I wanted to let everyone know that Wally has officially retired. He was awarded a new Red Sox Limited Edition Harley Davidson Electra-Glide for all his efforts on the 4 corners trip and was last seen riding off into the sunset.

I hope to see you at the fundraising event on Friday June 26, 2009 at the Weymouth Elks. http://www.ccals.org/oakleyfundraiser/index.php

Have a great summer!

Well we made it past the $12,000.00 mark which both Paul and I think is fantastic. Thank you to everyone who donated, participated, hosted and in any other way encouraged us on our trip!

Yesterday Paul and I visited Mrs. Trombly’s kindergarten classes at the Nathaniel Morton Elementary School in Plymouth, MA. The students had a wide range of questions for both of us. Questions included what was our favorite state, where did we eat, where did we sleep, where did we keep our clothes? They also had many comments about the various places we visited.

The main thing they all wanted to see was Wally. Wally has officially become the star of the trip for these students. Wally even received a flower from one of the students. Thank you all for following our trip and plotting our progress on your map. We are glad you were able to learn about the United States and some of Canada through our trip.

Have a great summer!

Day 26

Home

Wow it sure is nice to spend a night in your own bed after 26 nights in a different bed. I completed the blog entries and visited Mrs. Maistros’ class at the Plouffe Elemenary School in Brockton.

What a great group of students they were all outside the building waving American flags and clapping for me. They had a number of interesting questions but I think the main thing they wanted was a chance to meet Wally. During the trip they kept a close eye on our exploits and plotted our progress on a map. The students were extremely interested in Canada and what it was like up there. They also said their favorite picture was the snow angel. It is very inspiring to see these fresh young faces so interested in our great country. Keep reading (and listening to your teachers) you will learn a great deal!

I followed the stop in Brockton with a stop at the Spring Street School in West Bridgewater which also happens to be the building that Patty works in. There I met with Mrs. Sidman’s and Mrs. Weldon’s kindergarten class. They also had a number of interesting questions and they too had tracked our progress on a map of the United States. Together we counted the number of states Paul and I visited during our trip and the total was 22 states. We also got a great picture with all the students surrounding my bike.

Thank you to all the students for following our journey so closely.

Interesting facts from the trip:

Total dollars raised to date $11,360 and counting

Website hits 5,846 and counting

Total corners 4

Total miles for 4 Corners 8,859

Total miles for entire trip 9,205.5

Total gas cost for Doug $622.22

Total gas stops 85

Total nights at military bases 2

Total nights at fire stations 1

Total nights at hotels/motels 13

Total nights and meals with family and friends countless and priceless

Day 25

Jonesboro, NY – Machias, ME - Home

Quite a late start today as we had another very long day yesterday two days in a row actually. We stopped for breakfast in Machias at 10:00 AM (like I said a very late start). We made it the Post Office a short time later for the last of the 4 corners trip pictures.

While at breakfast I received a call from Scott Harrington who was on his way north to meet us for the ride home and we arranged to meet him at Dysart’s truck stop in Bangor, ME.

The ride from the coast into Bangor and route 95 was interminable. On the way in we had a goal to reach in corner 4 and we stopped to have dinner which broke the trip up a little. This morning we were all tired and it took a long time to get to Bangor. Once we arrived at Dysart’s though it was all smiles as we met up with Scott and were headed south for the final ride home. I cannot say how great a feeling it was to look in my mirror and see a group of my best friends and my brother riding along with me to support me and to share in this special trip.

Shortly after we crossed back into Massachusetts I noticed in the distant sky a plane taking off from Logan and I thought back to nearly a month ago and all the miles and smiles Paul and I enjoyed along the way. As we stopped to pay the toll on the Tobin Bridge I had the opportunity to get some great pictures of the skyline from a perspective you do not normally get to take a picture from. As each mile ticked by I was getting more excited to see everyone. Patty had planned a low key event for our house in Weymouth but Tom and Becky Bettle were nice enough to offer their home for a welcome home party. As we turned the corner onto the Bettle’s street it was obvious that everyone was anxious to see one another. There was cheering, clapping and picture taking even before we stopped the bikes. Hanging over the garage was a big banner welcoming us home and before we knew it we all had a cold beverage in our hands. Many thanks to the Bettles for their hospitality!

I am very fortunate to have had the chance to fulfill a monumental life’s dream and I do not know where to begin to say “Thank You” to all the people that supported me along the way. Thank you to the people who have followed along on the blog. Your encouragement was instrumental in getting us home. And finally thank you to all the people who donated, you surpassed the goal Paul and I set at the beginning of the trip. Thank you and rest assured Ron will put that money to good use assisting families that are dealing with ALS.

The one person I have to say a very special thank you to is my wife Patty who encouraged me to take this trip as usual you were correct it was the trip of a lifetime! Thank you! And I love you!!!

Please stay tuned for a follow up bop entry where I will re-cap the stat’s of the trip and recap visits to some special classrooms that followed along with me on the ride.

