didn’t
comprehend was the heat, humidity and elevation gain we had to conquer. Norm
was fine ( he sweats a lot ) but I was truly suffering.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Actually, I think I got a little bit of heat
exhaustion because even 2 hours later my face was really sweating and very
flushed. I really didn’t feel well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Luck was with us as we found a great parking spot at
the insanely busy Cannon Beach. Finally, some decent shops!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Little boutiques that showcased fine crafts
from real “artisans”.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Not the “arts and
craps” that we have seen so far on our travels. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BN93SrVL2draIccPFh-Eb-UuOa4c4wPMZlZkaC_1YMVyLQ3bULwh6JIcMn0F5kdJU5ZBj6ecuQYB5NlGzaryX4F5kNxPo2ctLjXXG6L9rAjSPTnfQ-G6J9PsKTqNnTigMzZGCaDJomc/s1600/illwaco+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BN93SrVL2draIccPFh-Eb-UuOa4c4wPMZlZkaC_1YMVyLQ3bULwh6JIcMn0F5kdJU5ZBj6ecuQYB5NlGzaryX4F5kNxPo2ctLjXXG6L9rAjSPTnfQ-G6J9PsKTqNnTigMzZGCaDJomc/s640/illwaco+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Alison was climbed out on this edge to take the picture below.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhA6tZP4_vaExyBUf1enXcsxsXIbG6AVK0g4PXeHuV8I32R-tgosXfVLN_iL1yttu_1diyuZvK9amKY_h3B53mH9HqXeV0s0KFRFqR92cPAl9TNcDVgn3FNfQegIKlVRtseQk0y59fNo/s1600/illwaco+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhA6tZP4_vaExyBUf1enXcsxsXIbG6AVK0g4PXeHuV8I32R-tgosXfVLN_iL1yttu_1diyuZvK9amKY_h3B53mH9HqXeV0s0KFRFqR92cPAl9TNcDVgn3FNfQegIKlVRtseQk0y59fNo/s640/illwaco+8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">This crazy fisherman somehow climbed down to this precarious place to fish on the mouth of the Columbia River. The huge waves were crashing all around him! Do fish actually take the bait under these conditions? Are they "Rock Fish?" </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Seeing everyone with the fabulous looking ice cream
cones, we decided it best to get one.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I
only had a few bites of Norm’s and I instantly felt
better!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Maybe some sugar was all I
needed!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I checked out a few more shops,
still not buying a thing.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>There was
plenty I loved, but the price tag of those usually had a comma in it. (
thousands of dollars ).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We saw the
famous Haystack Rock, but couldn’t for the life of us understand the attraction. There are so many places prettier, in our opinion. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Returning home, we got stuck in bumper to bumper
traffic for about an hour.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Since the
tide was now low (best for viewing) we forced ourselves to hit Fort Stevens
State Park where we walked along the beach near the Colombia River.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Here the waters are supposed to be the most
active in the world, but we couldn’t see that from where we looked.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The Peter Iredale shipwreck partially buried
in the sand was pretty cool.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>There were
children ( and grown-ups pretending to be children ) climbing all around and
inside this rusty old shipwreck.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We
hoped they all had their tetanus shots!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMVlaBKEect3p83ge4c-zkGODYCMt3W0Tovt1rZ9Il6Trr26nujFui6tBjh7-MVre8tgVEpvCUgAnVfz53apGDBZb0Eez3v-W4QaLmZDMqQ-iPczEFfSUd9Lf7XfMhtAGpuRJcHjSypY/s1600/IMG_8574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMVlaBKEect3p83ge4c-zkGODYCMt3W0Tovt1rZ9Il6Trr26nujFui6tBjh7-MVre8tgVEpvCUgAnVfz53apGDBZb0Eez3v-W4QaLmZDMqQ-iPczEFfSUd9Lf7XfMhtAGpuRJcHjSypY/s640/IMG_8574.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Kids played on the rusty Peter Iredale shipwreck where it ran aground in 1905 near Ft. Stevens. I hope they had their Tetanus shots!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">We then pushed ourselves to check out the jetties that
promised the most treacherous waters of the Pacific thanks to the river waters
rushing out while the ocean waters rush in.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The wind was blowing pretty hard, but the water didn’t appear to be
turbulent to us. Hey, what do we know? We were just expecting perhaps huge
waves creating whirlpools sucking down ships or something. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Regardless, it was a gorgeous day so we hung around
absorbing the natural beauty – drinking it in. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6GOFjTA7fvnnRxscYokgpciK0NwABLvTo_lJDmhLe6H7enxeWeQ-O5RJNItGbO981rz4nfgBWP2I_6-jNrUuZo0B_lKBnPh475MjJ7ZtfQvcMg7_DfgR1hf5IpqAQ9c19VsuvHYFbnRc/s1600/20170803_101301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6GOFjTA7fvnnRxscYokgpciK0NwABLvTo_lJDmhLe6H7enxeWeQ-O5RJNItGbO981rz4nfgBWP2I_6-jNrUuZo0B_lKBnPh475MjJ7ZtfQvcMg7_DfgR1hf5IpqAQ9c19VsuvHYFbnRc/s640/20170803_101301.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">This fabulous park has the distinction of being both a State AND a National Park! </span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The main reason we were staying where we were, was so
we could easily go to Cape Disappointment, just up the street where the
lighthouse has been warning sailors away from shore for over 100 years. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHX6RV4Imd7z2lYtRGmgp5KDepaMfxosB-oNH06ozHyjtoMd4I_K9Qk40MOaNHPb7B_9xH-GO0oq5zZ47HEl3AQWtmrorA2sNFsDtmXOM-Synpz3jpkpbLEKhL18hFrJlVRL6trIOA78o/s640/Illwaco+7.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Believe it or not, that is actually bird guano ( poop ) on those rocks, and a lot of it! </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The narrow scenic road twisted and turned as it
brought us closer to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In school neither one of us was particularly
interested in Lewis and Clark’s explorations, but after an hour watching a
short movie and reading the dozens of panels detailing their discoveries and
experiences, I have a whole new appreciation of what they accomplished!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In my old age, history has become so much
more interesting!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PKjSwhYxzNUeZulafb4REpCaFwTaIOK9XgMV_Lr2b8L3uIzckXFtxXtBNumXmc5qPWkB-UhOZUpUMoIp13Jc0Z18mAgb4Iu9SsX-xiE4Ha7XPyY0RHlezIM9jZjMYMqPaQwJJfsE6j4/s1600/20170803_102956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PKjSwhYxzNUeZulafb4REpCaFwTaIOK9XgMV_Lr2b8L3uIzckXFtxXtBNumXmc5qPWkB-UhOZUpUMoIp13Jc0Z18mAgb4Iu9SsX-xiE4Ha7XPyY0RHlezIM9jZjMYMqPaQwJJfsE6j4/s640/20170803_102956.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Norm explored the many military bunkers there while I
glanced around and basked in the sunshine trying to get warm.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We then headed down the hill back to camp.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9xZWjMhzYTlFbPU-SUPXXdLqhhyphenhyphenV0N-0J8kNldglji7r-lQ9zNpPrd805wvWLFAHyzwFTa68yc7xr4r6N3LWF0QcmLIl89J6RfPARgsN8yxg7a54mREWnwwx5MpfNBlYO6oozku-_4s/s1600/illwaco+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9xZWjMhzYTlFbPU-SUPXXdLqhhyphenhyphenV0N-0J8kNldglji7r-lQ9zNpPrd805wvWLFAHyzwFTa68yc7xr4r6N3LWF0QcmLIl89J6RfPARgsN8yxg7a54mREWnwwx5MpfNBlYO6oozku-_4s/s640/illwaco+12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">There was so much to learn about the Lewis and Clark expedition, you could spend all day at the Interpretive Center.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVq8A7Xf-RwRL4ASMq1iXawyao47MuAX90W257H_r5snAg4HCQBboaoSewPlGU_ENzaWRo-yCXhXw1MFn-b63csfdWnsirUwoUt5d-93cwnGbfBkLH80Ysx2MXsFPAVLUEPXqo1qXFUQE/s1600/illwaco+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVq8A7Xf-RwRL4ASMq1iXawyao47MuAX90W257H_r5snAg4HCQBboaoSewPlGU_ENzaWRo-yCXhXw1MFn-b63csfdWnsirUwoUt5d-93cwnGbfBkLH80Ysx2MXsFPAVLUEPXqo1qXFUQE/s640/illwaco+13.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Norm found the military bunkers at Deception State Park fascinating.</span> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">At this point in the trip I can see the advantages of
being in a tour group.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They drag you out
to see unusual things (or the usual) that you might not otherwise have the
ambition to go see. Or to drive another drive.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The Maritime Museum in Astoria was supposed to be phenonomal, however we
just didn’t have the energy to drive yet again to Astoria since we had a couple
of days in a row. Too bad, we lose.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We
have found since we past the 3 ½ month point that is happening more and
more.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I am not sure I would take a trip
this long again.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We are suffering a
little from “burn out”.</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Norm and Alison's Travel Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750229221971316367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923198664366389494.post-81154955184758821892017-08-07T07:17:00.000-07:002017-08-25T18:24:32.740-07:00A stay at 1st Beach - La Push, Washington<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">July
28<sup>th</sup> – 31<sup>st</sup>2017</span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mkb1aZnNnYSFAiRI6P0rfaHFHF9zAhlO9ddAj2wEuOCsV1El2Ip45g7ObKmxtkmLvV3_gSvEbycq2BGa9kZL1YjTMS3IoDWBVgkVaGNj6-jCylPgU7k_B0nwVGUbIhlbqjYfBF7kr-I/s640/map+to+la+push.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Route from Port Angeles, Washington to La Push</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">We left Port Angles, Washington to embark on our
second phase of the trip.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It mentally
feels that we are “on our way home” even though we won’t be back for another
couple of months.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>71 days to be exact. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeschbeVBf9m0rGrPYYsUOay1zwmxnNCZ8SQGqFaKa1url8LXpZJKiWoUiNFOwNUXQ0z5rB8BGjsaH9au2LkLYC3slWU9w7r_J9NrlLNORUVTmAd51GdqZWC3fSRal8fNrTDgnzAPXI8/s1600/la+push+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeschbeVBf9m0rGrPYYsUOay1zwmxnNCZ8SQGqFaKa1url8LXpZJKiWoUiNFOwNUXQ0z5rB8BGjsaH9au2LkLYC3slWU9w7r_J9NrlLNORUVTmAd51GdqZWC3fSRal8fNrTDgnzAPXI8/s640/la+push+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The drive from Port Angeles to La Push was beautiful as we passed by Crescent Lake with it's emerald waters. This time the wind was not so high that the white caps disguised the color of the lake. </span></td></tr>
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</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Heading west to the small coastal community of LaPush
we will stay at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Quiluete Oceanside
Resort,</i> operated by the Quiluete First Nations Tribe.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We have come to realize the name “Resort”
does not necessarily equate with what the mind conjures up.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It might mean luxurious accommodations – hot
tubs, pools and fitness centers – or perhaps you might find a campground so
rundown that even the bathroom <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>makes you
feel a vaccination is needed upon exiting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">This campground was somewhere in the middle.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The lucky few enjoyed sites on the beach,
which was, where I thought our reservation was for.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Located directly on what is called “First Beach”
it was all about the beach for the majority here.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwucrbu3-DK0w8qqDAZ6VixaVvnDo38S5Blnne1BOPnf2uOHzNe-yMTmbYF73-ocIwIiVLxpuXuLTWClf7srDYraWXs-uc8hHdCnbMgpVMJB2ivUdQuxPxuecfessolUeacK8dz9HQe34/s1600/la+push+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwucrbu3-DK0w8qqDAZ6VixaVvnDo38S5Blnne1BOPnf2uOHzNe-yMTmbYF73-ocIwIiVLxpuXuLTWClf7srDYraWXs-uc8hHdCnbMgpVMJB2ivUdQuxPxuecfessolUeacK8dz9HQe34/s640/la+push+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">We discovered a slight leak the last time it rained, a couple of months ago. Today was the first day with the right conditions so Norm got up on the roof with the hose trying to determine where it might be. No luck. Notice the Tsunami siren behind him. They test it once a month. Thank goodness it wasn't when he was up there!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Our site was
directly below a Tsunami Siren, but luckily that was not heard. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>What we did hear, however, was non-stop
barking.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Big dog barks, small yippy dog
barking, and the frequent sounds of dogfights.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>All day, and most the night.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Owners would sit beside their campers drinking, and
positively ignore their dog carrying on for hours.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>One night, after midnight, I really wanted to
go out and see the moon reflect on the ocean. But since the dogs were finally
quiet, I hated to rile them all up again.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>I am sorry, but it is not fair.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I
love dogs, my dad bred them and I tell you, they were trained not to bark.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It can be done. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Late the first afternoon we took a long walk on the
beautiful beach all the way to the end. Norm and I are not tremendous beach
lovers, but you could not help but take in the sights and sounds of this
gorgeous place. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJQT1oAFGmrLzOnroxpBbksyW2JZm_vT1K__rLBfpFMmOwQpJDJGjfvcgRG9FK-0Z4J6mMvrFLb9JiosSyZXdosezpsTENwwHHyPonbCWv8zNkYhkvPv_AxeufQmbey12bGhH9Kig2t0/s1600/la+push+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJQT1oAFGmrLzOnroxpBbksyW2JZm_vT1K__rLBfpFMmOwQpJDJGjfvcgRG9FK-0Z4J6mMvrFLb9JiosSyZXdosezpsTENwwHHyPonbCWv8zNkYhkvPv_AxeufQmbey12bGhH9Kig2t0/s640/la+push+17.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">First Beach in La Push. Our campground is down the end right on the water. Our site, however, was a little set back.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The next morning, about 6:30 the goal was to head to
Hoh Rain Forest.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I had packed our
breakfasts and lunches plus hiking and camera gear the night before.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As we were about to leave, I couldn’t find my
cellphone ( camera ) anywhere!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>After
searching high and low, I had to assume I dropped it somewhere on the miles of
rocky beach the night before!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">I tried technology first.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“Find my phone” app told me they could not
locate my phone. Well, that makes two of us. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>After calling it on Norm’s phone I realized it
behaved as if dead.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Oh, no!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Technology, I learned, is only good if there
is battery power!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">We took off and combed miles of beach for well over an
hour.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As time progressed, I became
worried that someone picked it up and might have either been accessing my info,
or just calling their friends all over the world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>When we got
back, Norm took apart the couch to see if it had, indeed, fallen “between the
cracks”.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Yeah!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>My hero!<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>There it lay, with its battery dead as a doornail, but looking beautiful
nonetheless!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">How have we become so dependent on these small,
electronic devises?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Jeez!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I knew I could live without it. But I would
feel even more out of touch with family than I do already traveling this far,
for this long.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The camera in this
light, waterproof devise is amazing.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Almost all the photos in my blog are from this silly phone!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Plus it’s so darn easy to carry!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Thanks to me, we had missed the window of opportunity to
hike this magnificent temperate rain forest sans crowds, so we decided to wait
and try again tomorrow. We will set our clocks, one more day!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Most of the beaches along the coast afford the best
viewing, walking and beachcombing during low tide.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Trying to hike the rainforest that was over
an hour drive to the east and the same day we wanted to get to the famous Ruby
Beach that was about the same distance south, was probably impossible with the
current tide schedule.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Since the rain forest was out, we headed south.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Ruby Beach, which I not only read, but was
told not to miss, was unbelievably beautiful. Ruby Beach is part of the Olympic
National Park and named for the rose-colored ruby fragments found dispersed
among the grey sand. We didn’t recognize at ruby fragments, while there,
however. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPxOOWMzS14C41suM6DfhHC5p1OEmyW3syU13B3HIIFeyy_Do05nC4cUszQkuQK5mOgjSdYcdcycgIW3QM7rDqbbIKzv_sP5T1MMUFKdaF4caE8jCBijHdBJ_L9WL7LXtsgcny5DjHxE/s1600/la+push+21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPxOOWMzS14C41suM6DfhHC5p1OEmyW3syU13B3HIIFeyy_Do05nC4cUszQkuQK5mOgjSdYcdcycgIW3QM7rDqbbIKzv_sP5T1MMUFKdaF4caE8jCBijHdBJ_L9WL7LXtsgcny5DjHxE/s640/la+push+21.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Ruby Beach is littered with huge logs, but once past them, it was one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">What we did see were huge rock formations looming over
the sand and surf while sea creatures at their base flirted with us as we
walked along. Although called a “beach” swimming is not only undesirable here,
it is not allowed. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OYky8lUM0iAcQagTWFaDd46S7TeW9ldHjiH-beBBee8nFSqxf0EKSSKGx7yrbMa4y5IDUiYqPaIbf9KDoqtw71rU24SwLi1hJJ1KxMXxvrBx8wLSdnjmHsw8Mj2DfTfZBR7XXDRG0EI/s1600/la+push+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OYky8lUM0iAcQagTWFaDd46S7TeW9ldHjiH-beBBee8nFSqxf0EKSSKGx7yrbMa4y5IDUiYqPaIbf9KDoqtw71rU24SwLi1hJJ1KxMXxvrBx8wLSdnjmHsw8Mj2DfTfZBR7XXDRG0EI/s640/la+push+7.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Thousands of sea anemones were along the base of the rocks, many with crabs. We never realized that ate that way!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">We spent several hours poking around the water’s edge
watching hundreds of sea anemones devour baby crabs and sea stars (it is no
longer politically correct to call them “star fish” ) cling to rocks by the
dozens!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23S1UwJoQUepTQdVelTFW-wqWpSYJYfahaxTkNzaW72RuqmbDqiowgd6YekgvKmmOFhyphenhyphenxzdtdABn_-in-9Ci5e0Net74VHKbuUE9DWht8fqh4clvQEeof88nzrevy2PTzaVCjMu4X0FU/s1600/20170729_113615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23S1UwJoQUepTQdVelTFW-wqWpSYJYfahaxTkNzaW72RuqmbDqiowgd6YekgvKmmOFhyphenhyphenxzdtdABn_-in-9Ci5e0Net74VHKbuUE9DWht8fqh4clvQEeof88nzrevy2PTzaVCjMu4X0FU/s640/20170729_113615.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">We have never seen so many sea creatures before! And the sea stars! Wow! Hundreds of them, all different colors!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: red;"></span><span style="color: red;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The surf appeared to be a mesmerizing pink, but we
wondered if that could just be our imagination playing tricks on us in this
incredible place. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It must be the ruby
fragments. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDN_1V0iWIoP4UjazdLndwU2YJJccNFUBgzHdXCBUhX04nvpoJz8-f56q_BjSSoo1x4X4_itEyitHlevt32M7lOGstkMjYWnHwwlnOX-v36zhWwTVavdqRfMpmcSbdMtf1oWRV0IT01Q/s1600/la+push+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDN_1V0iWIoP4UjazdLndwU2YJJccNFUBgzHdXCBUhX04nvpoJz8-f56q_BjSSoo1x4X4_itEyitHlevt32M7lOGstkMjYWnHwwlnOX-v36zhWwTVavdqRfMpmcSbdMtf1oWRV0IT01Q/s640/la+push+20.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The water here at Ruby Beach really did have a red tint to it!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
<span style="color: red;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">There was a lot to see, and although I could have
spent days here drinking in the sea, surf and sun it was time to move on.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Heading south again, we stopped to witness nature at
its weirdest. ( is that a word?).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>A
little more south, still in Olympic National Park, lies Kalaloch Lodge, where
lives a massive tree that has survived decades without soil feeding or
supporting its roots.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>A freak of nature?
Perhaps.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Down on the beach, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Tree of</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Life</i> aka “Tree Root Cave”, erosion has stripped this tree of all apparent
life support, yet it appears to thrive on air alone!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Norm and I took the short beach walk to the tree and
took pictures to authenticate its existence.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>We ate our lunches a few yards away and watched the shoreline for a
glimpse of the whales another couple told us they had just seen. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OaFcfP5LQnd7hyphenhyphen3qsojPxkym0V7oY60JQvYRK_Qz9z-wKM-W_c81WitZURCQ1vIOaxeX_gLtEFs2VGQG-lR72P1J7Qasb1Lt0-2vHuy887ijSgCqXQAOmu5HM9ehGiFgux8DmlA_9AA/s1600/20170729_132231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OaFcfP5LQnd7hyphenhyphen3qsojPxkym0V7oY60JQvYRK_Qz9z-wKM-W_c81WitZURCQ1vIOaxeX_gLtEFs2VGQG-lR72P1J7Qasb1Lt0-2vHuy887ijSgCqXQAOmu5HM9ehGiFgux8DmlA_9AA/s640/20170729_132231.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The "Tree of Life" is somehow thriving without apparent soil to nourish or even support it! How weird!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">After watching for about ½ hour, we laid in the warm
sand for a quick nap.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Listening to Norm softly
snore, I decided to resume my vigil for whales.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>I didn’t believe my eyes as I saw a small pod just off shore. Was I
dreaming? Did I nod off to sleep? </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Not 2
seconds after waking Norm, a huge whale ( I think it was a humpback Norm
insists it was an Orca ) rose out of the surf about 100 yards off shore and
suspended there - with its massive jaws open for long enough to not only give
me time to get my camera, but to take a picture! ( Although not a great one. )</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPg0OTdQJpNNF4tbDAne4RZVnxwhbpeeqdheB8BbAznloMpTGaa-sz_2DwWXUjW3XQsgj8XcNpvKHXLQ75YIt4eI12Mf_BpElXPIXOiKHVsJMNBKrS54ephOCMS56n-ZgSDNGO-SpAX1k/s1600/la+push+15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1504" data-original-width="1600" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPg0OTdQJpNNF4tbDAne4RZVnxwhbpeeqdheB8BbAznloMpTGaa-sz_2DwWXUjW3XQsgj8XcNpvKHXLQ75YIt4eI12Mf_BpElXPIXOiKHVsJMNBKrS54ephOCMS56n-ZgSDNGO-SpAX1k/s640/la+push+15.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">What do you think? Orca or Humpback? Can you believe how close to shore it is? Wow!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">We stayed quite a while after that, catching glimpses
of them while hoping for another Kodak moment.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>No breaching, but it was fun just waiting and watching. </span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">From there we headed back toward the campground
stopping at the Forks Timber Museum.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Back
in the 1970’s, Forks was considered the “Logging Capitol of the World”. This
museum, presented in a log cabin built by local volunteers and the High School
Carpentry Class of 1989, told of the history of homesteading, farming and
logging in the Pacific Northwest. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX9LJnGnLI00vdm08zq8yy6EwvmW8byYkNK3Mvgx7oSY68IZwsjAZDuL-kbWVBDlT-7kRxWVlJcAXnne23neCLL6EcmujHPD864bK7bZSx5rmp26wrXBPnSYa-zjX-kSMLh8vKGIq5LXk/s1600/La+Push+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX9LJnGnLI00vdm08zq8yy6EwvmW8byYkNK3Mvgx7oSY68IZwsjAZDuL-kbWVBDlT-7kRxWVlJcAXnne23neCLL6EcmujHPD864bK7bZSx5rmp26wrXBPnSYa-zjX-kSMLh8vKGIq5LXk/s640/La+Push+5.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The Forks Timber Museum was small but packed with a lot of authentic equipment and information regarding the life and times of lumberjacks. The museum also focused on the history of the local logging trade.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX9LJnGnLI00vdm08zq8yy6EwvmW8byYkNK3Mvgx7oSY68IZwsjAZDuL-kbWVBDlT-7kRxWVlJcAXnne23neCLL6EcmujHPD864bK7bZSx5rmp26wrXBPnSYa-zjX-kSMLh8vKGIq5LXk/s1600/La+Push+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The town of Forks has evidently become famous due to
the novel series “Twilight” and the movie of the same name.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>There is “Twilight” everything in town. Hotel
rooms with a Twilight theme, Twilight menu’s, Twilight gifts and mementos of
every variety. Tee shirts, sweat shirts, Subway even has a “Twilight” sandwich!
</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Norm and I had not read or even heard of the series,
so it was lost on us.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Too bad, it could have
been fun since we were right there amongst the supernatural.</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">With nothing much more of interest in the tiny town of
Forks, we then headed back to make dinner and watch the thick fog roll in with
the surf.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Rather cool.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The next day things went a lot better.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>About 6:45 we were out the door heading to
another part of the vast Olympic National Park.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Hoh Rainforest, with its 140-160 inches of rainfall each year is
considered to be one of the finest examples of a temperate rainforest in the
world.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>With many beautiful areas in this
park, Hoh Rainforest should not be missed.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0eN64qfzFEnKTQ_b2ykI7u-TtEO1P8i3-WB8j4P0tR8dA2Lbap1tREW4UWeo2_Upy0neoL5jFNqxWUFARWoKthY_wZcxNdjfINF8Y_OP40Rz40iA-rmowhQPrDNSAb86DhXSeMa-bswA/s1600/la+push+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0eN64qfzFEnKTQ_b2ykI7u-TtEO1P8i3-WB8j4P0tR8dA2Lbap1tREW4UWeo2_Upy0neoL5jFNqxWUFARWoKthY_wZcxNdjfINF8Y_OP40Rz40iA-rmowhQPrDNSAb86DhXSeMa-bswA/s640/la+push+8.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">We were shocked to see the parking lots of Beach 2 and
3 full a little before 7AM!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Is good
weather so rare for the locals that they want to spend as much time there as
possible?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Good grief! ( We later
discovered that they were most likely campers there from the night before ).</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bl6aemmiujM_Q9eQwrrSw-jIwLG6qhYf8TsAbKSrJJyOxcXD1irb3MVAoNGlhO5-uIvrMkhOo2L6sHRwGXH4lxvhpB27WOTWoqboDBb5GE0x1F0qjjIgCYOqKx-MMKyGe-dBQOvbBMI/s1600/La+push+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bl6aemmiujM_Q9eQwrrSw-jIwLG6qhYf8TsAbKSrJJyOxcXD1irb3MVAoNGlhO5-uIvrMkhOo2L6sHRwGXH4lxvhpB27WOTWoqboDBb5GE0x1F0qjjIgCYOqKx-MMKyGe-dBQOvbBMI/s640/La+push+13.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">These mature trees, if you notice, are wrapped around a "nurse log". Hemlock and Spruce seedlings unable to survive on the forest floor, absorb nutrients, moisture and warmth from a decaying log. Only a few seedlings survive. After the tree roots hit soil, new trees seem to stand on stilts as the log decays away. Fascinating!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh146KbSklPjAOp7JCMOMXmYMZCwUV5LbgBJW-2zOwnH-QSqCUhK2hN56GxHV8fgKJkuuAB8vP02aRpIouhMXDFAaG24bhernRWo0KWuC0oyJmU7qKLL0aIPRbO_doJDEN-sWoh3UtVryY/s1600/la+push+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh146KbSklPjAOp7JCMOMXmYMZCwUV5LbgBJW-2zOwnH-QSqCUhK2hN56GxHV8fgKJkuuAB8vP02aRpIouhMXDFAaG24bhernRWo0KWuC0oyJmU7qKLL0aIPRbO_doJDEN-sWoh3UtVryY/s640/la+push+14.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">These tree roots are HUGE!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">As soon as we arrived we ate our cereal that we
packed, and hiked the trails marveling over the huge trees covered in moss and
the tropical ferns on the forest floor.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Spotting a couple of Roosevelt Elk made our early morning trek complete.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9sT6XtZ84q7jLNK4Oa7r11OkWCUfqhTFutEp5i0Ab6I3WsRHgRuMmB-6lx3RpIDdwWY-wT8oIKsjvRAL_jU5Pp8dK-xW4QpkvtxSFahx0GFZZzHeVRZuRxZnHP2_N23VL2X3jasN2gJA/s1600/la+push+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9sT6XtZ84q7jLNK4Oa7r11OkWCUfqhTFutEp5i0Ab6I3WsRHgRuMmB-6lx3RpIDdwWY-wT8oIKsjvRAL_jU5Pp8dK-xW4QpkvtxSFahx0GFZZzHeVRZuRxZnHP2_N23VL2X3jasN2gJA/s640/la+push+16.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Norm walks along a path in the Hoh Rainforest of Olympic National Park in Washington</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Once back in the parking lot we found the crowds had
arrived while; we had enjoyed our solitude on the trails.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">On the way back to LaPush, we stopped at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">John’s Beachcomber Museum</i> in Forks where
a man displays his treasures that he has collected for the last 40 years from
the local beaches.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqhcHkZka5Rjx918e-9LQHDI7y2vOZdrtYnCBzeGRMhuXrFtw-qGM0mYsDpZBsYTwemiZHDNjmUn4YQxUdDHr19PmEkwnJMOmF9-qi8PvQx9Zy51oTm2FHnNpdmEmYr6ceFh8MM1TzJw/s1600/la+push+19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqhcHkZka5Rjx918e-9LQHDI7y2vOZdrtYnCBzeGRMhuXrFtw-qGM0mYsDpZBsYTwemiZHDNjmUn4YQxUdDHr19PmEkwnJMOmF9-qi8PvQx9Zy51oTm2FHnNpdmEmYr6ceFh8MM1TzJw/s640/la+push+19.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">You can't miss this place as you drive down the side road the Beachcomber Museum is on! Wow! What a lot of buoys! This fellow, John, has been collecting for 40 years!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"></span>There was a huge
section of the barn that was dedicated to the items found from Japan.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Tsunami debris of every type. Also of
interest was the Naval weaponry, and the hundreds of glass balls found.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">I found
particular interest in the display of “messages in bottles” that he found.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The notes were neatly placed in a notebook
for all to read.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Quite a few were from
Navymen, and others from children doing a class project.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"></span>The Raggedy Ann doll heads were a little
creepy, as was the locked cabinet displaying medical waste. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I overheard his wife say that “Finders
keepers” is the rule among Beachcombers. John found one man’s left shoe on one
beach, and months later a friend found the right shoe on a beach 100 miles
away!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0X6FzMJ62DKvMG8g7f5NkbtgNfoKnpIAHF3s56xfYE59XK1j4NGkHDr1-HxfNgxh9reZ3cisf-QaMdTEum3M33wp_DJe3aHAtZboHedk92NRunCWQOMtfQQ50akHxATASmVP4ecaSkfU/s1600/la+push+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0X6FzMJ62DKvMG8g7f5NkbtgNfoKnpIAHF3s56xfYE59XK1j4NGkHDr1-HxfNgxh9reZ3cisf-QaMdTEum3M33wp_DJe3aHAtZboHedk92NRunCWQOMtfQQ50akHxATASmVP4ecaSkfU/s320/la+push+10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Just one of the strange items found along the beach</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_l8bzc1a2R6vFa32T2V5Zv8ETHKO4ch3uljk8czD_3IxSe2Aq6GftiAg5bm_MAeAZKz9Bz3cLUWLSVYPxgQrA9Glp2iDzpnJ70yIEL1kzoIykrn2rMUGDJY8r6mYRsNHkTA9P7BEwmbA/s1600/la+push+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_l8bzc1a2R6vFa32T2V5Zv8ETHKO4ch3uljk8czD_3IxSe2Aq6GftiAg5bm_MAeAZKz9Bz3cLUWLSVYPxgQrA9Glp2iDzpnJ70yIEL1kzoIykrn2rMUGDJY8r6mYRsNHkTA9P7BEwmbA/s640/la+push+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">These doll heads are just a little creepy!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjO6lU8M2W2GdtEXGatnTinI48yJistFvurwpQsdY26FtJt-MZy0dneoCdsUxtsO07xKBftIF3GRKd4OjfzOhKh5gpZ0phFzXUAqrSa6VQQj3-YFdQuQJTuJdUhz89OcH9iqf5fRUFSo/s1600/la+push+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjO6lU8M2W2GdtEXGatnTinI48yJistFvurwpQsdY26FtJt-MZy0dneoCdsUxtsO07xKBftIF3GRKd4OjfzOhKh5gpZ0phFzXUAqrSa6VQQj3-YFdQuQJTuJdUhz89OcH9iqf5fRUFSo/s320/la+push+11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Norm standing in awe as he looks around this Beachcombers Museum in Forks, Washington. The more you look, the more amazed you are at the items this fellow has found on the local beaches. A tremendous amount has washed ashore from the Japanese Tsunami. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">We spent over an hour here shaking our head in utter amazement.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Definitely worth the $5.00 charge in order to
support this strange fellow.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I feel he
is doing everyone a favor by cleaning up the beaches!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">We headed back to camp after enjoying a very diverse
day.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVrkwoKf04rhb1myg4S-5QUimNd7eD-Q1oGKTi64D3NbdguiGgNCb7FPa1O5oSyKskYxXdCv7kIu8UpBD1T7h-wWVC1gZLAex5l1jjh-NoHdZUMADj0gElWVzZFsJvy5k9-ZO9GTWFp4/s1600/map+of+la+push+area.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVrkwoKf04rhb1myg4S-5QUimNd7eD-Q1oGKTi64D3NbdguiGgNCb7FPa1O5oSyKskYxXdCv7kIu8UpBD1T7h-wWVC1gZLAex5l1jjh-NoHdZUMADj0gElWVzZFsJvy5k9-ZO9GTWFp4/s640/map+of+la+push+area.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The area covered in Western Washington from our base camp in Quileute Oceanside Resort in La Push.</span></td></tr>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Norm and Alison's Travel Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750229221971316367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923198664366389494.post-372256504372278752017-08-06T11:46:00.000-07:002017-08-19T07:23:43.159-07:00Back to the United States<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><b>July 26<sup>th</sup> – 28<sup>th</sup> ( two nights )</b></span></div>
<b></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">After getting off the ferry without incident, ( my dead battery miraculously started right up ) we got
fuel ( we were able to postpone purchasing expensive diesel fuel while on Vancouver
Island for the RV ) we went back to <i>Elwah Dam RV Park</i> which was nearby.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA52rotAU-UH7lLmW2GpjtfpQlHK5oDj84M690tF9ygoh8e9YF1rauKTCQk4GMkhqG2KsezHwLscOGjMKlfQXJqnlR76YYM__fQB-S04umDxlJEw8KyQZDhjS1_E9gxoILPThaMz9Wib8/s1600/20170728_095842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA52rotAU-UH7lLmW2GpjtfpQlHK5oDj84M690tF9ygoh8e9YF1rauKTCQk4GMkhqG2KsezHwLscOGjMKlfQXJqnlR76YYM__fQB-S04umDxlJEw8KyQZDhjS1_E9gxoILPThaMz9Wib8/s640/20170728_095842.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">This spot at Elwah Dam RV Park was very easy to get into, and the space between the rigs were adequate. No privacy however, but we often don't. The chilly wind was howling so we were inside anyway. Great for just 2 nights. Easy-peasy.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">This time, we were pleased to find that our site was
very easy to get to and set up.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The next
day we spent getting provisions for our trip down the West Coast.</span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Norm and Alison's Travel Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750229221971316367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923198664366389494.post-25488696404003356222017-08-05T11:28:00.000-07:002017-08-19T07:23:21.582-07:00Parksville, British Colombia<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">July
20<sup>th</sup> – 26<sup>th</sup>, 2017</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">We headed south about an hour and half drive to stay about mid-point on the eastern side of the island. We were looking forward to Parksville – everyone says
they love it here, plus we were staying at a “Resort” with a waterfront site,
which should make it </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">even better. Hopefully, this park will give us a little
more room than the last place.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr298HX5uArOeOVX4fjAGfHwRfOWE9EyAlyBmBzTD_s48zMEjaqhdWRkYV2YGfnBWuBiQz69-sa851gDKm0EyFfw56oWSeScLJpsatWO1WwZItfDvHvQm8gANvr0TmicdEA2vEmSJb37E/s1600/parksville+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr298HX5uArOeOVX4fjAGfHwRfOWE9EyAlyBmBzTD_s48zMEjaqhdWRkYV2YGfnBWuBiQz69-sa851gDKm0EyFfw56oWSeScLJpsatWO1WwZItfDvHvQm8gANvr0TmicdEA2vEmSJb37E/s640/parksville+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">This site was lovely and looked out over the bay, but this campground lacked the social aspect of most others. It was also so windy we really couldn't sit outside much. </span></td></tr>
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</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">What we quickly discovered upon arriving was that this
RV “Resort” was 98% permanent residents.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>I mean PERMANENT.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Plain ole
mobile homes, but with fantastic sunrooms attached.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Nearly every site had one, so it appears this
place on the beach has a lot of year-round residents. People also fixed up
there landscaping to different extents. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMqfFIGdbij703R3Df5PkO57AVLLtpVa5I5YAmjvLauD5r2jpzrJ4OkZ9_TgUw2IsiXGIHw9psvVqGr6roDMyvGZJDwh2J0ulU6foR2xcdPEpBIOr0bcldTeud13UfhybLZB70v557t0/s1600/parksville+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMqfFIGdbij703R3Df5PkO57AVLLtpVa5I5YAmjvLauD5r2jpzrJ4OkZ9_TgUw2IsiXGIHw9psvVqGr6roDMyvGZJDwh2J0ulU6foR2xcdPEpBIOr0bcldTeud13UfhybLZB70v557t0/s640/parksville+9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">This is made in such a way that they can drive off with their rig and leave this gorgeous sunroom standing there!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">I don’t particularly like to be the only new-guy in
town.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>People, we have found, don’t
socialize much with us “gypsies”.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Not
worth getting to know, I guess.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I like
to socialize – get out and gab.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Learn
about the area from those who know.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>There is a strong camaraderie among fellow nomads that you just don’t
get to enjoy when parked amongst the permanent folks. Typically.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7Tc3xUXpX14mY5Dd3WsQqmJx_kYDql2aNeXDJ3iuxS_cK-5yKSjt9id5IsYi9-v-WSRvGAhq1sCtEa5oETe9TIitXa0fm6DLw4LErzrFTVq3XQQGyaDhbqY37TPTNhPqYTW21nFTTFo/s1600/20170720_135339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7Tc3xUXpX14mY5Dd3WsQqmJx_kYDql2aNeXDJ3iuxS_cK-5yKSjt9id5IsYi9-v-WSRvGAhq1sCtEa5oETe9TIitXa0fm6DLw4LErzrFTVq3XQQGyaDhbqY37TPTNhPqYTW21nFTTFo/s640/20170720_135339.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">I made it my mission to keep this deer away from our neighbor's beautiful garden for two reasons. 1) I've had gardens that deer enjoy and know the frustrations 2) Her little yippy dog would back for hours if it saw it there and drive us nuts!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The single woman next door to us had a phenomenal
perennial garden that would be the envy of every Master Gardner.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Unfortunately, she also had a poodle that she
“trained” to bark at every deer that came near, of which there was an
abundance.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">After listening to this dog for an entire afternoon,
and having it wake us up at 2:30 in the morning (we never got back to sleep) I
went out and bitched at her. (In a nice way – sort of). Over the next several
days the woman kept the “anti-dog bark collar” on her, which helped
tremendously.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I sincerely thanked her
very much for the great night’s sleep. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">One of the main events I was looking forward to here
was the International Sandcastle contest, which was at the Community Center
right next door to our campground.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmn4GT-4U838lyLF3B7MLgKt2HFsR-PwxDSkuuMRO32j1OXmW-2XX61nHHIBrQfxxeleeWifMK-L1w_FK7jwF6Nq87Bj-NKGsD8QYXUvX2pHYcRxON2tYeD6oLXOjF-S28MkvBgBMyzM/s1600/20170721_101729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1474" data-original-width="1600" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmn4GT-4U838lyLF3B7MLgKt2HFsR-PwxDSkuuMRO32j1OXmW-2XX61nHHIBrQfxxeleeWifMK-L1w_FK7jwF6Nq87Bj-NKGsD8QYXUvX2pHYcRxON2tYeD6oLXOjF-S28MkvBgBMyzM/s640/20170721_101729.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">I have never seen such talent and creativity before this Sandcastle competition!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6CpTqBxfgHR2xCWSAaJWr3LpmAWxKLQM287UNS0ybDU4UDHIYwsbsz8y5InMQAwJ__cqAlxfnHufyUx4CYhNIPTO_Ih41Tnl0FpZynoqLhuWZ8bzuTWSffctm6pF9o0MR6wqPvt6LbI/s1600/20170721_101749+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6CpTqBxfgHR2xCWSAaJWr3LpmAWxKLQM287UNS0ybDU4UDHIYwsbsz8y5InMQAwJ__cqAlxfnHufyUx4CYhNIPTO_Ih41Tnl0FpZynoqLhuWZ8bzuTWSffctm6pF9o0MR6wqPvt6LbI/s640/20170721_101749+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">I have no idea how the sculptor managed to get the eyeball to seem so incredibly real. I swear it was looking right at us!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: red;"></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The rules of the contest are quite interesting. Each
solo contestant gets 10 yards of special “pure” sand ( no shells or rocks ) on
at 12’x15’ plot and doubles ( two sculptors working together ) get 15 yards on
a 20’x20’ plot. The sculptors can use the sand within the plot and water.
