Gabriola to Seattle

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Today's adventure is leaving our cozy home for Mexico.

We both woke up to mental lists of "to do before we leave". Mikey was still visiting so we breakfast and coffee'd before embarking on our separate task pathways. Ken loaded the van with Mikey's assistance. Ken has a sore left shoulder, rotator cuff injury combined with tendinitis. It has been bothering him for over a  year. 

Forward Cargo Hold

Rear cargo hold.

I still had to narrow down a few groups of items to either take or leave at home. A task better done in the throws of "have to" after such a lengthy planning time it did not seem real to actually leave. I actually did photo the clothes I was taking to help me decide what to bring.

We left on the 12:35 ferry from Gabriola, the 3:00pm from Departure Bay.  We squeezed in a shared Curry Point lunch to go.

We arrived in Vancouver in the dark. It started getting dark shortly after 3:30. Mikey was with us on the ferry. Mikey beat us to his house where we delivered his wire baskets. 

Nice to see the dolphins on our way out.

Then off to Surrey and Owen S's home for the evening.  His home was the delivery point for many of our houseplants, happy to get out of the cold. Owen's little daughter Becka entertained us until her bedtime.

We mailed our Christmas gifts in Horseshoe Bay.

Owen recommended a good book.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

It was cold out when we hugged Owen and his Mother-in-law, good-bye for now. This is the first time we have met Ann Marie's mother, Heddy. Nice lady! Right near Owen's a pedestrian had been hit so we had to follow Owen to leave out 58th Street instead of 64th.

The border crossing was so painless-Peace Arch Crossing - one car wait.  Ken took extra long getting the cell service hooked up so I got extra shopping time, I actually didn't want or need. I was anxious to get going.

Once in Seattle we drove directly to one of our favorite restaurants - Annapurna - voted Best Indian Restaurant in Seattle. It never disappoints. We visited Dick Blick art supply store. Wish they would move to Canada - I guess Opus is our Canadian Dick Blick. Hey...guess Seattle's weather - yes, it was raining - you were correct.

Once we left Seattle we drove and drove and drove. It was rainy and cold. We are starting to see snow but it isn't snowing. Our first Wholefoods was visited. It was actually quite cold inside their Portland store. The city lights at night are wonderful. It sure got dark early - started at 3:30ish - by 5:00 it was night.

It almost seemed natural to get ready to sleep in the van. We watched the series Doc Martin on Netflix.

You are not ready, until you've had a Dutch Bros.