West Coast
Tuesday 24th April
Having completed Route 66 we decided we needed to spend some time getting the motorhome and us a little straighter and cleaner before heading up the West Coast of USA.
Drove to Oxnard and sorted out finances, shopping and messages.
Visited the California Welcome Centre to pick up information for the next stage of our travels. Visited the Oxnard Heritage Square district – an area where local historical houses have been reassembled –interesting and beautifully laid out.
Overnight on Costco car park in Oxnard.
Having completed Route 66 we decided we needed to spend some time getting the motorhome and us a little straighter and cleaner before heading up the West Coast of USA.
Drove to Oxnard and sorted out finances, shopping and messages.
Visited the California Welcome Centre to pick up information for the next stage of our travels. Visited the Oxnard Heritage Square district – an area where local historical houses have been reassembled –interesting and beautifully laid out.
Overnight on Costco car park in Oxnard.
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Wednesday 25th April
Drove along the coast to Santa Barbara where we parked on the waterfront. Walked along the promenade to the harbour and then out along the breakwater. Considering that Santa Barbara is likened to the French Riviera and many famous people have their homes in the town, it was not as glitzy as we expected. Followed the scenic drive to view some of the elegant houses situated in the hills behind the town.
Next drove to Solvang, an area settled by the Danes – much Danish architecture remains and the town has become known for its Danish Food.
This whole area is an agricultural hot spot for fruit and vineyards.
Overnight at Santa Maria – Walmart car park listed as no overnights but manager told us to ask the Security Guard – he never turned up so we stayed anyway.
A wet night.
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Thursday 26th April
Woke to a dull, drizzly morning, but no ticket for not having permission to park. Found a laundrette and got all the washing up to date – again the standard of the wash was poor. Drove up the coast to Glover Beach and walked down to the sea – windy and the sea was cold.
Scenery in the area was gently rolling hills interspersed with acres of market gardens.
Overnight at Morro Bay Strand Campground – beautiful setting just behind a large sandy beach, but expensive – toilet and water, nothing else.
Friday 27th April
Headed north along Route 1 to San Simeon – old mission church and Hearst Castle which we decided not to visit.
From here northwards is the Big Sur coast – an area of dramatic sea cliffs, rocks and twisting winding roads We stopped at laybys and wherever was possible. Lunch was eaten at a scenic vista just south of Big Sur village.
We drove through Carmel by the Sea, an elegant seaside town. From Carmel northwards the coast was much less spectacular and Route 1 was inland until Santa Cruz. North of there the coast became more spectacular with sandy beaches full of kite surfers.
We drove much further than we had planned to as there were no campgrounds.
Overnight by a café/filling station that advertised overnight parking – all deserted.
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Saturday 28th April
Left early to complete coast road north to San Francisco – a mixture of cliffs and bays.
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Driving into San Francisco was easier than we had expected. We parked in pier 23 – an old warehouse – right on the waterfront. Walked along Fisherman’s Wharf – a hub of activity, entertainment and eateries. Visited the San Francisco Maritime Historic Park – a number of vessels you could look around, including the 3 masted sailing ship, “Balclutha”. The displays were very informative. Tasted “sour dough bread”.
Overnight at Walmart, Oakland.
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Sunday 29th April
Overnight had been rather noisy so a leisurely start before heading over the Bay Bridge back into San Francisco. Once more parked inside Pier 23.
Walked along Fisherman’s Wharf to Hyde Street – watched the old cable car trams ascend the steep street before walking up it! Fine views over the bay to the Golden Gate, Alcatraz and Angel Island. Visited Lombard Street –crooked street and watched cars driving very slowly down its many bends. Street was lined with fine mansions bedecked with flower beds.
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Walked back to the waterfront, around the Aquatic Park and out to the end of the Municipal Pier – watched a parade of ships – opening of the bay. After lunch drove to the Golden Gate Bridge via Presidio Park – a military historical area. Drove across the bridge, parked at a view point and walked part way back over the bridge. The mist of the morning had cleared to give fine views.
Drove a circular route back to Oakland, this time using the Richmond Bay Bridge.
Overnight at Walmart, Oakland where we had company – an Australian couple in a car who kept us talking late, and a hired American RV.
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Monday 30th April
Left early so we could park in San Francisco - a little busy getting over the bridge but far less traffic than expected. Our reservation on the ferry to Alcatraz was for 11 am – timings were strictly regulated. Crossing to the island was 10 – 15 mins.
On arrival at Alcatraz there was a mandatory introduction/safety talk. We walked up towards the massive cell block passing former living quarters for the guards, the derelict Officers’ Club, warehouses, power plant, chapel, morgue and water tower.
The cell block audio tour was excellent and introduced you not only to the history of the prison but also the lives of the prisoners and the regime of the warders. Life was grim for those incarcerated there.