Nothing else. All sand must be used in their creations.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKPyW9G71iU" target="_blank">To watch a fabulous time lapse video of the construction of one artist's sculpture, click here</a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">They then compress the sand in wooden forms to compact
it and remove any air.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The less air, the
stronger the sculpture.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>After their
masterpiece is completed, they spray it with a solution of white wood-glue
(environmentally friendly ) and 80 percent water.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This provides a protective barrier that
prevents wind, rain, and the sun from blowing away the details. Some artists
put wires in the peaks of the artwork to prohibit birds from landing and
damaging their work. Properly constructed and overall design could allow a sand
sculpture to last for months!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The artists have 30 hours over 4 days to complete
their projects.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Winners earn up to
$5000, and advance to the World Championships. </span></div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYKGYwha_FXrgG9yOTWfI5Z_7diozqJaPgN-MM5wTF3rlgDCaotJuu7v_eQtvBMN7icpl3pAgwajYAHO6PotAYk8tG8FlfFlCZOoEvZxEgK1NKwprMQZ6TvEiKOaZ-4imU9YxFNCHrho/s1600/parksville+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYKGYwha_FXrgG9yOTWfI5Z_7diozqJaPgN-MM5wTF3rlgDCaotJuu7v_eQtvBMN7icpl3pAgwajYAHO6PotAYk8tG8FlfFlCZOoEvZxEgK1NKwprMQZ6TvEiKOaZ-4imU9YxFNCHrho/s640/parksville+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The sculptures all had some message. This one, Norm and I figured was about this woman depicting how she was molded from different heritages. Absolutely jaw-dropping. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: red;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Rain was in the forecast so we decided to go see the
sandcastles the day we arrived thinking the sculptures would be in better
condition.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It was much, much smaller
than I imagined, but the talent was mind-blowing.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>How someone can take a mountain of sand and
create such delicate carvings, I don’t know! A far cry from those
“masterpieces” I proudly created with a sand pail in my youth, that’s for sure!</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRk-NJbuOtA1IoUyQz392Xcv-x_3Zxfy0khrvuwwG3o0Nq8FpiBwqJVhXgp4Yau9HrUWwZbieLlMCUVnPCNfRoSyEh6UWd79YWq3u8ZdZdihlZmhOQ4Ct9tIWv7QjYteFWHplF6GQVrI4/s1600/parksville+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRk-NJbuOtA1IoUyQz392Xcv-x_3Zxfy0khrvuwwG3o0Nq8FpiBwqJVhXgp4Yau9HrUWwZbieLlMCUVnPCNfRoSyEh6UWd79YWq3u8ZdZdihlZmhOQ4Ct9tIWv7QjYteFWHplF6GQVrI4/s640/parksville+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">This one got my vote, although I loved many of them. The detail in this was so amazing. The picture does not do it justice.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: red;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">We walked around, studying each entry and cast our
vote for our favorite.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">During the next few days Norm went on an adventure
caving expedition.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>My thumb is still
bothering me (I hope I didn’t tear a tendon in it) so I didn’t want to risk
further injury, or perhaps not be able to hold onto a ladder or rope once I got
down there.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I also must admit that I
looked forward to a little separation from my dear spouse I have been attached
to the hip for the last 100 days (except for one other).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>He thoroughly enjoyed the caving experience
but unfortunately tore the back of his hiking pants so badly we had to discard
them.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXF_snARmG7s88h8JoKYt5BfjA06a1Lk-DyWqCuAvT380GJzN_3YDz13YMViEEN2_VL_s0w_QO5ES4c56nCOaN8YBAxUA_hWkHKqT4sGV01fDwmKPD3Yi1bx6Xm6wxIGM4UrXyIsDolCI/s1600/20170720_203313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXF_snARmG7s88h8JoKYt5BfjA06a1Lk-DyWqCuAvT380GJzN_3YDz13YMViEEN2_VL_s0w_QO5ES4c56nCOaN8YBAxUA_hWkHKqT4sGV01fDwmKPD3Yi1bx6Xm6wxIGM4UrXyIsDolCI/s640/20170720_203313.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">As this couple came into the restaurant I could see they were so in love. They were both dressed a little nicer than most, so I suspected something was up. He proposed right there! It was so cute! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">I managed to get my hair done at some random hair salon, which was actually in a lovely remodeled basement in a residential neighborhood. I was initially nervous, but she did a nice job. I finally felt good about myself, so we went out and had a lovely dinner at <i>Butlers at the Mansion</i> in
the nearby town of Qualicum Beach. The cutest couple about our age got engaged
that night, and it was fun to watch.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">We also took a walk around <i>Milner Gardens</i>, which was a
lovely estate set in an old growth forest, but not nearly as awesome as the
Grove of the Patriarchs at Mt. Rainier.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Let’s face it, we have gotten spoiled by all the beauty we have been so
fortunate to experience. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It was a
little exercise which is always a good thing.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">There was a huge craft fair going on, but we first
stopped at the weekly farmer’s market which was so lovely we thought it was the
St.Mark’s fair we were aiming for, but then discovered it was the wrong one. By
the time we got to the huge annual fair, (about 10AM) there were thousands of
people and no place to park.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>There are
several of these mega-craft fairs at home, so we didn’t have any desire to
endure the crowds. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="1600" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLXwSXXZzDhBBP_7xgMFBxEn7p3miiVd75pgJwKZ0Y_T8i959rF0sn0b3krk_2Y7dKos-cBdOBux46mDPK8Mm5b_X3fPIsaHCIqlbSWS6650I57XNgSaMIt4aDkprgLjT6L8l4XJGAeo/s640/parksville+12.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The saying " Dance as if no one is watching" must have been this character's mantra, because he sure had fun dancing to the music at the free Community Center's concert right next door. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLXwSXXZzDhBBP_7xgMFBxEn7p3miiVd75pgJwKZ0Y_T8i959rF0sn0b3krk_2Y7dKos-cBdOBux46mDPK8Mm5b_X3fPIsaHCIqlbSWS6650I57XNgSaMIt4aDkprgLjT6L8l4XJGAeo/s1600/parksville+12.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The Community Center next door had events of all kinds
going on, so one night we went over for a live concert by a cute older
couple.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Our enjoyment certainly was not due
to their real musical talent, but from watching the small children dance around
amazingly well to the beat, while dogs interacted at the heels of their
owners.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We stayed about an hour and
strolled back to the motorhome.</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-WXSCkkQBvf4x_2P80xMpUx26WI3qEZzVVdmG7eB0GCzLrCk61EWRYEorQ2W0e52CWnL10FyEWQdOVACftao99DO8bEoa60HKwF1OaUet5-45Tr2sm0PrHQ8UkMQMciclvVjewd7akX4/s1600/parksville+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="727" data-original-width="1600" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-WXSCkkQBvf4x_2P80xMpUx26WI3qEZzVVdmG7eB0GCzLrCk61EWRYEorQ2W0e52CWnL10FyEWQdOVACftao99DO8bEoa60HKwF1OaUet5-45Tr2sm0PrHQ8UkMQMciclvVjewd7akX4/s640/parksville+11.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">One morning we had our very first restaurant breakfast
since we left over three months ago, at a small place sitting right on the runway
of an even smaller airport named<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Final Approach.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></i>The setting was lovely, and the meal was
pretty good.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">There also was an International Kite Festival that
weekend there, which we mostly observed as we drove by several times.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Our last day in Parksville we walked over and
watched the various children’s contests that were going on. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsIuRmC7GUe2BFYiiLxeJBzaPJ4HFYR6HgZ-BRR9nG2HAp-7jo_8iPKYAAZbhym98zv6XhqFKG_e-DwP30Vk6QxdNjX1N9H6BroKkdod5f4gbawhZPfxz1WbmiubR2Ji71rz_89wVdrI/s1600/parksville+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsIuRmC7GUe2BFYiiLxeJBzaPJ4HFYR6HgZ-BRR9nG2HAp-7jo_8iPKYAAZbhym98zv6XhqFKG_e-DwP30Vk6QxdNjX1N9H6BroKkdod5f4gbawhZPfxz1WbmiubR2Ji71rz_89wVdrI/s640/parksville+10.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">
</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Boy, they make
beautiful and amazing kites these days!<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Some are strung together like a train; others people didn’t even have to
hold! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I don't get the point of that,
myself.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>That used to be what kite flying
was all about – making the kite out of newspaper and balsa wood strips, tying
strips of your Dad’s old tee shirt on a string for the tail. You then tested
your craft by trying to get it up and keep it there without piercing someone’s
skull or poking their eye out! If you were lucky you skillfully landed it
before it got caught in a tree or the electric wires that were always in the
way. Nothing is the same anymore. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTscSmDep4DMx1BhBPu7pwPio72OREm_vLvX_hz6DvpgErLtlDGP7NPbap-5YXIqn8pTFhJY-8YfJxb9_1aA5gEIg6sOw1o1S9lcPYFktdxH1gj8NOXez0UDxMd-rsG7O5oR3u_oIDeIc/s1600/IMG_8456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTscSmDep4DMx1BhBPu7pwPio72OREm_vLvX_hz6DvpgErLtlDGP7NPbap-5YXIqn8pTFhJY-8YfJxb9_1aA5gEIg6sOw1o1S9lcPYFktdxH1gj8NOXez0UDxMd-rsG7O5oR3u_oIDeIc/s640/IMG_8456.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">This mascot was so good at his job! He danced around like he was born in that outfit! Maybe he was!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAg0SiUoe5O642S0cSlBrFh-7YZYB2VGSsOnh6ZX7LqbtNTcvSY_V4r9WVV-9gIlhSkYkYnEX2XHUvQV0BjWorgy-7P6J_ygecpd89phASjRzoBuqzGLbTyAC6VwtzSR4hmUyQN7Ylt4/s1600/parksville+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAg0SiUoe5O642S0cSlBrFh-7YZYB2VGSsOnh6ZX7LqbtNTcvSY_V4r9WVV-9gIlhSkYkYnEX2XHUvQV0BjWorgy-7P6J_ygecpd89phASjRzoBuqzGLbTyAC6VwtzSR4hmUyQN7Ylt4/s640/parksville+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">I must say the Seafood Paella I made was incredible the first night, and the leftovers were even better! Life is good, and our growing waistlines can prove it!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Together with both the sun being so intense and
getting a little bored, we walked back, had dinner and prepared to leave the
next day which will involve crossing back into the US.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Oh boy, Customs again!</span><br />
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>Norm and Alison's Travel Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750229221971316367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923198664366389494.post-5255908102755382012017-08-04T23:11:00.000-07:002017-08-09T17:34:20.033-07:00Black Creek, BC<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><b>July 17-20th,2017</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Before we headed out on that incredibly steep road back
to the eastern side of Vancouver Island we thought it a good time to check the
fluid levels in the RV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God forbid it
break down going around one of those treacherous corners.!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found that the oil level, for some reason
was low. Down to the “add oil” level.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCzBHdyzc74tRtdqVi9tMWCap2UPNEhm-Z26LmLfrvv7_IDk0k4pxX0sIFINjajOIXnJ8cN98upJ_rRIr-N-150FiqBnj44HX3_QLwv0v9q78RIcA7xtwV22otEyNkWAUPC9SeYpadCo/s1600/black+creek+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCzBHdyzc74tRtdqVi9tMWCap2UPNEhm-Z26LmLfrvv7_IDk0k4pxX0sIFINjajOIXnJ8cN98upJ_rRIr-N-150FiqBnj44HX3_QLwv0v9q78RIcA7xtwV22otEyNkWAUPC9SeYpadCo/s640/black+creek+1.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The trip to the west coast and back was extremely steep, narrow and had narrow corners and turns. Quite stressful, but worth it!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We carry an assortment of extra fluids, filters and
belts just in case, but misjudged how much extra oil to bring. Luckily there
was a gas station nearby where our helpful neighbor said they carry the correct
oil for diesel engines ( he owned a tractor trailer company for years so I
thought he was a reliable source of information ).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After adding the oil, we were on our way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I guess because we had done it a few days before and knew what to
expect, the road did not seem nearly as deadly going back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">When we arrived at our next stop, Oceanside Playground
RV Resort, we were at first a little concerned about our site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had very little maneuvering room to get in
there, plus the people on one side had 2 dogs, and the RV we were forced to
practically sit on top of had all the signs we fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fenced in dog area ( that usually guarantees
said dog is outside so it’s bark is better heard, and it can better see any other dog walking by so it can bark more frequently ).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were also many small children’s
bicycles around and toys befitting little boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not a good sign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BUT there was a
beautiful little river to sit by and gaze upon!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhZFPkNLAZZ8zc8R4eBfd40tmgc-RQ3UpZytVZ39dsgQy207eiAG4yQEA0_ggmF4Riy-8ioI69IByJacF8PuTaFkOUBXlsLPVTppAv3bqLQ6dlGaTJYYTvDqqbo55j6LDz4l9A2pJHCo/s1600/black+creek+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhZFPkNLAZZ8zc8R4eBfd40tmgc-RQ3UpZytVZ39dsgQy207eiAG4yQEA0_ggmF4Riy-8ioI69IByJacF8PuTaFkOUBXlsLPVTppAv3bqLQ6dlGaTJYYTvDqqbo55j6LDz4l9A2pJHCo/s640/black+creek+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Backing into the spots here was extremely difficult since the rigs were packed in like sardines. It's hard to know know what your site truly is going to be like when booking. Most of the time campgrounds will photograph sites with one rig in every 3rd site. Very misleading. </span></td></tr>
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</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We first masterfully backed in, because that was the
way the services were set.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then one
neighbor suggested we park nose in to optimize our view, which we did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not easily, but we managed to squeeze our way
in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Kb1erCa_5WBVkQENjSIMIjm1aj7Ogvj4nrRrfkdKkpubajvceO8Wf7b8PQ2QDK17R783RmwNGJ2wy2z5H_smiBEtYfOhAzsTQ3GNkQdM0epmNmKlKNAfpHXlQXvgGR9D_vFTrGRW3pE/s1600/black+creek+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Kb1erCa_5WBVkQENjSIMIjm1aj7Ogvj4nrRrfkdKkpubajvceO8Wf7b8PQ2QDK17R783RmwNGJ2wy2z5H_smiBEtYfOhAzsTQ3GNkQdM0epmNmKlKNAfpHXlQXvgGR9D_vFTrGRW3pE/s640/black+creek+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Although we are very close to our neighbors, our "spot" on the creek was one of the most beautiful sites to date!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We soon got to know our neighbors which were all very
nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other than falling over one of the
dogs as I was setting up, they were all very well behaved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The little boys about 6 and 8 years old, were
probably the most well-behaved children I have ever seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Plus, the</span> view was amazing!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRE6g4c9XrF-AqqFJ1kIzHRGe4vbsg8nVn9biK4xgrb5QDo0TLy0ZcsKQqiMz-1qb6Nax51_Z5qD0-nG0ZLZcWfVfM5RH4HL55bv_2K1dXUovscKRP3SVIQ0VVDaniVwuVMtnB6W0T1s/s1600/black+creek+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRE6g4c9XrF-AqqFJ1kIzHRGe4vbsg8nVn9biK4xgrb5QDo0TLy0ZcsKQqiMz-1qb6Nax51_Z5qD0-nG0ZLZcWfVfM5RH4HL55bv_2K1dXUovscKRP3SVIQ0VVDaniVwuVMtnB6W0T1s/s640/black+creek+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Anyone that hiked up Mt.Washington, got a free gondola ride down. We chose the Lintons Trail because it was a little more scenic.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksRbhQvGoaV9zdTA5PmAY7A-5_JYhtDquFFD8zc4OU12XlWl6bEHfBk_x31FnX7CCfQuC5VQZaZnGBEFrbNvQtR7H8FmrBwC5G4nZUawoa2eHW1PmCt3aoVwqZT63lqQMsftx7rn5XP8/s1600/black+creek+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksRbhQvGoaV9zdTA5PmAY7A-5_JYhtDquFFD8zc4OU12XlWl6bEHfBk_x31FnX7CCfQuC5VQZaZnGBEFrbNvQtR7H8FmrBwC5G4nZUawoa2eHW1PmCt3aoVwqZT63lqQMsftx7rn5XP8/s640/black+creek+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Alison was feeling like the "Bird Whisperer". This little bird was very friendly.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9dDOf7saC1GJozdwCSKyVTmYYJ0ts0FfUMfp737n-4HAyHkqeepIUSOZuILPomP2PbHH4ZBVNKeQiADppOJ3kUB51-B9crLwA7UZmGgGCkwB_wuahXwZswEt2dKzxjwC-lt7x2f7l3s/s1600/black+creek+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9dDOf7saC1GJozdwCSKyVTmYYJ0ts0FfUMfp737n-4HAyHkqeepIUSOZuILPomP2PbHH4ZBVNKeQiADppOJ3kUB51-B9crLwA7UZmGgGCkwB_wuahXwZswEt2dKzxjwC-lt7x2f7l3s/s640/black+creek+6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">For heavens sake Norman, wait for me!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlPyvOdpqW5IRUEVJNFbIij6U9CAMNxnNL_H5G-UwaCVkUeGEA88c5RABXOBBoqm4EQgozwm30QH_tu-sN2APp9i_OtfXVv50Lekka9jLC_yiGH5crfeOAX4V82oKR235cRjwUnkoJn8/s1600/black+creek+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlPyvOdpqW5IRUEVJNFbIij6U9CAMNxnNL_H5G-UwaCVkUeGEA88c5RABXOBBoqm4EQgozwm30QH_tu-sN2APp9i_OtfXVv50Lekka9jLC_yiGH5crfeOAX4V82oKR235cRjwUnkoJn8/s640/black+creek+8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Once we got up to where the Gondola was, the views were terrific. We started down at the arrow.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The next day Norm and I hiked up Mt. Washington which
was a few steep miles, and were awarded with a few nice views.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could see the smoke from the massive
forest fires in central British Colombia from there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those hikers who made it to the top were
awarded with a free gondola ride down, which we gratefully accepted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgculADeMO2GEqaZOTmzLHaX7N-mzmfolc2_GR4XuQFl-4ObZe9qQ7TKrxOieBu3NF2fcpsu65PYyrwZ4PNPQgMPYUtaWk0Bf4ssb9PNNxgYkp1LpzVUgA52X5dWtKoyaSz6qRL6JnnNuE/s1600/hike+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgculADeMO2GEqaZOTmzLHaX7N-mzmfolc2_GR4XuQFl-4ObZe9qQ7TKrxOieBu3NF2fcpsu65PYyrwZ4PNPQgMPYUtaWk0Bf4ssb9PNNxgYkp1LpzVUgA52X5dWtKoyaSz6qRL6JnnNuE/s640/hike+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">OMG this hike killed me for some reason!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">There were mountain bike trails down the hillside that
looked like so much fun, but my thumb is still bothering me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must admit I have also lost some confidence
in my new bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think if I had taken
my trusty 17 year old bike I would not have hesitated in the death defying
ride, but it would not be good for me, or fair to Norm if I took a chance on
getting really injured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I wishfully watched
other bikers ride down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">From there we picked up a few groceries in a nearby
town that would get us by until we had to cross the border back into the
states.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsCV5WVW2p9SX1SokgwG0rzARxNLViSLyF8DtosSXZiiypGzoiZsJB_BSoT18MKvm0QMS_0PBTMF47Q318QPyahvI9njxJZPvuXIssbdJsZgCQzSSl4HjImxAYxl2OP1Z4gQ9VrSMvF0/s1600/black+creek+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsCV5WVW2p9SX1SokgwG0rzARxNLViSLyF8DtosSXZiiypGzoiZsJB_BSoT18MKvm0QMS_0PBTMF47Q318QPyahvI9njxJZPvuXIssbdJsZgCQzSSl4HjImxAYxl2OP1Z4gQ9VrSMvF0/s640/black+creek+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">We had been waiting 3 days for the wind to die down and the tide to be right. I quickly assembled the kayaks, and we had a lovely paddle, ending back near our RV. It's the one in the middle. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The next day Norm went to the golf driving range and I
did some chores.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wind had died down,
and the tide was high when got back, so we went kayaking practically from our
site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was beautiful with the water absolutely
like glass out on the small bay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">When we got back Norm said his shoulder was bothering
him due to the kayaking, but I would tend to guess it was a combination of the
golfing/then kayaking that was too much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">It was incredible weather while we were here. Actually
warm enough to eat outside, but the area was just too cramped between rigs to
make that a pleasant experience, so we had to eat inside yet again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Norm and Alison's Travel Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750229221971316367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923198664366389494.post-67805799473870327642017-08-03T23:16:00.000-07:002017-08-03T23:16:12.234-07:00Ucluelet, BC<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">July
13<sup>th</sup> -17<sup>th</sup> 2017</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Pronounced “You-Clue-let” which means “people of the
safe harbor” in the indigenous Nuu-chah-‘nulth language. I personally, found it
to be a tongue-twister, I don’t know why. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePcQsd0hxotUJmKGGmid-9knkMQTx20CbvYwLiK2Uy_3lfXtMbE1iSJjZpsd4Wd9heofKTyrN4_6DotOqeMw_mqQesGj0TXVCjJqHMA2I3gPgTZ4LzGYNl4nIJz1Xa-WnfstroOYGs7U/s1600/Screenshot+%2528433%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePcQsd0hxotUJmKGGmid-9knkMQTx20CbvYwLiK2Uy_3lfXtMbE1iSJjZpsd4Wd9heofKTyrN4_6DotOqeMw_mqQesGj0TXVCjJqHMA2I3gPgTZ4LzGYNl4nIJz1Xa-WnfstroOYGs7U/s640/Screenshot+%2528433%2529.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Located on the western side of Vancouver Island, the
Ucluelet First Nation People have a strong presence among the 1600 residents
here.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-bCkyd9E2pUzXNx1sCzYvbpdtR54ERVeM6QcaPfdBn0K54FCeLIv3CAztWLavVv9kMUHm6rtjhW33b1ec-2fWCr0lrKgtscx8A4g-S9kTjE3cM54QKRmiqI5eKeZj6RNs_CI7CXA6Mw/s1600/ucluelet+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-bCkyd9E2pUzXNx1sCzYvbpdtR54ERVeM6QcaPfdBn0K54FCeLIv3CAztWLavVv9kMUHm6rtjhW33b1ec-2fWCr0lrKgtscx8A4g-S9kTjE3cM54QKRmiqI5eKeZj6RNs_CI7CXA6Mw/s640/ucluelet+12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">We had a fabulous view, but had to scrape by untrimmed trees to get up here.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vvyV8Ypl29GKza2sip4Z1ewO0H5Sl8mYzOMwnU51OQp3DGjnSQFkwQBPoe-40tRkOm0NNjv5WAYC_RQC1fhNk8uiP_ULaUa1eSuHqb9eVZGPpQK5p34lG4FLHaTHt1GrKwaLURKs8aE/s1600/ucluelet+13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vvyV8Ypl29GKza2sip4Z1ewO0H5Sl8mYzOMwnU51OQp3DGjnSQFkwQBPoe-40tRkOm0NNjv5WAYC_RQC1fhNk8uiP_ULaUa1eSuHqb9eVZGPpQK5p34lG4FLHaTHt1GrKwaLURKs8aE/s640/ucluelet+13.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Right above our campsite a pair of Bald Eagles cared for their fledgling. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9cdyep3ZCafmtZK8lw33UtC7GiqhNkCj0hGfadCGUHOeL4YgUuda6TSbVFKtpZNGJQqR0XXK7TllRTyhn7-rRamn2PS-ETHgvJByejBwIICkcw4RAR-Ad483nouOe2CjOA8gUAV3-J1Q/s1600/uclulet+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9cdyep3ZCafmtZK8lw33UtC7GiqhNkCj0hGfadCGUHOeL4YgUuda6TSbVFKtpZNGJQqR0XXK7TllRTyhn7-rRamn2PS-ETHgvJByejBwIICkcw4RAR-Ad483nouOe2CjOA8gUAV3-J1Q/s640/uclulet+14.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">With Ucluelet Harbor below, we had a great view at our campsite.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbOZ8em4DkRVoY49AEJ6MY5iVLlgIHEI8eBaQ_JwNdsYRpJ7fHn8z31tSmfeVDStHJcsjXENY3CTvcTwYT6kYRnC6rCfJ_2xEPUVw1Ktatzch3zQB1yrkvH85k4TdpR1SAL-ELA4ucxZ0/s1600/ucluelet+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbOZ8em4DkRVoY49AEJ6MY5iVLlgIHEI8eBaQ_JwNdsYRpJ7fHn8z31tSmfeVDStHJcsjXENY3CTvcTwYT6kYRnC6rCfJ_2xEPUVw1Ktatzch3zQB1yrkvH85k4TdpR1SAL-ELA4ucxZ0/s640/ucluelet+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Pacific Rim National Park and its rugged coast was the
main draw for us.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The road to get there
was not to be taken lightly. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The 110 miles ( 182 km ) took us about 3 hours
due to the amount of tight twists and turns, steep grades; at one point we encountered
a section of this scenic road which was a whooping 18% grade.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>That, for those of you who might not be
familiar with road grades, is incredibly steep!<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Making it even more hair-raising was the warning that the road was going
to be so narrow only one vehicle could make it around the next blind corner! Yikes!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">We found our campground despite the directions given
and as we drove up the hill to park an employee held the bushes back so they
wouldn’t scratch the rig.( They still did ). After setting up, we admired our fabulous view of the
harbor below.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Behind the rig was an
eagle’s nest where Mom and Dad eagle fed their fledgling many times a day.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I spent more time looking up at our national
bird than I did the quaint harbor below.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Gq7v1bfsgsyI6DDAfnJaPgLuCWJspp9ECZHyN-efyn-4ssUBECT4Uv8HiadQt17uKHNzKSa6tfeFQi25nT5HBtLlmIF9diW7UjIDQfP_iT-gYf78QOQW5oJN9IBCxDPHT4orQyALZ0I/s1600/ucluelet+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Gq7v1bfsgsyI6DDAfnJaPgLuCWJspp9ECZHyN-efyn-4ssUBECT4Uv8HiadQt17uKHNzKSa6tfeFQi25nT5HBtLlmIF9diW7UjIDQfP_iT-gYf78QOQW5oJN9IBCxDPHT4orQyALZ0I/s640/ucluelet+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">We joined a tour group for an early morning kayak trip in Ucluelet Harbor hoping to see black bears foraging for food. There were no bear sightings, but it was a pleasant paddle.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKnl4isE6THBAfjwGuxdj2f0kr6zLg8y5Rk5UESwktqps4_zW3xqm6Qn2yLVw6S06GQse0-2A95rNHkHV0sq3H0a3vEwj3D2BKNeXNOgHKbDmpntT_H5Y1tL9sugAPmWOEUScLWUMrzI/s1600/ucluelet+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKnl4isE6THBAfjwGuxdj2f0kr6zLg8y5Rk5UESwktqps4_zW3xqm6Qn2yLVw6S06GQse0-2A95rNHkHV0sq3H0a3vEwj3D2BKNeXNOgHKbDmpntT_H5Y1tL9sugAPmWOEUScLWUMrzI/s640/ucluelet+10.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The waters where smooth as glass for our early morning paddle.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYV6cV0bsZm4VO11nWpQ1QGlPNiWS1zojcACt1hLu-XcnzNp3XybjR91t3j1nPT7kInVDTiNmtvGIDcfqetNOIlDa9F4_2htJ3Wk2D9Il6PAno2ttROJ-UWBYYGjvxMl_i9ze7pr3aa0I/s1600/ucluelet+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYV6cV0bsZm4VO11nWpQ1QGlPNiWS1zojcACt1hLu-XcnzNp3XybjR91t3j1nPT7kInVDTiNmtvGIDcfqetNOIlDa9F4_2htJ3Wk2D9Il6PAno2ttROJ-UWBYYGjvxMl_i9ze7pr3aa0I/s640/ucluelet+11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Norm manages to lift a crab onto his paddle for closer inspection</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8KOJm1cboSHWB4XK2KMJRTkeKTg1DHMNcpBLoEubQxA3OWM4peBSmb47aSC_JiNifCeDNPP846ukgwgJcpFuyet_Gnb4Q8z-hcgKTJOJNO3GcSm2USrtmy-82iGCpqjUVGNE5yWeL50/s1600/ucluelet+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8KOJm1cboSHWB4XK2KMJRTkeKTg1DHMNcpBLoEubQxA3OWM4peBSmb47aSC_JiNifCeDNPP846ukgwgJcpFuyet_Gnb4Q8z-hcgKTJOJNO3GcSm2USrtmy-82iGCpqjUVGNE5yWeL50/s640/ucluelet+6.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The tour guide showed us a snail that was HUGE! ( I forget the name )</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">One day we went kayaking with a local
tour company in the harbor.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It was a
beautiful day, and this early morning tour commonly sees bears on the shore at
low tide, but we were not lucky enough to see any.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Not only did we not see any bears, we didn’t
