Saturday, March 29, 2014 (Travel to North Saanich, BC)

We had decided last night that we would either take the 11:00 a.m or 1:00 p.m. ferry over to the Island. I was up extra early (perhaps a little excited about seeing our grandson?) and by the time Steve got up, I had already finished my coffee, so I started packing and getting ready.

We really didn't think we would make it in time for the 11:00 ferry but we did...barely. For the first time, we decided not to take the truck onto the ferry. Instead, we parked it at the Park N' Go lot just before reaching the ferry. They have room for tractor parking and the price is fairly reasonable at $12/day. They also have a shuttle that takes you to the ferry terminal. After a cloudy rainy start in Fort Langley, we came into some sunshine as we neared the ferry terminal...

There's Buster parked in the semi-tractor section...

It's 10:40 and we're waiting for the shuttle to pick us up and take us to the terminal for the 11:00 sailing...good thing it's a short ride...

Instead of the chairs in the other sections of the ferry, we chose a table at the very front of the ferry...

Another ferry going in the other direction as we pass through Active Pass in the Gulf Islands...

We're approaching the ferry terminal at Swartz Bay, about 30 kms north of Victoria and only about a 5 minute drive from Rob and Angie's place in the rural community of North Saanich...

Almost there...

Rob was waiting for us when we disembarked from the ferry at 12:45...and soon we were at the house, greeted by this little fellow. Conner has grown so much, even in the few months since we last saw him (Christmas).

After bringing in our luggage, we wanted to give Conner his belated birthday presents. Here is Gramma struggling to get it out of the box...

Ta da! A youth size camp chair for the little guy to use this summer (and many more) when they go camping. Looks like he has a little growing room...

After giving him a couple of other things...clothes that I had picked up down south, Conner showed us his rocking horse...very cute!

A little later we went out for some fresh air and a walk around the neighbourhood... Rob, Angie, me and, of course, Conner in the stroller...



Ahhh...a great walk...and we're home...our final uphill walk...up the driveway....

As I mentioned earlier, I will be here a couple of weeks and Steve with be going back and forth to Fort Langley. I'm not sure how often I will be writing my blogs, but it won't be daily. I may wait until I get back to Fort Langley and just do a recap of my/our time on the island, we'll see...

Friday, March 28, 2014 (Travel to Brae Island Regional Park, Fort Langley, BC)

After a good night's sleep, we were up early but didn't rush to get on the road...it's not a long drive today. It was about 9:30 when we pulled out of the casino. Steve took this picture of our overnight camp spot before we left...

 Stillaquamish River...

As you can see, it was a very cloudy day but for the most part, the major rain held off. Considering heavy rain and possible thunderstorms were forecast for the last couple of days as we drove north, we really didn't have much except overnight...which was nice.

We stopped in Ferndale at a Pilot station and filled up with our last "cheap" diesel $4.00 per/gal before we hit BC.  Just before the Peace Arch border crossing, we took the exit over to the truck crossing...

There wasn't too much of a line up...maybe 15 minutes or so, not like on our way down last October when it was well over an hour. Steve managed to maneuver the rig up to and after chatting to the border agent, through the gate...they certainly don't give you much room if you are in a big RV!

Ahhh...back in Canada...eh! We were soon driving through Langley on our way to Fort Langley...

Main street of Fort Langley...

The Fort Pub...

The Fraser River...

And finally Brae Island Regional Park...

Yup, there are those pot holes we just love! They seem to opt for pot holes instead of speed bumps!

Unfortunately, the rain just couldn't hold off until we were all set up...Steve had to don his rain gear...

We will enjoy only one night here before heading over to North Saanich (Victoria) on Vancouver Island tomorrow morning. I will be spending a couple of weeks there helping our son, Rob, with Conner, our grandson. It is Angie's first trip for work since returning after maternity leave. Her two week student recruitment trip for UVic (University of Victoria) takes her to Norway, Denmark Sweden and Germany. Steve has a couple of appointments, so will go back to Fort Langley after those...and will likely have to return for a follow-up appointment with the dentist. Normally we would put our rig into storage for a month but decided not to this time...

Thursday, March 27, 2014 (Travel to Tulalip Casino, Marysville, WA)

We were up bright and early and all ready to hit the road shortly after 7:00 a.m. this morning. Steve had been wide awake since 4:00 a.m. listening to trains, large trucks and thinking of our pack up in the pounding rain. The rain actually stopped just in time for our pack up so Steve decided to make a quick stop at the sani-dump as well...then we were on our way north, taking highway 99 to Harrisburg. It was a very cloudy dreary day with rain forecast all along our route.
Willamette River...

At Harrisburg we headed east to the I-5...

We drove through Portland...there are no cable-cars on the tramway today...

I think I have taken a picture of these two towers every time we have driven through Portland...

Crossing the Columbia River

...into Washington....

 Columbia River...

 Cowlitz River...

Just past Olympia, WA...

Nisqually River...

Tacoma Dome...

Instead of taking the I-5 through Seattle, we veered to the east onto I-405 that went north on the east side of Lake Washington...

Bellevue, WA...

 

 

We eventually joined back up with the I-5 about 30 miles north of Seattle...and a short distance later, we finally were in Marysville and our destination for tonight, Tulalip Casino Resort. We pulled into the RV parking area at the back of the casino and were happy to see our favourite spot...the very end pull-through...was available. After being on the road for 6 1/2 hours, driving the rig through Portland and Seattle...and not sleeping well the night before, Steve was exhausted. We did our minimal setup and he went for a nap.

Later that evening we went to the Eagle Buffet inside the casino...it really is an excellent buffet! After a delicious meal, we headed back to the trailer. For once I hadn't overindulged...I was full, but not stuffed. Steve on the other hand, was uncomfortably full...it must have been all of the chocolate desserts he ate!