We've Arrived...mostly.

Our first migration is well underway.  We left yesterday, Monday, May 6th.  We started the day getting Booner, our fifth wheel trailer, hooked up to Bessie, our pick up truck.  During this time we had the chance to visit with several of our neighbors at the Holiday RV park who came by to say so long and wish us well.  We've made some good friends there.  Of course it's always a little awkward to converse politely while unhooking and rinsing your sewer hose.  But fellow RV'ers get it.  I hope.

The first stop was Les Schwab for new tires for Booner.  And a good thing it was.  As the service tech was rolling away a couple of the old tires he noticed separation.  We wouldn't have made it to Grants Pass before blowing a tire.  Keep in mind these tires had very few miles on them.  But they were over 10 years old.

And then we were off!  It was overcast, but a comfortable temperature and great traveling weather.  

Unfortunately in the first hour a confused downy wood pecker flew right into our grill.  Being sailors of course we are a tad superstitious and we were mildly concerned that this was a bad omen.  However the universe seemed to re-balance when we passed a man standing beside the interstate wearing a flower lei and playing a ukulele-mind you he was nowhere near any towns or exits.  Overall our day went well, traffic cooperated and we made it to Portland in good time.  We checked into the Jantzen Beach RV park for the night.  It's convenient to I-5, has nice trees and has all kinds of noises.  But it's a short drive to The Island Cafe, so it's perfect.  And it's close to a nice walking/biking path along the Columbia River.  

The first order of business, after hooking up our electric, water & sewer, was a trip to the Island Cafe.  

As you can see it's an outdoor restaurant. What you can't see is it's on a dock on the Columbia River.  And they have the best clam strips ever.  And Simon gets his own bowl of water served to him. The rest of the evening was quiet.  Well except for the planes, trains and drawbridges.  

Day two finds us in Anacortes.  Almost at our destination, but not quite.  We landed ourselves at the Swinomish Casino RV park, a few miles outside of Anacortes.  This is our first time in a casino park.  We've stayed in national forest campgrounds, state parks, county parks, fairground rv parks, private rv parks, heck Walmart parking lots, but this is our first experience in a casino park.  I gotta say it's okay.  It's level and the utilities are all good.  We're right on the Swinomish Channel which separates Fidalgo Island from the Washington mainland.  I couldn't tell you if it's a nice casino because I know nothing about casinos.  However it seems to pass muster with the Canadian gamblers as those are the only other folks here in the park with us today.  I'm certain we'll encounter nothing but politeness in any interaction because that's how Canadians are.  We also have a lovely view of Mt. Baker. 

I'm a little concerned about the proximity of those railroad tracks...

Once the necessary hook ups were made here at the rv park it was off to Anacortes proper for a landing beer at Anthony's.

Trick we learned on a previous trip here - put salt on your napkin and it won't stick to your glass.

And then off to visit our lovely floating home.  She's ready for a bath, and then there's the changing of the potty hoses, but it was wonderful to be on board and feel her decks under my bare feet.  Yes, it's a beautiful sunny day and the three of us enjoyed soaking up that sun in the cockpit.

Simon got a romp in the dogpark next to the marina first, his equivalent to the landing beer.  Mostly he just got drooled on by a pitbull.  But he seemed very content with the afternoon.

So, dear friends and family, we have mostly arrived, safe and sound.  We appreciate all of the love and support you all send our way.  And we hope you'll come share some part of our adventure, either in person or through following this blog.

Stay tuned...