see any wildlife at all! Such a disappointment in that aspect.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It was, however, a lovely day to be out on
the water.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Plus I wanted to see if my
thumb injury hurt ( it didn’t too much ) or Norm’s shoulder would give him a
problem ( it didn’t ). So it was worth the time and the money.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Another day we drove to the small town of Tofino to
the north where outdoor adventures abound.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Small islands, beautiful bays and beautiful beaches bring serious
hikers, fisherman and surfers from all over.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">We drove around and toured what we heard were great
boutiques, but really didn’t find any shops worth a second glance.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>During our cooking class in Victoria at
London Chef, fellow student “foodies” were raving about the Tofino restaurant <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Wolf in the Fog</i>.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The menu there was very limited, and the cost
so outrageous we had a cocktail and appetizer and headed back. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrh4ZVo5pXbI4qsTkBmmDRG_ev1tgpEIYfLquUn0poRsVtUcR6U3swuKpxPH8zMW2YPsg6hRuCohf2dcnzh-4VW5askuC64-YaV0LDkTm_D-0IOaUnYspViaMG-iblDRccknVqXnWINQc/s1600/ucluelet+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrh4ZVo5pXbI4qsTkBmmDRG_ev1tgpEIYfLquUn0poRsVtUcR6U3swuKpxPH8zMW2YPsg6hRuCohf2dcnzh-4VW5askuC64-YaV0LDkTm_D-0IOaUnYspViaMG-iblDRccknVqXnWINQc/s640/ucluelet+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The section of this well known coastal trail around Ucluelet had a lot of people enjoying it.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Our last day we hiked part of the Wild Pacific Trail
that ran along the local coastline. It reminded us so much of New England’s
coast of Maine.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXuqx504aZk9hxBvXCmQ4NJHdH3QkXoDKjL4_nyVOjNIBVG6-wimlYTB2x-7NUkvwgpfSBrP3oDn-6pDp3iVQ_QefasPXh6nvRJi-HDmb4Czc5ziipN6dlV5w803S_je6T8nJmwzfcqDE/s1600/ucluelet+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXuqx504aZk9hxBvXCmQ4NJHdH3QkXoDKjL4_nyVOjNIBVG6-wimlYTB2x-7NUkvwgpfSBrP3oDn-6pDp3iVQ_QefasPXh6nvRJi-HDmb4Czc5ziipN6dlV5w803S_je6T8nJmwzfcqDE/s640/ucluelet+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The coastal views from the Wild Pacific Trail were magnificent!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Late in the afternoon we took our neighbor’s strong
suggestion of having a cocktail at Blackrock Oceanside Resort.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We were lucky enough to get the last table on
the deck overlooking an unbelievably beautiful cove. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkEs6KwodyaDj9GU41kxNKARx2uGipOXI5tLGImHuTVk9G834oe1KoDS9FnHFkufsNUqzHrwFuWkL4vjMCfF9rHb5O7XRJmZObI9BDgUXKNSHDxL-9TtJaB6Bm-CHl-Tz-cJhc46bHoc/s1600/ucluelet+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkEs6KwodyaDj9GU41kxNKARx2uGipOXI5tLGImHuTVk9G834oe1KoDS9FnHFkufsNUqzHrwFuWkL4vjMCfF9rHb5O7XRJmZObI9BDgUXKNSHDxL-9TtJaB6Bm-CHl-Tz-cJhc46bHoc/s640/ucluelet+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Our RV neighbor insisted we go for dinner and/or drinks at the Blackrock Oceanside Resort. Norm and I managed to get the best water-side table so we could "drink" in the views and warm sun on an otherwise chilly day. </span></td></tr>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Norm and Alison's Travel Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750229221971316367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923198664366389494.post-31458662383893311642017-08-03T07:00:00.000-07:002017-08-03T14:42:43.553-07:00Nanaimo<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">July
11<sup>th</sup>-13<sup>th</sup>, 2017</span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_hDQVSR7ZJS2at5vZofChDWjAarLAoSSltmW1MZQs-RrvZpxC1sSfvyYdbvL4I9LRjVFdvFni4aF_bC_liDsO83Cts-aWKDs4BtMFbWSStY4Z9xn0dy2RKy-zY9sx1NjhSnSXrZJ-Ks/s1600/Screenshot+%2528429%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_hDQVSR7ZJS2at5vZofChDWjAarLAoSSltmW1MZQs-RrvZpxC1sSfvyYdbvL4I9LRjVFdvFni4aF_bC_liDsO83Cts-aWKDs4BtMFbWSStY4Z9xn0dy2RKy-zY9sx1NjhSnSXrZJ-Ks/s640/Screenshot+%2528429%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Next stop: The "Harbor City" of Nanaimo, BC</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The trip to the remote, western side of Vancouver
Island from Victoria is rather long, and definitely challenging due to what we
understand to be <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>steep and twisting
roads, so we decided to stop in Nanaimo for a couple of nights so Norm could be "fresh" when he undertakes our next drive.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5yy3cosqvbYV2mFPhyphenhyphenY1ssG_UNfWyfDOu7uM5YeTj0Z6gTuacP8-QLXsjVcMExQP1oUGxBr_xCmt8sTiAVw4PYDD7MiP-y6qruRkB37Gz9m6gxRStyedvO3UI_rw2Pxd1uRXY5cu_TY/s1600/nanaimo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5yy3cosqvbYV2mFPhyphenhyphenY1ssG_UNfWyfDOu7uM5YeTj0Z6gTuacP8-QLXsjVcMExQP1oUGxBr_xCmt8sTiAVw4PYDD7MiP-y6qruRkB37Gz9m6gxRStyedvO3UI_rw2Pxd1uRXY5cu_TY/s640/nanaimo+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">It was challenge getting into this site, but once there we could catch a glimpse of the ocean views, and the size of the site and its privacy was quite good. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The campground, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Living
Forest Oceanside Campground </i>was quite interesting.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It was quite wooded, but some sites were on
the water, and others, like ours had a water view.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We met a group from Oregon next door to us,
and joined them for happy hour.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They
were very curious as to our continuing itinerary, and gave helpful suggestions
as to where to eat and things to do at our various stops.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They invited us to call them when we are near
their home area so we can get together, which we will do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">During our brief stay we recuperated from the
physically demanding visit we had with our ultra-fit relatives, and broke the
day up with a short but pretty hike around a peninsula, then had a great dinner
at an authentic British pub.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We also explored
the downtown a bit.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ImZiGL7eeJY2rP5VrVXKzAhACnLNAW1YWhtlc5-Bbq4Ya5DhQ6nY-jjIBp9S968qZ1RDemsUIW8c_wub9n0M3u5MfVvKk571YjkubuQ5mnpGvj67hpsb7W9oAp1mJ_VL1p0jmFw3pYI/s1600/nanaimo+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ImZiGL7eeJY2rP5VrVXKzAhACnLNAW1YWhtlc5-Bbq4Ya5DhQ6nY-jjIBp9S968qZ1RDemsUIW8c_wub9n0M3u5MfVvKk571YjkubuQ5mnpGvj67hpsb7W9oAp1mJ_VL1p0jmFw3pYI/s640/nanaimo+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The weather was glorious late in the afternoon as we had cocktails and dinner at the authentic British Pub, Crow and Gate in Nanaimo. The gardens surrounding the outside seating area were spectacular.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJwTnhkWBNLOzU3OR2hJcRgzyBDX-_Y9R2C1gFICaAv_vSx0gwq6-E9q0MyzWJTpuyXqTEouMG3I9orD_vxG_b9qxZsjRyjw14C5b3yfw3GFW4D-oGJaQC-cxLr6mZM0x6jQ6b46m2Gw/s1600/nanaimo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJwTnhkWBNLOzU3OR2hJcRgzyBDX-_Y9R2C1gFICaAv_vSx0gwq6-E9q0MyzWJTpuyXqTEouMG3I9orD_vxG_b9qxZsjRyjw14C5b3yfw3GFW4D-oGJaQC-cxLr6mZM0x6jQ6b46m2Gw/s640/nanaimo+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">We took a short walk around this peninsula and enjoyed the view of the water. Unfortunately it was low tide, so it wasn't as pretty as it might have been with more water in the bay. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">We didn’t do too much, but sometimes you just need to
relax a bit.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Norm and Alison's Travel Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750229221971316367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923198664366389494.post-58268919321448363072017-07-28T08:08:00.001-07:002017-08-03T06:56:43.384-07:00Victoria, Vacouver Island, British Columbia<h2>
July 4th - 11th, 2017</h2>
It's finally time to head across the water to Vancouver Island. We will spend three weeks here staying a various places on the island. First stop is the city of Victoria, where we will spend a lot of time with family. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63KoU9ADNQGO7vOm1Tsb7kuXbAnzK9euAjwhasY4sd9_ri5jt7EFU1dWzCJvZOepB6Xxk31B9QtCkzpyKIrFKCuW843KxykfCQ7eXNeZY69UM3bG9qHFbtjBp-mTexWVJ4dgbGXSqSP4/s1600/ferry+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63KoU9ADNQGO7vOm1Tsb7kuXbAnzK9euAjwhasY4sd9_ri5jt7EFU1dWzCJvZOepB6Xxk31B9QtCkzpyKIrFKCuW843KxykfCQ7eXNeZY69UM3bG9qHFbtjBp-mTexWVJ4dgbGXSqSP4/s640/ferry+2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Since there were 4th of July celebrations planned in Port Angeles, Washington a little later in the day, we decided to get to the ferry terminal early so we could avoid any street closures. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-mo-gfQWj1PRPicojimmW1AB-CJtRsddtiolHkclYJpPwv-73eZSaX4JvWIQ0t_zGKCTGej8_f_j4YqqUCWJku4k4QkNbsv3cmAx_shNvkXk5m5C5dAmt748NwiLBfPMVG5kvlVscH4/s1600/victoria+11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-mo-gfQWj1PRPicojimmW1AB-CJtRsddtiolHkclYJpPwv-73eZSaX4JvWIQ0t_zGKCTGej8_f_j4YqqUCWJku4k4QkNbsv3cmAx_shNvkXk5m5C5dAmt748NwiLBfPMVG5kvlVscH4/s640/victoria+11.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">We went to downtown Victoria and took a harbor tour on this cute little tug. We were the only ones on board. It was great being able to hop from seat to seat to take pictures and see all around!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNNd0Qq3TZ7ked7rclZa_1lO0DWElvyXSWho9LkBEzg8NaT1kY3cjymYM8YpFKgDRso7HWj_C3ZFkW7GSDKX4RsGJiXWcbbgDZVMcVlbn731oD1tSqpZYC0QzfDhGuFPrMqIc1R6C28g/s1600/victoria+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNNd0Qq3TZ7ked7rclZa_1lO0DWElvyXSWho9LkBEzg8NaT1kY3cjymYM8YpFKgDRso7HWj_C3ZFkW7GSDKX4RsGJiXWcbbgDZVMcVlbn731oD1tSqpZYC0QzfDhGuFPrMqIc1R6C28g/s640/victoria+9.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The Empress Hotel and its harbor across the street from it.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtC-cA1qFI0xv11_uI7xaq8qiW2-9R0SkoyspyKiQJFGgNSguNtzB6MI_oD6ILw9f49HaclNA-K19bcuUa87u2v5pqb-kAPB4Y_bcRFsroMxbWJpBklvJROoLRh7eGYTprT_Z7AHCxmFw/s1600/victoria+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtC-cA1qFI0xv11_uI7xaq8qiW2-9R0SkoyspyKiQJFGgNSguNtzB6MI_oD6ILw9f49HaclNA-K19bcuUa87u2v5pqb-kAPB4Y_bcRFsroMxbWJpBklvJROoLRh7eGYTprT_Z7AHCxmFw/s640/victoria+2.jpg" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">I saw a couple of seals in Victoria's harbor. Come to find out, they were the only ones we would see during our stay.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Below, are houseboats of all shapes and sizes. What a view for these people.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPkcsM8p-EjNOcIaYYmS-4asqBNoEJc9slKZsBUA0SuGf9TbwSWqa5M6TU2roYSGDX41fNgLPcHDO4K6BUPL2lNxi_pSTqUgkVYgX_m9dSZlqeBu3LE9y6zp1_LDiZsvKXAk7IC6bwWE/s1600/victoria+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPkcsM8p-EjNOcIaYYmS-4asqBNoEJc9slKZsBUA0SuGf9TbwSWqa5M6TU2roYSGDX41fNgLPcHDO4K6BUPL2lNxi_pSTqUgkVYgX_m9dSZlqeBu3LE9y6zp1_LDiZsvKXAk7IC6bwWE/s640/victoria+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDk8E1gShyXV2j1mdCdHWAp9SWdEZBlbwT0TbCcamHmT1I6G5HC9ocPuWg8CoLBsISY_gHCcinzcAc4SieQoUiG6mkG9C3Xd1Cq2SyfZplVRWsLYMTX9Qo7EyiW1DFt5Tnzd4cWJ5bhC0/s1600/Ferry+1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDk8E1gShyXV2j1mdCdHWAp9SWdEZBlbwT0TbCcamHmT1I6G5HC9ocPuWg8CoLBsISY_gHCcinzcAc4SieQoUiG6mkG9C3Xd1Cq2SyfZplVRWsLYMTX9Qo7EyiW1DFt5Tnzd4cWJ5bhC0/s640/Ferry+1a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Thank goodness Norm is really good at driving and parking in close quarters. They REALLY pack the vehicles in like sardines for the 90 minute trip across the waters to Vancouver Island.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjri0LJX0DWunsCdTwF1ueUqJ97hyphenhyphenjqDLV6RQsrbSLcGrmgCVkIAYMxcA5KCbKY08UJBJSZbKZoAtThXLOBM6qPsRH6gP53i4sFDrimAiuslL-zXEBqzJNz_WpkTBSE3O13rICxbWPvzYQ/s1600/Screenshot+%2528412%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjri0LJX0DWunsCdTwF1ueUqJ97hyphenhyphenjqDLV6RQsrbSLcGrmgCVkIAYMxcA5KCbKY08UJBJSZbKZoAtThXLOBM6qPsRH6gP53i4sFDrimAiuslL-zXEBqzJNz_WpkTBSE3O13rICxbWPvzYQ/s640/Screenshot+%2528412%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">We put the motorhome and car on the ferry and enjoyed the 90 minute trip over to Vancouver Island, British Columbia where we spent the following 3 weeks</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0b0tKDIdlNSJM5ywgvpSMpfdVGtVp4zQCbdYYE9aKfOOfMtEBrZ9b0WQXzmEM2-4-Pbp4j9lKGeSJzSXm4gvpqSZttQF9zLy9_51TGGQ1c7C9smO1zlzPOmk4siup59LyQQaHHFG08s4/s1600/victoria+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0b0tKDIdlNSJM5ywgvpSMpfdVGtVp4zQCbdYYE9aKfOOfMtEBrZ9b0WQXzmEM2-4-Pbp4j9lKGeSJzSXm4gvpqSZttQF9zLy9_51TGGQ1c7C9smO1zlzPOmk4siup59LyQQaHHFG08s4/s640/victoria+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Norm and I had lunch on the waterfront in downtown Victoria amongst a profusion of flowers! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmXwFPTHDW8JhlVrS7apO-f69TCjZKoB2nx9NYvbkLzuQ7wrtGCXrb_YtDqkoWuRWsU2Gnsiw0Cmk0FjEm5PJrZN5M3u2YWj2TJdWplfbjNDvVqq2ayL82dRxLiri1WCqxjhWq9TFB7A/s1600/Screenshot+%2528426%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmXwFPTHDW8JhlVrS7apO-f69TCjZKoB2nx9NYvbkLzuQ7wrtGCXrb_YtDqkoWuRWsU2Gnsiw0Cmk0FjEm5PJrZN5M3u2YWj2TJdWplfbjNDvVqq2ayL82dRxLiri1WCqxjhWq9TFB7A/s640/Screenshot+%2528426%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Norm's niece and boyfriend took Norm one day on a long hike, and I joined them the next for a lovely bike ride on one of the local paths that goes for miles and miles</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMu44omEHSxUALaOqo9WkYfnRRWLzBgIEHn7ulPtwv51-CtjQ3eUo3Z7T7N3_UMN7ER0LVs6eJmu2DMlP-pFiiXY9zkabmfxXYCvka3HvadYUrN6tOD_kjG5iPCB6yrP83qBMAK6Lf6hc/s1600/Victoria+bike.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMu44omEHSxUALaOqo9WkYfnRRWLzBgIEHn7ulPtwv51-CtjQ3eUo3Z7T7N3_UMN7ER0LVs6eJmu2DMlP-pFiiXY9zkabmfxXYCvka3HvadYUrN6tOD_kjG5iPCB6yrP83qBMAK6Lf6hc/s640/Victoria+bike.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">This was a lovely maintained trail, but frankly, I was bored to tears. I guess when I bike ride I like the "thrill" and this trail felt more like "exercise". </span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;"> </span>Victoria is a very bike friendly town. It rather freaked me out how all the cyclists just jump out in front of you, expecting you to stop as they approach. It is very different in the states. Cyclists realize they need to be the cautious ones. Pedestrians have the same mentality. If you are walking and even approach a crosswalk, traffic immediately comes to a halt. It's a great way to be, but I warned our family to be watchful of the US citizens. We might just run them down! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjr2KbofToDtCOAHo6wGHsq_fDO3H7xaDiNWenTTG20UsQQcHkBdKnzenKym_T4gEX-iZSN3KKDJcM-hR2oDM1T0Siw_l0BpVJgiyg04qEebw55pH_ZUZHgY0HLqukrCQ1TS9gpWZXOo/s1600/victoria+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjr2KbofToDtCOAHo6wGHsq_fDO3H7xaDiNWenTTG20UsQQcHkBdKnzenKym_T4gEX-iZSN3KKDJcM-hR2oDM1T0Siw_l0BpVJgiyg04qEebw55pH_ZUZHgY0HLqukrCQ1TS9gpWZXOo/s640/victoria+4.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">While I went to Urgent Care to get my ear cleared, Norm, took a very long and arduous hike with his niece, Louise and her boyfriend Phil. at East Sooke Regional Park. Boy are they in good shape! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Lykr8R6vw0apPurESsLov77dkhgWsge9sT_wGQ9RC5ZuKaC3TUqB8dsooku_Ebqk0EZYC5tfKuHsc1PoILV-koqUvpgHYpi68LtIDhUo_SyJty1WnE2jxYoV2jQ2mCuu5EoHME4qSyQ/s1600/victoria+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Lykr8R6vw0apPurESsLov77dkhgWsge9sT_wGQ9RC5ZuKaC3TUqB8dsooku_Ebqk0EZYC5tfKuHsc1PoILV-koqUvpgHYpi68LtIDhUo_SyJty1WnE2jxYoV2jQ2mCuu5EoHME4qSyQ/s640/victoria+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">After a wonderful week together we all went to a cooking class /eating event at London Chef where we learned to cook authentic Tapas dishes. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KBUyVHDUi5Yrg5Zl0HXRVtwuR6hOEd87pT7nISymBaWSUEXi06mg0TDlXn9USm3CR7axKtojzCiri0aFTbN9Zshgu11qfQ8bYzCjriD71LXWS2QIZDjEurc7hCJdVG7560L2-maWgkI/s1600/victoria++9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KBUyVHDUi5Yrg5Zl0HXRVtwuR6hOEd87pT7nISymBaWSUEXi06mg0TDlXn9USm3CR7axKtojzCiri0aFTbN9Zshgu11qfQ8bYzCjriD71LXWS2QIZDjEurc7hCJdVG7560L2-maWgkI/s640/victoria++9.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Norm impressed everyone with his "pan-flipping" abilities! A chef in the making!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqqaiti-xsFG4HY_vx04XZzzgnzFUChyphenhyphenXWNq2CI7yknnZN6AKSTvVZtK7rHAazKUFuCkILZD-yxq65hX-FyWfjy3NxT8V10_c_d9sLc-OVAHPBYiLo9AhDiXN0SmHXMfximbiQDyHSic/s1600/victoria+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqqaiti-xsFG4HY_vx04XZzzgnzFUChyphenhyphenXWNq2CI7yknnZN6AKSTvVZtK7rHAazKUFuCkILZD-yxq65hX-FyWfjy3NxT8V10_c_d9sLc-OVAHPBYiLo9AhDiXN0SmHXMfximbiQDyHSic/s640/victoria+6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">We had a FABOULOUS meal of fresh Sockeye Salmon with an incredible dill sauce at Louis and Phil's house one night. We were sure treated like royalty while here!</span></td></tr>
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We were also taken up the coast to see the smaller towns a little north of Victoria. We had lunch at a seaside restaurant, and later that day we all had ice cream! We had a lovely week in Victoria, and it was great to spend so much time with Louise who we had not seen in almost a decade, and meeting Phil was such a pleasure. <br />
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<img height="54" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtC-cA1qFI0xv11_uI7xaq8qiW2-9R0SkoyspyKiQJFGgNSguNtzB6MI_oD6ILw9f49HaclNA-K19bcuUa87u2v5pqb-kAPB4Y_bcRFsroMxbWJpBklvJROoLRh7eGYTprT_Z7AHCxmFw/s640/victoria+2.jpg" style="left: 382.5px; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 1518.5px;" width="96" />Norm and Alison's Travel Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750229221971316367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923198664366389494.post-16406215062032793722017-07-24T22:25:00.001-07:002017-07-25T11:51:50.029-07:00The Olympic Peninsula - my new favorite place<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><strong>Thursday, June 29<sup>th</sup> 2017<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Next destination - Olympic National Park, where the
term “ecosystem diversity” was made for. There is a glacier-capped mountain
towering just miles from the ocean, a temperate rain forest only 34 miles away,
surrounded on two sides by a beautiful, rugged coastline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the east side of the Olympic Peninsula, in
the town of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sequim, they receive an
average of only 25.9 inches of rain per year. Yet the valleys on the other side
of the mountain have the honor of being the wettest spot in the continental
United States; receiving a whopping 135 inches of rain. Mount Olympus, the peninsula’s
highest point, is estimated to get 50 feet of snow! Within a few hour’s drive
of each other, the weather, forest and plants are so different!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0JbxltrsS52aXxzuHbfgqPK-R4B_njOTVxR2nP8HxNv1uUWJwACl29Y4oFc3LMFEpSBhP2LvoGkoufGSctgybjENh48NUVoUKZWzEVMIDClTnpPfAXVIO9q0I6ia9Y8PKNq_G-WfGGA/s1600/Screenshot+%2528393%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1029" data-original-width="1600" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0JbxltrsS52aXxzuHbfgqPK-R4B_njOTVxR2nP8HxNv1uUWJwACl29Y4oFc3LMFEpSBhP2LvoGkoufGSctgybjENh48NUVoUKZWzEVMIDClTnpPfAXVIO9q0I6ia9Y8PKNq_G-WfGGA/s640/Screenshot+%2528393%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">We took secondary roads plus the scenic road along the Hood Canal is not the usual route RV's choose to take. In fact, there was hardly anyone on the road at all!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The drive from Mount Rainier to Port Angeles was
mostly back roads and scenic highways. We chose to take the longer drive along
the Hood Canal strictly because of the scenic beauty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It did not disappoint, however the opportunities
to pull the big rig off the road were few and far between.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Normally I can get up and dash to the rest
room, but when the road is very twisted, I get thrown around too much to
venture from the safety of my seat belt. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0vLIdbGmAz-C8jtnnIgWXnuDHHQgF7cjMfOzXYDfDMfhxOpp-1Eont2Y_PEHci1cLKdGGKAtcl602ZLCoJ81_HIARa22VzchLR_2rqPUAz8nYejG71XJz7j33jNqwzgXC2-hoFC20vw/s1600/olympic+2%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0vLIdbGmAz-C8jtnnIgWXnuDHHQgF7cjMfOzXYDfDMfhxOpp-1Eont2Y_PEHci1cLKdGGKAtcl602ZLCoJ81_HIARa22VzchLR_2rqPUAz8nYejG71XJz7j33jNqwzgXC2-hoFC20vw/s640/olympic+2%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Boy, the sites were close together! During the 5 days we were here, we had 3 different neighbors. Some were pretty quiet, and one large group made so much noise they kept us up half the night talking loud and banging around in their rig!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRErVYZHz8mnOoK8eo4PodhnC0xBlEl-cuBz8KlRRYFjrIEmlJL03IKBXTOMdqI5vjIrWH5m7-pnVPHj4Ow6pwv8n0nMeC7K-hYNEyHFNvufsxPSZ0i4X-o2kSfj1ZJ9H7oto9zmfcLo/s1600/olympic+1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRErVYZHz8mnOoK8eo4PodhnC0xBlEl-cuBz8KlRRYFjrIEmlJL03IKBXTOMdqI5vjIrWH5m7-pnVPHj4Ow6pwv8n0nMeC7K-hYNEyHFNvufsxPSZ0i4X-o2kSfj1ZJ9H7oto9zmfcLo/s640/olympic+1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Luckily I had managed to book a site that had a fabulous side yard. Too bad it was really too cold to use it, but the privacy was cherished. Others were jealous of our spot. We were not able to get this site when we return in 3 weeks.</span></td></tr>
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</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We arrived at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Elwah
Dam RV</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Resort</i> and proceeded to
set up in one of the better sites there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were but a few feet away from the RV on one side, but the side that
we put the table and chairs, was as big as a ball field!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was this luck, or because I was one of the
first to make a reservation last winter? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We found a car wash, went to the Visitor’s Center (do
you notice at pattern here?) and checked out the waterfront a little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Norm went in the ferry terminal to ask where
exactly he was to go when we take the rig on the ferry over to Vancouver Island
on the 4<sup>th</sup> of July.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Norm then set up the Satellite Dish and after a little
news, watched one of the complimentary DVD’s they had up at the office. With
temperatures quickly dropping into the low 50’s, we felt it a little too chilly
to have a fire in that tremendous fire pit right at our site. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Friday,
June 30<sup>th</sup>, 2017<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEozZNSF2mMFQ90USa5xBKlMl0CieoDLPBx4ERhqNZq3P3OGMTQ0t41hM3ZCqsqqv60TUcSYuQP-asQAlgXiSWRBIQGOWKM-j5C4omuE-8k4TVt9TmC5Uf7mQTmlftF4EMgX0AdNzZImU/s1600/Screenshot+%2528395%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEozZNSF2mMFQ90USa5xBKlMl0CieoDLPBx4ERhqNZq3P3OGMTQ0t41hM3ZCqsqqv60TUcSYuQP-asQAlgXiSWRBIQGOWKM-j5C4omuE-8k4TVt9TmC5Uf7mQTmlftF4EMgX0AdNzZImU/s640/Screenshot+%2528395%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Norm biking down the path,</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">A few weeks ago I had arranged for an adventure
company to shuttle us up one of the nearby mountains so we could then bike down
a portion of the Discovery Trail. It was described to me as two thirds downhill,
and that the remainder is gently rolling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was really looking forward to this ride! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other than Moab, this was the only other place
I could find for us to do my favorite “off road” biking. The company picked us
up at the end of the trail which was a convenient ½ mile from the campsite and drove
us perhaps 20 minutes to drop us off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">When we first began, I headed down the trail thinking
Norm was ready to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, he
wasn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He scrambled after me on a
particularly precarious loose gravel section (the driver suggested we walk it,
but I guess Norm wasn’t listening) and he fell!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Goodness what a wipe-out!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
skinned his knee a tad, but everything else was fine, thankfully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Falling certainly shakes your confidence, at
least it does mine, even if I wasn’t doing the falling!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBTDGkCKr4wdbRWp7o996bbn0i4LmFjMf8ZeSV7Qb06rXPvTw4Hf7TdOUoeNWJtFs3zDpK5d8HTYuprMYkL79xJONJRyMSiDX3RmFg2vwQLrTMiFniQBOA4kNfJcMPvr_BU-t5ZysQUU/s1600/Screenshot+%2528321%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBTDGkCKr4wdbRWp7o996bbn0i4LmFjMf8ZeSV7Qb06rXPvTw4Hf7TdOUoeNWJtFs3zDpK5d8HTYuprMYkL79xJONJRyMSiDX3RmFg2vwQLrTMiFniQBOA4kNfJcMPvr_BU-t5ZysQUU/s640/Screenshot+%2528321%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Alison taking one of the corners. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The trail was beautiful, if not a little scary. The
trail was only a foot wide, and very steep, and within inches of said trail
there were steep drop-offs several hundred feet down in places! Holy crap! The
switchbacks were so sharp Norm opted for the safer method of walking his bike
around the corners; usually having to physically lift the back to swing it
around to make the turn. He was definitely out of his comfort zone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Me, being the gutsy fool, (and more experienced in
off-road single track mountain biking) rode the bike around each turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must admit a little birdie in my head kept
saying “Don’t be stupid!” “Remember risk vs. reward “ “One little slip and
you’re going off the side of this mountain”! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yikes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
ignored the smart little bird. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVg1OT0GskSf6UE5tS9PJjg-hblee9zo0KPfTJ64EhMIEBXkYjpwYi_OiF3Rjjb27qutfgrxQoGWTE9UHCTFnVISMjT9hOsPrEARNBuZmvRd84_rrtsVJ0c-ILFrWY3BOTi_TOC_SgrI/s1600/olympic+10%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVg1OT0GskSf6UE5tS9PJjg-hblee9zo0KPfTJ64EhMIEBXkYjpwYi_OiF3Rjjb27qutfgrxQoGWTE9UHCTFnVISMjT9hOsPrEARNBuZmvRd84_rrtsVJ0c-ILFrWY3BOTi_TOC_SgrI/s640/olympic+10%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">I took a break to take this shot of my bike</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We road downhill for several miles, enjoying the
incredible weather with the sun dappling through the trees, trying our best not
to die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or seriously maim ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We then had to start peddling. Hard. I would like to
think I struggled making it up those steep hills ( to us Flatlanders from
Florida ) because of the elevation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
no, that was not the case because we were only several hundred feet above sea
level at this point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m just old, and
out of shape, and just a little crazy wanting to be out here doing this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXwX9fesfuWOtu6Wmkl-vfzIu5UssjdOYY_67BQHQZvs4xyIiY1OXu2wr_1W1QfS91f2LTg2ekYO9-LlP5rVLFwwusJL_-OK7UG1ZVTe64lsGDpVI7_C-7-CCXU-pRgKYHZIL1lzSE1lA/s1600/20170724_172539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="1600" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXwX9fesfuWOtu6Wmkl-vfzIu5UssjdOYY_67BQHQZvs4xyIiY1OXu2wr_1W1QfS91f2LTg2ekYO9-LlP5rVLFwwusJL_-OK7UG1ZVTe64lsGDpVI7_C-7-CCXU-pRgKYHZIL1lzSE1lA/s320/20170724_172539.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Oh, no wonder it was a little sore!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We hadn’t taken any good pictures of the trail yet, so
I suggested to Norm he get ahead of me on a switchback section and video tape
me coming down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, as he did, I fell!
