ROAD TRIP to the Pacific Northwest...Day 18

Wednesday November 6

John made some steel cut oats for breakfast which went down real nice with our coffee.

When we were here the previous week, John had mentioned that the property across from him was for sale. Even though we weren't interested in relocating, something stirred a curiosity deep down inside. When we called John from McChord, we asked him to call his agent to see if she can show us the house and land next to John's. John made arrangements to have a real estate agent show us the place at 10:00am today..

 

 

It was a beautiful piece of land with awesome views, but there were a few issues that distracted me from getting overly excited. First, it was on 5 acres which meant, land maintenance...too much work for the grounds upkeep. Second, it was on a well and septic. I prefer to be attached to city water and sewage, just for convenience sake. And third, it was a manufactured home, nice and big but still a manufactured home. They grow little in value over the years. Yes, we could sell the manufactured home, have it hauled away and build a custom home, but that seemed like a lot of work. And last, the issue of being so rural and far from a hospital did not appeal.

We did tell the agent, who happens to be the mother of John's daughter-in-law, that we would love to see some other houses while we were in town. When she asked where, we suggested Ashland, Medford, Phoenix and Talent, with maybe few places in between.

It was short notice, but she did line up a few showings for the following Saturday. Kerry and I spent the day driving around the different areas, just to see if any appealed (or didn't appeal). Phoenix and Talent were quickly removed from our list. We called the agent (Judith) and updated her on our findings. She would focus on Ashland and Medford.

On our way back to the house we met John at his new rental property. It was a nice place just a few blocks from the hospital in a real cute neighborhood. He would be working on this place for awhile before turning it over to renters. Looked like a good investment to us.

The idea of moving, selling a house, buying or building a new one, packing; all sounded like a lot of work, but being retired and still in reasonably good health, why not? If we did this, we are going to need a lot of boxes.

 

Kerry asked me if I would consider moving to Oregon, her question arose from our mutual interest in seeing local property. Were we doing this for fun, just to check out the market or were we actually considering moving here? I looked at Kerry and without plan or forethought I replied, "Babe, you moved out of your dream house in California to follow me and my career to Tucson. We had a great run there and there are so many reasons why we should stay in Tucson. But, what you did for me 14 years ago by following me shows me that this is a two way deal. If you want to move to Oregon, and make this your home, I'm with you 100%!." With that she looked at me and replied, "Really?" I nodded.

It wouldn't be until June's birthday party tomorrow that we would realize exactly how much the family wanted us living there. But for now, we considered the reality of moving here. We had to consider Justin retiring from the Air Force when he returns from the Middle East. Steph talked about moving to Florida, where their family could be near Nicholas in Alabama. My reply was simple, "Since I do not like the cold, and Kerry loves to garden, why don't we live in Oregon for most of the year and spend a portion of the winter in Florida, where it is warm and sunny?" That way I don't have to deal with the hot and humid weather Florida offers during the summer time and, I get a break from the colder Oregon winter weather. Sounds like a win win situation to me. "Seeing the kids (and grandkids) for a month or two once a year is more than we see them now," I reasoned.

 

The reality of this thought process was going to be non stressful. I decided to simply leave it to God and allow the events to unfold as they unfold.  It is not up to me to question the path but instead, to simply follow. If it is meant to be, then it will be; if it isn't meant to be, then that path will be cut short.

For the rest of the day, we relaxed. Tomorrow was going to be a big day; June's birthday and there was going to be a big party. This was the reason we needed to be in Oregon  by the 7th. I fell asleep picturing the various House For Sale signs we would soon be seeing. How exciting?

ROAD TRIP to the Pacific Northwest...Day 17

Tuesday November 5

It seemed like only a few days ago we were getting up early and hitting the road, leaving McChord (and fond memories) behind. Wait a minute...it was only a few days ago, but this time when we reached highway 5 we would be turning south towards Oregon instead of north, towards Canada.

 

This was an easy 7 hour shift with a few stops along the way (Starbucks, Costco for gas, rest stops, etc.). When we finally arrived at Johns house in Eagle Point, it was like we had never left. We settled in to the RV quickly and started making plans for our time there.

