Day One: Abbotsford to Twin Falls, Idaho

At the end of Day One we found ourselves in Twin Falls, Idaho after twelve hours on the road.  The trip odometer read 1232 kilometres.  We knew it would have to be a long day after failing to launch a day earlier as planned.  According to Deborah, “It wasn’t that bad”.

We were up at 5 am and on the road by 6:20 am.  We crossed the border in quick time and watched the sun creep over the mountains searching for a chink to penetrate the clouds.  The weather stayed dreary until we cleared the summit of the Snoqualmie pass and entered the orchard lands of Washington's interior. 

Looking A Little Dreary by Bellingham

Cool Car by Mount Vernon

The Washing Machine Spoke to Us in Washington

Heading to Snoqualmie

Still a Little Snow at the Top

Spring has sprung in Washington’s interior.  The white blossoms of the apple trees were everywhere, as were the pinks of the various cherry trees.  The Weeping Willows seem to be a little further ahead than the other deciduous trees in donning their fresh greenery.

Our goal was to take as many hours off the 20-hour drive to Las Vegas as possible, so mission accomplished.  Tomorrow looks like a smooth eight-hour drive through the Great Basin Highway down the middle of the Nevada dessert.  We expect to meet very few cars on the road and we should be in Las Vegas by suppertime.  Deborah is eager to donate a few dollars to the casinos.

Speaking of dinners, we can highly recommend the Rock Creek Steakhouse in Twin Falls for a dinner out.  Steak that melts in your mouth, succulent lobster (flown in, I’m sure), a full salad bar, and a bottle of good Malbec to complete the meal.  Total for two … $62.

Deborah’s pictures tell a better story of today’s adventure.

Of Course ... Horse Pic

Hops on the Vine

Mount Adams Near Baker City, Oregon

Fields of Fruit Crates

Crossing the Columbia Into Oregon

A Load Of Walla Walla Sweet Onions

And of Course ... Loads of Wood

Entering Cattle Country

Just About Missed This Factoid

Entering Idaho - Home of the Potato

Storms All Around Us But Sun Shining on Us.

Wind Mills Everywhere

Banana Dog Enjoying the Snake River

Wanting to Get Back in Car and Out of the Cold Wind

An Idaho Sunset

U.S. Road Trip

Packed and Ready to Go!

I know, I know, we really just got home but it is time for another experience.  Deborah and I leave today for a road trip through the U.S. to Scottsdale, Arizona.  Although Spring is just about ready to spring here, we are in search of consistent sunshine and heat to play in.  We are not definite about our route but it will be through Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Nevada, before entering Arizona, just past Las Vegas.  

The car is packed with golf clubs, tennis rackets, Deborah's clothes covering all four seasons, and our bicycles are racked on the rear of the Highlander.  Abby the cat will be sleeping as we sneak away but brother Perry will be by regularly to take care of the cat, house, and yard.

Good friends Kathy and Mike will rendezvous with us in Scottsdale after making their way from Palm  Springs where they have been cycling, golfing, hiking and hydrating with friends over the last few weeks.  After a few weeks in the dessert, we will travel in tandem home and hopefully take a side visit to Old Faithful in Yellowstone National park.  As well, we plan to make a two day stop in Las Vegas (at the Pat and Linda's generously provided condo) to lose money and see Elton John in concert at Caesar's.

Deborah is not much of a car traveller so this  trip will serve as a test for a future, further afield, possible circumnavigation of the continent.  I'm hopeful about the result but wise enough not to get my heart set on any future road trips.

A Quick Stop at Randy & Doreen's to Pick Up the Dog

We will have a special guest with us.  Deborah has been entrusted to take Banana Dog on this excursion.  Don't ask about the background of such an endeavour, suffice to understand the chances of this dog making the entire trip are entirely small.  He hopes to get photos in various new places but with Deborah a self confessed, "unreliable caregiver" it is anyone's guess what end might become him.

Banana Dog

Already Nursing a Sore Foot!

That is about it for now.  Hopefully there will be more to report in the coming days.