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just out of view of the camera
unfortunately, because I would like to have seen it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wacked my helmeted head, and I felt my
thumb bend backward in an unnatural way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ouch! I thought perhaps I sprained it, but kept going ( I had no choice,
anyway ) favoring it as I rode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
shoulder started to hurt as well where I must have smacked it on a rock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KH6OuQxfN0k8yl2YEv24rArbTSDNS9E6-MFRdX0sMsHri62LDz_-8X37FiTbGlWseDxo5S0-DgSVOSQipASe9pSjZSyTvugrEzPPUHBlPrh7SVkw-kXJ-mQnV06lQR-4e8PcxExctk8/s1600/20170630_120605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KH6OuQxfN0k8yl2YEv24rArbTSDNS9E6-MFRdX0sMsHri62LDz_-8X37FiTbGlWseDxo5S0-DgSVOSQipASe9pSjZSyTvugrEzPPUHBlPrh7SVkw-kXJ-mQnV06lQR-4e8PcxExctk8/s640/20170630_120605.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">We had a hard ride with a few minor injuries on the Adventure Route of the Olympic Discovery Trail in Port Angeles, Wa</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">When we got back I immediately started icing the
shoulder and especially the swollen thumb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I worried for the next couple of days that I may have torn the tendon on
it, but being the 4<sup>th</sup> of July, I hesitated to go to Urgent Care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The third day I started getting some movement
in it, the swelling was almost gone and I could now hold something in my hand,
so my fear of having really hurt it passed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s still sore, and the shoulder bruised, but we bought a thumb splint
to protect it next time I want to act like a crazy teenager. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">That afternoon we took a drive to Sequim’s Costco for
supplies and went out to dinner at Dockside Grill where I got so snockered on a
martini Norm had to drive<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Saturday,
July 1st 2017</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG04TT0H-_BMw7tnNaN5I0a42gukN6xmKiZnWJ0Xd4FNdQqJEhKj5YabkpoI6CeyqvETXIdwMSHDEOMdoS-lvAxv5RVqrSezS0ae0KGtAMh9Ju6SANACBob16JrrO6scdw0_z_3OBEfmk/s1600/Screenshot+%2528404%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG04TT0H-_BMw7tnNaN5I0a42gukN6xmKiZnWJ0Xd4FNdQqJEhKj5YabkpoI6CeyqvETXIdwMSHDEOMdoS-lvAxv5RVqrSezS0ae0KGtAMh9Ju6SANACBob16JrrO6scdw0_z_3OBEfmk/s640/Screenshot+%2528404%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">We decided to check out the most northwestern point of the lower 48 states in the US at Cape Flattery, Washington</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">t was recommended to us that we take the drive to
Neah Bay and Cape Flattery where the Strait of Juan de Fuca meets the Pacific
Ocean. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having the distinction of being
the most northwestern point of the lower 48 states, and what had the promise of
an interesting, scenic drive we decided to take the day and go. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We took the inland route as advised so we would drive
by the beautiful, glacially-carved sapphire Lake Crescent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water here is devoid of nitrogen,
limiting the ability to grow phytoplankton (like algae) which makes it able to
be crystal clear. We had hoped to kayak here so we could marvel at this
phenomenon, but the water was quite choppy, so it would not be fun fighting the
wind, nor could we see into the water. Timing is everything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">All the points of interest in the northwest corner of
the Olympic Peninsula are owned by the Makah Tribe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After purchasing the $10 car pass needed to
park or walk on any of their tribal land, we found the trail head for the path
that would take us out to Cape Flattery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I must say, the Tribe was making a lot of money that day, because not
only was the lot completely full, but also the road leading to it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSN28u1xp8kbXd7hPdIwq8PFaQJ3QijUPSmwKSTKWmkA_xJtjLSqs3iJW_Hy7tRqWi_5WcqVJK3F2Fr4t9YjgrzxMyII8MRl99R36STL-Dvh0x3PETL67iwKMYMc8uKJ5Y_fcHz6ZQbKk/s1600/20170701_131020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSN28u1xp8kbXd7hPdIwq8PFaQJ3QijUPSmwKSTKWmkA_xJtjLSqs3iJW_Hy7tRqWi_5WcqVJK3F2Fr4t9YjgrzxMyII8MRl99R36STL-Dvh0x3PETL67iwKMYMc8uKJ5Y_fcHz6ZQbKk/s640/20170701_131020.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">It took a lot of patience to jockey for a spot in order to take this beautiful picture at the end of the short ( by local standards ) hike to Cape Flattery, Washington. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">This popular hike was “improved” with boardwalks and
slabs of large trees serving as stepping stones, and many wooden steps that
allowed the masses access to the point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think there were almost as many dogs as people making the walk very
difficult, if not dangerous, as their leashes wrapped around your legs while
large dogs nearly pushed you off the various bridges. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">People of all ages and physical condition made this 3
mile round trip trek down to the point. Some of these people are an inspiration
as they made their way with such determination despite some very serious
physical problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEwVbug5FKjXX4KLeTQ7qrHWanKxZ2mh8ySsHwLsdnu4gdevU7JuZRM6Ez2mP2ezPbKD3f9NpPgQYc5pGbf6IemMpS9eNPnZC2NsPZzz3sfm1gx1UBqEYzLdGAuY7FDUZt8S0kriRugg/s640/olympic+6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Norm and I are not typically a fan of boardwalks, but this one, although a bit slippery in spots, was appreciated. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: red; mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The next stop was Cape Alava and Shi-Shi Beach .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There we also found all parking lots filled,
and to tell you the truth Norm and I aren’t much beach-goers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We grew up in New England, so to look at a
coastal beach was not worth the trouble or the extra fees to park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We then headed back, stopping back at the visitor’s
center and Inn at Crescent Lake. It was beautiful there in the late afternoon,
with lots of people in kayaks, canoes and paddleboards. We walked around for a
little bit, but Norm was itching to get back and ignored my hints about staying
for a drink on the porch and soaking up the atmosphere. (Probably because of
the throngs of people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Men, I have
learned, don’t tend to enjoy the sport of “people watching” like woman do).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">It was a long day, with a lot of driving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we knew what we now know, we would have
probably gone and done something else with our day. But for those of you who
have not seen a coast, or a huge and beautiful sandy beach – definitely go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Sunday,
July 2<sup>nd</sup> 2017<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Norm and I next wanted to take the very scenic18 mile
drive UP the mountain and hike the ridge trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We knew it would be very busy so we left about 8am to beat the crowds. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9CZtRsIqdpztlk89eo7KSZGp4IXpcHpx8OKnwCXDLWRVvgCmatxKq3T3cWL42yNM64br3sZsh84YhId7NrhVSpwUkp-Bj7gZay9jjybdwAtjFEC9GCueFnAqBS-VYd51217dCPlPc1pU/s1600/olympic+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9CZtRsIqdpztlk89eo7KSZGp4IXpcHpx8OKnwCXDLWRVvgCmatxKq3T3cWL42yNM64br3sZsh84YhId7NrhVSpwUkp-Bj7gZay9jjybdwAtjFEC9GCueFnAqBS-VYd51217dCPlPc1pU/s640/olympic+9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Today's goal: Hike to the arrow! Yikes, that looks like this won't be easy!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl85yrDFRrWoiyjc2UNr0uXt1qCT-WJaqlb914IYtm6CN4QRucanGVhFen4ekwVqnnCICCHCNul8s0YM3Oj0-PvqgzDqbyV9SpKocdlORbCIhXJbROE81skqTOxv47OTnf1hdXH9CGnNE/s1600/olympic+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl85yrDFRrWoiyjc2UNr0uXt1qCT-WJaqlb914IYtm6CN4QRucanGVhFen4ekwVqnnCICCHCNul8s0YM3Oj0-PvqgzDqbyV9SpKocdlORbCIhXJbROE81skqTOxv47OTnf1hdXH9CGnNE/s640/olympic+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The hike up Hurricane Ridge trail was probably the most beautiful we have ever hiked. Every step was awesome!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRN6bf71xikt4sxSzyf3tu5wgJ7pIVe3mSvWerly89K-3aQwrX8wPd47-E08bpCBKYzdckLknZJN89fWn2T_WPdpHu1t-DpjgIyDtXTF4zJBCGywKwpGdMVCPjUBDZNe77Yo2VVZlyuU/s1600/olympic+6+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRN6bf71xikt4sxSzyf3tu5wgJ7pIVe3mSvWerly89K-3aQwrX8wPd47-E08bpCBKYzdckLknZJN89fWn2T_WPdpHu1t-DpjgIyDtXTF4zJBCGywKwpGdMVCPjUBDZNe77Yo2VVZlyuU/s640/olympic+6+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">I just couldn't get enough of this view. I wanted to stay all day!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Hof2IbdFGT7UcZV5r9XvdXskuYPAj0I1e7x3MHmxQgi9sO6JG-0F6YprkrovVHNy22uAfBfIgXvC5OEBueliu6P4qMkPTw0n4ixEHN-ZAW8Jw0R88munNF3DMMORagE5fK4KdKXBOsg/s1600/olympic+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Hof2IbdFGT7UcZV5r9XvdXskuYPAj0I1e7x3MHmxQgi9sO6JG-0F6YprkrovVHNy22uAfBfIgXvC5OEBueliu6P4qMkPTw0n4ixEHN-ZAW8Jw0R88munNF3DMMORagE5fK4KdKXBOsg/s640/olympic+8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">At this point, I actually broke out in song....."The hills are alive...with the Sound of Music....La la la la......"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Well, we quickly learned we were not quite early
enough for our liking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many people were
already coming down as we were just arriving having watched the sun rise and
the marmots start their day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">This hike was probably the most beautiful we have ever
seen!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brilliantly blue sky, meadow
flowers, snow-capped mountains, jagged cliffs and the adorable Olympic Marmots
( which are only found here ) running around made for an incredible
experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The steep, long hike made it
a lot of work and its accompanying heavy breathing, but worth every step! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Rwh4eRnjWHQRtEsDMTUfk0Ecu1GOLlq3HOIfQm1PA4lCAQIb44z09lF6YvjqDSa3ahugq1KzEv73PTtXJZntAqBAT45ic7Dbv81mwpMsz4yDsfdTMFDpGuGKvskmq4D3x2U4naw594Y/s1600/olympic+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Rwh4eRnjWHQRtEsDMTUfk0Ecu1GOLlq3HOIfQm1PA4lCAQIb44z09lF6YvjqDSa3ahugq1KzEv73PTtXJZntAqBAT45ic7Dbv81mwpMsz4yDsfdTMFDpGuGKvskmq4D3x2U4naw594Y/s640/olympic+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We spent over an hour taking pictures up at the top,
basking in the morning sun and as we descended the real crowds had
arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t have the complete
solitude we desired, but it was good enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hey, “you snooze, you loose” they say! </span><br />
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSp7lYS00yzNfLdHBA1hkY7LFSLm72QmM3k2hnIdHeBkxteeoRccHAUFI4RDqFyK0da67NYG23dG_MnfdrxX8G-uZsJik9OXI2_SNjaFOCQZE57U4YhMj4C9w7ibRlY33z9-n0TpmlX0/s1600/20170702_110359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSp7lYS00yzNfLdHBA1hkY7LFSLm72QmM3k2hnIdHeBkxteeoRccHAUFI4RDqFyK0da67NYG23dG_MnfdrxX8G-uZsJik9OXI2_SNjaFOCQZE57U4YhMj4C9w7ibRlY33z9-n0TpmlX0/s640/20170702_110359.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Sorry, but I just want a photo that shows good form. This was pretty good!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">When we reached the Visitor’s Center it was a mob
scene.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this point we usually buy our
memento of a National Park for our Christmas tree, but Norm had forgotten his
wallet ( we only entered the park due to a kind ranger at the gate ) so we
listened to a fascinating talk about the different types of pollination.</span><br />
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDpCXDPr-sVgKvNW_V7KoPYMLMoh8M2N5tacw6xe3-CQyTPv7c83afYXvatOT6Wuimm10sCKfVD63eWRkHiWrS2u4vRdVlT_TDPNP4Xv9HAKX5H0mccAkkM3EQxsq0pVcj-ycXx6F__I/s1600/20170702_130910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDpCXDPr-sVgKvNW_V7KoPYMLMoh8M2N5tacw6xe3-CQyTPv7c83afYXvatOT6Wuimm10sCKfVD63eWRkHiWrS2u4vRdVlT_TDPNP4Xv9HAKX5H0mccAkkM3EQxsq0pVcj-ycXx6F__I/s640/20170702_130910.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The ranger gave a fascinating lecture about the different types of pollination.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I was dying for an ice cream but the crowds wouldn’t
have allowed us near the stand, plus the fact we had no money at all made it a
moot point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Didn’t really need the
calories, anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Driving the scenic road down the long, steep mountain
about 2PM, the line waiting to enter the park was a couple of miles long!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing there was absolutely no parking up at
the top these people were all going to have to turn around and leave. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I guess we were plenty early enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have found in the past that when you want
to visit a popular ( therefore beautiful ) spot in a National Park, you must
GET THERE EARLY!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just that as we
age, it gets tougher and tougher for us to jump up and get out there. Lingering
over a cup of coffee in the morning is almost as enjoyable as that glass of
wine as the day winds down….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Monday,
July 3<sup>rd</sup> 2017<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Today was a lazy day, filled basically with some
cleaning and getting reorganized before going through customs, and heading onto
Vancouver Island.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Norm, probably needing a little “me time” himself,
headed out to the nearby Visitor’s Center for another ornament memento.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They didn’t have a good selection so Norm (feeling
guilty about forgetting his wallet yesterday) drove all the way ( 18 miles each
way ) up to the Hurricane Ridge Visitor’s Center to get one that would remind
us of that spectacular hike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meanwhile I
enjoyed my own “me time” puttering around the “house”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Norm and Alison's Travel Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750229221971316367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923198664366389494.post-60644145575743004792017-07-13T23:12:00.001-07:002017-08-04T18:08:27.731-07:00Mount Rainier National Park<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Monday,
June 26<sup>th</sup> 2017<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We finally had an uneventful drive to <em>Mount Haven RV
Resort</em> just outside the park entrance to Mount Rainier National Park where we
were pretty much “off the grid”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No
internet to speak of, no television service and the cell service was
intermittent at best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was no
surprise considering where we were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1dy05cMajtl1UX6_ATZmvzq5pgHfN9neBYEFmXu8G-IurQKl43L_ZPcQ_8To6dFAnngzt-1VpGfeKFcZwPd2Y7-G767MgjZowMaU3OPijod6SMp0PQlgnTtC8i416NpGFmIU_2r9iZg/s1600/mt.+rainier+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1dy05cMajtl1UX6_ATZmvzq5pgHfN9neBYEFmXu8G-IurQKl43L_ZPcQ_8To6dFAnngzt-1VpGfeKFcZwPd2Y7-G767MgjZowMaU3OPijod6SMp0PQlgnTtC8i416NpGFmIU_2r9iZg/s640/mt.+rainier+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Our campsite at Mount Haven RV Resort just outside the park entrance.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">When we tried to find an RV campground that could
accommodate our size, it was tough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mt.
Haven Resort seemed to be our best choice, but read the sites were pretty small
and tough to navigate with an RV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I
was totally prepared to have to pull out all our experience in maneuvering this
thing, and try not to get any dents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
fact, after passing the small entrance on the way by, we un-hooked up the street
and drove the car back to check and see just how tough this was going to be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I don’t know what these people were talking
about!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our site, and the ones around us,
were under huge, old growth trees, but the site was HUGE!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, it was one of the most level sites
we had been on!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We only had 30 amp
service which took a little planning when cooking ( we didn’t need the air
conditioning that needs 50 amp for all 3 of them to work ) and no sewer, but
the campground was lovely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The owners are a young couple that were so friendly
and informative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had several
conversations when booking, so we felt like old friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After setting up, Norm and I took off to take
some pictures of Mt. Rainier since the weather was so clear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgblMFC82JwofvjSAzZkXFZDWaQ5_yt_9XYZ5geCYy9KHBsuUNaf-AdnwyHpZrW2nKPGVntEppdjobWTnu0HKcBehY4FsBPsA-5i_1HUs2k0SYBj6RkzPGS4XoiG1WDFDxIUxARUZihc/s1600/mt+rainier+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgblMFC82JwofvjSAzZkXFZDWaQ5_yt_9XYZ5geCYy9KHBsuUNaf-AdnwyHpZrW2nKPGVntEppdjobWTnu0HKcBehY4FsBPsA-5i_1HUs2k0SYBj6RkzPGS4XoiG1WDFDxIUxARUZihc/s640/mt+rainier+6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">After conferring with the park ranger to get ideas of
appropriate hikes over the next couple of days, we headed further up the
mountain to get a better view of the magnificent Mount Rainier. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clouds like to congregate around tall
mountains, so God forbid we miss this chance to see her in full glory, so we
embarked on the winding, steep drive up the mountain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTKFSLF8rEwDaRunn5i_zFG3rf19evS9yFuWrxxZRW7T1cMkySWUygOw9ZPJMOToUyIB15JUl9EmvBNSLYhL2dmZdLs13n3rFpNx8ozwMfJaFokCq6-LQCTf07hqP5GESbWNJK3bF_As/s1600/20170627_090239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTKFSLF8rEwDaRunn5i_zFG3rf19evS9yFuWrxxZRW7T1cMkySWUygOw9ZPJMOToUyIB15JUl9EmvBNSLYhL2dmZdLs13n3rFpNx8ozwMfJaFokCq6-LQCTf07hqP5GESbWNJK3bF_As/s640/20170627_090239.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">One of our first exciting glimpses of the mountain! It is so gorgeous, it took my breath away!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We first stopped at the Longmire Visitor’s Center and
spoke with the ranger. While there, I saw an older woman getting sworn in as a
Junior Ranger! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been dying to do
that even if Norm thinks I am crazy! I guess it’s a throw-back from my Girl
Scout days, and all the badges I achieved. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last year I asked at many National Parks if I
could do the Junior Ranger Program, but they usually weren’t doing the required
talks or walks at that time of year. But finally, a chance! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took the booklet that promised a few hours
of “homework” along with quite a few items I would have to seek out in the park,
similar to a scavenger hunt. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was not going to be as easy as I
thought!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXGCQIN1pe-WrTZEciok6wTHM7oOnx843o6rm8Q3L6RhiI3KJYelE-1Boheq5oGHXeergc8JJ0Eo5eGHABoc5Lr2hwSnDoCr5mqVZYq6RPr3DOGH4cFfqPVy9pjU2-caQJqHu_-OZKA8/s1600/20170626_152105_LI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1255" data-original-width="1600" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXGCQIN1pe-WrTZEciok6wTHM7oOnx843o6rm8Q3L6RhiI3KJYelE-1Boheq5oGHXeergc8JJ0Eo5eGHABoc5Lr2hwSnDoCr5mqVZYq6RPr3DOGH4cFfqPVy9pjU2-caQJqHu_-OZKA8/s640/20170626_152105_LI.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">It was determined that this Douglas fir tree started to grow in 1293, lived through the "Little Ice Age" in 1350 that caused Mt. Rainiers glaciers to advance, grew through the Civil War 1861, and finally was cut by the Saint Regis Paper Co in 1963. It was so interesting to read the little plaques describing the events that happened during a particular age of the tree.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br /></div>
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</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">With the booklet in hand, we drove about ½ hour more
uphill, and arrived at the Paradise Visitor’s Center, and it was a zoo!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hordes of people playing in the snow, and a
parade of folks marching up the trail like ants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We watched the movie, went to the Inn and had
dinner, then headed back down the mountain, taking pictures of the magnificent
views in the early evening light. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCOgDTjw1x279DvLu6HD5T2V79LR7S3189bSmh6FbHheMOVflB6VOGEYlnvnAWXqeqcnAf_xUD746kRr5ZPmXLBYL8hvnGoJzdDhifPxMZvtMd1Vf9J6qG5baGzy0xP5u4813I0mMoe8/s1600/reiner+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCOgDTjw1x279DvLu6HD5T2V79LR7S3189bSmh6FbHheMOVflB6VOGEYlnvnAWXqeqcnAf_xUD746kRr5ZPmXLBYL8hvnGoJzdDhifPxMZvtMd1Vf9J6qG5baGzy0xP5u4813I0mMoe8/s640/reiner+6.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">A particularly nice view from the road of Mt. Rainier</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Mount Rainer, to me, is the most beautiful place on
earth!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must say, I feel as if I am meant
to be in the mountains, NOT in Florida.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Give me tall conifer trees with rough bark and jagged peaks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not palm trees and scrubby undergrowth set in
sand. Cool breezes and snow caps not heat, bugs and humidity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I stayed up late completing the Junior Ranger Workbook
reading information then answering questions, doing word searches, etc. ( They
have different requirements for the various age groups ).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Tuesday,
June 27<sup>th</sup> 2017<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Right behind me is the Skyline Trail. Obviously the remainder of the heavy snowfall last winter is limiting the number of hiking trails that can safely be traveled on right now.</span> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">For months now, I have been dying to do Mt. Rainier’s
Skyline Trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This trail is supposed to
have the most views for the effort. Bang for the Buck, we call it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, the snowfall here this past
winter was huge, and a lot of the trails, this one included, are still snowed
in!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Norm was able to not only find the bird making the weirdest noise, but take a picture of this Snooty Grouse while it was making it's "hooting" call. ( This bird is also known as "Hooter". The rangers were very impressed with this photo.</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">This Hoary Marmot ran over an sniffed my shoe after munching on a dandelion !</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">When the ranger we spoke with said she just hiked that
trail and it was so slippery she would not do it again until the snow was gone,
that was all we had to hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be
awful if we got hurt and ruined the next 3 ½ months of vacation!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We decided to take another, shorter trail that would
give us the pleasure of hiking in the snow without the possibility of a couple
of old fools getting hurt!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">We had a lovely hike in the snow.....</span></td></tr>
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</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">If you want to see my first attempt at a video project, (please ignore some technical glitches)<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWIkNVn81Kc" target="_blank">click here to see our hike in Mt. Rainier National Park</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">When we arrived up at the trailhead we were pleasantly
surprised to see that we were above the gloomy clouds that completely hid the
mountain down at the campsite!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hiked
several miles in deep snow with the temperature in the high 50’s but the warm
sun made it very comfortable, not to mention beautiful! Boy, I miss the snow-
even the smell of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Stopping back at the Visitor’s Center I noticed a
really nice Ranger swearing in a child as a Junior Ranger; there weren’t many
people around ( I was a little embarrassed ) so I figured this was my chance! I
learned other “mature” people are also Junior Rangers, some having up to 50
parks they have sworn to protect!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
fellow says he just shows some parks a picture of all his badges he has
“earned”, and they just give it to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He thought it would be the same here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">There were many questions and exercises to complete for my very first Junior Ranger badge. The ranger quizzed me thoroughly before deeming me qualified to wear the badge. Is he this tough on the little kids?</span> </td></tr>
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</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Well, not with this ranger behind the counter!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was tough!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He checked ALL my answers and quizzed me on many subjects around the
park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Norm was surprised I knew the
answers to some of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other
fellow, with a barely filled out handbook, was quickly sent away to do the
work. You may think me foolish, but I wanted my badge to mean something. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I only intend to earn the one, so I
appreciated the ranger’s attitude. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Today I checked something else off my bucket list; become a Junior Ranger of a National Park! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">My Ranger badge ( Jr. that is )</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I vowed to Preserve Protect and Respect the Mountain
and the forest below as well as promise to go to National Parks as long as I
live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> With my badge proudly in hand, we headed off for more exploring. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The drive up to Paradise has switchback after
switchback, so the going is pretty slow for the cautious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had just driven it the night before, then
again this morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was one more
area we wanted to make sure we saw that was yet another ½ hour down the road,
so we decided to make a long day of it and just do it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">It was humbling to stand under these 1000 year old trees in the <em>Grove of the</em> <em>Patriarchs</em> at Mt. Rainier National Park. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The <em>Grove of the Patriarchs</em> is probably the park’s
easiest hike, and an extremely different one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Here, one is immersed in towering Old Growth Douglas fir trees, and
Western red cedars all draped in moss. Many exceed 25 feet in circumference and
a few are said to be 50 feet wide and over 1,000 years old!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Norm nor I have ever seen such grandeur, and
while walking under these towering trees, you feel the need to whisper …….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtxivMHoqb5iynbVxNK0ti4F2f3D5XO4a0OCN4fmbk_5K7b-cgcZbcUBqsDEFapKCcjHgckFY0Mib2b0x6TEMEWXL2Dit2FLjamcUkrsIaojKNV5AplBMCvVVRGW5MUjWA6iVwmyKAprk/s1600/rainier+14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtxivMHoqb5iynbVxNK0ti4F2f3D5XO4a0OCN4fmbk_5K7b-cgcZbcUBqsDEFapKCcjHgckFY0Mib2b0x6TEMEWXL2Dit2FLjamcUkrsIaojKNV5AplBMCvVVRGW5MUjWA6iVwmyKAprk/s640/rainier+14.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">I was so shocked to see all these full size trees grow out from this fallen "nurse" log. How do they do that?</span> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Emerging from the trail feeling somewhat humble, we
drove deeper into the park to see the Ohanapecosh Visitor’s Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feeling a little weary, we were disappointed
to find that this Visitor’s Center was on a much smaller scale. We only looked
around for a few minutes and started the long, windy road down the
mountain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Wednesday,
June 28<sup>th</sup>, 2017<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">After the tiring day we had yesterday, and the fact we
saw the highlights of Mount Rainier ( a lot of the trails were still closed due
to the heavy snow still there) we decided to take it easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are always things to do around the
“house”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emails, blog, laundry and bill
paying among the few. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Late in the afternoon we drove down the road to Elbe
get a closer look at the iron sculptures we saw as we drove here. <em>Recycled
Spirits of Iron Sculpture Park</em> is privately owned by a warm and lovely man
named Dan Klennert who wishes to share his love of art ( and incredible talent
) with the world, for no charge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With
only a handwritten sign suggesting that if you would like to see him continue
with his life’s passion, to perhaps donate $5.00 to help him make ends
meet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqf3tRhBT7_s_UJlm8QXUjULR3hlDNtoRXiKTAs9x_o-R1J9Azf8Dh3RpzVjsIHEJaCGAI0MaCKm4GHZdpa9SdtbcDuEi8uXK5UjD2nImRBUcaaN_XEycdjAPKth6oSOhAHyLz4g-6Pwc/s1600/mt.+rainier+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqf3tRhBT7_s_UJlm8QXUjULR3hlDNtoRXiKTAs9x_o-R1J9Azf8Dh3RpzVjsIHEJaCGAI0MaCKm4GHZdpa9SdtbcDuEi8uXK5UjD2nImRBUcaaN_XEycdjAPKth6oSOhAHyLz4g-6Pwc/s640/mt.+rainier+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">These pictures don't do them justice, but you would swear that little foal was going to run and play with its mother!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiut4smfge0kjxsbTpulul6tU5oyt2qGM1y0gmi_oVnJOC0Y0WdGvxV6CvDzuiNlYLOzVxhpa8Ihzawd-CsnQAPFySRS3gXEyd_9a9EYb7k86LkFUlqaJBMt2e5gdZ-0dInFPSl6X8lXDk/s1600/mt.+rainier+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiut4smfge0kjxsbTpulul6tU5oyt2qGM1y0gmi_oVnJOC0Y0WdGvxV6CvDzuiNlYLOzVxhpa8Ihzawd-CsnQAPFySRS3gXEyd_9a9EYb7k86LkFUlqaJBMt2e5gdZ-0dInFPSl6X8lXDk/s640/mt.+rainier+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">We found this other magnificent piece of art found on the property of Dan Klennert's Recycled Spirits of Iron Sculpture Park. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">These larger-than-life sculptures made of iron scrap were
the most amazing metal art we have ever seen! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Made mostly of antique parts, it was fun to
just stare and try to figure out what the different parts were originally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am sure my dad would have known.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Roaming freely around the property, you could
appreciate that each piece was cleverer than the last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man has such talent, imagination and a
deep seated whimsical humor that had you standing around grinning like a
fool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so envious of people with
such a “gift”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAV36wQmn-fopfXOcKgMnOfIrIs0OFQHbPu3dctUZsDbv9NSnMHEvZR6Dd83e4c-m9TdWRiuA_6A2GH8HIJ0X7lT2aYNS53ZaqOxSo-zo8jljTxKvd_A3SKx3ypI-cl3LzFp-QsoCYaw/s1600/mt.+rainer+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAV36wQmn-fopfXOcKgMnOfIrIs0OFQHbPu3dctUZsDbv9NSnMHEvZR6Dd83e4c-m9TdWRiuA_6A2GH8HIJ0X7lT2aYNS53ZaqOxSo-zo8jljTxKvd_A3SKx3ypI-cl3LzFp-QsoCYaw/s640/mt.+rainer+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Dan Klennert came out of his work shop and told us about his life, how he learned to weld, and tried to explain how he can take a piece of old metal (junk to us mere mortals) and instantly envision where that piece belongs in his next creative masterpiece. He wants to share his work with the world, at absolutely no cost.</span> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Norm and I went into the shop hoping he might have
something for sale that might go in the house or yard, but he obviously spends
his time creating pieces that need his boom truck to move.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Dan strolled out of his shop and we started to
talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An hour later, we learned many
details about his life. How he came about this unusual craft as a young man
many years ago, and how it has ruled his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His ex-wife will account to that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is a man who collects junk parts of every type, the older and
rustier the better. He became so excited when he found a neighbor had left what
I would have considered truly “junk” at his side door. Picking up a part of a
wire rake, he instantly knew that would become the hair on an animal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or the braiding on an old, dirty and broken
basket would be a key part in a horse’s bridal. Dan stores his mountain of “treasures”
(perhaps considered merely “junk” to those of us not gifted with the ability to
see art beyond the rust) behind a fence called “Field of dreams”.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAlZ7xjr2wI" target="_blank">To learn more about Ken, click the link</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">That night we invited a lovely young couple next door
to join us at our campfire, and we had a great evening, promising to call them
when we get to their hometown of Bend, Oregon near the end of August.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />Norm and Alison's Travel Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750229221971316367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923198664366389494.post-53694408413516735662017-07-03T20:17:00.003-07:002017-07-25T14:57:28.802-07:00Mount St. Helen National Park<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Thursday,
June 21<sup>st</sup> 2017 </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Leaving Tall Chief’s RV Campground west of Seattle, we
knew we needed fuel before we headed into the mountains on the way to Mount St.
Helens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Norm spent a lot of time finding
the best, most convenient place that would allow our 41 foot motorhome plus the
towed car in and out without getting into trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting the lowest price was secondary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the gas station coordinates placed in
the GPS we headed off, new tow cable working wonderfully, as I sat in the co-pilot’s
seat of the RV, happy as a clam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life is
good.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlghUKJ2V0GUijrNq5RgIsx0fbX_MhMCMV7xJBnOC1-5D3rhN9dAZH8EB7-dLv42KsHqQkZVlDlHJZkFIPFE7cV_L1GNSifHYmIJCYXqbpjYt7dfnsMgjAF3jPk0OknbqWeJjE2V6dro0/s1600/Screenshot+%2528329%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlghUKJ2V0GUijrNq5RgIsx0fbX_MhMCMV7xJBnOC1-5D3rhN9dAZH8EB7-dLv42KsHqQkZVlDlHJZkFIPFE7cV_L1GNSifHYmIJCYXqbpjYt7dfnsMgjAF3jPk0OknbqWeJjE2V6dro0/s640/Screenshot+%2528329%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The drive from the Seattle area to Mount St. Helens </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The route should have been pretty simple - jump on
I-90, go up a couple of exit’s and we would be there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But for some reason, the GPS was taking us
the “back route”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ok, we took that road
yesterday in the car, so we knew we would be fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As we drove, the roads got narrower. Tighter turns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More residential.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was nowhere to turn around, so when the
GPS read that the gas station was just a couple of miles away, we assumed this
was a short-cut into the back entrance of the huge truck stop. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ended
up on this tiny little dirt road with lovely farms and meadows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which was a dead end. What the heck?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Norm checked the GPS again, and it somehow
had weird navigational coordinates put in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Weird, and terribly disturbing. This is actually the 2<sup>nd</sup> time
it happened! Is it broken, or is it “operator error?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We had to
unhook the car ( you can’t back up an inch with a motorhome tow hitch ) then
turn around in someone’s driveway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
anyone was looking out their window, they would certainly have laughed at the
fools in the bigger-than-anyone-needs RV!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Within a short time, we were back on the road and filled with diesel
fuel and finally headed in the right direction, having wasted a couple of
hours. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The traffic was horrendous going through Tacoma by
this time, but we finally got to our beautiful destination outside of Mount St.
