Spoffords Travel

Victoria British Columbia to Port Hardy British Columbia 315 miles

We got up a little earlier this morning to get going. We have a longer driving day today. Rob was unable to get the virtual Covid testing working last night. The web site on the box isn’t the right one. You need to use the instructions taped on the box. The site is not user friendly but he does eventually get it done. Now it is to be delivered to a FedEx store or one of their labs. Luckily one of the labs is not too far away. We arrived where the GPS took us but didn’t see the address. Rob asked a lady cleaning/blowing the sidewalk who pointed upstairs. Off he went. When he got there he had to wait in line and then sign a form which they had trouble finding. Our early start turned into mid morning. We head out on Canadian highway 1 which is somewhat like a freeway but has stop lights. The further north we go the more narrow the road gets. Eventually it becomes a two lane road. The scenery is beautiful. Lots of mountains covered with extremely dense forest. That opens up occasionally where they have clear cut a strip. Occasionally we see glimpses of the coast line. We drove nearly two hundred miles with no houses, towns or gas stations. We were nearly out of gas when a station appeared. We put 10.73 gallons in a ten gallon tank. We came to the hotel about 20 miles further down the road. After checking in we went to the grocery store to get frozen meals and some yogurt. We must have looked pretty tough because a very nice man in front of us bought our groceries. Early to bed because we have to get up early to go to the ferry.

Bellingham Washington to Victoria British Columbia 100 miles

The morning is beautiful with clear skies and no wind. You can hear different birds singing. Several varieties of boats are on the water already. We ate breakfast on the deck and then took their three cats on a cat walk around the yard. The two male cats get vests with a leash and the female gets just a collar. All have bells. Then we go outside where the cats go in different directions to explore the yard. Great opportunity to look at the different plants, shrubs and rocks. About 11:00 it’s time to load up and head north. A fuel and hot dog stop at Costco and then on to the Canadian border. The crossing was uneventful but slow. Rob got randomly selected for an at home Covid test. About 45 minutes later we reached the ferry terminal. Check in was quick. We waited in line about thirty minutes before loading the ferry. Once on the ferry vehicles are to stop 24 inches apart. The ride takes a little over 1.5 hours and is very smooth. Everyone takes off as fast as possible to head for their destination. Whenever we come to a stop light traffic slows for several lights. You would think we were back in Seattle. However, there are only two lanes not five. We found the hotel without much effort. After checking in we went to a nearby grocery store to buy frozen entrees for dinner and breakfast. We are thrifty travelers. The frozen breakfast options were various waffles so we bought turnovers from the bakery plus some yogurt. We chose shepherds pie for dinner. They had an entire frozen aisle full of Asian foods. The shelves across the aisle were full of Asian foods. Obviously there is a large Asian population in the area.

Renton Washington to Bellingham Washington 101 miles

Today is a short drive but on very busy freeways. We checked in with Connie’s cousin Darlene. We will meet them for lunch in Bothell. Out to the car which had to stay outside. Well it rained last night and the car didn’t want to start. Rob finally got out and dried off the engine block. Then it started after a few more attempts. First stop is for fuel at one of the Costcos. Directions off the freeway are turn right and then left at the nearby light. The only problem is you can’t get in the left turn lane because a concrete barrier blocks the way. We had a nice visit with the cousins before heading on to Bellingham. We arrived at friends David and Barbara Ann’s mid afternoon. Rob’s daughter Amy and grandchildren Meagan and Merik arrived later and we all had a fabulous dinner on the deck overlooking the lake.

Hermiston Oregon to Renton Washington 250 Miles

Just on the edge of Hermiston we saw a pickup that had just hit and killed a deer. Not a good start to that person’s day. The skies are blue and the temperature comfortable. Connie has on a light jacket and Rob is in short sleeves. We were listening to an audible story and not really paying attention to the gps so we missed their suggested turn. Well in this section of freeway the exits are quite far apart. Needless to say we didn’t turn around but just kept on the freeway. This follows along past the Tri Cities of Pasco, Richland and Kennewick. Then on to a major farming area for fruit, hops and grapes. Numerous wineries are just off the freeway. Two hours of driving brought us to Union Gap Washington which happens to have a Costco for a fuel stop. We had to navigate at least three round-a-bouts just getting off the freeway. Gas here was $4.699. Soon we could see Mount Adams and Mount Rainier. Both are dormant volcanos with snow covered tops. Just out of Yakima Washington the road goes up a steep grade which does slow us down. But once we got over that we could see Ellensburg with the snow capped mountain back drop. Unfortunately the wind really picked up. Rob had to work much harder keeping the car in the lane. Another two hours brought us to Cle Elm which has a wonderful bakery. By now we were both cold from the wind so a stop at the bakery felt good. We bought cinnamon bread plus day old cinnamon rolls and chocolate/maple bars. We normally have cheese and crackers for a picnic lunch but the weather wasn’t cooperating. Instead we ate at a McDonalds. We both put on heavier coats before heading out. The freeway is now bumper to bumper but still moving. Luckily it did open up eventually. Once that happened we got even colder. The wind didn’t quit until we were nearly to Renton. We saw another road kill deer. This time the vehicle was a small car that was in really bad shape. Hopefully no one was seriously injured.

Boise Idaho to Hermiston Oregon 242 miles

We are finally starting our coast to coast trip across Canada. We spotted a hot air balloon within the first couple of miles. It was in the air and not descending rapidly. Hopefully that is a good omen for the trip. So far the woodie is running well and averaged about 20 miles to the gallon. The landscape has dried out significantly since we drove over on July 2. The drive through the Blue Mountains was pretty as usual. The temperature felt quite cool since all the windows were open. Connie actually had some goose bumps. Then its down Cabbage Patch Hill into Pendleton. The temperature kept increasing every mile. Pendleton is famous for the Pendleton Roundup. However that doesn’t occur until mid September. Many of the grain fields in the area have already been harvested. Another thirty miles down the road is the town of Hermiston which raises delicious watermelons. Unfortunately the melons are not quite ready for sale. We stayed here for the night.