The National Park service is working hard to maintain the crumbling buildings and to restore the gardens – informative boards were located throughout the island.
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On our return to San Francisco and the motorhome, we discovered we had been given a parking ticket – we had been classified as an RV! We were smaller than the Ford pickup truck parked next door and fitted easily into our parking space. John wrote sarcastic comments on a scrap of paper and posted them in the envelope designed for the fine. We never heard anything more.
We drove towards Yosemite for an hour or so before overnighting at Walmart in Manteca.
A couple of weeks later we returned to the West Coast in order to continue our journey to Canada.
Wednesday 16th May
We spent the day visiting Mt St Helens. We were parked overnight in Walmart carpark, Chehalis.
I was fast asleep, dreaming of earthquakes, when there was a very loud bang and the whole van shook. A huge Canadian registered RV plus trailer, had reversed into us. There was damage to the passenger door and the window won’t now fully open; a hole in the fibre glass in the luton; a cracked side panel to the motorhome body and a large dent to the cab chassis below the passenger door. The owner of the RV seemed very unconcerned, he hadn't even realised he'd hit us! We had to press him as to how he would sort out the damage he had caused to our motorhome.
Thursday 17th May
After negotiating repair arrangements we headed north to Seattle to try and extend our visa waiver period. Whilst parked there a car reversed into us! The police were called but as neither vehicle was badly damaged, they were happy for us and the car driver to sort out insurance details. Two collisions in the space of 12 hours-not very good! Nicolle now has a broken rear cluster lighting housing and a cracked rear bumper to add to her other injuries.
We eventually arrived at the correct border and security agent only to be told that we could not extend our 90 days but could drive to the Canadian/Alaskan border and see if they would let us in!
The remainder of the day we spent patching up Nicolle as best we could before overnighting at Walmart in Lynnwood.
Friday 18th May
A rude awakening at 6 am –Walmart staff informing overnighters that the police came round each morning to “ticket” those who had slept there! We had asked, as always, the evening before and were told it was okay – presumably a different manager was now on duty. We moved out fast!
Day was spent shopping and finding out information regarding the next stage of our trip.
Drove a little way north on Interstate 5 – traffic nose to tail, almost worse than it had been yesterday.
Overnight at Tulalip Casino Resort RV Park – no facilities, but free!
Saturday 19th May
Had a quiet night’s sleep with only the distant sounds of trains to disturb us.
Horrendous traffic in the area. Long weekend in Canada + shopping outlet nearby + lovely day = some of the worst traffic we’ve met on the trip so far.
Whilst stopped at McDonalds to access their wifi, a lovely Canadian couple got chatting to us and then helped us to book the ferry crossing to Victoria on Vancouver Island.
Stocked up in Walmart as U.S. prices are cheaper than Canadian.
Drove for about an hour to reach the ferry port at Anacortes.
Overnight at Washington State Park Campground – Campground warden insisted we have a free night!
Sunday 20th May
Up very early to catch 8.30 am ferry from Anacortes to Sidney on Vancouver Island.
Weather overcast and drizzly which was a shame as the ferry wove through the idyllic San Juan Islands. There was a brief stop at Friday Harbour before arrival at Sidney. Journey time was 2 hr 45 min.
Sidney was a small town very much geared up to tourists, so expensive. We explored the main street and walked along to the marina.
Before heading to visit my cousin Paul and his wife Judy, we stopped for lunch and a tidy up. Paul and Judy’s house was in a beautiful area of Victoria. Whilst there we slept in their basement apartment, Nicolle was parked on their neighbour’s drive.
After a barbecue they took us for an orientation drive around Victoria. Walked Wally their dog around the neighbourhood.
Up very early to catch 8.30 am ferry from Anacortes to Sidney on Vancouver Island.
Weather overcast and drizzly which was a shame as the ferry wove through the idyllic San Juan Islands. There was a brief stop at Friday Harbour before arrival at Sidney. Journey time was 2 hr 45 min.
Sidney was a small town very much geared up to tourists, so expensive. We explored the main street and walked along to the marina.
Before heading to visit my cousin Paul and his wife Judy, we stopped for lunch and a tidy up. Paul and Judy’s house was in a beautiful area of Victoria. Whilst there we slept in their basement apartment, Nicolle was parked on their neighbour’s drive.
After a barbecue they took us for an orientation drive around Victoria. Walked Wally their dog around the neighbourhood.
Monday 21st May
Awoke to a drizzly scene so spent the morning talking about the Agate family tree. Paul had some interesting photographs but little additional family information – notes made by his mother were of some use.
After lunch Paul took us into Victoria. We explored Fisherman’s Wharf, the Parliament Building, Empress Hotel and China Town before heading back to Paul’s on the bus. By then it had turned very wet and we were glad to get dry. Victoria was a pleasant place in a wonderful location.
