Travel Log, August '04
(see below map for details)

Days - 1 to 34
Total Miles Traveled this month - 1,386
Total Miles Traveled to August 31/04 - 1,386


Travel Log July 29/04, Day 1

We have finally done it, we have begun our travels.  Having lived in our coach for one year now, it’s wonderful to be on the road.  This evening, after packing up at West Bay Marina & RV Park, we find ourselves at Skutz Falls on the Cowichan River, near Duncan.  Cindy & I have special memories here; having camped here on several occasions early in our courtship eight years ago.  We went to the spot where we first kissed, under a ‘blue moon’, eight years and one month ago.  Today, we kissed again at this special place.

 

Afterwards, we took a short stroll to the bridge nearby that crosses the river.  There we encountered two young men and women, naked and drunk, enjoying the warm evening and the view over the river.  They questioned us about the phase of the moon and we informed them that it was full tonight.  After they began to inquire just how ‘big it was’ we decided to head back to the coach and let them enjoy their follies.

 

It’s good to be on the road.  Home is where the coach is.

 

Overnight: SKUTZ FALLS AT COWICHAN RIVER, BC- $14.00 CAD

 

Travel Log July 30/04, Day 2

Today we rested, when for some short walks around the campground.  The reason we moved from Skutz Falls to Stolz Pool is that the Park Warden informed us that because it was a long weekend it may get kind of rowdy at the campground we were at.  She suggested that we move to another campground nearby.  She even drove down and found a site for us ahead of time.  She marked it reserved, even though it was not a site that could be reserved.  She was a real sweetheart and we really appreciated her help.

 

 

Overnight: STOLZ POOL AT COWICHAN RIVER, BC - $14.00 CAD

 

Travel Log July 31/04, Day 3

What a great day.  We went on an 8 km hike with Tiki.  We found out our little 6 pound Yorkshire Terrier loves the water.  He was swimming in the Cowichan  River, hiking along rugged trails, climbing hills, and crossing the river on a log…he was so cute and such a little trooper.

 

We hiked all the way to the trestle bridge, it was so gorgeous there.  We saw lots of people tubing down the river; we had always wanted to try it.  However, there was just not enough time, as we had to prepare to head further up Island to see Barry’s kids.

 

 

Overnight: STOLZ POOL AT COWICHAN RIVER, BC - $14.00 CAD

 

Travel Log Aug 1/04, Day 4

This morning we put up our Solar Panels.  We have two 80 watt solar modules, charge controller and a 1000 watt sign wave inverter.  This will allow us to have power when we are boon docking (staying at places for free).  We are really excited about getting them installed.  We are able to run the microwave, lamps, vacuum, etc at the flick of a switch.  Very luxurious J

 

We traveled up to Courtney / Comox and did all of grocery shopping at Walmart, it was one of the biggest Wal-marts we had ever seen and had a full grocery section.  We asked if we could stay in their parking lot for the night and they said yes.

 

Overnight: WALMART IN COURTENAY, BC – FREE

 

Travel Log Aug 2/04, Day 5

We picked up the kids, Robin 17, Kyle 14, Laura 10 (soon to be 11).  It was sure great to see them.  We had reserved a site up a Miracle Beach, North of Courtenay; we drove up there and got all settled.  We set up the tent for the boys, and Laura would sleep in the coach with us.  She will be sleeping on the couch.  We all went for a nice long walk around the campsite and down this lane into the bush.

 

 

Had dinner and visited in the evening.

 

Overnight: MIRACLE BEACH – NORTH OF COURTENAY, BC - $28.00 CAD

 

Travel Log Aug 3/04, Day 6

Went for another walk around the campsite, through the bush and hiked along the ocean beach, we had lunch by the ocean on a log, and continued our stroll down the beach.  It feels so good to be with the kids and out in the fresh air.  We are content and relaxed.

 

 

In the evening we played on our Play Station II with the kids.  What a hoot.  Robin is really good at the Grand Turismo, and usually won all of the races.  Robin recommended that we get ‘007 – Everything or Nothing’…

 

Overnight: MIRACLE BEACH – NORTH OF COURTENAY, BC - $28.00 CAD

 

Travel Log Aug 4/04, Day 7

We had a special treat this morning for breakfast; we made bacon, eggs and toast.  We sat out at the picnic table and enjoyed the breakfast and each others company.  It sure is good to have the kids here with us.