Helens National Park. The glimpses of the volcano were spectacular and our
excitement of finally getting to see it up close ( well, pretty close )
lessened the fatigue of the drive. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Silver
Cove RV Park</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> in Silverlake, Washington was a fabulous
little park. The staff was extremely efficient, and our site was large, flat,
and next to a canal that led to the huge Silver Lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This campground also had adorable looking
cabins with large yards, picnic tables and back porches. Great for family
reunions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHas9y82nxTxcrNVI9ASCDHTiVpdLr_sLrUAvURIftjo5QtjwGSrh353zJntjz8RZZ9ZyyV__xL5EhYvoUCeLk0pGBnaJHIn6gu2WoiBmKXr62ymEG8w28WsshmzhWCckoSIazZNSyqmk/s1600/mt+st+helens+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHas9y82nxTxcrNVI9ASCDHTiVpdLr_sLrUAvURIftjo5QtjwGSrh353zJntjz8RZZ9ZyyV__xL5EhYvoUCeLk0pGBnaJHIn6gu2WoiBmKXr62ymEG8w28WsshmzhWCckoSIazZNSyqmk/s640/mt+st+helens+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Most of the Visitor's Centers have a model of their mountain and show trails and rivers. Here at <em>Mount St. Helens' Visitor Center</em> is no exception. It's a great way to check the trails for elevation changes.</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUSvzMFjwsvRWZXpI5C_MGeDa5aHkOpnlnvBr1xlDx8Zj9d9x4iaETPDDQ3IB7lsAOwbB885jerJjsuHS0QXrTkCtSAcqEIjrDwG56WnZMzBbXDjeRUNHLvbrwUbsDOlGOWg818Qqz3Q/s1600/mt+st+helens+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUSvzMFjwsvRWZXpI5C_MGeDa5aHkOpnlnvBr1xlDx8Zj9d9x4iaETPDDQ3IB7lsAOwbB885jerJjsuHS0QXrTkCtSAcqEIjrDwG56WnZMzBbXDjeRUNHLvbrwUbsDOlGOWg818Qqz3Q/s640/mt+st+helens+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">The view from the Visitor's Center was spectacular. I was so excited to get a little closer tomorrow.....</span><br />
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</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">After setting up we took the car back down the road to
the Mount St.Helen’s Visitor Center and caught the last showing of the movie
telling of the history of the eruption and devastation of the area back in
1980.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the perfect prelude to our
visit here over the next 3 days. Unfortunately, there was an extreme heat
advisory predicted, with temps to reach nearly 100 degrees, which is 30 degrees
above normal!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully up at higher
elevations it would be cooler, and with the 50 amp service at the camp, the air
conditioners would keep us cool and comfy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The setting, with cool breezes and brilliantly blue
skies made for the best evening outside to date! We relaxed in the shade and
watched people boat lazily down the river while we planned the next few
days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was really itching to get the
kayaks out, but my tired body said no, not tonight<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Friday,
June 22<sup>nd</sup> 2017<o:p></o:p></span></b>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIb27cwsA8usNYwl61NniiKLi_KAyxi8mQoRFwchK8IGMxO_8J39IWY2h99BQFg_jJGIqLDId-b1fDYCwcxwn0hlh1P3a6GQoKL-qRNnK4xXCj3NJmMUQBoAaQf_6L2e1BnxsAPgIzrE8/s1600/mt+St+helens+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIb27cwsA8usNYwl61NniiKLi_KAyxi8mQoRFwchK8IGMxO_8J39IWY2h99BQFg_jJGIqLDId-b1fDYCwcxwn0hlh1P3a6GQoKL-qRNnK4xXCj3NJmMUQBoAaQf_6L2e1BnxsAPgIzrE8/s640/mt+St+helens+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Today we got up and out and headed up the mountain to
the Johnson Ridge Observatory which is in the heart of the blast zone. There we
saw a movie and exhibits explaining the biological and geological story of
Mount St. Helens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The exhibits and movies
told of the human side of the eruption how they forested the trees damaged by
the blast, and how the mountain was reforested. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">There was a slight breeze that made the warm
temperature and intense sun tolerable. It did, however, kick up the volcanic
ash and bother my very sensitive lungs, even from this distance. People hiking
near the crater rim are advised to wear masks if there is any wind. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">After listening to a ranger speak, we hiked a 3 mile
trail with beautiful views, poked around the surrounding area and went back to
enjoy our peaceful campsite. It was so lovely in the shade I took a nap outside
on the yoga mat, while Norm took his inside.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibC-JJhpr_PzrB30C1toQs6sf85w6Dk-janyb16VSNXejhCYmlyAPMYPDGYswtCkIqZnf6G4KYaxOhTXpIusuPHpQloFHt-T6ahkaDtLfl3pbVdJJ7Pn5Ov7ZlFob8fEb7zJdDQprUozM/s1600/mt+st+helens+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibC-JJhpr_PzrB30C1toQs6sf85w6Dk-janyb16VSNXejhCYmlyAPMYPDGYswtCkIqZnf6G4KYaxOhTXpIusuPHpQloFHt-T6ahkaDtLfl3pbVdJJ7Pn5Ov7ZlFob8fEb7zJdDQprUozM/s640/mt+st+helens+6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">What a fabulous view from a scenic viewpoint! I love the flowers!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81hLM1W7ZzYA9toUPu6rqONVBTmQl3NurNHkW12QElGmqNGZZNhy4KoBfZJyhQpHUdg6_DpG-OqgMZvgQSfwuyA_EIKVoNmxCN9oRLzDRp7dlZpskJ-7iV6_nkRZFoUabJ47ABiIERWE/s1600/mt+st+helens+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81hLM1W7ZzYA9toUPu6rqONVBTmQl3NurNHkW12QElGmqNGZZNhy4KoBfZJyhQpHUdg6_DpG-OqgMZvgQSfwuyA_EIKVoNmxCN9oRLzDRp7dlZpskJ-7iV6_nkRZFoUabJ47ABiIERWE/s640/mt+st+helens+4.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Norm hiking along the Hammock Trail </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJxJe5a9a7ktoApBuyd9c_OsfhRU-oROp-F8xPhd1YvgVNGOU7ves0zvodLF4xh0imjz0b-bmJD01Y0t0OMneSQLoixkq2Hc-jn0cpqfKOXlPLKeIOF72JdjmGmgxpCa6W2EDVqyq1yY/s1600/mt+st+helens+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJxJe5a9a7ktoApBuyd9c_OsfhRU-oROp-F8xPhd1YvgVNGOU7ves0zvodLF4xh0imjz0b-bmJD01Y0t0OMneSQLoixkq2Hc-jn0cpqfKOXlPLKeIOF72JdjmGmgxpCa6W2EDVqyq1yY/s640/mt+st+helens+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Visitors can see the devastation the volcano caused during the eruption in 1980. The entire topography of the land changed that week. Lives and properties were lost. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We had a relaxing evening hanging out and playing a
game until the sun was setting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could
no longer stand watching others kayak by us for another minute, so when the
game finally ended, I decided to put one of our kayaks together ( they fold up
) and go out to the lake to hopefully get a view of the setting sun on Mount
St. Helens. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I paddled down the canal
past some ramshackle homes, I got rather nervous doing this alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went as fast as I could, but I would have
to get much further out into the lake to see the mountain than I thought, so
went back.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">A busy beaver made a huge splash warning me to get
away not far from my kayak!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boy, I
thought, Norman will kick himself for missing the beaver he has been searching
for! After I called him on my cellphone, he came out and got a quick glimpse of that fast
swimming, illusive mammal. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Saturday,
June 23nd, 2017<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The temperatures today were miserably hot and the
cooling breeze gone, so being out in the sun in 100 degrees doing anything was
not for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Norm found a farmer’s market
that was about ½ hour away that we went to check out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was terrible with only one small vegetable
stand, but across the street at the big agricultural convention center happen
to big a large FMCA ( Family Motor Coach Association ) RV show that we knew
nothing about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We browsed around some
new motorhomes just for fun, and went back to do laundry and relax.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7D-X0pKV0JoB_iiVxk7qyqhFx21Ro4GZBemGhB1iBvDrPtSWI0dDW2jiS6-RpY62T-6HIyDgQbOLiBEgDSJR9gXgQSYHUMPKXNzz2YHM_rexHPfjIETxeAC5PZIQeRZ2FBt3GDrCQN4/s1600/mt+st+helens+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7D-X0pKV0JoB_iiVxk7qyqhFx21Ro4GZBemGhB1iBvDrPtSWI0dDW2jiS6-RpY62T-6HIyDgQbOLiBEgDSJR9gXgQSYHUMPKXNzz2YHM_rexHPfjIETxeAC5PZIQeRZ2FBt3GDrCQN4/s640/mt+st+helens+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Norm and I paddled the canals to Silver Lake to get a glimpse of the volcano from this angle. We were disappointed in the haziness and distance. Not the photographic opportunity we had hoped for.</span> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">That evening ( it was still pretty hot ) we both took
the kayaks down the canal and out onto the lake to take a picture of the
volcano from the lake – hoping for a beautiful reflection for that perfect
shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What we got was a lake full of
roaring jet skis, screaming kids and Mount St. Helens behind a veil of
haze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Darn!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We paddled around a bit talking with another
couple kayaking, and hoped to see another beaver for Norm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No luck there, either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">All in all, it was a nice, relaxing day. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Sunday,
June 24<sup>th</sup> 2017<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Today we did something really different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few chores, and a lot of relaxing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was miserably hot, with not a breath of
air outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I washed the floors, did
laundry, worked on the blog and just goofed off. Norman puttered around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was wonderful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></div>
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Norm and Alison's Travel Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750229221971316367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923198664366389494.post-74147825098794255012017-06-28T23:22:00.001-07:002017-07-25T15:00:32.189-07:00Seattle<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Sunday,
June 18<sup>th</sup> 2017<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Each time we leave a campground and hook the car up,
there are quite a few procedures to follow. With no exceptions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We attach the car to the hitch, the heavy-duty
safety chains are connected as are multiple cables.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Norm and I add a rock shield to protect the
car as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">When all is connected, and I have run the transmission
through its own very particular procedures, we test to make sure that the motorhome’s
break and signal lights are transmitted properly to the tow car.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Well, it has gone really well until today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, as Norm was re-examining all the
connections, he noticed smoke pouring out of the plug connected to the RV!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had he not, who knows what would have caught
fire or at least melted it and the receiver to a black indistinguishable glob
equaling big expense and inconvenience. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9F77u0QqiFOeUIU9UriRjrf5v4685mRQZrMaianiwrQozbcYaL6jBlAjhirBzoDPSaGCVOFiQZvhGdaXOKXVjkI7dMg3BnFJA4EFERMkvjSqOMcteKpwgENwMZYdusXkfy5HOg83MdM/s1600/20170629_094606_LI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9F77u0QqiFOeUIU9UriRjrf5v4685mRQZrMaianiwrQozbcYaL6jBlAjhirBzoDPSaGCVOFiQZvhGdaXOKXVjkI7dMg3BnFJA4EFERMkvjSqOMcteKpwgENwMZYdusXkfy5HOg83MdM/s640/20170629_094606_LI.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;">Norm hooking up car to motor home. Safety chains, break-away wire, rock screen to protect paint and windshield on car. Then there is the cable so when the brakes are applied in RV, the car brakes as well ( and brake lights come on ) Then a cable that links the other lights as well. With practice only takes a few minutes.</span> </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">
<span style="color: red;">Today one of the cables started to catch on fire. Norm fortunately saw it !</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">It would be totally irresponsible to tow the car
without signal lights, not to say illegal, so I had to drive it myself,
following behind the RV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took several
hours, and the rest stops were few and far between. Our two-way radio died this
morning, ( yes, I charged it ) so I couldn’t ask Norm to stop so I could
stretch, have lunch and pee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To make
matters worse, the GPS took us to the wrong place so the trip was killing me to
the point where I just had to go find a bathroom and to meet Norm at the
campground, and hoped he wouldn’t try parking by himself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Finding campgrounds in and around big cities is
tough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seattle is no different. In fact,
we have friends with RV’s that wanted to see Seattle but even back in February
the few were filled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having started
making reservations even sooner than they, we were able to insure our seeing Seattle’s
sights. None of the campgrounds’ reviews were anything but horrible, but we
chose the one that sounded best, and frankly, the only one to answer the darn
phone!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a little nervous about this
one. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><em>Tall Chief RV Park</em> was certainly different from the
recent campgrounds we have been staying at.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Deep in the woods it felt more like a state park as we drove in. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The young men at the entrance seemed very nice
as they gave us instructions to “go find a site”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those four words instill terror to someone
with a very large RV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All campers want a
nice, level site. The bigger the better. Even those with tiny tents or people
camping out of the Volkswagen bug will take the best they have to offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who can blame them?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we made these reservations nearly 6
months ago to insure that we had one of the few spots we would fit in!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Norm and I drove around a couple of times looking for
an acceptable spot. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were going to be
there 4 nights and were already brain-fried and hungry, so we hoped for a relatively
easy set-up. In a perfect world, we try to avoid being near large groups because they
tend to party through the night. Or those with dogs. If they have an outdoor
dog pen, that usually guarantees said dog will bark at everything that walks
by. Multiple childs’ bikes or worse yet – basketballs beside the road that will
be sure to bounce off your rig, are indications that peace and quiet will be
hard to come by. It appeared that people are living here for the duration of
the summer, or perhaps their lives, by the look of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>State Parks have restrictions on how long you
can stay, typically a little less than a couple of weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jostling over
the ruts and bumps, we saw RV’s that looked like they had been sitting there
since their invention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dirt and moss-covered
campers ceremoniously draped with filthy blue tarps gave us some pause, as did
the “junk yard” appearance around their rigs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Oh, boy, this is different!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Finally finding a site that would be “good-enough” we
managed to back it in and set up with surprisingly little fuss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since we were out in the middle of no-where
about 45 minutes west of Seattle, we spent the rest of the day figuring out
where we could get the cord fixed or replaced, and hoped there was not a short
in the wiring of either the RV or car; we then made a nice dinner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Monday,
June 19<sup>th</sup> 2017 <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">First thing in the
morning we tried calling several RV repair facilities to ask if they had what
we needed and the time to help us that day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was vital that we get this fixed, and since
a part might have to be ordered, doing it today was important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After several calls and a lot of time on
hold, we found a company south of Seattle, that seemed to think they had what
we needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We jumped in the car,
fought the traffic and arrived in about an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was advised we replace the whole cable and
ends and in about 45 minutes we were all set.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our wallet was painfully lighter (for some
reason this cable cost 2 ½ times the original ) but, if there are no wiring
issues in the vehicles, we will be good as new!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyz79Yfltd7gcfGvUCzmWjPcR3a_4D2ZLFB5HDvtotQisiUBj4GIiKCwap49Ny2tTqdbU_7EROv7RxGJCVPD019r0_2x1jQsdFL8IWkKFjW_MUmUOoqafpUCbZdM8oGf6T9KOJ9Up16Nk/s1600/seattle+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyz79Yfltd7gcfGvUCzmWjPcR3a_4D2ZLFB5HDvtotQisiUBj4GIiKCwap49Ny2tTqdbU_7EROv7RxGJCVPD019r0_2x1jQsdFL8IWkKFjW_MUmUOoqafpUCbZdM8oGf6T9KOJ9Up16Nk/s640/seattle+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Snoqualimie Falls, in Snoqualimie, Washington</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">After eating our picnic
lunch in a park in a bad part of town, we decided to check out <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Snoqualmie Falls</i>, located in the City of
Snoqualmie which was close to our campground. When we got there we were greeted
with hoards of people, and parking lots filled to capacity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Norm and I enjoy waterfalls, even
much smaller, if we discover them on a quiet hike surrounded by singing birds
and darting chipmunks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honking horns,
people shouting, and car stereos thumping just takes the enjoyment away. Hey, call
us weird. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the weather was gorgeous
and the falls quite spectacular so it was hard not to enjoy. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Tuesday,
June 20<sup>th</sup> 2017 <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We were hoping, when
planning this trip, that we would spend a couple of days in and around Seattle
while here in Falls City. What we heard from many people was how horrible the
traffic was these days, and it would be a nightmare getting into the city. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">So, with this in mind,
and the off and on drizzle combined with a rainy forecast, we decided to just
lay low for the day and be lazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
wasn’t anything nearby we knew of that was worth doing in the rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later in the day, when I was going to scream
from boredom and the proximity of my husband for the last 66 days, 8 hours and
7 minutes, I thought it be best for both of us if I went and got groceries on
my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I spent more than a
glorious hour meandering up and down each isle of this gigantic Fred Meyer
store. Who would have guessed this shopping gem was in what I assumed the
middle of nowhere? I longed for the organic and grass-fed meats I have never
seen before, beautifully displayed in cases like diamonds set on black
velvet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, I had to once
again consider what could be brought into Canada so I resisted the urge to buy
any of these unusual delicacies (for now).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Wednesday,
June 21<sup>st</sup> 2017<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Today we were to face the
traffic and head into Seattle – no matter what.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Luck was either with us, or everyone we spoke with never drove in
Boston!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With me behind the wheel, even I
had nary a white-knuckle. Norman is however, a fabulous co-pilot, and great at
figuring out the GPS. Do you notice that, particularly in cities, the GPS will
say street names when signs read numbers and vice versa? Very confusing on your
own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We had reservations for
the Underground Tour at 11AM, but got into town earlier in hopes to catch an earlier
tour since our “to do” list and walking distances were long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Lady Luck continued to be
with us as we found a great ( and relatively cheap ) parking garage, and we
were able to join the 10AM tour!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Bill Speidel’s Underground
Tour was 75 minutes of enjoyment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their
tour guides were a cross between actors and stand-up comics who delightfully
entertained while describing the history of Seattle’s underground city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1iPJNadxACMETtiNt4NozS2DiB79rtDAg0Y4huzZpr-Mg_xgny9Jv1d90np1hl3oCi-Z-KMaK1_wO9zPz0Dm4pWv2pNqmDVfNqz3qPpMv0fZooTvJimafaEbZGYfxZui-ayZ30Uw10g/s1600/seattle+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1iPJNadxACMETtiNt4NozS2DiB79rtDAg0Y4huzZpr-Mg_xgny9Jv1d90np1hl3oCi-Z-KMaK1_wO9zPz0Dm4pWv2pNqmDVfNqz3qPpMv0fZooTvJimafaEbZGYfxZui-ayZ30Uw10g/s640/seattle+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Bill Speidel's Underground tour was fantastic! So much fun and informative!</span> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">As we walked through the
subterranean streets we saw storefronts and sidewalks long ago buried after they
were forced to raise the level of the streets by 10 feet because of constant
flooding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The multiple blunders of the
government were related tongue-in-cheek as we learned of the disastrous “modern”
sewer system, built on a mud flat that was below sea level at high tides. ( and
what happened daily as a result ) Why toilets were named “crappers”, and the history
of the extremely prosperous prostitution business of the time were
enthusiastically told. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This tour, if you
are visiting Seattle, should not be missed!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPR1UMWkb2D4uMd-e_-NVRGbh_Xa9JUcLLZ0YiVwOLlAeuj4GntP7RW-RwFZ6gUbd2qV-uDkFhDPtwTs4WXWTBWcXCS9gzMxZZePcJxVYV0xkQqXf-nuITfYp2YJJ5gCLchYe0NHljCrk/s1600/seattle+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPR1UMWkb2D4uMd-e_-NVRGbh_Xa9JUcLLZ0YiVwOLlAeuj4GntP7RW-RwFZ6gUbd2qV-uDkFhDPtwTs4WXWTBWcXCS9gzMxZZePcJxVYV0xkQqXf-nuITfYp2YJJ5gCLchYe0NHljCrk/s640/seattle+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">This was a wooded sewer pipe used underground in Seattle. They tend to rot, was one of their many shortcomings. ( at least there was not lead in them )</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">From there we walked to
Pike’s Market on the waterfront.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have
been there before, but it is always fun to browse around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usually. By the time we got there and perhaps
because cruise ships were in port, it was so unbelievably crowded that we had
lunch and soon left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMlUfp0ZjGnIkpFwqbvFDkYq6BTAaoS2f_0Vs4cA_X69Q29cDYYGTd3QHEg7bOBnGKRckZ40_UE0mlfWUnRI0LYwzjL6DI_dplHAZkfypnAeBkXcxBcm21H1a1Z8f285W0H3qDV1FvKE/s1600/seattle+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMlUfp0ZjGnIkpFwqbvFDkYq6BTAaoS2f_0Vs4cA_X69Q29cDYYGTd3QHEg7bOBnGKRckZ40_UE0mlfWUnRI0LYwzjL6DI_dplHAZkfypnAeBkXcxBcm21H1a1Z8f285W0H3qDV1FvKE/s640/seattle+6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">The famous Pike's Market public market in Seattle.</span> </td></tr>
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</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dweYRe0SYZkXWNnQyZKD6gvdEyO7A9pNhGZGor5-8U7P1TDWQtEqGu1VpbVixV3Y7-b9EsIlWbA1lruiCvL_g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Check out the famous "tossing of the fish" at Pike's Market</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">You always hear of the
constant rain in Seattle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, good ole’
Lady Luck gave us a day that could not possibly have been better!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blue skies and temperatures in the 60’s made
for perfect walking of which we did miles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: red;">
</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMK7sMEpgTLhlYp2Hl8ZCFjQJY6CqEr3GhiCu2l27y7Ag-RlA1zf8hSR_YbVSAn6kqC6sJqhq2T9WlGm22Cp9wpxxfLzFPLUmf_1C_vRk4jjx_3q9E9rOONs3NGcsPWdSjOILS3APTh4/s1600/seattle+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMK7sMEpgTLhlYp2Hl8ZCFjQJY6CqEr3GhiCu2l27y7Ag-RlA1zf8hSR_YbVSAn6kqC6sJqhq2T9WlGm22Cp9wpxxfLzFPLUmf_1C_vRk4jjx_3q9E9rOONs3NGcsPWdSjOILS3APTh4/s640/seattle+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">Part of the exhibit at Chihuly Gardens and Glass was an atrium. The beautiful blue sky and the Space Needle can be see through the art. Neat!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>We then walked to Chihuly Gardens and Glass
next to the Space Needle at Seattle Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dale Chihuly is one of the most prolific blown-glass artists in the
world, and here we had an opportunity to see some of his best in a beautiful
setting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is an audio tour app
available for your smart phone and the kind girl at the ticket counter gave us
the last two headphones since we didn’t have ours with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lucky again!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHctgM4RRUBPZN_H7HompVusjmCF6MAjH5f3UHmsdQeg6e7kWqYAP-7mOmGaG9MnxHuAuoqOwKZ82ghVtWpQiwTwHqmtcOTAA-kaHgG4DctTMzh-m5h525g0vaDNH7V8YvoX5arevXWc4/s1600/seattle+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHctgM4RRUBPZN_H7HompVusjmCF6MAjH5f3UHmsdQeg6e7kWqYAP-7mOmGaG9MnxHuAuoqOwKZ82ghVtWpQiwTwHqmtcOTAA-kaHgG4DctTMzh-m5h525g0vaDNH7V8YvoX5arevXWc4/s640/seattle+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Dale Chihuly's exhibit called Persian Ceiling. He mounts larger pieces to a wall, then suspends it overhead, rests it on flat glass then lights it from above. As you enter the room you feel surrounded by shapes and colors. So cool.</span> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The blown glass art
pieces were utterly amazing, but not our taste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was more about the day than the art for us here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we were done we took the monorail to get
closer to our car, found a little place along the way for dinner then drove
back to Fall City.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6nnhVMsVOOvwsJ0K9EIZhCpSqWm1Jb3tBw8-T83VoNPm2MgtD4pgKNqDME4x0sp9opDeaSxOdFDRXcd5MNryf3-v6NGkw6HADX6AxnaAJbemYvu8dSwml5a5FXesOKpSz-wiee8fAHNw/s1600/seattle+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1352" data-original-width="1600" height="539" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6nnhVMsVOOvwsJ0K9EIZhCpSqWm1Jb3tBw8-T83VoNPm2MgtD4pgKNqDME4x0sp9opDeaSxOdFDRXcd5MNryf3-v6NGkw6HADX6AxnaAJbemYvu8dSwml5a5FXesOKpSz-wiee8fAHNw/s640/seattle+8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">There could not have been a more perfect day!</span></td></tr>
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Norm and Alison's Travel Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750229221971316367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923198664366389494.post-80471860360779085672017-06-26T22:28:00.000-07:002017-07-25T15:02:57.602-07:00Anacortes, Washington<h3>
Tuesday, June 13th 2017</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCI2FSoxlZsYJ9qkSWpFrsv4U4PUMh2porfYoqGYFyyj57m8lEFo_4IVn8hMdsLeOhP3B3j2QH1plOoynI_jSu7-h3JAwet8jDWDZeP9N9Pd5klH063_HEudOVgRjXfId_K-X-5c5n0k/s1600/Screenshot+%2528312%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCI2FSoxlZsYJ9qkSWpFrsv4U4PUMh2porfYoqGYFyyj57m8lEFo_4IVn8hMdsLeOhP3B3j2QH1plOoynI_jSu7-h3JAwet8jDWDZeP9N9Pd5klH063_HEudOVgRjXfId_K-X-5c5n0k/s640/Screenshot+%2528312%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">Our travels heading west from June 1st to 18th</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Today we cross back into the U.S. Great. Another
border crossing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Armed with the
knowledge of our inventory on board, we waited and waited in line for our turn
to speak with the Customs Agent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
agent helping us was obviously being trained, so I figured this is why the line
was so backed up, which could also mean he is being trained very thoroughly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would be a really good thing, but inside
I also feared he might have gone to the same school as the agent in Canada we
had last week! Maybe took the same class on how to beat up the senior citizens
with large RV’s about liquor imports.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But wait! Who in the right mind would buy alcohol in Canada for three
times as much, to then smuggle it into the United States?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> What actually happened
was that we went through so fast, I am not sure he asked anything at all! So
much for proper training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too bad (sort of)!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I was particularly excited about our coming stay in
Anacortes, Washington; a few hours north of Seattle at the edge of the San Juan
Islands, which I read were breathtaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I really miss the water, having spent most of my life in Gloucester,
Massachusetts where it surrounded us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPgHsfrpalwczuzGg1VvEevB8aMOdw3Y69_HqESKsES5hIK8UzYvZDRFV0MMVDl4tmhyphenhyphennYBHLx0SyfV4sNxrYykR19n5YGX_4RtGvfLp4UjzUnhfUR-uRfhDYqPtPgF7wrciZ8HqZdQU/s1600/anacortes+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPgHsfrpalwczuzGg1VvEevB8aMOdw3Y69_HqESKsES5hIK8UzYvZDRFV0MMVDl4tmhyphenhyphennYBHLx0SyfV4sNxrYykR19n5YGX_4RtGvfLp4UjzUnhfUR-uRfhDYqPtPgF7wrciZ8HqZdQU/s640/anacortes+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">We enjoyed an incredible site on the water overlooking the San Juan Islands at <em>Fidelgo Bay Resort</em> in Anacortes, Washington</span> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><em>Fidalgo Bay Resort</em> was a beautiful RV Park, and
because I booked it nearly 6 months ago, we got what was considered the best
site in the park! Situated10 feet from the water’s edge, we enjoyed the views of
Fildalgo Bay and oddly enough, of the power plant in the distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-yIE6qhuH0v2ldIlJP9VoDy4UOSlLSjyiCWSuIFfW6UjMOOSIVev89wNDsCBz1IKSIDa-1x51oXagv2p-C67hjshUQSa749MKSwMJrHyb57cR1M8dUQQ_KvnmR5CsgWwb5cwcAsNFO8/s1600/anacortes+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-yIE6qhuH0v2ldIlJP9VoDy4UOSlLSjyiCWSuIFfW6UjMOOSIVev89wNDsCBz1IKSIDa-1x51oXagv2p-C67hjshUQSa749MKSwMJrHyb57cR1M8dUQQ_KvnmR5CsgWwb5cwcAsNFO8/s640/anacortes+15.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">We were surprised how they lite up the power plant at night and actually made it quite attractive ( in our opinion )</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I was hoping to perhaps do some sea kayaking amongst
the San Juan Islands, hike, golf and do some biking, and go to the Boeing
Factory (the largest factory in the world) tour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lofty goals, considering we only have 4 days
to “play”. It seemed more than enough time last winter when we were planning
this trip, but now I think a week would have been more realistic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_pjdvmepQUKFQ3FFvSQjvb01UqYJZAsQU1yYH8HiboBGAsGxuDmXS_y-S_IrdYHw3RScYoKjtBVzL4Zi6xsypQkSWIacGGutRG4ahd3k2TNHOYrB0WR_h0qnXJ07844Af56KBlMBH3M/s1600/anacortes+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_pjdvmepQUKFQ3FFvSQjvb01UqYJZAsQU1yYH8HiboBGAsGxuDmXS_y-S_IrdYHw3RScYoKjtBVzL4Zi6xsypQkSWIacGGutRG4ahd3k2TNHOYrB0WR_h0qnXJ07844Af56KBlMBH3M/s320/anacortes+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">After we checked into Fidalgo Bay RV Resort, located
on Indian grounds, we headed off toward Washington State Park to take advantage
of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hiked around the rocky
cliffs that loomed above the cove, enjoying the cool breezes and fresh air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We lingered longer than planned, so instead
of heading down the coast, we called it a day since the sun was getting low in
the sky.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIIuU3iH7aMrKwZbg6G1jcM5TBikmG6-b_PBIJoHDVWvYTj8qcBqaAClwGT6-dbL7lpqlbgxZuaCKQc_FYhVGIGDgDPRcAAPmgjOhF0TC7diZ-a5UETajgFoD8OAICF8cCELIdC3QSR4/s1600/anacortes+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIIuU3iH7aMrKwZbg6G1jcM5TBikmG6-b_PBIJoHDVWvYTj8qcBqaAClwGT6-dbL7lpqlbgxZuaCKQc_FYhVGIGDgDPRcAAPmgjOhF0TC7diZ-a5UETajgFoD8OAICF8cCELIdC3QSR4/s640/anacortes+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">This car is a magnet for dirt while being towed. It was so good to get it clean!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Wednesday, June 14th 2017</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Once again it was time to restock a bit and since there
was a Camping World nearby we decided to get a few needed parts, and a trip to
Costco provided us with meals for the next several weeks. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After lunch and a quick nap we had enough
energy to head off to check out Deception Pass State Park which is reportedly very beautiful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">When we arrived at the State Park we took some pictures of the bridge, and decided to hike all the way down to the beach to get some shots from another angle. I wasn't feeling too ambitious since we had already done a lot of walking around just doing the morning errands. I also had "tweaked" my knee ( is that a medical term?) the day before and it was still bothering me, so I didn't want to over-do it so I sat while Norm walked further down the beach. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We hiked back up the steep grade, huffing and puffing the whole way. We saw a trail across the street and thought it might be nice to stroll a little way down the path to get a glimpse of the bay on the other side of the island. How hard could that be?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Well, we walked and walked some more, never thinking this trail was half as long as it was. Thank goodness Norm suggested we bring our backpacks for water, because this trail kept going. At one point we made the decision to ignore the trail sign to the summit - that would be much too strenuous this late in the day and I was afraid my knee would really act up climbing that steep hill. I also was pretty hungry, so we just took the perimeter trail instead.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLkBcKIrJXo6Fwi7fcT9w1HIgXDh9PL8KYZV1aoHg4Dbxsjd7xywbbZmANJwyhtDTuXeh2D7WYHwBgUDIvP06JvXAVCX0TXwVb-TP84JoF1EtktNCidOERo__ByY24uL1uYZ2uaE9fw4/s1600/Screenshot+%2528310%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLkBcKIrJXo6Fwi7fcT9w1HIgXDh9PL8KYZV1aoHg4Dbxsjd7xywbbZmANJwyhtDTuXeh2D7WYHwBgUDIvP06JvXAVCX0TXwVb-TP84JoF1EtktNCidOERo__ByY24uL1uYZ2uaE9fw4/s640/Screenshot+%2528310%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">The views were great up here, but we intended to only hike around the BOTTOM of this mountain (even if it was a small one) not hike to the summit!</span> </h3>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">After several miles we ran into a local man and he told us the fastest route back was to take the trail a little further, then branch off and go up and over the summit back to the other side. What? Was he kidding? We didn't feel up to the summit hike miles ago! Ugh! But I must say, it is amazing what one can do if you have to. (Sort of like child birth.) The climb was really tough for me, and the exertion was making me feel like I was going to vomit. Needless to say it cured my hunger as I limped the last mile.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The car was a welcome sight, that was for sure! We were never "lost" but this little stroll turned out to be more than we bargained for. We arrived home about 8PM. It was a long, productive day with a lot of exercise thrown in. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPHCZRhR0oGJoqmR_kkCxuKi0NagYnSDTBta2IxNXy0Lkl6FRtEDwZx8XphliFvs_h4JGqjWHsTE_Gcqf2DqBYjLDyWsYWt3DStkpUvh-I7VOszreutRuXujt-RMtzyEYQuxH8A8ai90/s1600/anacortes+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPHCZRhR0oGJoqmR_kkCxuKi0NagYnSDTBta2IxNXy0Lkl6FRtEDwZx8XphliFvs_h4JGqjWHsTE_Gcqf2DqBYjLDyWsYWt3DStkpUvh-I7VOszreutRuXujt-RMtzyEYQuxH8A8ai90/s640/anacortes+11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;">The highly photographed bridge at <em>Deception Pass State Park</em></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Norm and I definitely wanted to take the Boeing
Factory Tour near Everett, a little over an hour away both from here and the
next stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We agonized when to go, but
finally decided to go this week since the weather was iffy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Boeing, the biggest factory by volume in the world,
covering a whopping 98.7 acres. They give a wonderful 1 ½ tour, and go to great
lengths to protect their secrets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any
food and cameras (including cell phones) or bags of any type were absolutely
forbidden. We were instructed to either put them back in our cars, or in a cabinet
that was provided.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The guides spoke of Boeing’s history, and of their
aircraft and impressed us all by the magnitude of this facility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inside there were 7 ( if I remember correctly
) restaurants, medical facilities, and a day care of course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were taken by bus to a couple of different
buildings and shown their operation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What seemed really odd is that we saw only a dozen or so people
working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where was everyone?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Thursday,
June 15<sup>th</sup> 2017<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The next day was cold and rainy, so we hunkered down
inside and took advantage of the great internet service to plan, work on the
blog, and go through two months of mail ( minus the junk mail that got
destroyed ) that we had sent to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">How do we handle our mail being gone so long?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are several companies now that provide
this service for people who either travel a lot for their jobs, take long
vacations, and definitely for full-time RV’ers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They receive your mail ( after filling out several official documents
before-hand ) then this company scans the front of the envelope for you to look
at in your private on-line portal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
then can select either to 1) shred it<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2)
hold it<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3) open it and scan the contents
in a PDF file for a small additional charge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They go through and get rid of the mountains of junk mail that you don’t
ever see. ( How great is that?)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At any
time you can go online and request for them to gather it all up, put in a
single box, and ship it anywhere you want!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have a wonderful neighbor who has picked up our mail in the past, and
would again, but we couldn’t ask that of her. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was also nice to see Norm got a notice for
Jury duty, that was important to respond to right away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a mere $25.00 a month it is a great
service for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are using Dakota Post in
Sioux City, South Dakota. They have many other services available to suit most anyone's needs. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Today was our 15<sup>th</sup> anniversary, so we went
to the nicest restaurant we could find in Anacortes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a lovely dinner by the window
overlooking the water at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Anthony’s</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are almost always traveling on our
anniversary each year, and this was one of the few times we could enjoy some fine
dining.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>Too bad it was so darn cold
and raw out that we didn’t dress up like I would have liked. (Norm did, but all
my nice clothes were for summer.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Friday, June 16th 2017</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh00YdCmqfQSok22CacUQvQ0rWmHqN3S5g9CgPXx0DKQl9AE503ulIt9HoxVlXjeNOsQd3Nj83_HD0iK8nNQjbL2kXNe1T7tIgoPjZDgWFPNm5irwS6muAqvgYsU6nf2BYchxyYIvjZ8U/s1600/anacortes+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh00YdCmqfQSok22CacUQvQ0rWmHqN3S5g9CgPXx0DKQl9AE503ulIt9HoxVlXjeNOsQd3Nj83_HD0iK8nNQjbL2kXNe1T7tIgoPjZDgWFPNm5irwS6muAqvgYsU6nf2BYchxyYIvjZ8U/s640/anacortes+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">This is a tiny portion of the Boeing Plant. These doors are big enough to get a wide body jet through! Amazing!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Norm and I definitely wanted to take the Boeing Factory Tour near Everett, a little over an hour away both from here and the next stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We agonized when to go, but finally decided to go this week since the weather was predicted to be iffy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Boeing, the biggest factory by volume in the world, covering a whopping 98.7 acres. They give a wonderful 1 ½ tour, and go to great lengths to protect their secrets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any food and cameras (including cell phones) or bags of any type were absolutely forbidden. We were instructed to either put them back in our cars, or in a cabinet that was provided.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The guides spoke of Boeing’s history, and of their aircraft and impressed us all by the magnitude of this facility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inside there were 7 ( if I remember correctly ) restaurants, medical facilities, and a day care of course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were taken by bus to a couple of different buildings and shown their operation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What seemed really odd is that we saw only a dozen or so people working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where was everyone?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wNmKkd_kGM-oQRTWVIk0V34yyIJgL_6MtYDVQ6_wSHsWk9TXqIOYULZQB5e1KMzxF6sjdgTi1SfvQ5uBUpLW8oYPLXA_0hK4jrCFFLlg-uvgzVcRahg1TjKmBcMnvC_3gUQQ0Rrv0Mw/s1600/anacortes+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wNmKkd_kGM-oQRTWVIk0V34yyIJgL_6MtYDVQ6_wSHsWk9TXqIOYULZQB5e1KMzxF6sjdgTi1SfvQ5uBUpLW8oYPLXA_0hK4jrCFFLlg-uvgzVcRahg1TjKmBcMnvC_3gUQQ0Rrv0Mw/s640/anacortes+12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">They had a lovely museum that had interactive displays plus many educational exhibits. There even was the actual module for the International Space station we could go into ( but was too crowded at the time ).</span></td></tr>
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<h3>
Saturday, June 17th 2017</h3>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">One more day and there is so much we haven’t
done!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was dying to take advantage ofthe bike path that followed the water right beside our campground, and we just
couldn’t make it over to San Juan Islands either because we learned it wouldn’t
be worth doing in a single day. I am hoping we can manage it from Vancouver
