Apr 2008

• An update from my mobile * Thursday 24th *

We're on the plane now, about to head home. The trip has been amazing. There have been lots of things we didn't manage to do, either through lack of time or if they were closed. We've decided to repeat the trip in 25 years, when Rachel is 50, and take a little longer to do it. We've taken over 1000 photos, so we have some sorting to do! We've decided that everyone should do at least one road trip. All we need now is another destination.

I wanted to share some of the things that we've noticed along our trip.

1. Everyone is complaining about the rising price of gas, there are even warning adverts on the TV, but we can fill up our tank of a car for $50.

2. Tumbleweeds are real, and make you jump when they hit the side of the car.

3. If you ask for milk with coffee instead of cream, you get a black coffee and a glass of milk!

4. In most restaurants we've been to, they ask 'together or separate?' - do we want one or two bills.

5. All toilet doors have gaps at the edges - very weird.

6. If you order a meal with a salad, the salad comes first, sometimes before the appetisers. In fact, things often arrive when they are ready so you can have the salad, starter and main course on the table all at the same time.

• An update from my mobile * Tuesday 22nd *

We made it to Ocean Shores and the pacific ocean. We also caught up with friends we last saw 17 years ago. In Seattle we shopped and did a little sight-seeing.

• An update from my mobile * Monday 21st *

In the morning we found the local library. We were looking for details of a treehouse B&B on the internet. We didn't manage to get through to them, but we did make a reservation at 'Almost Paradise'.

We had about 3.5 hours of driving ahead of us, and we had to stock up on food as it was self catering. Our accommodation was in a lodge, with private hot tub and sauna. We had a comfy sofa, fully kitted out kitchen and wood-paneled bathroom, nestled in the snow at the base of Mount Rainier. It was great to cook our own dinner for the first time in weeks. We also enjoyed a glass of wine or two...

• An update from my mobile * Sunday 20th *

This part of the state is like driving through Narnia. The trees are thick and tall, and covered in snow. Magical.

To come back to earth, we stopped in Spokane and went to Sears, TJ Maxx, Michaels and Ross. We now have two new suitcases, one to replace the one that broke, and the other for all the shopping we've done.

In Ellensburg we finally stayed in a Super 8 motel, after passing hundreds of then along the way. It was very comfortable, and the girl at the desk gave us directions to find a good steak. The Palace Cafe was almost deserted when we walked in, and five minutes later we were the only people there. However, the service was friendly, and the steaks fantastic. When our waitress came to check on up at 10.15 we discovered they stopped serving at 9, and we'd only just made it. We didn't stay for desert, and headed back to the motel for coffee.