 

 

We left the tent and other things at the campsite and drove up to Oyster Bay.  We had a great time hiking along the ocean, walking way out where the tide was out, watching Tiki run after the birds with every once of energy he had.  He was covered in water and mud and was having the time of his life.  He was so light he could go well beyond where we could go.  When the kids would throw large rocks out there, they would drop down and disappear in the muck.  Tiki was adorable and man, can he ever run fast.

 

 

We then drove to Oyster River, parked the coach and hiked along trails to the river, and then along the river to the open ocean.  We had such a great time.  Laura played in the sand, Kyle and I took pictures of Barry and Robin juggling these huge rocks, it was hilarious.  We then remembered we had these little video clips on the camera and we took a small video of each of them juggling these rocks.  It was a gorgeous place to hang out and play.  We really enjoyed it there.

 

 

We retraced our steps back to a part of the river where you could swim, snorkel, dive, play on the zunga, and lots of other people were there.  Barry, the kids and Tiki all enjoyed swimming there.  There were fish in the river also that were about 24 inches long! They were harmless and entertaining to watch.

 

 

We headed back to Miracle Beach and spent the evening there visiting with the kids and playing video games.

 

Overnight: MIRACLE BEACH – NORTH OF COURTENAY, BC - $28.00 CAD

 

Travel Log Aug 5/04, Day 8

Today is a rainy day.  We left Miracle Beach and drove to Dairy Queen for a surprise birthday party and ice cream cake for all of the kids.  We also sat and explained what would be happening in our lives over the next while.  We all enjoyed lunch and the cake.  We then went to a new camp ground called Seal Bay.  Everything was brand new.  They did a really nice job, it was very clean, private and the sites were large.  We played video games with the kids all day.  Barry and Laura made a homemade frame out of cardboard and markers for the picture we gave her.  We saw a doe and two fawns at the campground, they worked their way from site to site until they got to our site, and we got pictures of them right outside our window.  They were really beautiful and not afraid of us at all.  We were all a bit disappointed that this was our last day together; we had such a great visit.

 

 

Overnight: SEAL BAY – JUST OUTSIDE OF COURTENAY, BC - $23.00 CAD

 

Travel Log Aug 6/04, Day 9

Dropped the kids off at the ferry terminal in Little River, it was hard to see them off knowing we would not be seeing them again for awhile.

 

 

We then drove down to Ladysmith in preparation for our appointment at Island Springs on Saturday morning.  We are a little heavy in the back end, and so is our coach J  So, we have an appointment to get new springs put in the back of the coach so that it doesn’t ride so low.

 

We parked at the Government Wharf and went for a walk on the Government dock in the evening.  We sat and had a glass of wine and a quiet evening in their parking lot.  As it was just a ½ a block from Island Springs and had a gorgeous view we decided to park there for the night.

 

Overnight: GOVERNMENT WHARF IN LADYSMITH, BC - FREE  

 

Travel Log Aug 7/04, Day 10

We got up and had breakfast and headed up the road to Island Spring.  We were disappointed to find out that we did not have the type of springs that they thought we would need and they would have to order the right ones in.  Long story short, he waited while we checked around closer to Victoria to see if someone else could do it before Tuesday (it was now Saturday morning, and the parts could not be ordered until Monday)…as it turned out Island Spring was our best bet and so we decided to go back down to the Government Wharf and downsize, yet again.

 

We went through everything inside and outside (in the basement compartments) and took out everything we could to lighten our load, this took most of the day, then we drove to a Thrift Store in Ladysmith and donated all of it.

 

We then headed down the Island, back to Victoria, and then to Liquid Metal in Sidney.  We drove to their parking lot, ordered Pizza and spent the night there.

 

Overnight: LIQUID METAL PARKING LOT IN SIDNEY, BC – FREE

 

Travel Log Aug 8/04, Day 11

Kristy, her Dad and Barry worked on assembling and installing our new Scooter and Boat racks. 