Island when we are there for 3 weeks soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’d better look into it and make reservations. Sea kayaking, too!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtxMUXvZyaKuw5tKVKqkeAn31pu-xyRLCUjHMyS11LTSjQ8eHYlzZ0DkQXW9Kln8_N7t3vDuna76di5nhevBM5JiFINTeBVxLOyiOeb2BXtQrHdo7uJ8FHzx-iqXlT7aA_6jbKx4YCcU/s1600/anacortes+3+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtxMUXvZyaKuw5tKVKqkeAn31pu-xyRLCUjHMyS11LTSjQ8eHYlzZ0DkQXW9Kln8_N7t3vDuna76di5nhevBM5JiFINTeBVxLOyiOeb2BXtQrHdo7uJ8FHzx-iqXlT7aA_6jbKx4YCcU/s640/anacortes+3+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">You would think at some point, the hill climbing would get easier! We enjoyed the lovely ridge trail at Ebey's Landing.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsY1LhtqN4PoCWNnFieQrv7hJQREwLJ-9zksJ_An7xUkWZVsgRgyL9z5ztF9jzOZ8t59RhO3JDMe1vq9R8iwed_gyWer47Cwg732NTuBv0K7i21v_nD8pGgBF9jZLKal8K_Ff5ho3OSA/s1600/anacortes+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsY1LhtqN4PoCWNnFieQrv7hJQREwLJ-9zksJ_An7xUkWZVsgRgyL9z5ztF9jzOZ8t59RhO3JDMe1vq9R8iwed_gyWer47Cwg732NTuBv0K7i21v_nD8pGgBF9jZLKal8K_Ff5ho3OSA/s640/anacortes+10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We decided to enjoyed a several mile ridge hike in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Afterwards, we visited a tiny town with
interesting old architecture called Coupeville that Norm wanted to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a delicious<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ice cream treat, we made a quick stop for
local mussels in the grocery store which ended our exploration of the area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p>We had grilled Rockfish and mussels back at "home". What a great life!</o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFB_6fiau1ylq-oz7gzleAHrxxp7nShMUw3ULSwDGZo7YkBw7rsfq1-CEeMAXNGA5c2bTYg5Eha7nCRcecdGCcmzgZXAoAkQrXLyszAB5OmTTPY66C-bgG-sScbsACcfqe1AVH6LNEguI/s1600/20170617_195429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFB_6fiau1ylq-oz7gzleAHrxxp7nShMUw3ULSwDGZo7YkBw7rsfq1-CEeMAXNGA5c2bTYg5Eha7nCRcecdGCcmzgZXAoAkQrXLyszAB5OmTTPY66C-bgG-sScbsACcfqe1AVH6LNEguI/s640/20170617_195429.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">Back in the RV we dined on local mussels</span> </td></tr>
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Norm and Alison's Travel Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750229221971316367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923198664366389494.post-11179436040129259622017-06-25T15:38:00.000-07:002017-08-04T07:43:13.493-07:00Hope, B.C. and the Othello Tunnels<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We left Kelowna and Norm’s sister and brother-in-law
and headed back toward the good ole United States. The town of Hope, B.C. was
one more stop along the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was
yet another section of the Kettle Valley Railway that included the Othello
Tunnels that we thought we might ride, and something called Hell’s Gate of
which I knew nothing about ( but sounded up our alley ).</span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7c72AxE2u_Lb4P9siRFw6Gi71QkkSjb9dvpYK9Yhpoxmt5llZLww8X9duJuVPYJ4xwuFB8LpAAVyUj-GPQDHSKP-y_sl1F9TxoUXBK2pT-nBYngMdcKXhXLKZ8HBU4ve2-mRdnTk7xg/s1600/Hope+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7c72AxE2u_Lb4P9siRFw6Gi71QkkSjb9dvpYK9Yhpoxmt5llZLww8X9duJuVPYJ4xwuFB8LpAAVyUj-GPQDHSKP-y_sl1F9TxoUXBK2pT-nBYngMdcKXhXLKZ8HBU4ve2-mRdnTk7xg/s640/Hope+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;">Beautiful mountain views at <em>Wild Rose RV Park in Hope, B.C.</em></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSGxW0OYP8LlAL6Ui85AA2NGXT5luawj7eTNMnAXTCHHs8YdZTNVCv7vgyJsnEXzzCLmgdGOog8QggbOrZmro7DgD58T_7eP_8K8hJCaKx7a3nigW-ZMf26ycZWTe09EjXyozqP_vDFk/s1600/hope+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSGxW0OYP8LlAL6Ui85AA2NGXT5luawj7eTNMnAXTCHHs8YdZTNVCv7vgyJsnEXzzCLmgdGOog8QggbOrZmro7DgD58T_7eP_8K8hJCaKx7a3nigW-ZMf26ycZWTe09EjXyozqP_vDFk/s640/hope+9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Norm and I both agree that British Colombia is as beautiful as Alaska, and much easier to get to by RV from the lower 48</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The mountain passes are becoming less nerve-wracking
for me, or perhaps today Norm took them a little slower, but regardless of the
reason, the scenery was awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who
needs Alaska when British Colombia is just as rugged?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And closer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Certainly, if you are driving there.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we drove up to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wild
Rose RV Park</i>, it appeared in the middle of two highways as well as two
railroad lines!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a perfect world, we would try to look at
Google Earth to see where each campsite is relative to highways and train
tracks. But making reservations for 179 nights, we just didn’t take the time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Upon check-in the lady assured us the train is quiet (
they all say that ) and it wouldn’t be a problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were only staying two nights, and hey – getting
any sleep is over-rated, isn’t it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguImTD-c6T6VkvWNQelt1sUYB3D5YWB2IMsh2zrVrJAq0z1XwlKLnT9EJ_KWpLSiIciQrs33f5-TjsfDGp_qyceJIi3j12owjGXibEBNK9MPd8UOtk4NBsUXJpT312OWuYQhEIvmb_evc/s1600/hope+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguImTD-c6T6VkvWNQelt1sUYB3D5YWB2IMsh2zrVrJAq0z1XwlKLnT9EJ_KWpLSiIciQrs33f5-TjsfDGp_qyceJIi3j12owjGXibEBNK9MPd8UOtk4NBsUXJpT312OWuYQhEIvmb_evc/s640/hope+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;">Downtown Hope had these incredible wooden sculptures that were among the winners of the previous International Wood Carving competitions, which would be fascinating to see.</span> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, we were pleasantly surprised that these trains,
which you could see right from inside the RV were, indeed, almost silent!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After we set up camp and took our daily nap we were
refreshed enough to go check out the Visitor’s Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to bike the trail the next day, but
since we haven’t hiked much lately ( which is Norm’s favorite activity ) we
thought we would pass on yet another rail-trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The person at the visitor’s center mentioned
a beaver pond so we headed out to find a beaver for Norm’s bucket list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The weather was lovely as we explored the different
short trails looking for the elusive beaver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It wasn’t nearly “dusk” when they are more apt to be seen, so we headed
out to take the approximately 2 mile walk to see the Othello Tunnels.</span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwXX77hB4zHOwCIVFT4gKjs7IDm0745rdNPl1u9GNkAY_8oqlrTsfcKQ5iPCX545FdA3IdjHJOdCuGqps76e_P9W2iCoJ4kkHbW-IO5Hp0zPUQ9cGEBZknqwAeo6Ye9voRmxhfTKFueI/s1600/hope+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwXX77hB4zHOwCIVFT4gKjs7IDm0745rdNPl1u9GNkAY_8oqlrTsfcKQ5iPCX545FdA3IdjHJOdCuGqps76e_P9W2iCoJ4kkHbW-IO5Hp0zPUQ9cGEBZknqwAeo6Ye9voRmxhfTKFueI/s640/hope+11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The Othello tunnels were built between 1911 and 1916 to complete the Kettle Valley Railway. Now it is a lovely place to enjoy with family</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCrtp3qJLXs5a9uQX6eipDpUmlAue4EL1rEYet6dV1C4FqQ0_GZk8BM1ysI16pT4anCzp3miKRFXaKCRi4rteZc9TZHN0aspzC8z2Ue-aYf-Plp0he9FnmnVALSJscfDLecb4bT3cPTg/s1600/hope+8+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCrtp3qJLXs5a9uQX6eipDpUmlAue4EL1rEYet6dV1C4FqQ0_GZk8BM1ysI16pT4anCzp3miKRFXaKCRi4rteZc9TZHN0aspzC8z2Ue-aYf-Plp0he9FnmnVALSJscfDLecb4bT3cPTg/s640/hope+8+%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Seven tunnels pass through these solid granite mountains</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The Othello Quintette Tunnels were built through
solid granite between 1911 and 1916 over the wild Coquihalla River to complete
the Kettle Valley Railway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The building
of these tunnels were another amazing feat considering the impossibly tough
terrain, the remoteness of the location and the very basic equipment available
over a hundred years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3rZu93GzmErU0blV30NTMos4ZQlaf-mYTrTqezQvQ5Z80avmTnip_2zLv5J3foko-7Xer26QA873Dh4uF4bx23j-a0qhJ_RmcEaIU5ZxS1Osq78wFf6ouIC7ojAkGcoX8Lom151iwjA/s1600/hope+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3rZu93GzmErU0blV30NTMos4ZQlaf-mYTrTqezQvQ5Z80avmTnip_2zLv5J3foko-7Xer26QA873Dh4uF4bx23j-a0qhJ_RmcEaIU5ZxS1Osq78wFf6ouIC7ojAkGcoX8Lom151iwjA/s640/hope+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The wild Coquihalla River was raging below the bridges between the tunnels</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Norm and I have seen quite a few tunnels recently, so
we weren’t as awed as the many families there were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The raging river below was pretty awesome
though.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was growing late, so we headed back to camp. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Monday,
June 12<sup>th</sup> 2017<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7MSPL17W9JMVh3eGBY7JJEIiW-vwniLcJQrpTeL3aRGjulYQzZB9tLgz1FAMTPHKRmE4OpejYWEiwoOqfaxgT1LwNeKjYPZx921u97_ZA7g-nf2fMH0vH0KZJvNZl4O11r0xqEoe4rE/s1600/hope+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7MSPL17W9JMVh3eGBY7JJEIiW-vwniLcJQrpTeL3aRGjulYQzZB9tLgz1FAMTPHKRmE4OpejYWEiwoOqfaxgT1LwNeKjYPZx921u97_ZA7g-nf2fMH0vH0KZJvNZl4O11r0xqEoe4rE/s640/hope+8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">"Hey bear!" The woods were lovely, but the bear scat found on the trail confirmed they were in the area. A little scary.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today was hike day, so after doing a little research
we found a hike that promised the best views.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So that, of course, means “up”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We packed lunches, bear spray and back packs and headed out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9bBny6KvZ0S4tEWPmZNBiuqM-NNy_j5CJPXvMDvge0maovs_YrCFrDrOShsXXJkctJX82cyhsvP_GJ4D5CLTqEdN5OxSPvDZolezUKcbqSUnPkMtBLDTI6xe7_nvfvF_QF7YI6Zd_48/s1600/20170612_115358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9bBny6KvZ0S4tEWPmZNBiuqM-NNy_j5CJPXvMDvge0maovs_YrCFrDrOShsXXJkctJX82cyhsvP_GJ4D5CLTqEdN5OxSPvDZolezUKcbqSUnPkMtBLDTI6xe7_nvfvF_QF7YI6Zd_48/s640/20170612_115358.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">After reaching the top of the "hill" I decided to be a little silly taking this selfie.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xHqJWnobXIyYPiCPonL17xjUDm4nOyXl88EEadorSvwS2UPZskRZ3pG5QXV5lIJvmQipzrbHiHZ6Fryr_yYDyGy6bGtKxdNFnq68-gvTlZvXDmE_K7xSqfVCJTwASNmO-siLz4MtgE4/s1600/Screenshot+%2528307%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xHqJWnobXIyYPiCPonL17xjUDm4nOyXl88EEadorSvwS2UPZskRZ3pG5QXV5lIJvmQipzrbHiHZ6Fryr_yYDyGy6bGtKxdNFnq68-gvTlZvXDmE_K7xSqfVCJTwASNmO-siLz4MtgE4/s640/Screenshot+%2528307%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">I had seen pictures of beautiful people doing yoga poses while hiking, so I thought I would give it a try. Certainly not pretty, but my balance is top notch! Not bad for 62!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a nice little hike, but not our favorite since
a lot of the trail was wide enough for a truck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We like to feel more in the wilderness, although I am always on the
lookout for bears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t enjoy how uneasy
that makes me feel, particularly when we come across bear scat (poop) that confirms
that they are indeed in the area. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t
think Norm gets too concerned. Perhaps after my reading him about the recent
deadly bear maulings in the news, he will help me make more noise on the trail.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFi_uetsWekwRVvM7zbl5ClopEqKaqnrDrhDJUEkJAssWtra0d2LcsK3bL6uzf-RPLVAujHJoCvW-WZvvuVKIYK8SB0dR3ZXJxwAX2ZvQZvRasjspdfTrYPnSDijs2uBkX29KSTUHR5Yc/s1600/hope+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFi_uetsWekwRVvM7zbl5ClopEqKaqnrDrhDJUEkJAssWtra0d2LcsK3bL6uzf-RPLVAujHJoCvW-WZvvuVKIYK8SB0dR3ZXJxwAX2ZvQZvRasjspdfTrYPnSDijs2uBkX29KSTUHR5Yc/s640/hope+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;">With moss of different types were covering most trees, which gave the area a eerie feel. I could not believe Norm noticed this shovel tucked in the notch of a tree. So odd to find it so deep into the woods.</span> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: red; mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: red; mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We ran into another couple from Germany with their
infant baby while hiking and although they, too, saw the scat they didn’t think
the bears were really there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Huh? Where
did they think it came from? I don’t get it- they seemed like intelligent
people…..<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAya2cvb1D_gXexIJ0zFJeWPYqUBB4Uh-UOlwceB1-j_SBRi45mV2t3WvxZxObEgeVbXTwSOIHVp472OUmNa9YRj58ThARGKooZVHhMIEJFDNKd-_3yqANeTLnJCvp4gbWPLmArZFIsJM/s1600/hope+slide+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="500" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAya2cvb1D_gXexIJ0zFJeWPYqUBB4Uh-UOlwceB1-j_SBRi45mV2t3WvxZxObEgeVbXTwSOIHVp472OUmNa9YRj58ThARGKooZVHhMIEJFDNKd-_3yqANeTLnJCvp4gbWPLmArZFIsJM/s640/hope+slide+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;">I found this picture on the internet depicting just how big and damaging this landslide was. It took out the highway and an entire lake below.</span> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">From there we headed toward the Hope Slide which is
where one of the largest recorded landslides occurred in Canadian history. Back
in 1965, in the wee hours of the morning, the 16 year old route 3 was closed
when a huge slab of rock broke free from the face of Johnson Peak resulting in
the Hope Slide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The slide forced so much
debris it traveled 180 feet up the mountain on the opposite side of the
highway!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The resultant debris was 2
miles wide and 260 feet deep. <span style="color: red;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>It completely wiped out a lake and unfortunately
killed four people. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MSjuwaVeJGjX1i_QYIK8WxNbYgRqg0CQKvUSCWsJhJZ3AZ1z49aOiZR7Rr0iH3zzpv7_XeOq1o_ZCjMg0VQ3QecAGfDZG-QJlj56wMIBRc5ElV0l0Of0Opgw4cL3RVenDwPLW5sTLY0/s1600/hope+slide+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MSjuwaVeJGjX1i_QYIK8WxNbYgRqg0CQKvUSCWsJhJZ3AZ1z49aOiZR7Rr0iH3zzpv7_XeOq1o_ZCjMg0VQ3QecAGfDZG-QJlj56wMIBRc5ElV0l0Of0Opgw4cL3RVenDwPLW5sTLY0/s640/hope+slide+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Unfortunately, the clouds were low ( and we were so high in elevation ) that most of the mountain where the slide occurred could not be seen when we were there. We waited for a while for the clouds to pass, but no such luck. Note the lines I drew guessing where the mountain is behind the clouds.</span><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unfortunately, there were low clouds that obstructed
75% of our view, and the light drizzle combined with cold temps chilled us to
the bone as we peered up the mountainside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had our lunch in the car in hopes the clouds would move. We called it
a day, and drove back to the campground. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The area here is just breathtaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rushing Frazier River and mountains with
sheer cliffs rising up beside it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></div>
Norm and Alison's Travel Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750229221971316367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923198664366389494.post-2033491742098040992017-06-20T15:08:00.004-07:002017-07-25T15:13:11.578-07:00Kelowna B.C. and family<br />
<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
June 6th-10th, 2017</h2>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We left Osoyoos for the 2-hour trip (north) through the
Okanagan Valley to see Norm’s family in Kelowna, British Colombia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Okanagan Valley is the major wine
producing area in Canada and extends south into Washington state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We wonder what this next inner-city
campground will be like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I remember,
when I booked it there was some question if we would even fit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Norm and I have gotten pretty accomplished at parking this
monster in some pretty tricky spots, so we weren’t too worried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he listens and trusts me as I stand
outside and give him directions on the walkie-talkie, we should be alright. “Turn
a little to the left, more, keep coming...” “Now come straight back. Stop.” (to
avoid the many hazards he can’t see).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The leveling jacks that gave us problems last year seem to have
straightened themselves out. I love when that happens!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJmFHegNlCOLN46WygUdQlbEj_W8vM3WtCAd89e7-xGbxtOQJH7rqrw3HBwGldA8YDj_fZCOgPndCiuAUcryOV60w8-OpzUQnvShSksURZ3MxvhbBjCml0-FhmbYok27GCM7aGKj0m-k/s1600/kelowna+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJmFHegNlCOLN46WygUdQlbEj_W8vM3WtCAd89e7-xGbxtOQJH7rqrw3HBwGldA8YDj_fZCOgPndCiuAUcryOV60w8-OpzUQnvShSksURZ3MxvhbBjCml0-FhmbYok27GCM7aGKj0m-k/s640/kelowna+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">The parking was pretty tight here at Hiawatha RV Park in Kelowna, B.C. We were on the "extra wide" site that allowed us to squeeze the car in, but it was hard to open the doors of rig and car, and forget about a picnic area when we did. Too close for comfort, but most sites were much worse.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLxHqa5s0Hno5TFGsGXjjNDO0EBMFulB63H57uaRNjK9YYxwiXUfjjH6G27cEbYvStSV5fq8qMQxoPgjUOJF8ebpq3mXd6S71lHeykzgWCzbqWgGYDs6mz-4YIvXQYxmpGFSWmi29U6w/s1600/kelowna+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLxHqa5s0Hno5TFGsGXjjNDO0EBMFulB63H57uaRNjK9YYxwiXUfjjH6G27cEbYvStSV5fq8qMQxoPgjUOJF8ebpq3mXd6S71lHeykzgWCzbqWgGYDs6mz-4YIvXQYxmpGFSWmi29U6w/s640/kelowna+10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Seeing people sandbagging was a common occurrence around the Okanagan Lake. The water levels have risen to a 200 year flood stage. Unfortunately, the water quality has also suffered. People had been advised to boil their water as a precaution.</span> </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mLMy1DupAy0Tv4zWGk2MQOFDweXFg_iE_0S7q_ajuYBvbEDWyW59VlDh2btxrwD2c-zanPZIRSBq_B7OWKPVO2mISnB6-dvopu6wpq5NZq_FYWlqNvm1LHcGBlIDw8itVXtjQcZEUP8/s1600/kelowna+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mLMy1DupAy0Tv4zWGk2MQOFDweXFg_iE_0S7q_ajuYBvbEDWyW59VlDh2btxrwD2c-zanPZIRSBq_B7OWKPVO2mISnB6-dvopu6wpq5NZq_FYWlqNvm1LHcGBlIDw8itVXtjQcZEUP8/s640/kelowna+9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Norm’s sister and brother-in-law came over that afternoon
for happy hour and appetizers and mentioned off-handedly about the “boil water”
notice issued due to the flooding of the lake and it’s resulting turbidity (
cloudiness ). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OMG! The office never mentioned it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people that had to be cautious were
children and elderly ( over 65 ) or those with weakened immune system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, that covered all of us, and 75% of the campground!
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrTMSmroz3Tvejf7H_LNTuBQBfB6JiXFVDiFy3vt5hp_OWFr6efPEStHPP5M6AcPULI3ADBm0EvbZ1JmedIbc4TrgrDmgfuiO5_x1Oi01LwSoTfFVfQRXtyOTp83pX0vXUMjn9mBsMho/s1600/kelowna+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrTMSmroz3Tvejf7H_LNTuBQBfB6JiXFVDiFy3vt5hp_OWFr6efPEStHPP5M6AcPULI3ADBm0EvbZ1JmedIbc4TrgrDmgfuiO5_x1Oi01LwSoTfFVfQRXtyOTp83pX0vXUMjn9mBsMho/s640/kelowna+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">It was so great to be with family again!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1z__E1PQzh3NFkJwUx-MPQ4c0RShMkc8zvZ3_tMP6-_MuhroGfaKR7ua3x8QtgdlkXZR9fzVzf6ULLzA9h_v787yNaIRLBMWj7MR47I_tURDOJS-3YtJQReJj5PrIHZ_GPKy3db775g/s1600/kelowna+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1z__E1PQzh3NFkJwUx-MPQ4c0RShMkc8zvZ3_tMP6-_MuhroGfaKR7ua3x8QtgdlkXZR9fzVzf6ULLzA9h_v787yNaIRLBMWj7MR47I_tURDOJS-3YtJQReJj5PrIHZ_GPKy3db775g/s640/kelowna+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;">Due to the boil water advisory, I needed to get out my super-duper water filtration set up. The water was filtered to .01 microns ( which filters all dangerous things except for viruses that don't exist in North America anyway ) and I boiled water for washing the dishes. I came prepared for everything!</span> <span style="color: red;">After all, we are "camping"!</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">One thing Norm and I really wanted to do <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>while here was to ride the Kettle Valley
rail-trail again so we did it the next day while the weather was good. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To get to the trailhead we had to drive an extremely rutted mountainous
road for about 40 minutes which was a bit grueling on both the car and
ourselves, but it was worth it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It didn’t have the tunnels of the Hiawatha Trail, but we
both felt the scenery was so much better!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The trestles were wooden, the trail a bit narrower, and the views across
the canyons much more dramatic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems
even more miraculous if you know the history of this beautiful valley.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Back in August of 2003 ( when Norm and I were newly married
) while visiting, there was a huge Okanagan Mountain fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It burned nearly 64,000 acres ( 25,900
hectares) and forced the evacuation of 33,000 terrified people. This
beautifully green mountainside was an inferno; destroying 238 homes; most burnt
right to the foundation. Needless to say, our plans to bicycle the rail trail
over the gorgeous trestles did not happen on that trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VcvrXb5wn73Qd6ojzrJwIni6_znI7rF3I-F5LGvOiGbHrLXoBVXn3h38oodMxtXfJWTkfB6dB9m6j8iipCl9xkn3JvITOBkpYeRkLRyYtK8-qe7KuVU9mlNPw6eChNRQ-9fEhqUdV9c/s1600/wildfire_p2045969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="600" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VcvrXb5wn73Qd6ojzrJwIni6_znI7rF3I-F5LGvOiGbHrLXoBVXn3h38oodMxtXfJWTkfB6dB9m6j8iipCl9xkn3JvITOBkpYeRkLRyYtK8-qe7KuVU9mlNPw6eChNRQ-9fEhqUdV9c/s640/wildfire_p2045969.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">The Okanagan Mountain fires in Kelowna were devastating back in 2003 burning 64,000 acres and destroying 238 homes. 33,000 people were forced to evacuate. Norm and I were visiting at the time and witnessed Nature's fury.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrb4NUXLIbpu99_HyvQKPY6ymSKCmI6iA8F43PdsO5L_oMW15qaoLkGRj6jsMZ4wKS45ErKRJJs3OdGabwx0ONIYGYS03C0jk8wAvAbYQAuCC8tP2JeuHWW83_FOqnx0c17JKRNLLEUdA/s1600/trestles-ablaze.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrb4NUXLIbpu99_HyvQKPY6ymSKCmI6iA8F43PdsO5L_oMW15qaoLkGRj6jsMZ4wKS45ErKRJJs3OdGabwx0ONIYGYS03C0jk8wAvAbYQAuCC8tP2JeuHWW83_FOqnx0c17JKRNLLEUdA/s640/trestles-ablaze.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">It was so hard to believe that these trestles, built in the early 1900's by hand and very recently lovingly restored by volunteers burnt down in the fire.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span> <span style="font-family: "calibri";">It was heart-wrenching to not only witness people’s homes
being consumed but also watching 12 of the 18 trestles in Myra Canyon, which
were built by hand in the turn of the last century, be destroyed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This unfortunately happened to be the most
scenic section of the Kettle Valley Railway (KVR) and rated as one of the top
50 bike rides in the world. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t
imagine how awful it must have been for the people who not only donated funds,
but dedicated countless hours of back braking labor to restore these trestles
to make them safer for the public during the 10 years prior. Just months before the fire this section of the Trans-Canada Trail was designated a National Historic Site!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfN0XUGecIKhSlLlhLB_UoWhMJCF1G4EDLMk8JijZC6lFzOtyMht7dytSDdXZShH-jyzw77tTSyLGMYdoXUF73-dN0umUehZOMTvFON0a5NaxncQVzBiZam3QUyGU8_7qfahwBTrJt9jA/s1600/St+regos+11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="1600" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfN0XUGecIKhSlLlhLB_UoWhMJCF1G4EDLMk8JijZC6lFzOtyMht7dytSDdXZShH-jyzw77tTSyLGMYdoXUF73-dN0umUehZOMTvFON0a5NaxncQVzBiZam3QUyGU8_7qfahwBTrJt9jA/s640/St+regos+11.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;">These new trestles so closely resemble the old ones, and the scenery is still beautiful. It's hard to believe, but we found this trail even more grand than the "crown jewel" ( Hiawatha trail in Idaho ) of the U.S.!</span> </span></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRhVn7Uo8kUWdIyvNj0MaHAXWMrtN4GaNceQNH4x9SzDEuNNgmTxJ40ioUXuf_N1LiK1gGiaxzKvq0zP0DVNKTfWt7lfn0AFLsAyN9S0Km0JLLZjo2RxMoH7kVUmIQV1dthp_SyZneRE/s1600/st+regos+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRhVn7Uo8kUWdIyvNj0MaHAXWMrtN4GaNceQNH4x9SzDEuNNgmTxJ40ioUXuf_N1LiK1gGiaxzKvq0zP0DVNKTfWt7lfn0AFLsAyN9S0Km0JLLZjo2RxMoH7kVUmIQV1dthp_SyZneRE/s640/st+regos+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;">This S shaped trestle bridge was an engineering challenge as the curves were needed so the tracks would meet at both ends.</span> </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PFPhPoj5M5jFM4s7uEfnQkzFXui9cCgVtU9cc2skslirzuAf0FStUvyHdn4EtcdIZ4LZWxC6MiuVlu8a4NDnBNjmmbjC377xu4KXX_llpteojgSoD3VCer_I_OO6CfaPqwznJNjPM9k/s1600/st+regos+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PFPhPoj5M5jFM4s7uEfnQkzFXui9cCgVtU9cc2skslirzuAf0FStUvyHdn4EtcdIZ4LZWxC6MiuVlu8a4NDnBNjmmbjC377xu4KXX_llpteojgSoD3VCer_I_OO6CfaPqwznJNjPM9k/s640/st+regos+6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">These trestles were reconstructed again with wood. Amazing. It was a combined effort of volunteers, private donations and the government that decided to invest the millions of dollars so everyone can once again enjoy this historical</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zAcLJJyx9YK24Ou5kZ7MlcLZmWkzAAYnd18dbKKiwMT2Q7TBoM_OO-oaCFImYfSRexeAMck-hPhidBT_JDMQ20rXqjq_k-DqhNxXQm_qIXBVIAWLyPQR2gqkPqYyvZ3AykdjTmTlV0w/s1600/kelowna+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zAcLJJyx9YK24Ou5kZ7MlcLZmWkzAAYnd18dbKKiwMT2Q7TBoM_OO-oaCFImYfSRexeAMck-hPhidBT_JDMQ20rXqjq_k-DqhNxXQm_qIXBVIAWLyPQR2gqkPqYyvZ3AykdjTmTlV0w/s640/kelowna+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">This multi-model trail was such a beautiful place for locals to walk, bike or hike. The fast flowing river ( perhaps it normally is a brook ) added to its charm. Norm and I found it a little boring after the others we have ridden, but was so conveniently located right next to our campground.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUIB5BixQuTVO2ZkroIHEvNAv-S0AlE5j2Vpi12TA0GZvHcAt7M1b_aHLY8q4ctxJGmuc4ojityGsQ1HoLpfW4opUbY0oXwmIF9Hs1DmSFF3btNL956mFdSEnGTIpExva00kJ9yLPxPo/s1600/kelowna+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUIB5BixQuTVO2ZkroIHEvNAv-S0AlE5j2Vpi12TA0GZvHcAt7M1b_aHLY8q4ctxJGmuc4ojityGsQ1HoLpfW4opUbY0oXwmIF9Hs1DmSFF3btNL956mFdSEnGTIpExva00kJ9yLPxPo/s640/kelowna+8.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;">I</span><span style="color: red;"> found this sign hilarious! They are very vigilant about keeping dog poop off the trail. Awesome!</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDY00BuF6heS0IMgep0T9UrRHMzjDJbLPg0rOpqgG7tE2KVwVbl_vdgAn6-Zd5NmpdaT-MFHbgP8_EMlqR4DR0TejLx_mqWakO3C94xpeoJyw_x0j3ksTOmJ8IjmhjW7HFie6JmTjUl9o/s1600/kelowna+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDY00BuF6heS0IMgep0T9UrRHMzjDJbLPg0rOpqgG7tE2KVwVbl_vdgAn6-Zd5NmpdaT-MFHbgP8_EMlqR4DR0TejLx_mqWakO3C94xpeoJyw_x0j3ksTOmJ8IjmhjW7HFie6JmTjUl9o/s640/kelowna+14.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Yes, and it will still stink up our Motorhome!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This was the second time for us to ride 15 miles of this
marvel, ( 7.5 miles in each direction ) and it was great to see the re-growth
of the trees and shrubs, although the evidence of nature’s cruelty was still
quite noticeable. Regardless, it was gorgeous!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">During our 5 days there, we did another 8 mile bike ride
along a river near our campground, Norm went to the driving range while I had
the misfortune of going to one of the busiest Costco’s in Canada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had dinner with his family each night and
spent a couple of evenings playing cards <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We had a great visit in a beautiful place!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></h2>
Norm and Alison's Travel Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750229221971316367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923198664366389494.post-47190438609563255682017-06-15T15:25:00.003-07:002017-07-25T15:15:21.168-07:00The international interrogation <h2>
Monday, June 5th 2017</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhwLD6eNHaBOVhvpuykB_x0ZMFAuAIm-28cWizvAV1m2LnfqRJLcjYfB_PCiuFBLPJKShFB6S1F6AFu5p6nRy5tW2egmYdQiJEm-7Gdg6LE7-9u4jnEO3suP2mLUetcli8BVE1eTIwaY/s1600/Screenshot+%2528297%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhwLD6eNHaBOVhvpuykB_x0ZMFAuAIm-28cWizvAV1m2LnfqRJLcjYfB_PCiuFBLPJKShFB6S1F6AFu5p6nRy5tW2egmYdQiJEm-7Gdg6LE7-9u4jnEO3suP2mLUetcli8BVE1eTIwaY/s640/Screenshot+%2528297%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">It would have actually been faster to take the southern route through the valleys, but the route we took in blue had incredible scenery plus we could see just how well this diesel pusher motor home did with long, steep inclines. Thank goodness the engine brakes worked like a champ going down. All those "runaway ramps" scared the heck out of me! Test result? Perfect!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We left Stoneridge Motor Coach Resort to head into
Canada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We opted for a “less traveled”
route which was a little more mountainous and took us longer than
anticipated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our diesel engine handled
it beautifully, gliding up, and up, then quietly (the engine is in the back)
down the backside, as I nagged Norm to slow down just a tad…..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We got fuel just before the border crossing at a whopping
$2.89 a gallon so we wouldn’t have a need to pay Canada’s nearly $5.00.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone wonders what our fuel mileage is in
this beast so I will admit it’s about 7.5 to 8 miles per gallon. Actually, it’s
a little better than the 32 foot gas motorhome we used to own. </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I felt relief as we coasted up to the Canadian border
crossing, since it meant we were close to our destination for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d had enough for one day, and every other
time we crossed into Canada we were “inspected” in moments after answering the usual
questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> "</span>Any guns?" And our very vague
answer to how much alcohol was met with a “have a nice trip!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">My feelings of “relief” quickly turned to “grief” as the
Customs Agent started to grill us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
needed to know EXACTLY how much alcohol we had on board. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A mere “ Oh, a 12
pack of beer and a couple in the fridge and a few bottles of wine” were not
good enough for this guy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">“How much EXACTLY!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go
look!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A box of wine? How much in the
box? Go get it- show me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">When I did, he still wasn’t satisfied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He threatened us that if he comes on board,
and we have a drop more, we will get fined, and they could even confiscate our
rig!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started to sweat. I didn’t know
EXACTLY how much….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">“Yes, sir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No guns,
no pepper spray” we answered to those questions we were expecting. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">He then headed off down the side of the rig and around to
the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is he looking for?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Illegal Mexicans that we might have been smuggling since Texas?
What now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God, I thought, I hope he lets
us keep the booze, because I really needed a drink!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">“OK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see you have
life preservers in the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where’s the
boat?”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">“Huh?” we asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
see life preservers, you must have a boat. Where's the boat? Why do you have towels on the front
seats of your car, then?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were
totally confused, because we certainly didn’t have our life jackets in the car.
We had golf clubs in there…. But he sounded so convincing, at this point we probably
would have confessed to murder.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">“Oh yeah…. We have kayaks…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Oh boy, that opened up a WHOLE other nightmare.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">“Kayaks? Really???? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you had them professionally
cleaned?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><span style="color: red;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9-B80BiJ3ly1kblgjqFOc9LVVxetvWXS0XpNWJxVPo_xg3-SQe3krBiYXY6Ez6CVpTRq_V95X8TKZ0PoViY6Wo1qi93fG93Yqps_RyDIKbxc8FaeKFL2aIE_HLi9Rk8JBy6gqYuxM5g/s1600/Oru-Kayak-Beach-Foldable-Kayak-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="1600" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9-B80BiJ3ly1kblgjqFOc9LVVxetvWXS0XpNWJxVPo_xg3-SQe3krBiYXY6Ez6CVpTRq_V95X8TKZ0PoViY6Wo1qi93fG93Yqps_RyDIKbxc8FaeKFL2aIE_HLi9Rk8JBy6gqYuxM5g/s640/Oru-Kayak-Beach-Foldable-Kayak-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">We had cleaned our kayaks really well before we folded them origami-style back into its box</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p></o:p></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">“What”? we asked, totally oblivious to what in the world he
was talking about because our kayaks fold into a box and have been stashed
underneath since North Carolina 6 weeks ago. </span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">“Haven’t you seen all the boat inspection stations?” You
must have passed them many times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why
didn’t you stop?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t understand
why he was so pissed off - Norm was on his best behavior today. Could those signs we passed for mandatory boat inspections possibly pertain to our stowed boats?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="color: red;">
</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOR0AVqGJ7ZkbtclIuHzYsaGnMmILHUPgnKsw4ZQD49U5jB9tE97KYNL2n3P1y0-L-AUx1OLOdy-xqbKrxVS3U6WYVPEogFwAp-7g7pnLIjiUWtIV9hQ7M3gGbfrS8xg70qP-RtgBNwCs/s1600/mussel_ruler.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="230" data-original-width="351" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOR0AVqGJ7ZkbtclIuHzYsaGnMmILHUPgnKsw4ZQD49U5jB9tE97KYNL2n3P1y0-L-AUx1OLOdy-xqbKrxVS3U6WYVPEogFwAp-7g7pnLIjiUWtIV9hQ7M3gGbfrS8xg70qP-RtgBNwCs/s320/mussel_ruler.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">The small but invasive zebra mussel</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: red;">We explained we haven’t used them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Then why did you bring them then?” He felt a
little better when we said we were on a 6 month trip ( we then had to tell him
our complete itinerary ) “Don’t you know of the Zebra Mussels that are destroying
our lakes?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They come from Florida and
Georgia “.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He made us feel like we were personally
responsible for the demise of Canada’s natural environment. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><span style="color: red;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"> We repeated again that haven’t been using them, and gave
him an exact date of when they were last in the water when asked. Norm was
amazed I knew exactly when that was. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">He then threatened that if the boat inspector were here we
would have to have them inspected, which we would have been happy (well, not
real happy) to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, if there was
any chance we could be harboring any microorganism that could in anyway hurt
any environment we would and will, 100% comply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Since the agent thought that perhaps the length of time that
they had been dry might have killed any potential mussels, he finally got off the
boat and mussel topic, but swung back around to the alcohol interrogation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is it with this guy?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we look like booze smugglers? Or could he
detect the hint of guilt in our voices?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ0ps9BD-APnyDInvITPWyZZIByNLL1JOek9_1phbNeiy0yfdAyc6oHO_uOLexcOLQD5c9VhCCHohiAT2fR0WTwg4r1rAgj4xTLYZgROVAzvSjaX6u7p4IbQV7SkNydf7dfxGtW-SgASU/s1600/zebra%252520mussel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ0ps9BD-APnyDInvITPWyZZIByNLL1JOek9_1phbNeiy0yfdAyc6oHO_uOLexcOLQD5c9VhCCHohiAT2fR0WTwg4r1rAgj4xTLYZgROVAzvSjaX6u7p4IbQV7SkNydf7dfxGtW-SgASU/s640/zebra%252520mussel.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">After researching a little bit, I discovered why all the concern. These little guys not only produce a million seeds each, but they have been clogging water in-takes, and coating everything they can. People have to be vigilant to keep them from spreading to all our valuable water supplies.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">After threatening again that he might come on board and
search and the dire consequences if we have anything more than stated, he asked
if we had ever been to Canada before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
says in our passports that we had, in fact Norm was born here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes, sir. Many times.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"> “Well, you should know EXACTLY what you can
and cannot bring into Canada!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
your responsibility to know.” he snarled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">“You have wasted a lot of my time here, and the line behind you is now huge, but THIS time I will
let you off easily, because I am being really nice!”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We left feeling like we had been pistol whipped, but happy to be
on our way! I must say that the man was certainly doing his job well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope Customs and Border for the US are
being as thorough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good for him! We
will be more prepared next time, and may even have the kayaks cleaned if the
opportunity presents itself, even though we washed them well before we put them
away.</span><br />
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKGvNO1c-h4Dvz_sEJ9q6YrvuGXZ9D5IiX7bt70rXuLIA_RGCHYHSdYTJp3bFLZp6SlovcnSJsNoKY4GY8z29iPKrd58dKqwdsFSDV31Y7e6qtkxaPyJKR9XlxhKuOjRIs_wOKK0uQgE/s1600/osoyoos+2016_LI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKGvNO1c-h4Dvz_sEJ9q6YrvuGXZ9D5IiX7bt70rXuLIA_RGCHYHSdYTJp3bFLZp6SlovcnSJsNoKY4GY8z29iPKrd58dKqwdsFSDV31Y7e6qtkxaPyJKR9XlxhKuOjRIs_wOKK0uQgE/s640/osoyoos+2016_LI.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">We took this picture last year when we were visiting Norm's family and coincidently captures where we are staying this year. The arrow points to <em>Mk'Nik Campground</em>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">After a short drive more, we descended the mountains into
the extraordinarily scenic town of Osoyoos located on the northern end of the
Osoyoos Lake to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mk’Nik Campground</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This campground, located on the property of
the highly rated Spirit Ridge Resort and vineyard has over 300 sites, many on
the water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The lakes and rivers here in British Colombia are at a 200
year flood stage due to the rapid melting of the snow in the mountains this
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coupled with a rainy spring and
you have road closures, and properties all along the waterways suffering
damage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parks and campgrounds were among
those impacted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scores of hardworking people
were seen sandbagging everywhere we went.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Luckily our site, although not very pretty, was on high
ground. Campgrounds were evacuating campers and shutting off power to those
affected sites near the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Okanagan Valley is known for its wineries and fruit
orchards, and this campground sits on the property of Mk’Mip Resort adjacent to
the last remaining 900 acres of the Canadian Sonora Desert. Evidently birds are
a problem for the winery here because cannon blasts were discharged every
minute or two from the moment we got there until about 10pm, then resumed at
6:30AM!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Norm was going crazy! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn’t seem to bother me at all for the
first six hours, thinking it sounded like the Grand Finale on the 4<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
of July. After a while, I must say I was a bit annoyed as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were glad it was just a one night
stay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<em></em></div>
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<span style="color: red;">
</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWu0GwRYBcCsAqaPjblPyOn5TLTlwY0Jx8dVkJQBKJdzRX18gZ6imHnwaG0tzX_HNhlxf0uvAOIwx2diULydWxjyW9Wo2rmGfgLTKg8EZx-eVM8Tj1_d9k7U12Xf0EOwkyI8iz8GbdZw/s1600/parkMapLrg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><em><img border="0" data-original-height="1422" data-original-width="1600" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWu0GwRYBcCsAqaPjblPyOn5TLTlwY0Jx8dVkJQBKJdzRX18gZ6imHnwaG0tzX_HNhlxf0uvAOIwx2diULydWxjyW9Wo2rmGfgLTKg8EZx-eVM8Tj1_d9k7U12Xf0EOwkyI8iz8GbdZw/s640/parkMapLrg.jpg" width="640" /></em></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Map of the<em> Nk'mip RV Park in Osoyoos,</em> B.C. Canada</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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Norm and Alison's Travel Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750229221971316367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923198664366389494.post-71624985453686127972017-06-12T14:04:00.000-07:002017-07-25T15:17:59.082-07:00What time is it? St.Regis, Idaho<br />
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<strong>Sunday, May 28th 2017</strong></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Following another long ( for us ) day of driving the 240
miles north <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>through the mountains, we
stopped for the night at Fairmont RV Park in Anaconda, Montana. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The owner of the previous campground suggested
we take this beautifully scenic route, but luckily I had read on the weather
channel that there was a flood warning for that area. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Studying the
maps carefully, we realized the road was closed exactly where he was sending
us! We took the longer route, which was devoid of traffic and also very pretty!
