More Canada

I need to make this quick and then get some much needed sleep. We're in Tok, Ak (FINALLY!!), roughly 3,000 miles from home. Some highlights of the trip since the last time I found a place that believes in the miracle of the world wide web....
A weird but very nice and well meaning gentleman pulled the dead bird off my grill in Watson Lake, BC. This is also the site of the Sign Post Forrest and the best department store I've ever seen. We camped in a place called Rancheria last night, 10 bucks but no showers. Who am I trying to impress out here anyway? Except maybe the cop that pulled Sister over, her second time in Canada. It doesn't get dark 'til about 11 but forrest fires are making the views very hazy. The last few hundred miles before the US border are the worst road conditions I've ever travelled for long periods. Loose gravel, no road lines, construction, bumps, dips and wicked potholes. Had me paranoid of tire problems which is the last thing you want in the exact middle of nowhere with no cell service and bears (supposedly). No moose or caribou sitings yet but we did see some horses taking themselves for a walk and a herd of buffalo on the side of the road. Got to soak in a natural hot springs, the walk out to the springs was a nice break from the ass torture of 10 hours a day in the car. The bad thing about a two lane highway is that if you pull over, you end up back behind every big rig and slow moving RV you already almost died trying to pass. Tempted to make sister use a bottle. Next stop, home sweet home.

Thoughts on Being Thirty

Canada

I should have saved the last post for this morning as Sister got caught doing 113 in a 90 zone. Don't get excited, that's kilometers we're talking. Basically Canada has the slowest speed limits anywhere and California girls can't handle it. But, she get's a $25 discount if she pays in the next 30 days and the exchange rate is (very) slightly in our favor.


Stayed in William's Lake the night before last, gorgeous place and only 15 bucks. There were no bears but there was a large dog that came sniffing at our tent twice in the night. We were up before the sun and on the road by 5 but packing up a damp tent in the cold without gloves is no picnic. They did have free hot showers and this:












All I know is that swinging has never failed to make me smile and I'll never be too old for it.














The Alaskan/Canadian Highway or ALCAN:
It's two lanes all the way with major road work being completed all along the route. Services can be few and far between, as we found out yesterday. Passing a little outpost called Pink Mountain, I decided not to get gas since there were supposedly two more opportunities coming up. However, at the next THREE service stations, there was no gas "due to high costs." I was able to get two small bottles of water for $4.20!! We were at less than a quarter tank when we read the handwritten sign taped to the last pump in the middle of nowhere. "Next gas 125 KM." It was the most silent leg of the trip so far, as we both kept looking from the gas gauge to the mileage calculations on the GPS. We rolled into town at less than 40 MPH (cruise control had been set at 50 to conserve), and took over 68 Liters at the first gas station. Anybody good at conversions?

The scenery is beautiful though. Here are a few pictures from an afternon hike to Bridal Veil Falls (obviously not in Yosemite).













This is taking way too long and I need to get on the road but here are a few last shots...

This bird committed Hari Kari by flying right into my car around noon yesterday. It's still there. Over 800 miles driven yesterday and it's still there. Going to try to get an oil change and such here in Fort Neslon today, maybe they'll take it off.

Road Food- We're doing really well at not eating a bunch of fast food. Last time we were in Canada we had the worst food but to be fair, we were at Niagra Falls and food is never good at tourist attractions. This time, we've lucked out. Had the best ceviche of my life at La Bodega in Vancouver and some delicious bacon wrapped scallops at Dan's in this shit hole called Fort Nelson.


Things are big here, mountains, trees, trucks and these leaves. Looks like I'm going to fit in.

Breakin the Law, Breakin the Law!

Headache. Should not have ordered the full pitcher of sangria last night but the server told us it would be three small glasses each. Her estimation skills are slightly off.
Stayed in Vancouver last night in a surprisingly decent hotel called Bosman's, free parking, free internet and clean sheets. What more do you need? We decided to go the hotel route after being wiped out by the border crossing experience. First about 5 armed guards and a few guys in suits stood around while a dog sniffed out the car. Then they made us open the back and two gaurds started digging through my things. I turned around to see how badly they were messing up my car loading system and Tubby barked at me to keep my eyes forward. Probably didn't want me to see him sneaking some powdered donuts. Then another guy asked us all the same questions those officers had but added this gem: "You're driving to Alaska? Do you have any idea how far that is?" No, 21 Year-old in a Uniform, I didn't consider that before I got rid of all my stuff and moved into a Ford Explorer. Is it just me? I wanted to punch him. Then we had to pull over, go inside and talk to another guy to "verify our declarations." The whole thing left me feeling nervous, guilty and a little violated. Why? It's been a lifetime since I had a reason to avoid cops but I guess that guilty conscience never goes away.
Speaking of run-ins with the law, while headed out of Oregon, I noticed a cop who was evidently liking the view of my tailpipe. "Are you even allowed to drive in Oregon yet?" asked the ever astute Little Sister. At which point I remembered that I had received a speeding ticket in the state of Oregon when I was 18 and, of course, threw it away. I remember getting a letter in the mail saying I was no longer welcome to drive in Oregon and that a warrant had been issued for me in that state due to nonpayment but I couldn't remember if I ever resolved it. After pretty much escorting me to the state line, the cop drove off so I guess I did.
Everthing I own in the back of my car. Looks haphazard but there's a system and I get upset when people mess with it.

