Russ and Rob's Travels

Crossing the border into USA was reasonably simple although there was a long delay having to wait 40 minutes to get through customs. This border crossing was amazing, having a large duty free store, lots of open park and gardens surrounding it, 8 lanes and a nexus lane ( express lane ) which is for those US citizens holding a card. Even though it was a short drive to the border from the RV Park it was a lovely drive passing areas of farmland and seeing blackberries being picked.

After crossing the border into Washington state we followed interstate 5 down to Seattle, the city built on 7 hills where Starbucks and Microsoft are famous names. We spent a couple of nights here. We had prearranged a one and a half hour behind the scenes look at aircraft manufacturing, at Boeing - future of flights tour. The tour started with a 15 minute video before we boarded a bus, our guide giving us a commentary as we made our way to the factory. We walked under ground in one of the 12 tunnels that are within the building , then took an elevator to a viewing platform where we could see the 737 and 747 airplanes in various stages of construction. It was back on the bus to go futher down the factory where we viewed the 777 and 787.

This undercover production shed is the worlds largest building – larger than Disneyland and all its car parking areas. It is 472 million cubic feet by volume.

Once we returned we went for a look through the exhibits in the aviation centre and up to the rooftop to view the planes and the mountain backdrop.

The closest RV park was only 3 mile away so we headed there for the night. RV Sales outlets lined the streets along either side the park so after dinner we walked through them admiring of course what we could not have.

The following morning we had a lazy one, having a sleep in, doing the laundry before filling part of the afternoon in at the outlets mall. We were invited to dinner at Geoff and Kienny’s friends so we made our way there stopping at Sunset Hill Park on the way. We had a really nice night, enjoyed a beautiful home cooked meal with some really nice people. Sharing travel stories and gathering information on what we should try and see while in the US. Our camp site for the night was in the street where we had parked our RV. Geoff and Kienny parked troopy alongside their friends troopy in the back lane. Yep! They have the same vehicles. The neighbourhood was quiet so we had a good sleep.

The following morning we had a coffee before heading out of town. On our way through the city we stopped off at the REI store, before continuing on route to Mt Rainer National Park.

Aviation Centre

Dreamlifter

Boeing Factory

Duty Free store

Farming

Leaving Seattle

Boeing Shed

Seattle harbour

Sunset Hill Park Garden

Seattle Harbour

Seattle ... Its a city.

Space Needle

Bee..

A beautiful rose at Sunset Hill Park

on way to Border

Waiting in line to cross the border

We arrived Back in the USA

Prince George to Vancouver- What a variety of amazingly beautiful landscape we covered. Roads we travelled on were some of the steepest in British Columbias road systems.

Our RV did not like some of the climbs or down hill runs as it run hot and brakes were smelling but we took it slow savouring the view.

Our first camp along this route was in a Provincial camping Ground at Lac La Hache We have had a few stays in these bush style settings, minimal facilities and usually pitt toilets, some have waste dump and drinking water provided for a small fee or free. We have also stayed in some recreation parks which is where we spent our second night camped right alongside Coyish Creek. We happened to drive into this place mid afternoon and decided to have an early camp as it was such a peaceful spot. As it was early and the weather was reasonable we enjoyed sitting outdoors for a bit until the Canada cold night started rolling in.

We travelled part of the historic old Cariboo Wagon trail from 140 mile house to Lillooet, now known as hwy 97. Towns we travelled through were named for the distance they are from Lillooet. Ranch, farmingand horses are still what this area is all about.

At 108 mile we stopped at the Range heritage site which was the original site for the ranch but is now a tourist stop off. There are 13 timber bulidings, historical farm machinery and a museum that are all postioned alongside 108 mile lake.

Further down the road 100 mile House was established as a post house to the goldfields but is now a major service centre for the Cariboo area. 70 mile house was originally a stage stop.

It was then onto Clinton which is where the junction of two roads lead to the Cariboo Goldfields. The Cariboo Road saw the transportation of over six million dollars worth of gold. We turned off just up from Clinton onto hwy 99 continuing our travels through to Lillooet, the town perched out on the plateau above the Fraser river canyon. Plateau's were being used for farming pastures, the green a contrast to the cliffs behind.

It was then onto the Sea to Sky highway which is a continuation of highway 99, a former logging road, still windy and narrow which lead us up and over the mountains to the modern ski resort town of Whistler, the venue for the 2010 winter games. Exploring the town we followed the cobblestone walkway through the shopping village which has 200 shops and boutiques and throughout the town many good quality hotels. In summer the ski slopes turn into mountain bike trails and the chair lifts are used to transport bikes to the top of the mountain for the riders return down. While we we there the bike festival was on so the town was a hive of activity.

Nearing Vancouver the road spread out into a 4 lane highway. Once we arrived we booked one night in an RV park on the north of the city and the following on the south of the city close by the border crossing. We went for a walk along our namesake "Kingsmill" walking trail which lead us along Vancouver waterfront. The following morning it was a visit to the beautiful Stanley Park, 404 hectares of green space, with beaches and forest trails. We walked and drove around the park seeing racoons, geese,squirrells and loads of people, many riding pushbikes. After lunch we headed south driving through busy downtown to where we stayed at Surrey, which is in a rural setting. The beautiful RV park gardens were a show of colours and featured statues made of ceramic or brass. It was a great place to wonder at the end of our day.

Vancouver has been voted the worlds most liveable city for the 5th Year.

Crossing the Border we will leave Canada. ..... returning to the US must mean we are getting closer to returning to Oz ....