 

Being on the road for 7 hours and taking our time getting to John's, by the time we arrived, we were tired, hungry and really didn't care about doing much, other than visit for awhile before turning in for the night. Even Rosie was ready to not be in the truck...

Before we headed to the RV, Heston, June's son, came in to say hi. We didn't get to see him on our way through here on our northbound portion of the road trip. It was good seeing him.

Finally, when Kerry and I were all tucked in nice and cozy, we turned out the light in the RV bedroom. All I could remember as I fell peacefully asleep was how dark it was in there. I mean it was so dark, I couldn't see the tip of my nose. Scary dark!

 

ROAD TRIP to the Pacific Northwest...Day 16

 

Monday November 4

Now our vacation starts getting weird.

 

We had a 7:30am ferry to catch and after the 2 hour sailing back to the mainland, it would take an additional 3 hours to make our way back to McChord Air Force Base. We plan on spending one night at Steph's before continuing down to Eagle Point Oregon. We needed to be there for Junes birthday on the 7th

Everything went as planned, that is until we hit the border crossing. That was when things started getting complicated; like Rosie ending up in jail. Maybe I should start at the point when we reached the border.

As we waited in line at the border crossing, waiting for our turn to enter the good old U.S. of A., we found ourselves not moving very fast. It took us an hour just to get within 3 or 5 cars of the Customs agent. "Check out the dog," I gestured to Kerry, pointing out the two agents walking around the stopped cars with their K9 partner. Just then the dog started pulling towards the car right in front of us. They were on that car and the driver in seconds; driver out and all doors and the trunk opened. The dog jumped right into the trunk and sniffed every corner. As the driver stood where he was told, he started to move back towards the agents who immediately shouted, while releasing the strap on their side arm, "Get back where I told you to stay and don't move again!" He obeyed. The other official found something on the front passenger side but from our position we couldn't quite make it out. This guy was quickly escorted to the Secondary Inspection location, on the American side of the border.

 

Kerry and I had front row seats and it was exciting. So, now that he was gone, it was our turn to speak with the Border Crossing official. "From Tucson Eh?" he inquired while looking (and scanning) our passports. He joked with us for a few minutes and it seemed like we were soon going to be on our way...WRONG!

When we were asked if we were carrying any fruit I simply replied with the truth, "Yes." And then I proceeded to describe our box of oranges, apples and bananas, all of which were purchased in Washington State before we entered Canada. I was immediately told by this official, who now no longer joked with us, that as soon as an orange crosses a border it loses its citizenship. In other words, we were going to be sent over to Secondary Inspections for a thorough going over.

This is where Rosie was sent to doggie jail. The agent placed an orange tag on our windshield while he gave us instructions where to park and where to place Rosie. Apparently they don't like dogs in the car when they search, just in case the dog is aggressive. Behind the secondary facility was a large caged kennel, with cement floor, and this would be Rosie's holding cell until we get this whole thing straightened out. "Don't worry Rosie," we soothed as we locked her in. With that Kerry grabbed the last apple and started eating it while we wondered inside to see what's what.

As we entered we saw a huge line filled with a wide range of multi-national folks, all who were sent to Secondary, for whatever reason. There must have been a hundred of them, at least. "This is going to take awhile," I suggested to Kerry. A lady behind the counter asked us if we were given an orange tag and I said, "Yes. it is still on my windshield." She told me to go and get it and then she looked at Kerry and barked, "And Stop Eating That Apple!" That's my Kerry... getting rid of the evidence.

When we returned with the orange tag, which read "Agricultural" we stood in line, at the very end. It was like going through security at the airport but this line wasn't moving.  As I was looking at that orange paper, pondering the word written on it, our crime, I was suddenly snapped back to the reality of the moment. "Mr. Hunter" could be heard throughout the entire room. Kerry and I looked around and way up front, at the head of the line was a Customs agent, waving at us asking, "Are you the Hunters?" We replied, "Yes" and with that we were motioned to the front, passing the entire line. We were greeted by the nicest two female agents. They explained to us that same line about oranges losing their citizenship as soon as they leave the country and we smiled and nodded (playing dumb). Before we entered with our orange paper we gathered all of our fruit and put it in one box, on the front passenger seat. We told the agents where they would find our fruit, just trying to be helpful.