Awoke to a drizzly scene so spent the morning talking about the Agate family tree. Paul had some interesting photographs but little additional family information – notes made by his mother were of some use.
After lunch Paul took us into Victoria. We explored Fisherman’s Wharf, the Parliament Building, Empress Hotel and China Town before heading back to Paul’s on the bus. By then it had turned very wet and we were glad to get dry. Victoria was a pleasant place in a wonderful location.
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Tuesday 22nd May
Still overcast but drier than yesterday. Paul and Judy were both working so John and I took ourselves back into Victoria.
We walked from the centre out to Beacon Point Park to find the Trans Canada Highway 1 zero marker. It was a lovely park full of specimen plants and giant redwoods. We walked back into the centre to Thunderbird Park – totem poles – oldest log house in Victoria and an original log cabin school room.
After lunch we followed a waterside trail to Esquimalt district – a lovely walk.
We had intended taking a harbour ferry back to the centre but as the distance was very short we decided that $10 each was too expensive so used the bus instead.
Tuesday 22nd May
Still overcast but drier than yesterday. Paul and Judy were both working so John and I took ourselves back into Victoria.
We walked from the centre out to Beacon Point Park to find the Trans Canada Highway 1 zero marker. It was a lovely park full of specimen plants and giant redwoods. We walked back into the centre to Thunderbird Park – totem poles – oldest log house in Victoria and an original log cabin school room.
After lunch we followed a waterside trail to Esquimalt district – a lovely walk.
We had intended taking a harbour ferry back to the centre but as the distance was very short we decided that $10 each was too expensive so used the bus instead.
In the evening John phoned Henry (the guy who had driven his RV into us) regarding the repairs to Nicolle – all ready to start!
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Wednesday 23rd May
Headed to Sidney for the 11 am ferry. This time we crossed from Sidney to Tsawassen south of Vancouver. It took about an hour to reach Henry’s house – very large but in need of attention. John counted at least 10 cars, trucks and RVs in the grounds. We suspected that Henry was a used car dealer but he would not admit to it.
He immediately took us to the body repair shop. He was clearly very well known there and on first name terms with all the staff he met. John had a good look round at the work being done and the cars being worked on. He talked technical stuff to the technicians and decided he was happy that they should do the work.
Henry invited us to stay at his house, an offer we gladly accepted. The body repair shop was a long way out the other side of Vancouver. Henry’s house was way out of town with no shops anywhere near and no public transport – a fact we would regret over the next two days.
In the evening, Henry’s lady friend, Lynn, cooked us a meal, then we went to visit one of Henry’s daughters who lived locally. She and her husband were very hospitable so we had a lively evening.
Thursday 24th May
Henry was working this morning so we amused ourselves while he was out. There appeared to be no food for breakfast apart from stale cereal.
John had a wander outside but no hope of a shop/restaurant/diner for miles. The nearest neighbour was at least half an hour's walk away! John wanted to borrow the keys for a Ford Mustang to go in search of food but I wouldn't let him.
The body repair shop rang to say that they had begun the repairs to the fibre glass. They were trying to locate a replacement door. John played pool on a full sized table in one of the sitting rooms – another had a huge TV set and was furnished like a private cinema, another still had a Christmas tree, complete with decorations on display!
We had a wander round the house, counted three more sitting rooms and eight bedrooms. There was a garden room with an Olympic sized swimming pool. We walked round the grounds but the property boundary was too far away to see.
Henry returned about 1.30 pm – lunch was a share of a pizza and the remains of last night’s salad. He then asked John to go to the car auction with him as he had bought a car and needed someone to drive it back. He was somewhat concerned when John informed him that it was 30 years since he had last driven a LHD automatic! Got back safely.
Later in the afternoon we drove to Lynn’s house and met her teenage daughter. We then went on a tour of Vancouver – Deep Cove, North Shore, Stanley Park, Downtown Vancouver, English Bay, the University District, Airport and Iona Island. Lovely views but, as we hadn’t expected to be sightseeing I hadn’t brought my camera!
Friday 25th May
Henry was out when we got up but he had left us 4 slices of bread for our breakfast. He returned about 9.30 am.
We packed up in the hope that Nicolle would be ready. Henry took us to the body repair shop and we were told that Nicolle should be ready by 4 pm.
Our tour of Vancouver continued – Mud Bay, White Rock with its pier and Steveston a former fishing village. Why hadn't I got my camera handy!
Nicolle, when we collected her was filthy inside but repairs were completed to a good standard. The body shop had not been able to find a new door but had straightened the bent one as best they could. Henry gave us $1800 so that we could buy a replacement once we were back home.
