triumphgal

Up early to work on revising my Roadtripper plan, hook up Mom’s printer, load up, purchase plumbing supplies for my new home and get my front turn signal bulb changed before I was officially on the road!

On my way to the Peace Arch crossing I stopped at the Freeway Mazda dealership and for under $15 got them to fix my turn signal. They assured me that my 1992 Miata would be great for this trip as the older models were the best and gave me their number if I had any trouble on the road and needed advice. Great PR! Stopped across the lot to catch a drive by hugging with my ‘big Bro’ cousin Joe but he was off today, dang.

There was a surprising long wait at the Nexus line but still faster than the regular and when I got to the booth all he asked was if I had anything to declare and waved me through.

I crossed the line at 1:50 pm and first stop was Bellingham for another failed drive by hugging. Seems my Auntie Trisha was out but took opportunity while at her place to put the top up as the sky looked grim heading south. Wasn’t long before the sky cleared and when the traffic slowed down just north of Renton I pulled over to take it down again to honks and cheers of passers by.

I stopped for food and coffee in Cle Elum and had a fun chat with three ladies who had seen me on the highway and everyone seems to be amazed by my journey. Audrey is so popular! Picked up fried chicken and pumpkin beer for later, mmmmm. At the gas station I had no clue how much it would cost so I gave him a hundred bucks and it came to $26. We all had a good laugh inside and they were horrified at the 1.71/L in Bella Bella. The manager bemoaned the passing of the Canadian penny as well. When I left there I took the only visible freeway entrance and found myself heading back west! Good thing the next exit was only a mile back.

The most beautiful site of the day was undeniably the rows upon rows of windmills. This was followed closely by beautiful, Okanagan like Yakima which I came upon as the sun was beginning to set with Mt Adam and Mt Rainier in the background.

Number 1 on my intended list of attractions to see was Prosser Gravity Hill. The turn off for it was at Grandview and I stopped there at a convenience store to read my directions. It was 12 miles off the highway and it was full dark by now so I chose to keep going down the road.

I had a general idea of the direction I was to take but suddenly I saw a sign ‘Welcome to Oregon’ and thought I was again heading in a very wrong direction. I pulled over to find that yes first Oregon and then Idaho. I drove to the next big city and looked for a hotel. As I passed Pendleton Correctional Facility it occurred to me that hotels may be expensive or ratty here due to the visitors. As it happens the first place I spotted was a Travelodge and got a very nice room with fridge, microwave and coffee maker, breakfast and wifi included for only $69 care of my BCAA membership. Wasn’t expecting much but aside from the thin walls it’s lovely.

Wendy texted that they are planning to wait for me in Moab but that it is Amazonian rain there at the moment. Having driven until 9:30 at night in short sleeves and no roof I am thinking of avoiding that area. Going to look at my route and let them know.

I really unwound and cleared my head today…. All around good for my soul.

Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!