Al's Cousin and Seattle

While in Monroe, WA, took a field trip to Independence Falls.  Lot's of movement and spray.  Wonderful sight.  Met with Al's cousin Jeannie and her husband Lynn, and of course Muffin.  Had a great dinner at their place and nice conversation.  How come all of my sewing/quilting friends live so far away :(.  Had a little show and tell of our projects.  The next day Jeannie and Lynn took us to Seattle proper...saw the Needle, Pike Place Market, a world famous fresh fish company, where fishmongers throw fish (if you look closely or expand the 11th picture of the marketplace, you'll see the fish being thrown).  Plenty of beautiful fresh vegies, etc.  Neat place!  As I've said many times, the best part of travelling is being able to see friends and relatives!   Ended the evening at the Spagetti Factory, yummmm!

Mt Ranier National Park, Washington

Al happened to see Mt Ranier on the map and thought it would be nice to see.  As it turned out, it was awesome!  Actually, it is the highest point in Washington state.  (We didn't get to the top, left our rock climbing gear homeLOL.)

 Though most of the area has been reforested now, this picture will show you how huge the timber really was way back when.  Actually, some are still very huge, but not quite like this.

This doorway leads to the "facilities"...ladies and mens' room.

This shot will give you an idea of the size of the reforested trees...still huge.

Seaside, Oregon to Ocean City, Washington

Nice drive, but slow going.  Arrived at TT Park about noon, with only 5 other rigs in Park.  Not much going on here.  Went to Ocean Beach, as they were having Kite Day.   Lots of unique kites.  Rigs and cars driving on the beach.  Several cars stuck.  As you can see, Al got out there and gathered a few burly men to help get one car out.  Stopped at a small Resort/Casino on the way back.  Came home $11.00 to the good!!  I know, not much, but better than leaving some there!  Al went for his walk today and brought me back a gift....a clam!  There's a path going down to the beach, and there were a lot of Native Americans clamming.  Nice conversation and thus the gift.    Today (Sunday) is work day, Al washing rig and car, me cleaning bathroom and floor.  Leaving tomorrow to head further north, just a little :)

Portland to Seaside, Oregon Campground and Pacific Ocean

Lovely drive to Seaside.  Seaside is very much like Maine.  Campground is awesome...strict, but you can tell by looking at it, lots of grass, lge sites, nice buildings, etc.  Check out the picture with the baby swing....it's my favorite! (If you click on the picture it'll get larger.).  Today we checked out the Tillamook Cheese Factory (of course you know what we brought back to the rig LOL.), and saw some of the Pacific Ocean.  We're trying to take it easy now.  We did this trip in 2004, and 7 years later, we are most definitely a lot slower!!

Boise, Idaho to Portland, Oregon

Had a good trip today....mostly nice weather with just a few spotty showers.  Scenery was great.  Driving in Oregon, I-84, which is on the border between Oregon and Washington.  The Columbia River divides the two states.  First picture is our campground in West Yellowstone.  Tomorrow on to Seaside, Oregon.  Get to stay a couple of days, hurrah!!

Boise Idaho

In Boise Idaho for tonight, and not been a good stop for us.  What we thought was repaired, was not put back together correctly, and now may have a fuel leak also!  One of us will be on the phone tomorrow with the repair shop, if for nothing else, than to vent!!!!  Gosh, in this day age, if you don't do it yourself, it doesn't get done right!  Al's still under the rig, so not sure what tomorrow will bring.  Later.....

Tetons, Yellowstone, Old Faithful, Geysers

Yesterday, the trip from Grand Tetons was a white nuckle trip.  Road was closed in Yellowstone at Grant Village and had to wait 2 hours for the rangers to open the gate.  Once through the gate, the trip was easier than where we had been!!!  Stayed at a campground in West Yellowstone, Montana, about 1/2 mile from West Entrance.  Nice small western town, with all the businesses up and running.  Actually for a small town, there is a lot to offer.  Lots of snowmobiles sitting on the sides of buildings, for the summer I guess, but who knows when that will come here!  This would be a place to come back to, only in the summer LOL.....toured the Geyser Basins and saw Old Faithful erupt, which it does 17 times a day.  Today we were going to tour Northern Yellowstone, but snowed all day and they were expecting 9 inches!!!  Tomorrow we head west, hope it's not icy!