 

 

They look great and we are very pleased with how they turned out.  We were there for a number of hours before heading back to West Bay Marina; we decided to stay there for the day and night, in their parking lot.  We did laundry, got our mail, emails, etc…

 

Overnight: WESTBAY MARINA IN VICTORIA, BC - $10.00 CAD

 

Travel Log Aug 9/04, Day 12

We drove all around Victoria on our Scooters today, running errands.  We made about 8 stops through the course of the day.  It was a lot of fun to be on the scooters again.

 

We then headed up island and stayed over night at the Government Wharf in Ladysmith, the view was so pretty there and it was so close to Island Spring, and it was free, so we figured what the heck.

 

Went for another walk on the docks near the government docks and settled down for the night.

 

Overnight: GOVERNMENT WHARF IN LADYSMITH, BC – FREE

 

Travel Log Aug 10/04, Day 13

While Island Springs was worked on installing our new leaf springs and re-arcing our old ones, we sat and did out GST Report in the sunshine. 

 

We then drove back to Victoria to pick up our frame for our scooter cover  (made by Liquid Metal) and the canvas cover for the scooter cover (made by Pete’s Tent and Awning – I would never ever recommend Pete’s to anyone, their service was terrible, however, the cover, all though not finished and on the frame, turned out really nice…we had to finish it ourselves at a much later date, and had to hold it to the frame with rope, blocks of wood and clamps)…

 

We had Mom & Dad over for dinner and to say goodbye, it was a bit of an emotional time.  I am going to miss them very much.  We have developed a very special friendship with them and we hope to see them lots in the future.

 

We then worked all evening to prepare for our trip.  We put the boat up on the new rack, with the new davit, it worked like a charm and we are very pleased with the whole set up.  Thanks Kristy at Liquid Metal – you did a fine job J

 

Overnight: WEST BAY MARINA, VICTORIA, BC - $10.00 CAN

 

Travel Log Aug 11/04, Day 14

Spent the entire day getting ready to go, worked on loading the scooters, securing the canvas to the cover and the cover to the frame and the frame to the scooter rack, very frustrating that it was not done by Pete’s.  Oh well….

 

We worked really hard, doing only the things that really had to be done before we left Victoria, the 3:00 pm sailing came and went.  I told Barry that no matter what we had to do I wanted to leave the marina at 4:30 pm, so that we were at the Coho Ferry terminal at 5:00 pm so that we could be on the 7:30 pm sailing.

 

At 4:30 pm I went to settle up with West Bay Marina for the last time, and Barry was going to dump our tanks, we were going to have quick showers and then head down to the terminal.  When I was settling up Loni, she was kind enough to call and see what the line up was like at the Coho Ferry Terminal.  She was told that if we got there right then we could get on, any later than 15 minutes and it would be full.  She told them our length and that we were a Class A Motorhome and they said we would have to get there ASAP.  Well you never saw two people move so fast.  We did not dump or shower, we pealed out of West Bay and headed to the Terminal!  It did not look good, until we pulled up and they said, you must be the 38 footer (including the scooter rack) and we said “That us!!”  We got on!!  We were so thankful to Loni for calling ahead for us; otherwise I am sure we would not have gotten on.

 

 

When we were in the line up, we were apprehensive for 6:00 pm, which is when the Customs Officer was to come buy and look over our coach and check our passports.  6:00, 6:30, 7:00, shortly after 7:00 cars started loading and still no Customs Officer, then we were instructed to pull forward in order to line up for loading, the Customs Officer came over to our window and said “I notice you don’t have a tag, have you not been checked yet?”  We said “No”, he said “Where are you from, where are you going, and for how long?”  We said “Victoria, Washington Kite Festival”.  And he said “Go ahead on.”  Well we could hardly believe it.  It was done and we were on.

 

Leaving Victoria was a bit sad, as we absolutely love Victoria.  However, starting out on our adventure was very exciting and we had set sail for Port Angeles, WA.

 

When we got to Port Angeles, we found a place to park for the night, had a toast and said goodnight.

 

Overnight: RESIDENTIAL STREET, NEAR GOLF COURSE IN PORT ANGELES, WA – FREE

 

 

START OF OUR MAIN TRIP OUT OF CANADA

ODOMETER 54,032 MILES

 

 

Travel Log Aug 11/04, Day 15

Got up, had breakfast, went for a short walk with Tiki.  Drove into town and went grocery shopping at Safeway, it was very expensive. We won’t be shopping there again unless we have to.  We will look for a Food 4 Less, or a Fred Myers, those are some that others have recommended we try. 

