Washington State

There were some anxious minutes when the Apollo Astronauts rounded the moon, for, at one stage of that historic journey, their Spacecraft went behind the moon and all communication was lost. But to the relief of all involved the Spacecraft continued its orbit, and came out into the light and communication was once again resumed. 

While we do not want to suggest that Washington State is a dark place or somewhere behind the moon, we are aware that communications have been silent for a few days.  Be assured that we are on track and the Wild West Tour continues to roll along.

Since last writing, we passed through Seattle and caught the car ferry over to Bainbridge Island. (You may need a good map at this point.)

A view of downtown Seattle from the car ferry. (No, it's not your eyes, 
nor is Seattle sliding into the sea - it's just my poor photography!)




Now  you can see that sight from the open deck, or..



....from the comfort of the enclosed area.

Our destination was the town of Poulsbo where we were staying with our hosts, Bill and Ellen Lockard. Bill served for many years as the Administrative Director of Biblical Foundations International (BFI). I had enjoyed their hospitality before and so I looked forward to introducing Christine and Pauline to them. Before retirement and his voluntary work with BFI, Bill was a Naval Commander in the US Navy. In that capacity he had visited Melbourne on a couple of occasions.

Poulsbo was established by Norwegian fishermen and so carries a distinctive Norwegian flavour.

We always have the hint of Norway with us, as Christine's maternal grandmother was Norwegian.  During the afternoon we accompanied Bill and Ellen up to a historic town that used to be the major port for the lumber business.



Here from L to R are, Bill, Ellen, Pauline and Christine - just a few historic relics!!

That evening we had dinner with some further friends, all connected with the ministry of BFI. It was BFI that helped support the work in Macedonia and now continues do so in Cambodia.

The gentleman leaning on the rail is Ross Benson who has been Chairman of the BFI Board for many years.

Sunset on Liberty Bay, Poulsbo.WA

The following day we said our goodbyes and drove a little way north to a place called Sequim, pronounced "Skwim"!  Here we stayed at a B&B on the oldest family-owned farm in Washington State. It has been in the same family for 4 generations. One son has actually worked on a farm near Sale in Vic.  It was very comfortable as you can see..

I wasn't quite sure at that stage where I was supposed to sleep???

It was at Sequim that we encountered many of the animals we expected to see in Yellowstone, as we enjoyed 
driving through the Olympic Game Farm. I will allow the pictures to tell their own story.

Then the fun really started... rather than simply look at us driving past, 
why not try and get inside where there is food?

Is there a likeness here?? A recognition of an old friend, maybe?



I think he wanted to take over the driving for within a moment this was all I saw...

Close encounter of the Stag-type!

Well, Sunday morning saw us drive up to Port Angeles and drive onto another ferry, 

this one to take us to Canada, Victoria BC to be correct, and that will be the subject of our next blog

From Montana to Washington State via Idaho

Leaving the rugged splendour of Montana we headed for a town with a French name in the State of Idaho. The town is Coeur d'Alene and was named by French Fur-trappers. They were shrewd business men and the name means "Heart of the Awl".

However, shortly after leaving Paradise Valley in Montana we stopped to have a look at some bears. Sadly the only one showing-off was Lucy the baby.

Glad that's not one of my bones she is taking a fancy to.

Being summer the traffic has been quite heavy with trucks, cars and motor-homes of all sizes. Some are enormous and surprisingly, anyone can rent them. No special licence is required. So you see many motor-homes the size of a bus, towing a car for use when they set up camp at the RV Park. 

If you look carefully you will see that this trailer has a "skirt".  While it stopped stones 

being thrown up it did not stop insects splattering my screen.  After a day of driving we pulled up at our accommodation for the next two nights  -  Blackwell Hotel in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

This Hotel reminded us of one of those stately homes you find in the South.  With its 

beautiful setting we thought we were back again in Savannah, Georgia.

But while a hotel may appear stately, it's the staff that makes or breaks a good place of rest.  Here the beauty of the building was matched by the brightness, freshness and thoughtfulness of Liz, our host. She is the one on my right, not the other woman on my left!!

Coeur d'Alene is set on a large lake which provides a playground for a 

host of vessels from canoes to luxurious motor cruisers.  

Here are "Darby and Joan" standing on what is the world's largest floating boardwalk.

A mysterious man appeared!  Maybe one of the rich and infamous? No, just a layabout!

So what do we do after a day driving and sightseeing? Well, there is shopping to do and meals to prepare and laundry to keep up with and of course, this blog. So to give credit where credit is due, this blog is the result of some highly trained and talented staff.  Here is one hard at work and notice...

A Notebook in the right hand and an iPad at the ready on her left. Now that's being ambidextrous!

Between Coeur d'Alene and North Bend WA we diverted to experience a little piece of Bavaria, named Leavenworth, WA.  Joe, our Travel Agent advised us to take a look at it.

Being lunch time, what more could one ask for than a good German sausage 

with potato salad and saurkraut.

From Leavenworth it was south-west to our accommodation in North Bend, WA....

....and as you looked over the back balcony, this was what confronted you..

A river instead of a backyard! 

The Chalet itself is two levels and quite comfortable

The staircase leads upstairs to the second bedroom. 

Today was a strange day with some sightseeing this morning and then odd jobs this afternoon ie Christine spent some time at the laundromat while Pauline had a manicure and I had a haircut.

 Snoqualmie Falls, not that far from where we are staying.

Sometimes I wonder about my sister !!!!

Then again, I suppose people wonder about this old guy having a chocolate Milk Shake..

So here ends another edition of the "hair-raising" adventures on the 

Harper Burnside Wild West Tour.

From Cody Wyoming to Paradise Valley Montana

While I am writing this from Coeur d' Alene, Idaho, it is an attempt to fill in the recent gaps in our Wild West Tour.  So here are some scenes as I seek to bring these blogs up to date.

Communications have not always been easy.  It was good to find some phones

so we could speak to each other!

Our destination after leaving Cody was Yellowstone National Park. It covers a vast area and among its attractions is "Old Faithful".

Two other Old Geysers waiting for the "moving of the waters/gas".

There she goes....

One of the many spectacular "mineral hot baths" around the Geyser.
This one is called the "Sapphire Pool".

 A deer resting in the grounds of the Gardiner School

A Bison crosses the road in front of us

We have been into 10 States and done 4,000miles during the last 3 weeks. Imagine if we were in this?

But even modern day travelling does take its effect!

Then again, we could have always gone by bike...or better still

by a 1956 Porsche

On Sunday afternoon we went to church but it was closed. It is the oldest Lutheran Church in Montana and was used in the film "The Horse Whisperer". It sits out in the fields all by itself.

I'll take my hat off to anyone who worships out there.

A Prairie Dog looking for its mate!

Criss-crossing the country roads of Montana

It's dirty work and even dangerous...

Trying to see through the front windscreen with the dust of an approaching car and insects splattered all over the glass!



Just up the road from where we stayed in Paradise Valley. It was just beautiful.

Until next time..Happy trails to you..