Started the day one state and about 5 hours from home, ready in some ways for this trip to be over, and in other ways, not so much. The whole “new place every night or two” deal was tiring; not just the breaking down and setting up camp but also the decisions on where to stay and uncertainty of the location and, of course, the driving to get there. My future plans will be much less about one-night RV-park stands and a lot more about staying in a place at least a week at a time, if not two or three weeks.
I’m so not ready to be home because, in my heart, home is Breeze now and the apartment where I am typing this feels odd and way too big. Although I do love the washer and dryer access and the unlimited hot water feature is a nice deal.
But I’m getting ahead of myself…
Eastern Oregon is gorgeous in a big wide sky and rolling hills kind of way. The day started with brilliant blue skies but before too long, the puffy white clouds started coalescing into thicker, darker things up high and down low.
When I saw the plethora of power lines, I knew I was close to the Columbia River. Four weeks ago, I saw the same river, way upstream at the Grand Coulee Dam. Seems half a lifetime ago.
Halfway across the bridge, I spotted the “Welcome to Washington” sign and there was much seat dancing at the thought I was finally in my home state. And to welcome me home, the rain kicked in as I worked my way up and down a series of steep grades, culminating in Snoqualmie Pass, where I ran into some of the worst weather of the trip (and that’s saying something, given my superpower of bringing on the bad stuff!).
And then suddenly, there was the exit, there was the driveway, and the trip was over. Now Breeze is in one place and I’m in another until I clear out the apartment and hitch her back up next weekend. From then on, she’s my only home.
This is the farthest I’ve been from Breeze since I got her on May 2. It feels weird.
Today’s quotation
Today’s Stats
- Miles Driven: 259 (3,525 overall)
- MPG: 14.8 (15.7 overall)
- Side trips: 0
- States: Oregon, Washington
Map
What a great series of posts! Thank you for documenting your Alto journey. Found your blog on Altoistes. Must confess I stayed up late so I could binge-read your journey out to Quebec and back, and your first reactions / lessons with your new trailer. Lots of great pointers. Gave us much to think about as we dream about picking up our own little Alto 15 months from now 🙂
p.s. Also admire your vagabond lifestyle. What an adventure!
Thank you for reading, Aud! I do love my Alto, it was worth the long wait!
I just stumbled across your blog on the altoistes site- terrific, although I have only just started reading your posts. I’m especially interested because my wife and I live in Snoqualmie. Two months ago we drove up to Abbotsford, BC, and placed an order on the spot for an Alto 1723 (it will fit in our garage). Now the hard part is waiting for November 2017 for delivery.
Other than the long wait, the only bummer is that the freight charge to the Abbotsford dealer is $4000! I’m thinking that even in November I’d like to pick up the trailer in Quebec, if possible. Did you order directly from the factory? As I go through your posts, I might come up with a bunch of questions, particularly about what it’s like having an Alto in the NW. I hope you don’t mind being bombarded with questions!
Hi, John, and thanks for reading my blog, I appreciate your attention and your comment. I ordered my Alto from the factory because Abbotsford was not an option last year. I would be concerned in November with weather across the northern US. I drove across in May, and I had snow in Montana and North Dakota both! You can read all the blog posts of my trip out and back by going to the Places menu and then looking for Eastbound and Westward menu items. In the end, I think it comes down to how much time you have vs. money and the weather at the proposed pick up time.
Glad your home with Breeze and Bella. Rest up as we all want to read more road stories. We’re a selfish bunch and love your brand of entertainment!!
Welcome back, get some rest now!