 

We then started our drive and drove to Forks, WA.  We parked for the night in a parking lot that welcomes trucks and RV’s.

 

We walked downtown and went to an internet café to check our emails.  Then, we walked back to the coach, had dinner and relaxed for the evening.

 

Overnight: PARKING LOT IN FORKS, WA – FREE

ODOMETER – 54,100

TRAVELED 68 MILES

 

Travel Log Aug 13/04, Day 16

We got up and had a leisurely breakfast.  Walked back downtown, checked emails again and paid bills, mailed a letter and went to the hardware store.

 

We then traveled to Ruby Beach, strolled along a beautiful, foggy ocean beach with waves crashing on the shore.

 

Then, we drove a short distance and saw a sign for a “Big Cedar Tree” and so we stopped to check it out.  Very cool.

 

Continued on to Lake Quinault, went for a walk along a gorgeous green coloured lake near a resort area.  It was a place that I would go back to and spend some time at their lodge.  Very beautiful area.  And we were just itchin’ to go for a swim J

 

We drove via the costal route to Hoquiam where we fond a nice place to stay by a bird sanctuary & lagoon near Grays Harbour.  (Barry thinks, upon closer inspection, in the morning, that it is a sewage lagoon)  The mosquitoes were unbelievable; they swarmed us, so for most of the evening we were inside the coach.

 

Overnight: GRAYS HARBOUR NEAR HOQUIAM, WA – FREE

ODOMETER – 54,227

TRAVELED 127 MILES

 

Travel Log Aug 14/04, Day 17

We got up and had breakfast and hit the road.  We stopped at Twin Harbour State Park for a stroll by the ocean and a sit on a log. 

 

Continued on our journey and then stopped and spent the day at Willapa Bay near Homeland, WA.  Played ‘007’ video game and did a few chores.

 

We had lunch and dinner here, as the view is so beautiful.  Very interesting to watch the tides here!  When we arrived it was a beautiful bay… when we left, the water had emptied out of the bay for miles leaving a flat muddy vista.  Very different from when we arrived.  It was time to move on.

 

We drove to a tiny little place called Bay Centre, there was barley enough room in this little town to turn the coach around.

 

 

Overnight: BY THIS PRETTY RIVER NEAR BAY CENTRE, WA – FREE

ODOMETER – 54,307

TRAVELED 80 MILES

 

Travel Log Aug 15/04, Day 18

In the morning, Barry picked Blackberry’s right outside the coach to have with our yogurt and seeds.  He’s going to pick more for tomorrow’s breakfast.  He has just informed me that he has had his eye on one of the cows out in the field.  I think it has something to do with his hunting and gathering instinct.

 

 

We continued our drive to Long Beach for the start of the Kite Festival.

 

 

It is so great to be here again.  Barry flies kites; he has over 20 kites and a kite buggy.  And, he has ‘line laundry’, single line, double line and 4 line kites.  He is actually very good at flying and some of his kites are big enough to lift him right off the ground (on a windy day)…  As I was saying, we were here about three years ago and vowed to come back every year.  However, we were just too busy.  There are all kinds of competitions and events, things to see, buy and eat.  It should be a lot of fun.  And the weather is gorgeous.

 

 

We found the RV Park that we were staying at and got ourselves set up.  We took the scooters off the rack and went to explore.  We rode up the Peninsula to about Klipsan Beach, and then we did something we never thought of doing when we bought the scooters.  We took a beach access to the ocean and drove the scooters along the beach for miles and miles!  How can I describe how that felt?  It was spectacular; we had a great time to say the least.

 

 

We then came back to the coach, sat on our ‘LaFumas’ and had a bevy in the sunshine.  Aahhhh, life is good.

 

In the evening, we took a stroll to the ocean, walked along the beach for awhile and watched the sun set.  It was a huge, gorgeous ball of fire…a perfect ending to a perfect day.

 

Overnight: SAND CASTLE RV IN LONG BEACH, WA - $36.00 US PER NIGHT!! OUCH - Please note, that because of the kite festival we had to pay for a week and we did not stay quite a week, so the $30.00 is an average for the time we were here.

ODOMETER – 54,339

TRAVELED – 32 MILES

Click here to read the next segment of this Travel Log Series