Returning Home

When we started this journey two months ago we were not sure when we would return.  We didn’t have a return date or ticket.  We felt that when it was time to go home, we would know.  That time is now.  We are not looking forward to the cold, wet weather but we are looking forward to seeing our family and friends.  As well, our non-travelling life does have its own demands and there are things that simply need doing at home. 

It is a good time to leave Puerto Escondido.  These days there are more folks leaving than arriving.  The first vestiges of the hotter, more humid weather have arrived and without air conditioning, we would be very uncomfortable at night.

We have managed to find some “good deals” on flights home.  While no means “cheap”, the return trip is less expensive than the cost of getting here.  We fly from PE to Mexico City and then wait for an hour and a half before going on to Huston, Texas.  We arrive at 9 at pm. and overnight before leaving for Vancouver at 9 am.  Spencer will pick us up at the airport at noon and we will be home by 1:30pm. 

Our last week has been spent much like the others except for being a little more careful to check off things on our “to do" list and to ensure we visit our favourite restaurants before we leave.  We have enjoyed a few last meals at the Paris, Turtle Bay, Jimmy's at Carrizalillo, and Espadin, as well as a return trip to Flors in Zicatela.

At Jimmy's Carrizalillo

Red Snapper For Lunch

Last Saturday was the last of the four concerts in the Puerto Music Festival series.  It was held at the same outdoor venue but with a much-improved sound system over the previous.  After some local cultural dancers, the Rebel Cats opened the concert.  The Cats are a Rockabilly Band from Mexico City.  While not everyone appreciated the old rock tunes from the middle fifties to the early sixties, no one could find fault in the showmanship of the band.  The high-energy lead singer (and drummer) lead the parade and managed to play the whole set while standing on his feet.  He even managed a solo on the lead guitar and on the base, using only his drum sticks to play.

Poor Pic But You Get the Idea

The Rebel Cats

The Los Mighty Calacas Blues Band followed the Rebel Cats.  The band was comprised of four Mexican guys that played a fusion of Latin, surf, jazz, hip-hop, reggaet and soul, over a solid base of blues.  I am still surprised when I listen to a Mexican guy sing the soulful sound of the blues.

Deborah and I spent one beach day on Zicatela.  Zicatela is a five-kilometer long surf beach and known in the international surfing community as the Mexican Pipeline.  The day we chose had some pretty big waves and it was fascinating watching the challenges and rides the surfers experienced.  Of course this was done under the shade of our own beach palapa on the waters edge.  Our hostess had a 400-meter walk across the hot sand to ensure we kept up with our fluids.

Our Zicatela Lunch Spot

Chicken Enchiladas for Lunch

Beginner Waves at Carrizalillo

Not Zicatela - Carrizalillo Is The Place To Start

Last Sunday we experienced an earthquake.  We were at a gathering next door and well into our cups when it struck at around 9 pm.  There were great booming sounds like thunder and the building shook.  No one seemed surprised, nor expressed great concern, as we rocked and rolled.  What was surprising was that my sister Rita  had announced to the dinner crowd that there was going to be an earthquake, about two hours before it occurred!  While she is not claiming any kind of supernatural powers, I may listen to my sister more carefully in the future.

We have also attended many social events and met more people here than I’ll ever be able to remember.  We have hosted a few dinners and enjoyed more than a few post dinner drinks on Rita and Mike’s palapa rooftop.  Maybe it is because there are so many Canadians in PE but everyone seems very friendly and invitations arrive continuously from all quarters to share in sunset drinks and dinners. 

Rita and Mike's Rooftop Kitchen Palapa

Don't Ask

Dinner at Rita & Mike's, with Bruce, Jan, Deborah and I

Deborah and Rita Off to Afternoon Tea.

We had one last chore to complete before we left.  Unlike our usual travel planning, we have actually looked ahead to next year and rented our same condo for February, 2015. We don't usually like to commit ourselves so early but as mentioned in earlier posts, it is just "easy" being here.  There is little not to like.

We Will Miss Sitting in the Sand & Surf

We Will Miss The Colours

We Will Miss The Flowers

and of course, we will miss the Sunsets

That is it for now ... until we travel again ... What is that Mike and Kathy?  Arizona for golf and bicycle riding in April?  Count us in!