Anderson, CA

The drive over the mountain range between OR and CA was uneventful. There was a little snow on the side of the road and it drizzled rain all the way. One stop for a Denny's Grand Slam breakfast (4 eggs, hash browns and toast - $6.49) and gas ($3.69/gal) and we pulled into the Walmart in Anderson at four-ish. I walked over to the oil change place and they told me to bring both vehicles in right away. I asked them if they honored Walmart Canada's free tire rotation and they did. Oil, lube and tire rotation (free) on the Honda was $35 and oil (synthetic) and lube on the motorhome was $62. Tomorrow morning we will call Les Schwab Tires to get that dealt with. We may be here most of the day tomorrow.

Oh yes, on the way here we made our annual stop at All Star Liquors on I-5 just on the CA side of the State Line to pick up a few happy hour bargains. My Canadian friends will appreciate the prices.

Cutty Sark Scotch - $14 for 1.75 litre
Russian Standard Vodka - $15 for 1.75 Litre
Canadian Club - $15 for 1.75 litre
Bacardi Gold (Puerto Rican)- $18 for 1.75 litre
Glenmorangie Lasanta Single Malt sherry cask extra mature 12 year old - $37
Drambuie Black Lable - $20 for 750 ml
Glayva - $30 for 750 ml

We left $320 there but are stocked for the winter! Except for beer. And I might pick up another bottle of Single Malt in Corning, CA. at the liquor store across from the Olive Pit.

Needless to say, we stocked up! They did not have a great selection of single malt. Oh yes, Walmart had their house "Oak Leaf" Merlot (Napa Valley) rolled back to $1.97

Wilsonville, OR

It was a short drive to Wilsonville. We always stop here to have the tires inspected at Les Schwab Tires where we bought them two  three years ago. There is also a camping World store where we can pick up anything we need.

We pulled into the tire store and they adjusted all the pressure. All the tires were a little low and one was down a bit more than the others. I will get it checked again soon as there might be a problem. Both front tires are showing a little extra wear on the inside rib as if there is a slight toe out problem. He suggested putting them on the back and moving two back tires up front. They could not do it on Saturday so they suggested stopping at another one of their stores down the road. We will call ahead and make an appointment in Anderson, CA where we will also get oil changes in both vehicles.

At Camping World we picked up and installed a new outside shower hose that broke last year. We also needed a new Fresnel wide angle lens that sticks on the back window so I can watch the car in the rear view mirror.

It was too late to head out after doing these chores so we spent the night in the parking lot behind Fry's Electronics away from the highway noise and had dinner at Sheri's Restaurant next door. Today we will drive as far as Seven Feathers Casino in Canyonville, OR about 100 miles from the California border. It was cold last night but not as bad as the night before. It will be getting warmer every day now as we move south.

The Virgin Broadband is working well with the Cradlepoint WIFI Adapter. It gives us a WIFI zone about 100 feet around the motorhome that up to six people can use at a time. Very neighborly and very convenient!

Life is good and getting better.

Customs

After all the trouble my Blogging friend Kelsi had at the border, I should report on our crossing.

Crossing by ferry is a little different than by land. On the Victoria end US Customs scans our passports into the computer and gives us a cursory inspection, asking where we are going and for how long. They then put a color coded tag under the wiper, I guess to let their friends in Port Angeles know how trustworthy we seemed. We got a red tag with "2" printed on it. Whatever that means. One motorhome behind us driven by a single man with a big dog got a yellow tag.

As we drove off the ferry in Port Angeles, we went through a portable X-Ray machine just like the ones in Mexico and then up to the booth. One inspector looks at your window tag and directs you into one of two lines. I guess red tags meant low risk yesterday because we were asked the same questions as on the Victoria side and after giving the same answers, we were waved through.

There were not even any drug sniffing dogs in evidence yesterday. I wonder if that is because Washington just voted to legalize pot? Maybe.

Piece of cake!

Effortless

We are in the USA! Obama Country!

We pulled into the ferry dock in downtown Victoria just as Brooks, Linda lee and her mom and dad showed up. We went for a drink until our reservations for dinner came up. It was a great evening with lots of catching up with the newly weds. Linda's mom and dad are just back from a trip to England which they enjoyed. After dinner we walked back to the motorhome for a nightcap and then to bed.

We boarded the ferry at about 10:00 and got to Port Angeles at about noon. The food service is really lousy on this ferry, nothing like the BC Ferries. Norma had a reheated "Breakfast Bun" and I a bowl of clam chowder. With two coffees the bill was $14.00.

We are now in the Centralia, WA Walmart where we did a little shopping. I then went over to Radio Shack in the adjoining mall where the very nice young woman got my Virgin Broadband working for me. Usually they just sell you the air time and you have to take the time to enter codes to get it onto your account. She did everything for me and by the time I walked back to the rig, I had Internet from my Cradlepoint WIFI adapter.

Tomorrow will be an easy day to Portland, OR where we will make a stop at Camping World and the tire shop where we get free service for the life of the tires we bought there two years ago. We just need a visual inspection and the pressure adjusted after being parked all summer.

Life Is Good!

Finally!

We will be pulling out around 10:30 or 11 in the morning. Everything is done, the rig is loaded and all I have to do is turn the rig around, back up the driveway and hook up the dolly and car.

If we are in the Black Ball Ferry parking lot in downtown Victoria shortly after the ferry leaves at 3:00 or 3:30, we can sleep in the parking lot overnight. Brooks and LindaLee along with LindaLee's parents are meeting us and have some dinner plans set up. It will be nice seeing everyone.

There is no WIFI around the ferry dock so I will not post until the next night (as long as I can get my Virgin Broadband Stick up and working). The goal for Friday night will be the Walmart parking lot in Centralia, WA. It is good to be on our way!

How Close was Nate Silver?

Nate Silver's prediction is on top, actual results below:

Florida has not declared yet but will go for Obama (blue)

Marriage equality

Four States out of four with marriage equality on the ballot have approved it. I have no horse in in this race but this is an historic moment!

Most (some) of my gay friends have no interest in getting married but it is important to have the option!

Wanna Bet Now Mitt?

Want to bet $10,000 now Mitt? Even I would take that bet!

No Blue Light Special on the USA tonight Mitt! Obama Wins!!!!!!!!!

Be Calm! Trust Nate Silver

I feel like a jerk! I signed up on Obama's supporter list to get campaign emails. Recently I got an email asking for my address and they would send me a list of ten neighbors who had indicated support. It would be my job to call these people and to make sure they voted, even if it meant driving them to the polls. Of course I couldn't because I am in Canada. I did not answer the email.

Now I just got another email asking if I would take the names of only three neighbors and do the same! Sorry Mr. President, I would if I could!

Vehicle Insurance and Loading Underway

I called Lupita at San Xavier Mecico Insurance in Nogales, AZ  this morning and purchased six months of coverage for the motorhome, dolly and Honda. The total cost was $728. When we get back we send proof to ICBC that we were out of their jurisdiction and will receive a refund for all the days we were in Mexico. This refund will amount to far more than that $728.

Norma is busy trying to stuff every piece of clothing she owns into the motorhome. It is a job I do not even offer to help with! I just hope she leaves room for my ten t-shirts and five pair of shorts.

The US election is under way and the first results have been posted. It is a 5-5 tie in a tiny town in the NE where polls are opened at midnight so they can always be the first to report. It will be a long day.

My prediction is a comfortable win for Obama. I will go out on a limb and say he will win 285 Electoral College votes. 270 are required to win. I have my Obama t-shirt ready to wear when we cross the border!

Go Obama!!!