The Shortcut - Road trip day 4

We woke up to more rain today so abandoned our plan to drive up the coast, we're going to do a beach trip on a more sunny day so we took a direct route back home (via some more shops).

Here's a picture of a cheesy snack for your amusement:


Total Miles travelled: 781

The Rain - Road trip day 3

As you can guess by the name of this post the weather wasn't too great. It started raining as soon as we hit the coast and didn't stop all day!

We located our Hotel in Lincoln City and set off to find somewhere to lunch (this was a traumatic experience that involved driving 20 miles only to end up back where we started still hungry). Eventually we ate and headed for an outlet shopping centre (to purchase presents for other people not myself you understand).

Tired, cold, wet and miserable we then checked in to 'The Nordic Hotel'.
Our room was fantastic (see picture for view from our window).

2 major things happened today, I started reading Harry Potter (something I vowed not to do until all the books were in the bag - now safe), and I watched the first 4 episodes of Prison Break (very addictive).

The Potter books have been 'Americanized' to enable more easy reading for our foreign friends. Over here it is called 'Hank Potter and the Sorcerers stone'.......(ok so I made the 'Hank' bit up but I find it amusing that the word 'Philosopher' is rejected). Reading this book means Stacy gets no more conversation out of me for the next 2 weeks (lucky her).

Exciting 'almost' road kill moments - A deer (jumped out at us and nearly gave us both a heart attack), a baby chipmunk, a can of pepsi (Stacy swerved wide to miss this, I guess they like their soda's here).

Miles travelled so far: 659

The Volcano - Road trip day 2

Day 2 got off to a good start with a trip to the IHOP (International house of pancakes) for breakfast. Here I sampled the legendary Cinammon toast....MMMMmmmm.

Soon we were travelling through the desert listening to Country on the radio, the moment is fixed in my mind as it was the time I heard Pink Floyd's 'Comfortably Numb' covered in the 'country' style. No comment.

We were heading for Crater Lake (see picture), it's an ex volcano that blew its top and collapsed on itself 7000 years ago leaving this huge crater.

It was an amazing view to behold and we didn't want to leave.

We drove along the Umqua River (see below) on the way to our next destination - The Sleep Inn and Suites (which Stacy had trouble saying).

Exciting moment of the day - I got asked for ID when buying a beer.

Miles travelled so far: 460

The Hood - Road trip day 1

We had beautiful sunshine for the first day of our journey, this picture was taken as we were driving across Mount Hood. After this we went to Lake Billy Chinook and paddled in the water which was lovely.

I got a whiff of SKUNK (the animal kind), Stacy guessed someone had run one over and it had 'let one off' so to speak.

We got to Sisters in the afternoon to be met by Stacy's Auntie Ann and her dog Fritz. Auntie Ann was nice but Fritz was a little on the smelly side.

Favourite Auntie Ann quote (when discussing some young waiters) - "Get em young and raise em how you like em".

Unusual wildlife spotted - Baby Chipmunk, Quails, Llama's.

Miles so far: 198

The Road Trip

Tomorrow we set off on a 4 day road trip! It's a lot of driving for Stacy and it's really lovely of her to do it and put up with me for so long. Here's the plan:

TUE - Travel on highway 26 over Mount Hood, through Warm Springs and head to Sisters where we'll be staying with Stacy's Aunt.

WED - Head south to Crater Lake to soak up the amazing scenery. Then drive north-west to a hotel in Roseburg.

THU - Drive west to the coast to join highway 101 northbound ending up in Lincoln city.

FRI - Head north on 101 to Seaside before returning to Vancouver (Washington, where Stacy lives).

Thelma and Louise eat your heart out!

The Beavers

On Sunday evening I visited Stacy's folks in Beaverton to watch a baseball game, soak in the hot tub and eat some yummy food.

The college where Stacy's folks went is Oregon State University, their teams (baseball & football) are called The Beavers. The Beaver is the animal of Oregon state.

As you see, the flag was flying high outside the house, it was quite a crucial game as a win meant winning the 'world' college series, obviously there weren't any other countries actually taking part but we'll gloss over that. Stacy spent the first hour trying to explain the rules but eventually gave it up as a lost cause. I know that they won in the end and that's all that matters.

In the morning we did a drive around Portland (during which the heavens opened) then hit the Mall for some shopping (this will be a theme), on our way back someone tried to kill us by driving with their eyes shut but they failed, better luck next time pal.

The Big Mac

My first meal stateside had to be a McDonalds (I know that will horrify some).

We nipped off the I5 (interstate 5) on the way home from Seattle airport.

This McDonalds truly impressed me with it's armchairs and open fire but Stacy made me sit at a 'normal' table :o(

Most disturbing sight since arriving has to be a mural of Ronald McDonald milking a cow...

The Flight

Upon arriving at Heathrow (where there were nearly tears as Shell dropped me off) I promptly got in the longest queue in the universe for check in. 10 minutes into the wait I realised I was about to die of hunger. Oh, the plight of the solo traveller who can't just jump in and out of queues. Drastic action had to be taken so I started tucking in to the bag of 'Stacy' food that I was taking out for her. I managed to replace it later but still feel guilty. One of the flakes I bought was longer than the others so I had to confess.

1 hour and 45 minutes later I had checked in. I boarded the plane to discover I had been put in a middle seat between a guy and a girl (British). Embarassing silence followed (for 9 hours) - as the Americans both in front and behind got all but the inside leg measurement of the people next to them.

Anyway, the guy next to me (let's call him Mr.Inconsiderate) generously loaned me his elbow to rest my rib cage on. After about an hour EVERYTHING this guy did wound me up, the way his flip flops and magazines kept creeping into my floor space, the way he stuck his big bare feet on the chair in front about a foot from my nose, the way he refused to stand up when I needed to go to the 'rest room' which resulted in me lap-dancing my way across him, and finally by stealing half of my seat belt (he was sitting on his own) so I couldn't even save myself if there was a crash....AAAAARRRRGH.

Being a good Christian I prayed for him all the way...

5 Days to go before I hit the U.S.A

It's my final week at work, I was off sick last week so I have a lot to catch up on before I head off. That's why I'm wasting time writing on my blog.
Michelle will be transporting me to Heathrow on Saturday and Stacy will hopefully collect me in a heap at the other end. It's a direct flight which is good, hopefully I won't be sat near any children.
I've had my first social invitation already, I'll be off to the parents pad (Portland) for Sunday lunch and a soak in the Hot Tub (pictures on their way).

Don't get jealous.

3 weeks until my trip

On Saturday 23rd June I will jet off to Seattle to be re-united with my old flat mate Stacy. I will be away for 3 weeks. I cannot wait.