End of the Journey

Well if you've been following this blog and the trip I've been on, you've probably noticed an abrupt lack of updates since August 31st. This wasn't because I ran the car into a ditch, but rather because I had reached my destination in Victoria, BC, and abruptly found myself without internet and with a long list of more important chores to attend to anyway. But let me bring you up to speed. I'll be dropping the standard update format since these are no longer on-the-spot reports.

DAY FIVE: FRIENDLY FACES

Washington State, in name only.

The trip from Spokane to Seattle started off in territory that looked surprisingly like the midwest, calling to mind places like Nevada or eastern California. Hardly the tall misty pine-carpeted mountains I'd been expecting.
We stopped a couple of times in this territory, first for lunch where I ordered a "mystery sandwich" wherein the chefs are given free license to whip up a tasty flavor combination from their fully stocked kitchen to surprise you with a meal you never would have come up with on your own!

It was ham.

Historic vista

After passing through many rolling hills and scrubland guarded by a fleet of gigantic wind-turbines that looked really surreal just standing there, slowly rotating, we eventually hit the mountains as well as a substantial rainstorm. On the other size was Seattle, the first and only traffic jam we had to endure, and my longtime best friend Clifton who put my dad and I up for the night in his guest room. Thankfully the drive had been shorter that day, leaving time for the three of us to order a pizza and watch an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000, S05E06: "Eegah!"

Watch Out for Snakes!

DAY 6: TWO IF BY SEA

The following morning we had to get moving really early (skipping breakfast) in order to catch the ferry in time, and we almost didn't make it on in time. The first voyage was a short little skip across Puget Sound from Seattle to Kingston. I said my goodbyes with Clifton (but not to worry, I'll be hearing from him again soon. Perhaps for the Thanksgiving Crabfest in Port Angeles... yum!) and walked away with a pair of brand new shirts to boot. Apparently they had shown up in Cliff's mailbox by accident, and since they didn't fit him he offered them to me instead. Bonus!

So long, Seattle!

Ben in his new shirt. Also pictured; the Roctopus

Brain in Port Angeles, posing next to Grandmother Willow, I'd guess.

After another short 90 minute drive we got on another ferry from Port Angeles in the USA to Victoria in Canada. We had finally arrived! I made a brief introduction at my new office then picked up the keys to my apartment, and got busy hauling stuff up the three-story walkup. Not easy work, to be sure.

And thus began five days of cleaning, shopping, unpacking and exploring. The apartment had been left in less-than-stellar condition by the previous tenant (including clumps of thick middle-eastern hair in the bedframe... gross!) but with diligence and some help from my new landlord's very helpful and understanding assistant Christine we've got it up past livable and well into "cozy". And yesterday, finally, my internet hookup was installed!

There's a lot that I've seen and done in Victoria since then so I will attempt one more post next week with some highlights of the downtown area and my new workplace at the McCall Funeral Home. But there's a lot of ground to cover so please be patient. Other than that, I hope everyone who has been reading has enjoyed this blog and I'm sure you all wish me luck in my new home.