September 6, 2009

Victoria-vancouver-avenue zero to the abotsford border crossing into Northern Washington- the silver reef casino - the north cascades to winthorp and the okanagon.

If we are lost. we are lost together. (lyrics from Blue Rodeo)

Day one.

early morning ferry rides. double espresso at the starbucks ferry cafe. We picked up auntie sheila in Vancouver. she has a nice tiger fun fur golf strap on her tightly packed bag. we hit the road. Auntie sheila directs me towards the abotsford border crossing. over the bridge and down back-country roads, following backyard farms with the US line to the right. Hello AMERICA. we cross. Fierce winds throw the not-so aero-dynamic cube across the road. rain flooding the hood, wipers wiping wickedly. splash splash. toumouni diobiote plays mali rhythms. we drive to the silver reef casino to exchange money and play some slots. a quick stop to the gas station for packs of peanuts and hit the I-5 to the northern cascades. crazy traffic crowded double lanes into seatle. highway 20 frees up some space, and we cruise into mountains rainy with indoor fireworks. We pass a town of Concrete. The high school stretches over the road and straddles the asphalt. The Northern cascades are breathtaking. i am driving in a fish bowl. loggers and lots of old cottages for sale. We descend down and out of the park. I strain my neck to look at diablo lake, but the rocky edge and cloud coverage with windy roads make me nervous to veer off the route. And I am trying to pass trucks. We drop down and pull into Winthrop. A wild western town. It is nice to stop and take a walk to stretch the legs. the town is lost in time and space. North East Washington. Wooden sidewalks and hand-painted signs. We take fried chicken at Jack's saloon and wind-down the days drive with a Bud. we snap some photos, and then it is back on the road. WE get to Okanogan for the night. Whew! Long day. we hope to reach Montana tomorrow.