Spent the last 4 weeks house sitting at Landsborough Qld (near the Glasshouse Mountains) and counting down the days for our adventure to Canada & Alaska. The departure date came up very quickly and we flew out of Brisbane on a Boeing 747-400 @ 10.30 am on 8/5 and arrived in Los Angeles @ 6.30 am on the 8/5 (never thought we could go back in time, bearing in mind this is a 12 hour journey). Was not looking forward to the long flight however it seemed to go quite quickly particularly when you watch 3 movies! Transferred to a domestic flight to Seattle departing 10.30am 8/5 & arrived at 11.50 am so all in all departed Australia @ 10.25am and arrived in Seattle at 11.50 am on the same day!!
Picked up from airport & driven to our accommodation (Ramada Hotel, Tulkwila). Had a wonderful surprise waiting our arrival - a box of hand made chocolates from American friends we met on our travels in Australia. Thank you Jake & Dee for our welcoming gift.
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| Downtown Seattle |
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| Space Needle |
Hels had planned to do some shopping upon arrival however she went straight to bed and was 'lights out' for an hour or so. I went for a walk to check out where we were and then came back, freshened up and meet some of our travelling group, Aussies and Kiwis, in the pub (as you do). Sampled a few American beverages before retiring early, as tiredness set in rather quickly.
After a great night sleep we were up and ready to leave on a tour at 9am starting with a city tour followed by the Boeing Factory tour. Headed downtown Seattle stopping at the historic Pioneer Square where we went on a walk around the block taking in some historic buildings including the old fire station designed originally to allow the horse drawn fire carts to be driven though the station as horses were a bit tricky to reverse!! Toured through the streets calling into Waterfall Garden Park, Safeco Fields and Century Link Field, Chinatown then onto the Space Needle where we stopped to allow sight seeing. I went up to the top and had a great 360 degree view around Seattle assisted by the nice weather with relatively clear sky. From here we drove to Pikes Markets for lunch before heading to the Boeing factory, then back to Hotel passing Lake Washington.
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| Boeing Factory - Seattle |
The Boeing tour was a highlight for me. This took us through the assemble plant where the 787, 777 and 747 are assembled. The assemble plant building is large enough to fit all of Disneyland and still have enough room for a substantial car park. The tour is very well put together with a large theatre and observation decks but no pic allowed.
Had an official meet and greet dinner at the Hotel with everyone eager to begin our adventure. Some of the RV's were in the car park ready for our departure in the morning so great excitement amoungst the travellers.
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| Pioneer Square |
Prior to departing we had an introduction to the Motor Home and then it was out the car park on the wrong side of the road and into traffic! Got the 2nd turn wrong and started to wonder if this was the way to see Canada as tension in the Van was high to say the least, After hearing 90% of the group also did not make the 2nd turn, we were more relaxed. Total of 17 Motor Homes on this tour however each participant travels at their own speed in their own time. The overnight camps are pre-arranged so everyone would meet up after their days adventure and of course Happy Hour was most enjoyable. First day travelling on Motorway quite hectic but once worked out what lane was best to stay in, everyone just seemed to pass us and leave us to continue breathing!!! Drove up to look out of Wanapum Dam (on Columbia River) and was surprised to see sculptures of horses on the hill. The sculptures represent 'Grandfather let the ponies loose - David Govedare' and was quite spectacular to see. On the way to our first camp at Moses Lake called into Walmart for supplies - OMG!!!
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| Horse sculptures at Wanapum Dam |
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| Our first night in the Motorhome @ Moses Lake |
Had a few issues with the Motor Home which needed fixing so spent most of the morning at the RV Repairer before heading off travelling through Spokane, Hayden, Naples then onto our camp @ Blue Lake RV Resort where we were treated to Buffalo Hamburgers & Salad plus icecream and home-made toppings and a lovely camp fire.
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| Blue Lake RV Resort, Naples |
Next day we headed into Canadian passing through Cranbrook & Kimberley, calling into Columbia Lake to take in the view then drove to Radium Springs where we camped the night. We had seen deer however the majority of our fellow travelers had seen bears, moose etc so hoping we may do the same in the following days. Travelling has been so pleasant with beautiful scenery and warm days.
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| Great Rest Areas |
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| Columbia Lake |
From Radium Hot Springs we traveled on 95BC to Golden where we drove up the mountain to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and were treated to spectacular views of snow capped mountains and huge Mountain Lodges - obviously a busy place in the winter.
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| Kicking Horse Resort |
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