We thanked him for his hospitality, said farewell and drove north – through the centre of Vancouver, then through West Vancouver before following the 99 to Squamish – this was the scenic Sea to Sky drive along the side of a beautiful Fjord.
Overnight at Walmart in Squamish. We spent at least an hour and a half cleaning Nicolle.
Saturday 26th May
Spent most of the morning in Squamish – restocking food. Talked with a local couple from Wales for a while. Headed north, still on the 99 to Whistler. Whistler was in a beautiful setting, but it was very crowded and touristy so we didn’t stay.
Spoke to a Swiss couple, the lady said "We have had 8 beers this morning". Thought that was a bit excessive until I realised they had seen eight bears! She was clearly not completely comfortable with English so continued the rest of the conversation in French.
We stopped at Pemberton for fuel and checked our emails at McDonalds, then headed over a pass to Duffy Lake – wonderful setting – forests and mountains with small glaciers running off. At one point a snow avalanche had crossed the road. Much less traffic.
Stopped for the night at a small, free campground located on the banks of a river.
In the evening, Henry’s lady friend, Lynn, cooked us a meal, then we went to visit one of Henry’s daughters who lived locally. She and her husband were very hospitable so we had a lively evening.
Thursday 24th May
Henry was working this morning so we amused ourselves while he was out. There appeared to be no food for breakfast apart from stale cereal.
John had a wander outside but no hope of a shop/restaurant/diner for miles. The nearest neighbour was at least half an hour's walk away! John wanted to borrow the keys for a Ford Mustang to go in search of food but I wouldn't let him.
The body repair shop rang to say that they had begun the repairs to the fibre glass. They were trying to locate a replacement door. John played pool on a full sized table in one of the sitting rooms – another had a huge TV set and was furnished like a private cinema, another still had a Christmas tree, complete with decorations on display!
We had a wander round the house, counted three more sitting rooms and eight bedrooms. There was a garden room with an Olympic sized swimming pool. We walked round the grounds but the property boundary was too far away to see.
Henry returned about 1.30 pm – lunch was a share of a pizza and the remains of last night’s salad. He then asked John to go to the car auction with him as he had bought a car and needed someone to drive it back. He was somewhat concerned when John informed him that it was 30 years since he had last driven a LHD automatic! Got back safely.
Later in the afternoon we drove to Lynn’s house and met her teenage daughter. We then went on a tour of Vancouver – Deep Cove, North Shore, Stanley Park, Downtown Vancouver, English Bay, the University District, Airport and Iona Island. Lovely views but, as we hadn’t expected to be sightseeing I hadn’t brought my camera!
Friday 25th May
Henry was out when we got up but he had left us 4 slices of bread for our breakfast. He returned about 9.30 am.
We packed up in the hope that Nicolle would be ready. Henry took us to the body repair shop and we were told that Nicolle should be ready by 4 pm.
Our tour of Vancouver continued – Mud Bay, White Rock with its pier and Steveston a former fishing village. Why hadn't I got my camera handy!
Nicolle, when we collected her was filthy inside but repairs were completed to a good standard. The body shop had not been able to find a new door but had straightened the bent one as best they could. Henry gave us $1800 so that we could buy a replacement once we were back home.
We thanked him for his hospitality, said farewell and drove north – through the centre of Vancouver, then through West Vancouver before following the 99 to Squamish – this was the scenic Sea to Sky drive along the side of a beautiful Fjord.
Overnight at Walmart in Squamish. We spent at least an hour and a half cleaning Nicolle.
Saturday 26th May
Spent most of the morning in Squamish – restocking food. Talked with a local couple from Wales for a while. Headed north, still on the 99 to Whistler. Whistler was in a beautiful setting, but it was very crowded and touristy so we didn’t stay.
Spoke to a Swiss couple, the lady said "We have had 8 beers this morning". Thought that was a bit excessive until I realised they had seen eight bears! She was clearly not completely comfortable with English so continued the rest of the conversation in French.
We stopped at Pemberton for fuel and checked our emails at McDonalds, then headed over a pass to Duffy Lake – wonderful setting – forests and mountains with small glaciers running off. At one point a snow avalanche had crossed the road. Much less traffic.
Stopped for the night at a small, free campground located on the banks of a river.
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Sunday 27th May
Had a very quiet, undisturbed night’s sleep.
Continued our way north along the 99 passing through stunning scenery. After turning on to the 97 the countryside flattened out to form ranching lands. Many settlements along this route were named after the mileage eg 100 Mile House. Lakes and holiday home resorts dotted the landscape.
We stopped briefly at 100 Mile House in order to send text messages and buy supper. Then at Williams Lake we had an ice cream at McDonalds and sent off some emails.
Overnight at Walmart in Quesnel – a rather dead end type of place.
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