The agents asked for our keys and told us to have a seat and wait while they do their inspection. While we waited, everyone in that line was looking at us, wondering why we were being processed so quickly. Just then the agents returned, with our box of oranges. "We have to keep these oranges," they explained while offering us our box back, if we wanted it. We passed. They thanked us for our cooperation and we thanked them for their understanding.

Now, that Rosie was paroled it was my pleasure to go and spring her from her cold and lonely jail cell. As I walked back to where the kennel was there was a van parked right next to her cage, There were four or five agents getting out and as one of them saw me, he aggressively snapped, "What are you doing back here?"  Right, like I look like a bad guy! I simply pointed to the small miniature black and white poodle sitting all alone in that 8 foot x 12 foot cement and steel cell and barked back at him, "I'm getting my dog." With that I simply ignored him and his friends, walked around him and sprang Rosie once and for all. "Go ahead. Shoot me!"

Soon, we were south bound on Highway 5, a little behind schedule. Since we caught an early ferry, even with the border crossing delays, we still had plenty of time to explore Seattle on our way through. We never did get to visit Seattle the previous week while at McChord. So, Kerry and I decided to stop in Seattle on our way through and visit Pikes Place Fish Market for some lunch.

Finding a parking place was challenging so we ended up parking in a garage only two blocks from the market. Kerry, Rosie and I had a great time exploring. We finally found a vender selling clam chowder and Rosie was welcome to join us as we ate. Yummy.
                                    

Afterwards we walked around for an hour or two, picking up a few things here and there, to bring home as gifts. By 5:30pm we were back at Steph's house at McChord. We enjoyed a nice quiet dinner while telling of our adventure up in Nanaimo and at the border crossing on the way back.

Steph told us that the kids both told her, the day after we left for Nanaimo, that it seemed weird not having us there. That was touching.

Now that bedtime approached, Kerry and I enjoyed a nice hot cup of tea before turning in for the night. Tomorrow we continue south for the next phase of this amazing journey.

ROAD TRIP to the Pacifc Northwest...Day 15

Sunday November 3

Kerry and I both enjoyed a deep night sleep. We were made to feel right at home and why not? We were at home! After another hearty breakfast of coffee, toast and jam we planned out our day. Today we were going to go to a place called the Crow and Gate (not sure of the exact name) for lunch. It was about 30 minutes up island from their house and Dave and Nancy wanted us to experience not only the traditional British Pub food and drink, but to also see the landscaping. All of it was impressive.

I ordered the Plowman's Lunch (a typical pub lunch ordered by working farmers back in the U.K.). Dave and Nancy had the sausage and Kerry had the local soup ( a meaty veggie type of soup, thick and hearty).

 

After eating we walked around the grounds. It is amazing what one can grow when there is plenty of water about; everything was very lush and over grown. It was a great opportunity for a photo shoot.

 

 

 

 

After eating we headed to an indoor art fair near Nanaimo. We saw some great items and even picked up a few things for our friends back home who were looking after our house.

Right across the courtyard from the art fair was a public skating rink. I had to go in. Yes, we each posed standing on the ice, in street shoes. People were skating all over the place yet we avoided a collision (or fall). There is something about the atmosphere of being on ice that makes me feel all warm deep down inside...weird eh?

As we left I noticed that there were a couple of beautiful palm trees standing there. Being born and raised in Montreal, where the winters can get rather chilly, and EVERYTHING freezes for months at a time, I developed a palm tree fetish. So, of course we had to stop and take more photo's. Not too many Americans realize that there are palm trees flourishing in Canada. Here's the proof.

On the way home we stopped and picked up some Montreal Smoke Meat (the real thing folks). Kevan came by and joined us in eating these amazing sandwiches. YUMMY. Rosie had a little sample too. After dinner some friends came by to visit (Mike, Aura, her sister and her sisters husband). We sat around for a couple of hours talking, laughing, reminiscing.

Tomorrow we were heading back south to McChord and being our last night in Canada, we took our time going to bed. When the guest finally left, Dave and Nancy lingered while I repacked the truck. I had the truck-packing thing down by now so I made short work of it. Now for a quick cup of tea before heading to bed. Once my head hit the pillow, it was literally lights-out for Kerry and me.