#4 Dec 2013 This is Really Happening!

One of the reasons we moved to Surrey 15 years ago was to get away from snowy, cold winters. The ‘wet coast” rarely gets snow and even more rarely in early December. If we needed any more incentive to head south for the winter it started to snow December 9th. Then it warmed and froze and the roads in the RV park in Surrey were too icy to escape with the RV.

December 13th the roads were safe and we declared everything was put away someplace and we could close the slides. About noon we arrived at the border with some trepidation about the questions we might be asked. This was our first extended trip into the US and we hoped we had every possible answer ready. The border guard only asked 3 questions:

Where are you going? Everett WA

Are you going to leave anything in the US? No

When are you coming back? Mid March

Now That Was Easy. (No trademark infringement on Staples, I hope.)

I experimented with our Magellan GPS which is programmable for RVs. We enter the size of our unit and it guides us on roads where we will fit. A very comforting feeling since we have not driven any of the roads ahead with a large RV. When we are towing the Suzuki we can’t back up so we really want to know where we’re going.

We had a reservation in Everett WA at Maple Grove RV Resort ($49 USD) and arrived mid afternoon. This was our introduction to very friendly, helpful staff in RV resorts. Welcome and can we help with anything? We asked where to find a good supper within walking distance and were given directions to a great Mexican restaurant. After we setup we stopped at the office to re-confirm the directions to the restaurant. One of the ladies in the office was just going off duty and offered to drive us to the restaurant. What great service. We celebrated the first meal in our adventure with great food and Mexican beverages. The next morning when we checked out the same lady was in the office and asked if I had a margarita with supper. I held up two fingers and everyone in the office cheered.

When we are travelling in good weather we try to have a light lunch in the cooler and stop at an interesting viewpoint or rest area. Now that is even easier. We stop at the same places but only walk back to the fridge and pull out whatever looks interesting – leftovers or crackers and cheese, etc. That has become our travelling pattern with only 200 to 300 miles a day. We plan the next day in the evening and with the GPS pick an RV park.

On our second day we drove south through dense fog which blossomed into a fabulous sunset. It lasted forever and kept getting better just as our new lifestyle will do. We stopped in Coburg Oregon at Premier RV Resort ($44 USD) and again great people. As many of you know we enjoy a glass of wine now AND again. We bought a bottle of Oregon wine ($24.00 USD) and realized how much we have been sheltered from retail prices when Ralph was making our own local wine and beer.