What’s not pretty when you are not looking at the back end of a tractor trailer
truck? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<strong>Monday, May 29th 2017</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a pull
through site, so we didn’t have to unhook the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am writing this a week later, and neither
Norm nor myself can recall this park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
need to remember to take pictures of each place to jog our memories in the
future. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, it’s tough to get old, but I
always say the alternative is REALLY bad!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6w6Dl5bBQOsj8lVy12ajVPmhn56NDAE9fkROOKittTnG6S1xdsWFtdq1ozKF06ChlCHuSsJEmOkbePGmFTNvUrCP7PTg_Bq4KnDl0Pg9zxTsS8GxNq8jeyoDn_81iKpql5vFY-ALKpE/s1600/St+Regis+10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="1600" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6w6Dl5bBQOsj8lVy12ajVPmhn56NDAE9fkROOKittTnG6S1xdsWFtdq1ozKF06ChlCHuSsJEmOkbePGmFTNvUrCP7PTg_Bq4KnDl0Pg9zxTsS8GxNq8jeyoDn_81iKpql5vFY-ALKpE/s640/St+Regis+10.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">The trip from Craters of the Moon in Arco, Idaho to St. Regis, Montana took two days of driving.</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Our next destination is to ride the “Crown Jewell” of
rail-to-trail projects I had heard about from a friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nationally acclaimed <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Route of the Hiawatha</i> utilizes the abandoned Milwaukee Railroad
bed. The 15 mile stretch between East Portal and Pearson Trailheads includes
ten tunnels and seven sky high steel trestles, and accommodates mountain bikes,
hikers and even wheelchairs! (equipped for gravel roads). If you want, you can
park at the top, ride the gentle 2% downhill grade enjoying the views, and take
a shuttle back to the top!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How perfect!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiB37TKILO-1IQw9oDNv0lYfx8LtObki08Wu8GNi9KMwR0ftRU_Wga9T57GpNF50LVkweolQQ3eY4Pcc4xasfWYt_KxNmgz49mG5_MuZmr2sqbEALXchcpu0oCT32tPFaSbltgMvC3wvE/s1600/St+Regis+12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1516" data-original-width="1600" height="606" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiB37TKILO-1IQw9oDNv0lYfx8LtObki08Wu8GNi9KMwR0ftRU_Wga9T57GpNF50LVkweolQQ3eY4Pcc4xasfWYt_KxNmgz49mG5_MuZmr2sqbEALXchcpu0oCT32tPFaSbltgMvC3wvE/s640/St+Regis+12.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;">The Route of the Hiawatha is an easy ride most anyone can do. Helmets and headlamps are mandatory, rewards are tremendous!</span> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I did hours of research on this trail described as “one
of the most scenic stretches in the country” to find out exactly where the
trailhead parking lots are located, and where the closest campgrounds might
be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even called the company who runs
the shuttle months ago to double check everything. (I called a second time just
a couple of weeks ago to triple-check the details).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I can get a little over zealous about
details! But that’s a good thing, right?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We even added an extra day to our stay at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nugget RV Resort</i> just to make sure we
could ride this rail-trail even if we got rained out one day. It was that
important to me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Thank goodness Norm was reading the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">very</b> fine print of the brochure we
received at check in, and discovered that during this time frame, the
imperative ( for us ) shuttle was operating only weekends and holidays! This is
Monday night! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could not believe it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQb6fn-prTC6tqLrYVgG3aXOzE80xTxRRERc4XuvR5aI6xQXrCN8GEdoWArQgycmEmDFVR1k7ks9t2Uo9RCAc42pLzSzLKZDJKx2PzScpiTKEa6cdLRaVRRqXGnJl0DtaPHTAE0mGQ7_M/s1600/St+Regis+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQb6fn-prTC6tqLrYVgG3aXOzE80xTxRRERc4XuvR5aI6xQXrCN8GEdoWArQgycmEmDFVR1k7ks9t2Uo9RCAc42pLzSzLKZDJKx2PzScpiTKEa6cdLRaVRRqXGnJl0DtaPHTAE0mGQ7_M/s640/St+Regis+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;">We spotted other campers at the Nugget RV Park that had driven 50 miles with there company of their well-protected dogs! I just had to get a pictu</span>re!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Racking our brains on what to do, we spent some time
looking at our vacation schedule to see how we could possibly return on the way
back through, being very cognizant of the shuttle’s schedule this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It could be done, but it would be hundreds of
miles out of the way, and a lot of re-scheduling. Sweet Norm was willing to
make the adjustment for me, but I wasn’t sure I was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Nugget
RV Park</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> is a lovely campground that is very quiet, and
definitely excels in customer service!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were very helpful with information about things to do in the area,
and when we told the owner our disappointing situation, she said she would try
to figure something out. We said that we would be willing to hire someone, or
rent a car to make this ride possible, so she asked one of the off-duty workers
if he would like to make a little extra money and take us to the trailhead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one was really sure where it was, so that
night Norm and I spent a couple of hours researching exactly where the drop off
point was. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">In the morning, I called the shuttle company again to
find out exactly the route they take. She told me that the road is closed to
the public right now because of snow, and there was no way our “friend” could get
us to the trailheads! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I nearly cried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I told her no one at the shuttle company
had mentioned the early season schedule to me she felt very badly (she should,
because I recognized her British accent so I knew it was her).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She made a call and arranged for one of the
workers to pick us up and shuttle us back at precisely 3PM Pacific Time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so thankful and excited!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank goodness, I had called, or we would
have driven all that way and discovered the road closed over the mountain
pass!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><strong>Tuesday, May 30th 2017</strong></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Finally arriving at the upper trailhead (which is open
for public parking) we were glad to find out that the attendant was aware of
our shuttle, and we discussed that we would be picked up at 4pm Mountain time,
( 3PM Pacific which is what they go by ). That would give us 4 hours, we is much longer than needed to ride the 15 miles. It
would certainly be plenty of time to smell a ton of roses along the way, which
was fine by me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: red;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TOiHgt2U5X5piaVw8ESO3I3bb_8weVKh1cgDCHcdWuf676FVRTjQx47-wVzmqAq9-Abq1ybmnzk1YfAx-O7KJ_PlKpNal1PdVhul3D2h1MJ2haTrMHTZiO4BEyhnObu6Rg_DQQ8rr-w/s1600/st+regis+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TOiHgt2U5X5piaVw8ESO3I3bb_8weVKh1cgDCHcdWuf676FVRTjQx47-wVzmqAq9-Abq1ybmnzk1YfAx-O7KJ_PlKpNal1PdVhul3D2h1MJ2haTrMHTZiO4BEyhnObu6Rg_DQQ8rr-w/s640/st+regis+13.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">This tunnel was built in 1909 and certainly enjoyed today! A very unusual way to start a bike ride.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCG8hUpIiihyFwYah3RLTSTStI4hq7mjKTnqpg4UttPlM_QmdKkogmX96-DJb7mDfgcylxXviKo2oY8InD7L8YFxWm8zlO893AsFLFyQy-KvWsQcPMSevjtlhwhIKmtp8ampRUs8a3pSU/s1600/st+regis+7_LI+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCG8hUpIiihyFwYah3RLTSTStI4hq7mjKTnqpg4UttPlM_QmdKkogmX96-DJb7mDfgcylxXviKo2oY8InD7L8YFxWm8zlO893AsFLFyQy-KvWsQcPMSevjtlhwhIKmtp8ampRUs8a3pSU/s640/st+regis+7_LI+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;">Boy, it was a little unnerving to bike ride this 1.6 mile totally dark tunnel. Only our headlamps illuminated a small patch. The arrow points to the light at the end of the tunnel.</span> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: red;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The first section was the coolest. Literally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The awesome 1.6 mile tunnel was in total
darkness and about 35 degrees chilly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
were prepared with the mandatory headlamps, and suggested jackets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so weird riding along a totally dark
environment! Icy cold, dripping water from the roof hit us unexpectedly as we
pedaled along seeing only what our headlamps illuminated. We could, however,
see our breath, and our fingers and ears were downright cold when we exited
into the warm and brilliantly sunny day. We loved it!</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRaScDME-JqscKE5TfCJKj5llXPjXEJA1w9m6MSv_TBpjJiD6wiMDXqXxH7rY60K0J5sZYXWLq_MfdeqVSTDUb9byzbn-w_-gkTkkpw5tjfU6D89a450DlRKkJtX_bCd8_fprCFwCdRA/s1600/st+regis+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRaScDME-JqscKE5TfCJKj5llXPjXEJA1w9m6MSv_TBpjJiD6wiMDXqXxH7rY60K0J5sZYXWLq_MfdeqVSTDUb9byzbn-w_-gkTkkpw5tjfU6D89a450DlRKkJtX_bCd8_fprCFwCdRA/s640/st+regis+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;">The Route of the Hiawatha is truly a beautiful rail-trail. One of the 7 trestles can be seen in the middle of the photo.</span> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ95IIodNCECNMbzXZnnKxyy0IBvKbu6hAbAiy7EpdEBrcZ5ePCpnRjrGocDyOsgFdEFveb17mxNdFmOCvH26S4lsKWmDlWlMPxdfkrc9YEy8HvfIN2p1Qcg7d5IByEMetIUAnu-dhHAo/s1600/st+regis+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ95IIodNCECNMbzXZnnKxyy0IBvKbu6hAbAiy7EpdEBrcZ5ePCpnRjrGocDyOsgFdEFveb17mxNdFmOCvH26S4lsKWmDlWlMPxdfkrc9YEy8HvfIN2p1Qcg7d5IByEMetIUAnu-dhHAo/s640/st+regis+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Norm enjoying one of the 7 trestles along the Trail of the Hiawatha rail-trail</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: red;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">It was a gorgeous day as we rode along down a gentle grade,
over trestles and donned our headlamps 9 more times as we entered each tunnel. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact that there was not a scheduled
shuttle meant there were hardly any people on the trail at all! Awesome! </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We had a relaxing lunch as a young deer hung out with
us about 10 feet away, and huge chipmunks darted around snooping for
morsels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0K_TW_fU3aZ9wjm6A5hc_qvXvMCDjQyQO6j9P5KOkEd9D3vFpiSjObMXJzlTvC7TaPnR6nINbj9UZVC3UHIx66nzspQPRf-e0K8gAA8a9XdU_kqs449Cc6u_Yilmxw-9NEf9pC0fCg8/s1600/st+regis+new+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0K_TW_fU3aZ9wjm6A5hc_qvXvMCDjQyQO6j9P5KOkEd9D3vFpiSjObMXJzlTvC7TaPnR6nINbj9UZVC3UHIx66nzspQPRf-e0K8gAA8a9XdU_kqs449Cc6u_Yilmxw-9NEf9pC0fCg8/s640/st+regis+new+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: red; mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: red; mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">About 5 miles from the end, we met a couple that said
at 2PM there was a guy at the bottom waiting to shuttle some people ( that
would be us ). As we dilly-dallied along, reading each informative panel we
saw, worry began to tease my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why
was he there at 2PM, not 3?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked at
my fit-bit watch and I was horrified to read the time was 3:25PM!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought I remembered the time-zone changing
automatically the other day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh NO! Where
did the time go? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we going to miss
the shuttle and have to ride 15 miles UP HILL???? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be dark! And COLD! I suggested we hurry
and get to the end before he leaves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdS4Ny6-C6ThUXFYuJk-FQUCPcCGHvVef3H3SHwqrgDrjefrKLspKs4kGJ5mKWur49rvRQVVMxr2sqYLEA5pQz-2auV6KvT3rJn-HxHgWQe9RWgmjvm2arbs11CoxG-oIEYrTbPTiMztc/s1600/st+regis+new+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdS4Ny6-C6ThUXFYuJk-FQUCPcCGHvVef3H3SHwqrgDrjefrKLspKs4kGJ5mKWur49rvRQVVMxr2sqYLEA5pQz-2auV6KvT3rJn-HxHgWQe9RWgmjvm2arbs11CoxG-oIEYrTbPTiMztc/s640/st+regis+new+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">You ever try taking a selfie while riding a bike? Yikes!</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>We finally got to our pick up point, with my sore
behind blissfully grateful, and there was NO ONE THERE!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No phones, and absolutely no cell
service!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now the worry came fast to the
fore-front.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was the young girl at the
top confused about the time change?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did
we smell too many roses along the way?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We thought it might be a good time to bask in the
sunshine and take a nap just in case we had to make it back up the hill. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Norm snored
softly as my mind raced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s see, the
trail closes at 4:30 and they probably lock the parking lot and our car’s
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will they wonder where we are?
Will they care? Will we be forced to sleep in it overnight if we ever get there
at all? Would they tow it away? It gets dark in the mountains pretty quickly,
and OH GOD! The girl said bears like to hang out in the tunnels!!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">My mind was whirling as I planned how to survive
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s a water cooler here - good,
it has water in it….. we can fill up again, but I really didn’t bring much food
because there was supposed to be SOMEONE HERE!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ok, we will leave an S.O.S. note in the guest book, maybe someone might
look if we head up the trail…….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The minutes ticked by, and it was nearly 4:30 (
somewhere ) I was thinking we had to make a decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stay and risk it getting darker and colder,
or start back now. Where did he go? Why did he leave? Were we late? Did he assume
we turned around midway and went back? Were we about to join the ranks of those
unprepared losers that they need to send a search party out for? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> I was pretty
tired and very sure I would have a tough time making it back to the car parked 15 miles uphill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My butt definitely said “no way”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water coolers and guest book there suggested
perhaps someone would come to this distant parking lot to pick them up before leaving for the day. That would be great, but my watch and cell phones said it
was quitting time now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With no cell
service I couldn’t Google “ what time is it here”, or call the shuttle service.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Norm insisted his digital watch said the
same time as the phones. But they were turned off so how could they change
time-zones?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or did they? UGH! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLo09hVUqEfFF4YL7tNe7b8-_YfHPP-9dW4hEgKiOnvt4QncHgTJZC4FtZ-TguBco6vngMPEVfCBRGnlW1s0cxFnTZC5l_w4jkxgEun_blfOT-suDW79QGrgz-ICQVZBqas02DXtM7oE8/s1600/St+Regis+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLo09hVUqEfFF4YL7tNe7b8-_YfHPP-9dW4hEgKiOnvt4QncHgTJZC4FtZ-TguBco6vngMPEVfCBRGnlW1s0cxFnTZC5l_w4jkxgEun_blfOT-suDW79QGrgz-ICQVZBqas02DXtM7oE8/s640/St+Regis+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">I never thought I would be happy to see my new bike put in the back of a truck, but it certainly was the case today. I did, however, grab my jacket and pad it so it would not get scratched.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">After nearly an hour, we heard a truck coming, and I
was so relieved!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saved!! My hero!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I nearly kissed him, but didn’t want to freak
this young guy out. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guy apologized,
saying someone got injured and he had to take them back. I wished he had left a
note, for goodness sake!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">It took about 45 minutes to make it back up the
mountain, driving through some tunnels and very narrow roads that were hugging the
cliffs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The views were terrific as I
sat, so thankful to have been picked up, in the back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The day was lovely overall, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>even if it was sprinkled with a lot of
apprehension!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I vowed I would never take
our emergency equipment out of my backpack ( foil blankets, fire starters,
water filter, extra food) again. I learned you can truly go on the easiest,
most traveled trail, and still have the potential of getting into serious
trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wasn’t there a reality show
about that? “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I can’t believe I’m alive</i>”
re-enacted people’s drama when they stepped off a trail to take a picture and
got left behind by tour groups and spent days in the wilderness dodging forest
fires, getting mauled by bears, etc. etc. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">It was nearly 8pm when we got back to the
campground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since we accomplished our
main interest in this area, we decided to move on, and add an extra day to our
next destination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjgXtBknHgVByI7EJ7CPU4Fbf69JL7iAq1sOYZknW1Cb8murqZ2Bw8DNpCiuPq5ODXL42-3QT-quskKuPeam-OGF-uOBKeicSOI0lqqWKQVGnr_-jkcrbMFSwPf6Af7OVUsOAz_94MHs/s1600/St+Regis+9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjgXtBknHgVByI7EJ7CPU4Fbf69JL7iAq1sOYZknW1Cb8murqZ2Bw8DNpCiuPq5ODXL42-3QT-quskKuPeam-OGF-uOBKeicSOI0lqqWKQVGnr_-jkcrbMFSwPf6Af7OVUsOAz_94MHs/s640/St+Regis+9.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;">Ahhh.... spring is in the air! By tapping the clusters on this pine tree, I assisted nature by setting off the pollen in a cloud. I miss most of what New England's nature has to offer except the mess of the pine pollen in the spring. I guess it's the same here in Montana and Idaho.</span> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></div>
Norm and Alison's Travel Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750229221971316367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923198664366389494.post-43948504408071383132017-06-11T20:17:00.000-07:002017-07-25T15:19:29.566-07:00Norm's rocky road in the desert <h2>
<em>Written by Norm....</em></h2>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Off-roading is a major activity in and around
Moab.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides the obvious mountain
biking trails, there are hundreds of miles of trails specifically for ATV’s and
high clearance heavy duty suspension Jeeps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This has piqued my interest for a long time so no better place to give
it a try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I checked out a number of
rental companies and went with one that allowed us to pick up the vehicle the
night before with no added charge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was
beneficial because all of the rental companies were almost 20 miles away but
the trails were only a couple of miles from our campground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The owner of the company was very helpful in
outlining a suggested full day route; he was also very insistent that many
trails were NOT to be taken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Evidently
his vehicles are not as indestructible as the competition, but that didn’t
concern me much because I had never done this before anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By picking it up in the evening, we could get
a fresh start first thing in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9gPVRf2mI1k_embYDje47tXBFbOq0bglHlK4FYXDVSV9ME8jRHRNpusFtUojjWFLS8TKFLHGdQQrgW_GbaKEPfhOTbHj4520UdG27tLehzrzQKjFuTh3tpe7HjatEXh2oL90q0E1LSM/s1600/norm+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9gPVRf2mI1k_embYDje47tXBFbOq0bglHlK4FYXDVSV9ME8jRHRNpusFtUojjWFLS8TKFLHGdQQrgW_GbaKEPfhOTbHj4520UdG27tLehzrzQKjFuTh3tpe7HjatEXh2oL90q0E1LSM/s640/norm+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Alison does not do well sitting as a passenger for
several hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add to this the fact that
the journey involved severe rock climbing with the resultant bouncing, twisting
and jarring of your body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, the
windshield of this Jeep was very narrow and surrounding visibility was
limited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So it came as no big surprise
that she opted to not go with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> I
headed out alone on to Gemini Bridges Trail wondering how I was going to cope
with following detailed driving directions and taking pictures of the big
adventure all while maneuvering up and over rock mounds, boulders and tight
turns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh well, you gotta deal with
it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yxMnSYpNP7k/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yxMnSYpNP7k?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Above is a little movie Norm took during his crazy 4x4'ing day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> After about a ¼ mile on a gravel
road all of a sudden I was faced with nothing but seemingly insurmountable rock
slabs going sharply up a hill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well,
here we go!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I threw it into 4-wheel
drive and eased on the gas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not much
happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OK – I need more power (aka –
more gas).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All 4 wheels engaged and the
fun was on!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did everything I could to
hold onto the steering wheel as I was tossed around inside.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">This rugged portion settled down after about
½ mile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seemed like an eternity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then it became a rough road with pot holes
big enough to swallow a Volkswagen, kind of like driving in Boston in the
spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I was deep in a valley and had
solid rock walls on either side of me that went up a couple of thousand feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wowwww.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gradually I was ascending to the top of those cliffs but with all of the
twisting and turning, there did not seem to be much severe climbing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were a few scenic stops along the way
and I did the mandatory “ check it out” and take a few pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every once in a while I would hit a patch of
solid rock and climb 20 or 30 feet but nothing too strenuous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It actually began to get a little boring and
next thing you know, I was at the top and was turning onto a paved road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1AFCmrkCKk3WrOxaYhrGQRO7oRefWO102GEWfddndF8DnmmHlzpQ8mKDZ46rG8uQNHBj0NOCY0D7qfLXaen19iW5Mm0eI1P8dNRrIoGJMDeLECRASra64iCdrrYGRoMwfPAB4p7O_-c/s1600/Norm1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1AFCmrkCKk3WrOxaYhrGQRO7oRefWO102GEWfddndF8DnmmHlzpQ8mKDZ46rG8uQNHBj0NOCY0D7qfLXaen19iW5Mm0eI1P8dNRrIoGJMDeLECRASra64iCdrrYGRoMwfPAB4p7O_-c/s640/Norm1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Side hike to Gemini bridges</span></td></tr>
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</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I had to go into <em>Canyonlands National Park</em> and obtain
a permit to embark on the next section of the adventure – the dreaded Schafer
Trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we were at <em>Deadhorse Point
State Park</em> the day before, I had marveled at the vehicles on the canyon floor
and wondered how they got down there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well, this was the way down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> I
had been instructed to throw it into 4-wheel drive and then shift it into low
gear because the descent is very steep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Understatement!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a single
lane rutted dirt road that hugged a cliff edge and wound around blind
corners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although it was single lane, it
was NOT single direction!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully I
encountered very few oncoming vehicles but when I did, I made sure I was the
one to pull into the hillside and stop and let them deal with passing me on the
cliff side!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDj72MeGZx8X-j2iApjOzJp6_hWnfhxjbqYj0Dnimm94YeucvpeUdyGkml_ghEu5WRmorkXUKeAaiF9g1e6RkEHCAb2SqgUEc-pm0aUznVyJvgbv_ctrP94s2pGDKo8UNobQBfoWg95BY/s1600/Norm%2527s+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDj72MeGZx8X-j2iApjOzJp6_hWnfhxjbqYj0Dnimm94YeucvpeUdyGkml_ghEu5WRmorkXUKeAaiF9g1e6RkEHCAb2SqgUEc-pm0aUznVyJvgbv_ctrP94s2pGDKo8UNobQBfoWg95BY/s640/Norm%2527s+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Looking down at these narrow roads, I had a glimpse what was coming next..</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Then came the white knuckle
descent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>VERY tight hairpin turns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could see across the canyons to where the
road was taking me, and it got scarier and scarier as I went down and around
more and more blind corners!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
several miles of steep downhill driving before I finally arrived at what I
thought was the bottom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-es57w2RLPO2_HaWAMTJMz9cEMqCVTqpwKhSV98nlqOwkXRpin0ROSW7ky4_5OT-r4UgAMuuOsEopFfQpmk1Wndu8sbGMhBmZdVzsqT6_rHWjhq1WMx9-k2t4VIAZ0b2jUAIdWSfKzw/s1600/Screenshot+%2528288%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-es57w2RLPO2_HaWAMTJMz9cEMqCVTqpwKhSV98nlqOwkXRpin0ROSW7ky4_5OT-r4UgAMuuOsEopFfQpmk1Wndu8sbGMhBmZdVzsqT6_rHWjhq1WMx9-k2t4VIAZ0b2jUAIdWSfKzw/s640/Screenshot+%2528288%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">Finally I got a view of the Colorado River</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbPxUuWIXAKvarCcUMcuEjTZMFuv6FJq0WX3uwrbKfUlePrLSU7eaX3YhwW6uLgHnDsm_Xkgdmqpf3aWFrNBHxQyZAomrVIVe2gWrcMyney6S1frxUOr_3CXfhINj-Y7_hChvQiVpiSA/s1600/Screenshot+%2528289%2529_LI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbPxUuWIXAKvarCcUMcuEjTZMFuv6FJq0WX3uwrbKfUlePrLSU7eaX3YhwW6uLgHnDsm_Xkgdmqpf3aWFrNBHxQyZAomrVIVe2gWrcMyney6S1frxUOr_3CXfhINj-Y7_hChvQiVpiSA/s640/Screenshot+%2528289%2529_LI.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">The arrow shows where we were the day before looking down at the roads on the canyon floor.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">It leveled off
for many more miles and then I caught glimpses of the Colorado River, but it
was several hundred feet below me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
still had more descent ahead of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several
more patches of navigating rock slabs, crossing through a river bed and finally
I was on the banks of the mighty Colorado.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I connected with another scenic paved road that
followed alongside the Colorado and was treated to a pull-off that featured
several clusters of native American rock art about 20-30 feet up from the
ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why did they have to draw so
high and how did they get up there??<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p>I </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> hurried back to the RV and picked up Alison to
accompany me back into Moab, where we had left our car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The entire journey lasted about 6 hours and
it was a very memorable experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Would I do it again?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You bet!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
Norm and Alison's Travel Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750229221971316367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923198664366389494.post-13556551096733472972017-06-10T13:57:00.000-07:002017-07-25T16:11:50.238-07:00The area of Coeur D'Alene, Idaho<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHetlztlIwFom9Ro7EAmaRuVoAbF74dygg4k1F4CBYNrp9xqDzWv80I9REJR2LvnoMaM8wQEQZzxsWCJiW8fySGBvp45sZbw4uz7-OKMNMkw7stLMbyERD6i-UzpziiwrBQ2XWiCLAYF0/s1600/stoneridge+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHetlztlIwFom9Ro7EAmaRuVoAbF74dygg4k1F4CBYNrp9xqDzWv80I9REJR2LvnoMaM8wQEQZzxsWCJiW8fySGBvp45sZbw4uz7-OKMNMkw7stLMbyERD6i-UzpziiwrBQ2XWiCLAYF0/s320/stoneridge+4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Leaving St. Regis a day early, we headed to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Stoneridge Motor Coach Resort</i>. This
lovely resort nestled in a valley goal is to become an owner-based RV resort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Huge sites are sold that one can erect a very
small building which most people seem to house their guest bath and laundryroom
and kitchenette. Some landscapes were right out of home and garden sporting
elaborate gourmet kitchens, fireplaces, audio video equipment and designer
furniture! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All done with your personal
dollar and approval of a board, of course ). We received a coupon at an RV show to
come stay here for 7 nights FREE if we agreed to take a tour of the property.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>We NEVER normally accept the many (I mean many)
offers sent by mail or over the phone for various timeshares. But hey – we
would be right there, and the savings are great, so why not? </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKWM_JpTqX-oHxT3X8pDzPX-v9G69D3Zt51uevLmSQ92-8snEHjYGXNMEzPnt9E9SYecizHjrrHGTceU4-hOws1wxfx4cYkGmHxcOC7ZHNihglYOk5f4b98YkhjPaJWL_yCA00S7hPSU/s1600/20170603_171846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKWM_JpTqX-oHxT3X8pDzPX-v9G69D3Zt51uevLmSQ92-8snEHjYGXNMEzPnt9E9SYecizHjrrHGTceU4-hOws1wxfx4cYkGmHxcOC7ZHNihglYOk5f4b98YkhjPaJWL_yCA00S7hPSU/s640/20170603_171846.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">This site, right next to us, was so cleverly designed! Inside is below.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSsK8Y8b42OeIR5q4Uo_1S2PGoQEzU1AtAg0JG0WaJR6pseP0k5fr7dbCaXOo1H2gOQneId48n8EtvSo90zsEykr2D3MjKqbZ-bnd52A_uZi2LRldPKJcqB_bhQ7lj5r4lvVui4_g9ek/s1600/Screenshot+%2528294%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSsK8Y8b42OeIR5q4Uo_1S2PGoQEzU1AtAg0JG0WaJR6pseP0k5fr7dbCaXOo1H2gOQneId48n8EtvSo90zsEykr2D3MjKqbZ-bnd52A_uZi2LRldPKJcqB_bhQ7lj5r4lvVui4_g9ek/s640/Screenshot+%2528294%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;">Unfortunately I took this picture before they moved in all their beautiful furniture. Wine cooler, gourmet kitchen, fireplace, large screen TV, fire place as well as a fire pit. Decorative propane heaters hang, and custom made screens make it cozy in the cool weather</span>.</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4ZPode3PRn2V5Re97y99U6UWmn0y1Fl2Nh_QNxIHMrhBvfwNniDc72WwAE8t6TncIJfbwIgPl_m6G7vgtvu4HuWjNbJq0oXd3KGeJLNMU8VwobewUgiswHbkR-IVpMHl9zkeZjPv1yM/s1600/stoneridge+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4ZPode3PRn2V5Re97y99U6UWmn0y1Fl2Nh_QNxIHMrhBvfwNniDc72WwAE8t6TncIJfbwIgPl_m6G7vgtvu4HuWjNbJq0oXd3KGeJLNMU8VwobewUgiswHbkR-IVpMHl9zkeZjPv1yM/s640/stoneridge+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">Our site at Stoneridge Motor Coach Resort with a personalized welcome sign. This is a lot with no improvements.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2iCnSU0EchN9QwUsCBgizaGRGG8rIS6fIXD2qkKqsWAIxJfbLjvhKnWZsH4I4GkHiM13KBYcZ4O4ImjOVmU4qfyF8b245OZCQAAdEqCKR7_x2PWv36fFtTQ_eSLgDAE2cEfzTk5Q0yNE/s1600/coeur_d_alene_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2iCnSU0EchN9QwUsCBgizaGRGG8rIS6fIXD2qkKqsWAIxJfbLjvhKnWZsH4I4GkHiM13KBYcZ4O4ImjOVmU4qfyF8b245OZCQAAdEqCKR7_x2PWv36fFtTQ_eSLgDAE2cEfzTk5Q0yNE/s640/coeur_d_alene_1024.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">Downtown Coeur D'Alene stolen from the internet</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">As we drove through Coeur D’Alene which was our actual
destination city, we learned there was a hidden cost of our being at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Stoneridge Motor Coach Resort</i> – the
drive back was 45 minutes each way! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
hate doing all that driving, especially after a dinner out. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was certainly going to limit how often we
go there, or what we will see or do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blackwell Island RV Park</i> was right on
the water, in the heart of Coeur D’Alene but we canceled our reservations there
to stay at the free resort (which also had a golf course with a fraction of the
green fees.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since we are on “vacation”
for 6 months, when we can save many hundreds of dollars, we take advantage of it!