Clean and Clear

I recently purged all my belongings, moved into a Ford Explorer and was sleeping on my mother's couch before the big move when I went out with my best friends. As the night ended, they talked about getting home to their husbands and kids while I sat in the back of the car, trying to cover up the fact that I had just spilled onions and cilantro all over a freshly vacuumed Lexus. What was I going home to? Acne medication. An early birthday present left in the bathroom for me by my mother. Thanks, Mom.

Oregon

Had a Birthday/Bon Voyage party at the parent's house on Saturday with about 70-80 family and friends. I did not realize that many people liked me and now I'm wondering who paid them off. It was strange to have friends from so many stages of my life in the same place but it confirms that no matter what choices I've made, something good has always come.
Achieved my goal of being on the road at 5am (nothing short of a miracle, trust me) and made it to Portland in time to celebrate 30 with my best friend of 15 years and birthdaymate. We went wild with some chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting and were in bed by 11. Party Animals, I tell ya.
I want to crack some jokes about another ex, the one I acquired after living a summer in this area. I want to tell you about the pervs and hicks we encountered at a rest stop in Albany, and other things but I'm tired and I'm camped out in a Safeway because a tree fell on my friend's car and took out her internet on the way. So I'll just note a few observations:
- Patchouli is alive and well in Oregon
- You don't have to feel bad about forgetting to shave or even re-think that tank top.
- I don't think they sell bras here
- They come up with some really clever names. Town names on signs seen from I-5 N include: Drain, Curtain, Burnwood and Buttersomething or other.

Little Sister figured that the Italian pronunciation of Siskayou is Sikayou (which she already is) and we fell in love with Ashland, Oregon. Tempted to bag this Alaska thing and stay here:

And here's a happy trip down my memory highway. The words "Rogue River" just like "Disneyland" or "Big Sur" cause stirrings of deeply repressed memories in the sibs and I. A little advice-- families of six should never attempt a week in a trailer, especially if they can barely function in a real house with real rooms. The highlight of the Rogue River trip was a near death experience when Dad, Little Sister and I nearly drowned while attempting to navigate the river in a canoe. Someday I'll tell you about the time Search and Rescue was called when I got lost in Big Sur.

2 AM Tacos

Probably using one of my favorite photos prematurely but I'm a few beers short of a thirty pack and lazy. And Honey, I got sumpin ta shay. Ok, I'm sorry for that but not really. Anyway, got a package from the IronMan today and was feeling a little guilty. All these kick ass, generous gifts and another heart wrenching card (if I had a heart but I donated it).What to do?

Then my girls took me drinking. Look out. I was 19 when we started wreaking havoc on the bars of Liveable/Loveable (see photo above). And I was over-age by the time I was 12 so don't start whining to me about how that shit's illegal.

The ladies and I have been in different parts of the country for awhile so tonight we needed to regroup in the hometown. You know, kick it old school. So we headed to downtown Livebale/Loveable and lovehated every minute of it, like we always do. Ran into a few old homiez, conjured up memories, stocked up on candy and scratchers at the corner liqa sto. We are tough bitches with the Hot Tamales 'n shit. Along the way I wasn't sure if I should be feeling pangs of guilt over the IronMan drama, and was definitely distracted by the passport debacle. Then we ran into an old friend who introduced me as: "Deb. The one who gave me the philosophy I live by: Hoes- who needs 'em." And just like that, the balance was restored. No guilt, no regret.

"Hoes--Who needs 'em? "

Damn , I give good advice. Alaska, here I come and my new diamond earrings sparkle like I imagine your glaciers will. Am i a jerk? Yes. Do I care? Hell no, Younger Sister found my passport!

The peceeding post was made possible by a king size bag of reese's pieces and two chicken tacos. I turn thirty tomorrow. Like, whoa.