(no subject)

I am back and safe. The weather was good to me. And my sister and her family were very good hosts. I don't feel much in terms of a personal change but I was reminded how much I like travelling away from home, even if I really didn't go very far.

I'll write more later as I should be getting some sleep.

(no subject)

I left for the border later than planned on Friday. I wanted to make sure I got enough sleep and took my time to get ready and eat breakfast. I also wanted to make sure I had packed exactly what I needed and no more.

I got a a little lost in Richmond on the way to the Peace Arch border crossing. I actually forgot to bring any maps so I got lucky when I eventually wound up on the highway. As I approached customs, I took my place in the qeue. It was a hot morning and it got even hotter as I had to turn off the engine of my bike and push it as the line advanced. I couldn't leave it running as I didn't want to run out the fuel and battery that controlled the cooling fan for the engine.

As I turned the first corner, I was shocked to discover how long the line actually was. I must have pushed my bike for about a good mile. This was when I realised that I should have listened to my sister and left earlier. I ended up being in that lineup to cross the border between 10:30 am and 1:15 pm.

Once I was on the highway again, I sped towards Redmond. And then I discovered that the instructions that I had been using for the past 12 years to get to my sister's house had a little mix-up in it. That explained why I often got lost if I hadn't visited her for a stretch of time. It was 4:30 by the time I arrived and I had her worried as I said I was going to be there a bit after noon!

The next few days were spent visiting various areas in Washington. My sister and her husband treated me to dinner almost everyday even though I always offered to pay. They had a beautiful home that I enjoyed staying in but it really is getting cluttered. I learned that my brother-in-law was a packrat. He keeps the boxes of everything he has just "in case' they move.

My niece was on her best behaviour. I noticed that she didn't display any of her bratty and pouty characteristics like she usually did when they were in Vancouver.

When it was time to go back home, I got up at about 7 am. The morning was chilly but it was still sunny and clear. I got home smoothly without much of a wait at the border this time. Travelling on a highway by motorcycle is fantastic. I felt as though I owned it as I could use the power of my bike to pass anything with ease if i decided to. I had to be disciplined with my speed though since i didn't want a ticket to ruin my trip.

We have bears... they have deer...

Bucks For PACE
This is a series of deer sculptures (25 life-sized and 40 tabletop-sized) to be auctioned to raise funds for the Pacific Arts Centre Eastside in Washinton.

( 3 small photos )

Crows

Public outdoor sculpture (approximately 11 feet high)



Redmond Public Library - Redmond, Washington