But in this case, I may have preferred to split the time between the two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps if we had started making trip plans a
year ahead, we would have had time to get down into the nitty gritty. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Over the next few days we had the tour of the
beautiful motor coach resort and took advantage of being finally allowed to
clean our coach, and do a few maintenance chores. We played around making
time-lapse videos of our chores which I may post later (once I figure out how
to, and have the internet sources to do it). Of course, as luck would have it,
it rained the next day, but the rig still looked so much better. Another day we
drove into Coeur d’Alene, got more provisions, and had a lovely dinner at the
big hotel there.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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We had a lovely meal at Beverly's in the Coeur d'Alene Resort</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We played a round of golf on Stoneridge’s beautifully
maintained course, but really didn’t venture too far, or do terribly much
because of weather. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">After 5 nights in peaceful bliss, it was time to move
onto Canada!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Norm and Alison's Travel Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750229221971316367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923198664366389494.post-87283940285817063532017-06-06T08:25:00.001-07:002017-07-25T16:27:01.824-07:00Creaters of the Moon!<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Friday,
May 26th 2017<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">I had never heard of the National Monument called <em>Craters of the Moon</em>, but Norm had and wanted to check it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a name like that it certainly sounded
unique, that’s for sure!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBQe7gzFTj68rd5iE4zT6Igxr6YhG5yjw2ZTR5dWrsZgnBnYKgMGOhom6HfQvr0q1NHK4Vz4MiM5aPToHFhoD1hUkrZk2kIuk4ndabxm1uABzxUrsCzRWX6idt3sD904zmXqkQ7kgJFk/s1600/20170527_100831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBQe7gzFTj68rd5iE4zT6Igxr6YhG5yjw2ZTR5dWrsZgnBnYKgMGOhom6HfQvr0q1NHK4Vz4MiM5aPToHFhoD1hUkrZk2kIuk4ndabxm1uABzxUrsCzRWX6idt3sD904zmXqkQ7kgJFk/s640/20170527_100831.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;">With a name like this we just HAD to check it out! We love the snow capped mountains, which were melting rapidly.</span> </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><em>Craters of the Moon National Monument</em> is located in southeast
Idaho, in the small ( around 1000 people ) town of Arco. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The eerily bleak landscape was formed by eight
major volcanic eruptions 15,000 and 2000 years ago. During this time lava
erupted from a series of deep cracks that stretched 52 miles, creating a lava
field that covered 618 square miles between mountain ranges. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: red;">
</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUAC3JnIS7ArigPJOlrsCXZOj5pLwnh_6fImouQ0or3duAk4dDmYaV9gFyd6RXcakKSMZBupnlx8P0-9JuKsexzsmG1Yt-8rWC-bA3vvKBig0X7O6c-ycV39hq2d16wwXgB1wpKoFNho/s1600/Crators+11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="1600" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUAC3JnIS7ArigPJOlrsCXZOj5pLwnh_6fImouQ0or3duAk4dDmYaV9gFyd6RXcakKSMZBupnlx8P0-9JuKsexzsmG1Yt-8rWC-bA3vvKBig0X7O6c-ycV39hq2d16wwXgB1wpKoFNho/s640/Crators+11.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">It was a pretty long and boring ride from Salt Lake City to <em>Craters of the Moon National Monument.</em></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Norm and I drove past the smallest of towns, one of
which is Atomic City, home to a mere 29 people. Now that is small!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">We noticed a sign for <em>National Engineering Laboratory</em>,
but didn’t realize then that it actually encompasses 900 square miles, and that
more than 50 reactors had been built on this site!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This area was used for nuclear reactor
experimentation and development; probably because of its few residents, and
that the volcanic landscape already appears struck by a nuclear holocaust!
Perhaps no one would even notice should there be a nuclear accident! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">There is a
self-guided tour at the Experimental Breeder Reactor -1 Visitor Center on US Hwy
26/20 in Arco, and might be worth the detour. Not knowing this, we drove right
past. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoU3MjWXbtqWTHnH0SpiELhN3XYW5fnFITj6jRT_BfFuXK6ylzpI7fJ_a0r-52YrZFfnIW97AWQ1CKQPBf7h-oFDVid63vfCJ_-5Q4t2d7M50OhLRAu6BZBMeGCoG_yoaJQaXhjYiNDM/s1600/Crators+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoU3MjWXbtqWTHnH0SpiELhN3XYW5fnFITj6jRT_BfFuXK6ylzpI7fJ_a0r-52YrZFfnIW97AWQ1CKQPBf7h-oFDVid63vfCJ_-5Q4t2d7M50OhLRAu6BZBMeGCoG_yoaJQaXhjYiNDM/s640/Crators+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">We are not really antisocial, but having a lot of elbow room is really great! <em>Mountain View RV Park</em> is one of the nicer laid-out parks.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Norm and I arrived at <em>Mountain View RV Park </em>in Arco, Idaho<em> </em>a little crippled from the 240 mile
drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This campground was quite unusual
in that the “office” was actually a small restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Norman immediately spotted that they had beer
on tap, and I picked up the menu to see what a tiny restaurant in the middle of
absolutely nowhere could offer. Shocked to see 3 pages of menu items, the liver
and onions caught my eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly the
prospect of cooking at home in the rain was not such a pleasant idea with a
menu like this, and draft beer for Norm!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When the owner heard my interest in several of the entrees, he said “ Oh
heavens no! We don’t have ANYTHING on the menu, it’s too early in the
season!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am, however, cooking ribs for
a special birthday dinner for someone in town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Too bad, there is not enough for you! " ( He didn’t think ).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">No problem, we did have a lot of groceries we just
purchased in Salt Lake City, so it was better for us anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">The extra bonus for us here was that other than one
other rig, we were the only ones there!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No squawking kids, no yapping dogs, no Harley Davison riders leaving for work at
5AM!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">We wondered why the lack of business ( other than the
temperature still in the 30’s at night ) because this is a really lovely
campground!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Impeccably kept grounds
with huge, flat sites - plus a restaurant for your convenience ( in season ), It's relative closeness to the park is a huge bonus. There was a <em>KOA Campground</em> nearby, but I can't imagine it nicer that this! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">After setting up the rig, Norm and I yet again set out
for the local Visitor’s Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
about a half hour drive in a cold, dismal rain that made the otherworldly
setting look even more gloomy and remote.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWClA7URuq-n3I5VnWGZg6gUE-505pxU_Y8zPp-YsIQHSyyGkSFWtsDEQpi64yuJKKgmmb-E51OiDNXeIsO65qoKNsQMBCUw-l8avEeAjPcK0m_77IYa0JOYNBVKEtGHvwrxl52LZMys/s1600/20170526_163144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWClA7URuq-n3I5VnWGZg6gUE-505pxU_Y8zPp-YsIQHSyyGkSFWtsDEQpi64yuJKKgmmb-E51OiDNXeIsO65qoKNsQMBCUw-l8avEeAjPcK0m_77IYa0JOYNBVKEtGHvwrxl52LZMys/s640/20170526_163144.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">The newly built Visitors Center at Crators of the Moon had state of the art audio visual equipment, and a fabulous educational film by PBS about this unique area.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">We were interested in exploring the caves here a Craters
of the Moon and one is required to get a permit to do it – after favorably
answering all the questions regarding other caves we may have been in due to
the White Nose Syndrome epidemic among cave dwelling bats that is decimating
this environmentally significant species. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVxMFSDEZ_QI4TNqoaVQb6M2B6f309kz9x2kgKs3pMzArcu-bnkQuXHyctNIDqVrx1sHJmJvNqAmbiqkOWD3kY0ekQq_i8i446PDN5socmZFnwXIYN_UJurVqhmgseZVRP11UTU0kscw/s1600/crators+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVxMFSDEZ_QI4TNqoaVQb6M2B6f309kz9x2kgKs3pMzArcu-bnkQuXHyctNIDqVrx1sHJmJvNqAmbiqkOWD3kY0ekQq_i8i446PDN5socmZFnwXIYN_UJurVqhmgseZVRP11UTU0kscw/s640/crators+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;">You can really see how the lava flowed here 15,000 to 2000 years ago during eight different eruptions</span>.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-p2JlF66jSGXyrRlTYw4EcP3PyBYTl1S9v1hvw65ptGi9E7KF_iaiP6PwGp2CvRK1H1d1k9LkJdWqYKjEWig1_zbwzyC75qV-mrQmZ6TSw4LDHgwQ077OFeRxuPSjsmzWIfd61UUY6Pg/s1600/crators+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-p2JlF66jSGXyrRlTYw4EcP3PyBYTl1S9v1hvw65ptGi9E7KF_iaiP6PwGp2CvRK1H1d1k9LkJdWqYKjEWig1_zbwzyC75qV-mrQmZ6TSw4LDHgwQ077OFeRxuPSjsmzWIfd61UUY6Pg/s640/crators+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">This visitor’s center looked very new, and the
beautifully produced movie by PBS was shown on state-of-the-art equipment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Informational boards and a fascinating
exhibit hall informed visitors of area flora and fauna, plus identified local
taxidermized animals and birds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
learned what the different formations were called and how they were formed
thousands of years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes
visiting an area so much more interesting if you know more about what you are
looking at! Unfortunately, Ranger led programs had not yet begun for the
season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Saturday,
May 27<sup>th</sup> 2017<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTeqfT1bOJaDYR-0OJQHsEfZ_7TVa-BAA2OvY1eyWXkeamfTIcr_GTwErGp_NKZ7D-PSw2OWnF1MCoeJQhGk1M8-gttwwoMm6cs5DZ1toL9vzotrFI6qGvbBYD5lM5ZcXy1LTlY_nFwyQ/s1600/Screenshot+%2528256%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTeqfT1bOJaDYR-0OJQHsEfZ_7TVa-BAA2OvY1eyWXkeamfTIcr_GTwErGp_NKZ7D-PSw2OWnF1MCoeJQhGk1M8-gttwwoMm6cs5DZ1toL9vzotrFI6qGvbBYD5lM5ZcXy1LTlY_nFwyQ/s640/Screenshot+%2528256%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">The view from the top of the mound below shows the vastness of this lava flow</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzk2vy8xnF7MQtYWPsOpDO5NhyaU62w4Ibcmw0RbirwbknhS4TJx6HqwZVT_nqRkoZgLBZ8b2OEINrlYJNny1Hs-h7YhcPb2JP5nC2NNIPPq-V01xKtLFeSFJdAMHmjXE51FUS0khE8Q/s1600/crators+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzk2vy8xnF7MQtYWPsOpDO5NhyaU62w4Ibcmw0RbirwbknhS4TJx6HqwZVT_nqRkoZgLBZ8b2OEINrlYJNny1Hs-h7YhcPb2JP5nC2NNIPPq-V01xKtLFeSFJdAMHmjXE51FUS0khE8Q/s640/crators+7.png" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">The hikes around the park were interesting. I could really visualize what the molten lava must have looked like as it oozed through the valley. Amazing!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2_EXFnPAfXR8VoE6JTufPTDiPyB1nBP753RH5yqlOowjC-h6jMJZs5XKqI_1ZwRFDlnulKlMwxqtC8s_VxFr3yEx-zEMRr3LPpRpvKWnQpSIKDQHtNqjKCivt3NqTIp6b4xdtI8fnlQ/s1600/crators+6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2_EXFnPAfXR8VoE6JTufPTDiPyB1nBP753RH5yqlOowjC-h6jMJZs5XKqI_1ZwRFDlnulKlMwxqtC8s_VxFr3yEx-zEMRr3LPpRpvKWnQpSIKDQHtNqjKCivt3NqTIp6b4xdtI8fnlQ/s640/crators+6.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">We were able to check out some of the caves. The caves were small and the entrance and exit pretty tight!</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp6VoYbL3NivMdCqtaCb_cPntXiTnzhliZk7m9qfhDrDGAjTR38MFsmm0oj1ny9Dp0G9hICd5l_kRjuXtg2cPwJWUCiam8I2C-EOD6dXT2nsOBGsv58ZQulRQhWavmmxIOjeq_3QHa8ho/s1600/crators+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp6VoYbL3NivMdCqtaCb_cPntXiTnzhliZk7m9qfhDrDGAjTR38MFsmm0oj1ny9Dp0G9hICd5l_kRjuXtg2cPwJWUCiam8I2C-EOD6dXT2nsOBGsv58ZQulRQhWavmmxIOjeq_3QHa8ho/s640/crators+8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">This "hill" at <em>Craters of the Moon</em> actually consists of volcanic ash.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">We headed out with lunches packed to explore the park
in one day. Heading down the 7 mile scenic road we stopped at different turn
outs, taking short hikes then took a longer one promising interesting cave
self-exploration. </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Norm and I were pretty
surprised at the volume of people that came to visit here, and felt sorry for
the large busloads of people that just drove through, never stopping to see the sights. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent most of the beautiful
day absorbing this geologically fascinating area, and were glad that we came,
albeit the landscape was somewhat depressing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<img height="54" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzk2vy8xnF7MQtYWPsOpDO5NhyaU62w4Ibcmw0RbirwbknhS4TJx6HqwZVT_nqRkoZgLBZ8b2OEINrlYJNny1Hs-h7YhcPb2JP5nC2NNIPPq-V01xKtLFeSFJdAMHmjXE51FUS0khE8Q/s640/crators+7.png" style="left: 294px; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 6608.02px;" width="96" />Norm and Alison's Travel Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750229221971316367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923198664366389494.post-7507592521116352322017-06-03T08:46:00.000-07:002017-07-25T16:32:19.851-07:00Being kids again in Moab, Utah!<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Thursday,
May 16<sup>th</sup>, 2017<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">We had to wait a little while for the snow and ice to
melt off equipment before we packed up, but the sun was warm, and soon we were
heading off to the exciting destination of Moab, Utah – one of the world’s top
mountain bike destinations!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Since off road biking is my biggest passion, I am
dying to give my new bike a real test.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Norm was more interested in the nearby Canyonlands National Park, and to
re-visit Arches National Park just outside our campground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJWdzFfCQAcXD47xeTiRm3Pewia-7gkt8vdKYabUL3sXgu4UBc-uNMmj9XhGRFW5WoWsoZ6AXmgtollbJ5x19m0oser0eabh4-mUXGLL2Xgg8JYIkRTbZytJnUEBRdMDXMqIRXgiVwdg/s1600/Moab+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJWdzFfCQAcXD47xeTiRm3Pewia-7gkt8vdKYabUL3sXgu4UBc-uNMmj9XhGRFW5WoWsoZ6AXmgtollbJ5x19m0oser0eabh4-mUXGLL2Xgg8JYIkRTbZytJnUEBRdMDXMqIRXgiVwdg/s640/Moab+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Norm drove his car in some snow last winter while working in Boston, but I have not in about 10 years! It was pretty nerve wracking driving a 32,000 lb motorhome in this unexpected storm!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">As we left Durango we headed up the mountain without a
care in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we hit the very
same spot where it was weird to be snowing the day before, it sure enough was
snowing again!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Norm and I assumed it was
unique to that mile stretch of road. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">A few more miles under our belt, and the snow got
heavier and heavier!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I am not really
a “worrier” – I prefer to call myself a “planner”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mind works out emergency plans before it
happens. That’s a good thing, I think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even though the snow was not sticking to the road (thank goodness) I was
concerned that as we went into the mountains, and then down into valleys, that
might change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Signs stating “Bridge
freezes before road” warned us frequently of the danger. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUNdOH_acuCMmtNYmvCHoWunbrDkww21uy-ca9jXZoJe-VgR7vnB4vp0wfMi4zUKYJQKWW7MS-D2eOdg1AlXjE3mfgkaVYTLOHU-5LDQr4wXM7tsUXs9pYz43v5AmjlJFZiZDlP-M_V4/s1600/20170518_105532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUNdOH_acuCMmtNYmvCHoWunbrDkww21uy-ca9jXZoJe-VgR7vnB4vp0wfMi4zUKYJQKWW7MS-D2eOdg1AlXjE3mfgkaVYTLOHU-5LDQr4wXM7tsUXs9pYz43v5AmjlJFZiZDlP-M_V4/s640/20170518_105532.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">Snow was sticking to the glass and was clogging the windshield wiper motor. I wished for a place we could pull over to clear it off, but was not safe to do so for miles.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Barely seeing 50 feet in front of us, the windshield
wipers brushed aside this terrifying white stuff. I wanted to pull off at any
of the RV resorts we were passing by, but Norm was afraid we would get snowed
in for days if we did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So? Better than getting
sliding off a mountain in my book. Norm was behind the wheel, so guess who won.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="color: red;">
</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSe2Q6TG6s4AKYkTxjqKtMeNa_8zE_DRuC8zGVRADNbEgniwNMAYlBIhDAHp_BYnIDpNA2npbeTti0OBihwkPavJ2_JR_ImE8hzyITPyZ6D3zKi8GkdZL5Wmf_VGbq0UgDzomZJnDCoQ/s1600/20170518_120946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSe2Q6TG6s4AKYkTxjqKtMeNa_8zE_DRuC8zGVRADNbEgniwNMAYlBIhDAHp_BYnIDpNA2npbeTti0OBihwkPavJ2_JR_ImE8hzyITPyZ6D3zKi8GkdZL5Wmf_VGbq0UgDzomZJnDCoQ/s640/20170518_120946.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">After an hour or so the snow stopped and the beauty of it began!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">After about an hour ( or was it a week? ) the snow
subsided, leaving a winter wonderland. I have really missed New England’s snow,
so I was enjoying its beauty, now that I felt safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was very thankful that the route Norm chose
was avoiding the big mountains, because we later learned that Interstate 70 was
closed, and somewhere got about 40 inches of snow!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPaChwlDojTG9OrKzESvU-dD5aYnCawQGqf109ntaNLk492QBvjVLueO1oKVCOIH2v-SsEtldfImlDtK77OQupuFmBqOU-RCciK4lFU3iEF4-79bRWeIH3JL3VdrVt1bbXS0dDPcp1nf8/s1600/moab+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPaChwlDojTG9OrKzESvU-dD5aYnCawQGqf109ntaNLk492QBvjVLueO1oKVCOIH2v-SsEtldfImlDtK77OQupuFmBqOU-RCciK4lFU3iEF4-79bRWeIH3JL3VdrVt1bbXS0dDPcp1nf8/s640/moab+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Moab ( pronounced Mo-ab)! A place for the young -at- heart and somewhat crazy!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">As we drove through the tiny town of Moab, people were
dressed in hiking/biking clothes highly accessorized with splashes of mud. My
excitement mounted as we saw most cars with mountain bikes adorning their back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ATV’s ( all-terrain vehicles) and trucks
souped-up with monstrous tires and shocks were even more abundant!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow, this is going to be awesome! (Not the
mud-part.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Our campground <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Archview
RV Resort and Campground</i> was about 20 minutes out of town, but more
convenient to the National Parks. Our campsite was once again one of the best
there, with a fabulous view of the snow-capped LaSal mountain range in the
distance, and a desert mesa in between.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The majority of the people staying here had at least one off-road
vehicle and some had several! It appears Moab has also become the place to off
road the hundreds of miles of red dirt trails and slick rock. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3n1IO8rH0FhzQLzCH4L0xUW4iI_ZEJHcBLVk35gCboff6TVfg4cZaw3g9U48quhJJJvZ8l6Xa98voLFyWKulHcH9jm-TJBNoKqj5mtj9HtKCgK3VyLEzD1HbvTJI9GOeXwfpE1QtKauw/s1600/moab+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3n1IO8rH0FhzQLzCH4L0xUW4iI_ZEJHcBLVk35gCboff6TVfg4cZaw3g9U48quhJJJvZ8l6Xa98voLFyWKulHcH9jm-TJBNoKqj5mtj9HtKCgK3VyLEzD1HbvTJI9GOeXwfpE1QtKauw/s640/moab+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Most all RV campsites had ATV's</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Norm and I headed back into town to wash our
positively filthy car, check out the Visitor’s Center and get a few
groceries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needing to learn which trails
we could bike on without the danger of those souped-up, motorized vehicles, we
stopped at Poison Spider Bike shop and met the most helpful older (our age)
employee who knew all there was to know about the local bike trails!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">
</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XSyjvWmLVnYCV1QP_ooVZfh7mdTJgB7VuDezqnzMx6RwblVnhG40KlF7mbzdRTiYA1TF_R-EsDs9gJ2sG-b5QPmNt5Rkpz6G7bCU6ss1G2rKlKQYL-mr6MbZVN_gwy65Nw7WA8X9cx8/s1600/moab+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XSyjvWmLVnYCV1QP_ooVZfh7mdTJgB7VuDezqnzMx6RwblVnhG40KlF7mbzdRTiYA1TF_R-EsDs9gJ2sG-b5QPmNt5Rkpz6G7bCU6ss1G2rKlKQYL-mr6MbZVN_gwy65Nw7WA8X9cx8/s640/moab+6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Right in front of us I watched kids of all ages and sizes enjoy the countryside.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">We purchased a couple of maps on which he outlined
which trails were best for our ability, and off we went with visions of red
dirt and slick rock dancing in my head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Friday,
May 19<sup>th</sup> 2017<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">The next morning we were finally going to ride!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Norm for some reason wasn’t moving too fast
this morning, so I bustled about getting the gear, lunches and bikes ready. It
was close to noon when we finally drove the few miles to the trailhead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was bouncing and pacing like an obnoxious
puppy dying to get out there and ride, convincing Norm we could eat on the
trail and to take the lunches with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">We must have only gone ¼ mile on our bikes when we realized
we had missed the trailhead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While
merely turning his bike around Norm heard a “snap” in his shoulder, and felt
incredible pain!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hearing him cry out, I
stopped and looked over at Norm holding his arm and grimacing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He had been undergoing physical therapy for his rotator cuff before we
left, but it had not been bothering him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Mountain biking takes a lot of upper body
strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maneuvering through and over
rocks and obstacles certainly takes both arms, to say the least, so I strongly
suggested we go back so he doesn’t break his neck as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am sure he refused for my sake knowing this
was the highlight of my trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">As we continued for about a half mile, I realized that
this trail was a little more than Norm might be comfortable riding under the
best of his conditions, and that there was no way he should be even trying this
hurt. Norm readily agreed to turn around. Norm has a tremendous tolerance for
pain, so I knew he was really hurting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">I was not only worried, but I have to admit horribly
disappointed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Norm insisted I go with a
tour group, but finding a group that was not too aggressive, or worse – full of
beginners, would not be too much fun. If I were to get hurt as well we would be
in real trouble! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would have to think
about it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCzJKa5GQf11AfHwzhyphenhyphenmroAOi_l-Kta8K2Pj-UT6fXzi3i1_mqJiGr5SFbMAQxMQuhta6-y49S9eLZjexFVAtH2T2KG39RLFDGt7HoOMuWpBeG3Kouhc9zI8LvvobhK7PeImRoXcsyQ8/s1600/moab+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCzJKa5GQf11AfHwzhyphenhyphenmroAOi_l-Kta8K2Pj-UT6fXzi3i1_mqJiGr5SFbMAQxMQuhta6-y49S9eLZjexFVAtH2T2KG39RLFDGt7HoOMuWpBeG3Kouhc9zI8LvvobhK7PeImRoXcsyQ8/s640/moab+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">When I couldn't go biking because of Norm's injury, I decided to get my frustrations out by washing the motorhome.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">We went back to the RV and Norm started icing his
shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coupled with ibuprofen and a
long nap his shoulder felt a little better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When I get depressed, I work, so I decided to tackle washing our huge 41
foot rig that was also covered in mud and crud from the snow we drove in the
day before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so gross I couldn’t
stand it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">After a couple of hours, one side looked fabulous, but
MY shoulder was complaining so I decided to be smart and finish it the next
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Saturday,
May 20<sup>th</sup>, 2017</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: red;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZDfWnMtUk4zpNugOZMN-E_xYcG6wG6a8i7WhS_ojaX9IEsBH7hzAV4qDMRSgG7KmKz_4Nia8K63eRhlpI8guSTae7AFtMy5pzBwDjJWbj_m9aSDEsrtgcazrRzP2iRSnFwGKJ4cBXNM/s1600/moab+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZDfWnMtUk4zpNugOZMN-E_xYcG6wG6a8i7WhS_ojaX9IEsBH7hzAV4qDMRSgG7KmKz_4Nia8K63eRhlpI8guSTae7AFtMy5pzBwDjJWbj_m9aSDEsrtgcazrRzP2iRSnFwGKJ4cBXNM/s640/moab+14.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">This unnatural blue "lake" is actually part of the potash mining operation here near Moab. They add blue coloring to these ponds to decrease the time it takes to crystalize the potassium. I thought it was quite beautiful, but Norm really thought it scared the landscape.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Norm woke up with his shoulder feeling quite a bit
better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had maybe 50% range of
motion, but the quick, stabbing pain seemed to be pretty much gone. How could
it be so acute one day, and so much better the next? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank goodness we are here for 5 more days so
he can heal before trying to drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God
knows, I’m not driving that behemoth rolling condo 1000’s of miles home!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">It was a gorgeous day, so we decided to take the 40
minute (or so) drive to Dead Horse Point State Park, which is reported to be
beautiful. The drive was lovely as we passed grazing cattle on the edge of the
road, and wound up and down the mountainside and across mesas, finally arriving
where millions of years of geologic activity created the spectacular views of canyons,
mesas and buttes. Those that are brave enough could walk to the edge of the precipice
to peek over the edge and see the Colorado River wind through the canyon thousands
of feet below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaRgCTAH8UN3oG04iUi-pJz4tOxdIDD6EvO7ed4z7v53E5HAi46jTwKb-gNYkfKB8HAaQjcn0z3va92G1axuuRxkGC4UViej1R6cAhmPBuyLfWml95De7fV15XTFYZzHKAmMRwpN8CpGY/s1600/moab+13.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaRgCTAH8UN3oG04iUi-pJz4tOxdIDD6EvO7ed4z7v53E5HAi46jTwKb-gNYkfKB8HAaQjcn0z3va92G1axuuRxkGC4UViej1R6cAhmPBuyLfWml95De7fV15XTFYZzHKAmMRwpN8CpGY/s640/moab+13.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">This is a mind-blowing view with dirt roads down below calling to us.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHakv3RZmd5RwzxMDoH3tuhMU6JxBOknufXCjaOsfyzA3aRvYPh7Y8jIVjEXTgOVifV925qJyD6PF4sLoce6iwqY1J7MiviVAyH18ah-MkdSGvlelPuOMjqAaBGTd0Fs4m5MuU39kDImc/s1600/20170520_114001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHakv3RZmd5RwzxMDoH3tuhMU6JxBOknufXCjaOsfyzA3aRvYPh7Y8jIVjEXTgOVifV925qJyD6PF4sLoce6iwqY1J7MiviVAyH18ah-MkdSGvlelPuOMjqAaBGTd0Fs4m5MuU39kDImc/s640/20170520_114001.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">You really have to peek over the edge to comprehend just how magnificent this canyon is. (and deadly should you slip and fall)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">We spent a couple of hours walking along the edge
gaining many vantage points taking a zillion pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is another one of those places that call
to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The quiet, rugged beauty, birds
soaring below and the gentle breezes were like a soothing balm for my soul. I
hated to leave!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">
</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">
</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsCgQWxQHQAYjoHKtxrKlr09CYC5EHMbJLQlLu3kQgZhPyTnQSS68_f8Ovh2FcBwvA81C-H7PJECrSdErM9BqL7ch9-CtV59hC7qEak3F4zH_9o6yZ4TTqloZgCZ551MyIqOA5bQpI3g/s1600/moab+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsCgQWxQHQAYjoHKtxrKlr09CYC5EHMbJLQlLu3kQgZhPyTnQSS68_f8Ovh2FcBwvA81C-H7PJECrSdErM9BqL7ch9-CtV59hC7qEak3F4zH_9o6yZ4TTqloZgCZ551MyIqOA5bQpI3g/s640/moab+9.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">
<span style="color: red;">Alison feeling a little "zen"</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: red;"></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">We ate our picnic lunch and headed back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had our naps, then Norm researched the possibility
of renting a 4x4 jeep so we could explore some of the great looking canyon
roads we saw, while I finished cleaning the rig.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Norm found a company that allowed us to pick
it up that evening and keep until 6pm the next day, so we hurried off to town
to pick it up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">We stopped at Moab Brewery so Norm could sample the
local brew.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Sunday,
May 21<sup>st</sup> 2017<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">I hardly slept at all last night, and woke up feeling
exhausted. The thought of riding 100 miles in that jeep which I discovered had
really no visibility in the passenger seat, nearly impossible for a small
person to get in and out of, and relatively uncomfortable, made me want to
cry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, Norm and I have very
different ideas on how to drive a car on narrow, twisting mountain roads so I
dreaded that as well. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quite frankly, six
weeks into this trip I needed a little “me” time as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">The roads Norm was going to drive would have plenty of
other drivers, so I wasn’t concerned to send him off with plenty of water and
food.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">My day flew by reading, napping, working on this blog
and doing about 5 loads of laundry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Norm’s accounting of his day will follow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Monday,
May 22<sup>nd</sup> 2017<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">I had managed to find a hair salon that had very good
reviews and most importantly, availability.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My hair was needing a trim and a bit of thinning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I left about 7:45 to head back into Moab to
get, what I must say, was the WORST haircut of my life!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good Lord, it is WAY too short, and she
thinned it so much it just lays flat on my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, maybe by the time I get home 5 months
from now, I will no longer be horrified when I look in the mirror! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Haircuts are so difficult when you travel, but
this bad a cut totally kills my self-esteem!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nothing I can do about it, so I will have to say “It is what it is”. At
least I won’t see anyone I know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">The good news of the day was that Norm felt his
shoulder miraculously felt well enough to go biking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tried it out while I was getting
“butchered” and was very confident he could handle the trails.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">I was sooo happy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We headed back up to Deadhorse Point State Park where the trails were
very scenic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We packed our lunches, and
vowed to take it slow and try not to get hurt. Let’s just say off road biking
can be a dangerous sport and that anything can happen in a flash.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: red;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNm2u9ZTY6FqyC_fsCFVUMFyl_nwD90ndAukMKJedxFzyfvLJjY4j7wn8uXr71NAdHmXoj79DzWbFu1nI8ebTmWXPTkUOL2OkCWmtPASq2hVVGIA4NQG9ekZX-MbAzWDeQ9WbJBr0VCo/s1600/Screenshot+%2528179%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNm2u9ZTY6FqyC_fsCFVUMFyl_nwD90ndAukMKJedxFzyfvLJjY4j7wn8uXr71NAdHmXoj79DzWbFu1nI8ebTmWXPTkUOL2OkCWmtPASq2hVVGIA4NQG9ekZX-MbAzWDeQ9WbJBr0VCo/s640/Screenshot+%2528179%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Norm, with his shoulder feeling better, enjoyed the trails at Deadhorse Point State Park.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: red;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlibCBb8FYGSNnKPz5tEicSAl77vynTkpscZza30-1bRv-9u6ax9wV4_LLlEph3GsYJ0Z6ZNd-5oF6YOqyrHVo-PL3FAWnYuvB3XvW18qPWA-LV6yx4zvmf8T6aGlV-FBAdjYD9Q6oKA/s1600/Screenshot+%2528187%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlibCBb8FYGSNnKPz5tEicSAl77vynTkpscZza30-1bRv-9u6ax9wV4_LLlEph3GsYJ0Z6ZNd-5oF6YOqyrHVo-PL3FAWnYuvB3XvW18qPWA-LV6yx4zvmf8T6aGlV-FBAdjYD9Q6oKA/s640/Screenshot+%2528187%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Alison loved the rocky challenges of the "slick rock".</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><span style="color: red;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/JVwtjYGwO24/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JVwtjYGwO24?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">A little video of Alison having some fun. It's a lot steeper than it looks on this video.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">The trails were incredible!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took a few videos and lots of pictures as
we got a great workout over the next 3 hours.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: red;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTf6AuZePrQU9bnLcdBbZQPXqacEJr4VkdRjyChAPkQD7Haydu6J1mcDNQFNeXb22JKEMr5my00mow4d60r8HNbsyWpdyk0Vz0-DI08W7l0b7yC31NPrEjSPDi7s8xs0lp6_Y0ab96M7k/s1600/moab+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTf6AuZePrQU9bnLcdBbZQPXqacEJr4VkdRjyChAPkQD7Haydu6J1mcDNQFNeXb22JKEMr5my00mow4d60r8HNbsyWpdyk0Vz0-DI08W7l0b7yC31NPrEjSPDi7s8xs0lp6_Y0ab96M7k/s640/moab+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">There were beautiful trail signs along the way to keep us from getting lost!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">We rewarded ourselves with ice cream before we headed
further down the road to Canyonlands National Park about 3:30pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were too tired to hike at that point, but
we wanted to drive the scenic road to check it out while we were ¾ of the way
there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Canyonlands is a huge park (337,598 acres) in the
center of Utah’s high desert that is divided into three districts; each with
it’s own character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, there
are no roads in the park that link these areas together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You would have to hike, bike or use high
clearance off road vehicles to visit them. (Norm drove some of these the day
before).We, like most people, visited “Island in the Sky” region, which is the
closest to Moab.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLb2H0oHMYCPbC3WusalAIQRamWOQJt4UI4QDTdTwSU2FDg5hdIVVAbM93rCL3a8uYNQM-2Z_9WrwPDXVStDmonNp3sxQvC5jMVOXmmN47VwSq-UuZAVHeFma5SRAvrpZF7Wn2vJEDfQ/s1600/canyon1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLb2H0oHMYCPbC3WusalAIQRamWOQJt4UI4QDTdTwSU2FDg5hdIVVAbM93rCL3a8uYNQM-2Z_9WrwPDXVStDmonNp3sxQvC5jMVOXmmN47VwSq-UuZAVHeFma5SRAvrpZF7Wn2vJEDfQ/s640/canyon1.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Norm and I once again tempting fate on ledge in Canyonlands. Norm drove the road below in the rented 4x4 jeep ( his story is separate )</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">We both agreed that Deadhorse Point was actually more
beautiful, and wished we had visited Canyonlands first, before we were spoiled
by the State Park’s more beautiful vistas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We also preferred how we could venture dangerously close to the edge at
Deadhorse, where at Canyonlands the public was not allowed to get very close at
all to look down into the canyons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Norm showed me the crazy roads he drove the day
before, and since it was a pretty long drive back we called it a day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">A long, but fabulous day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of my favorite, for sure!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Tuesday,
May 23<sup>rd </sup>2017<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Arches National Park is much smaller than Canyonlands
( a mere 76,519 acres ) but it welcomes over a million visitors each year, astounding
them with balancing rocks, towering fins, spires and the world’s highest
concentration of sandstone arches. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Arches National Park was actually the closest park to
where we were staying. But since we had been there several years before and
thoroughly explored it, coupled with major road construction and trail closures
we thought we might not bother seeing it again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Well, it’s so close, how can we not? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Norm and I left
the RV a little after 8am hoping to beat the huge line of cars and campers we
have witnessed each day when we drive by the entrance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The temperature was in the 40’s and very
windy, but the day was beautifully sunny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We drove through the park not really in the mood to fight for parking
spaces at each lookout point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess we
have seen enough of red dirt and rock for the time being. Tired of looking at
it, feeling it on your skin, on the floor, and when the wind kicks up you get
the dirt in your eyes and teeth! Feeling pretty lazy we drove through the park
and headed back to spend a quiet rest of the day before we head out in the
morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3wPd2RF3jn7xiVZZWmXGZBzd7AZCgmmu3z3pZ9eZOkSyc1BKHs96MVwMeIa-xmpPe-t3nyicSRieE8sUxLujdGuLy1R6E6QjecKRTwUKKP1-X-HpZBZ4ehUtMd6pE9414vCbOT2scDw/s1600/moab+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3wPd2RF3jn7xiVZZWmXGZBzd7AZCgmmu3z3pZ9eZOkSyc1BKHs96MVwMeIa-xmpPe-t3nyicSRieE8sUxLujdGuLy1R6E6QjecKRTwUKKP1-X-HpZBZ4ehUtMd6pE9414vCbOT2scDw/s640/moab+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;">One evening we got to witness my very first double, complete rainbow</span><span style="color: red;">! I couldn't get back far enough to capture the entire rainbow. </span></span></td></tr>
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Norm and Alison's Travel Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750229221971316367noreply@blogger.com