Miles to Machias 8

Total miles today 346

Total mile for 4 Corners 8,859

Total miles for entire trip 9,205.5

Day 24

Albany, NY – Jonesboro, ME

A little bit of a late start today as we had quite a long day yesterday. Today was bittersweet in that we went into and then out of Massachusetts on our way to corner # 4 in Maine. The weather was quite nice for a change and we were not all bundled up as we entered Massachusetts in Lee on I-90. We stopped for Paul and my first cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee in nearly a month. While we were enjoying the coffee I called some close friends, Beth, Jay, and Frankie Krupp, in Portsmouth, NH to see if we could possibly stop there for lunch.

Now we had a goal for the first half of the day and we made great time arriving around 1:30 to a beautiful banner welcoming us to Portsmouth. The Krupps had prepared a fantastic meal of pizza, salad, subs and cold drinks. Terry used the down time to go to the local harley dealer for an oil change and Paul took a power nap while I visited with the Krupps. Thank you very much Beth and Jay for your hospitality and Frankie for his entertainment.

Just after our arrival I received a call from Jim Bristol and Dave Erickson that they had crossed into Maine and were waiting for us in Falmouth. The two of them were quickly dubbed the Rosie Ruiz’s of the trip as they would be enjoying the last night on the road and the final day’s ride. We met with them around 3:30-4:00, topped off the gas and off we were to Machias, ME.

By dusk we had made it to Milbridge, ME and the 44 Degrees North Restaurant http://www.44-degrees-north.com/. There we had dinner and some entertainment by Wally. Some locals, Tricia and Steve along with our bartender told us of a place to stay just short of Machias called the Blueberry Motel. After dinner it was a cold ride of about 20 minutes into Jonesport and the Blueberry Motel. The rooms at the motel were clean and affordable. Next door we found a little pub to have a night cap and that was it for another very long day. We can almost see the end now.

Total miles today 502.

Day 23

Toledo, OH – Albany, NY

A little bit of a late start today. Today it seems as though we are all getting a little bit road weary. Poor Wally had a bad night he was invited to join a younger group of folks at the restaurant where he charmed the crowd with his stories and charisma.

WE were on the road by 8:00 and making good time until about 20-25 minutes into the trip I noticed Wally missing from his seat behind me. So we searched my bike to no avail. So I told the guys to press on and I would go back to the hotel room to retrieve Wally. When I pulled into the parking lot I found poor Wally lying on the pavement. All I can assume is that on the way home last night he jumped out of my pocket and tried to return to the bar. But he was not moving fast enough and got run over by a car or truck leaving some superficial damage. Thankfully Paul is a qualified EMT and he was able to repair Wally. After a little time to recover he will be just fine. We are hoping the tire track scars fade over time. For the rest of the trip Wally will travel in my pocket, we do not want to risk any additional calamities. Once we got back on the road we made great time into New York and the across New York via the Thruway. The upstate New York area at this time of year is covered in green mostly farms and trees that seem to stretch as far as the eye could see. In the sky we noticed dark clouds to the east but as each mile rolled by the clouds seemed to disappear before our eyes. We made Albany by 9:30 and decided enough was enough. We covered 622 miles today our second longest day of the trip and Terry’s longest.

For dinner we walked over to the Sport’s Grill www.thesportsgrill.net in East Greenbush, NY where our waiter Rez and the owner Tom were great to us even getting a group pf servers and customer’s to pose for a picture with Wally and us.

Tomorrow we start north and intend to hit Machias, ME corner # 4 and then a return trip home on Sunday.

Total miles today 622.

Day 22

Eau Claire, WI – Toledo, OH

Wally was tired this morning after his big/first day on television. We got another early start and made the 330 miles into Chicago to meet Gary and Norma Chinn. Gary and I worked together at Warner Lambert/Pfizer/Cadbury for about six years. The Wisconsin countryside was beautiful with rolling hills and many more trees than we have seen since the mountains. There were three colors themes to the day, green trees and fields, black pavement and blue skies. It is interesting that when you start the day wearing your warm clothes to keep out the morning chill you are reluctant to take them off as the day warms up. We started this morning at about 45 degrees and by the time we crossed into Illinois it was near 70 but at the toll booth the toll-taker asked if I had heard it was going to rain. I said no and he then asked why I was wearing rain gear. That is when I realized it was a lot warmer than I thought. Just as we approached Chicago we stopped at an Oasis Plaza we call them travel plazas in Massachusetts. There we shed the rain gear and filled up on gas. Sure enough within 30 minutes we were near the lake and the temperature dropped and the wind chill kicked in to make me wish I had kept the pants on.

Gary met us out in front of their building and ushered us into the parking garage. Shortly thereafter we were in their beautiful condominium overlooking the lake, Soldier’s Field, and the Chicago Skyline. What an awesome view, Wally was so impressed he skipped lunch and spent his time enjoying the skyline with the telescope. Gary and Norma had lunch ready and waiting with pizza, salad, and fresh pecan treats. Everything was delicious. Thank you again for being so hospitable to three tired bikers. Oh and don’t let me forget they had a cooler of cold beers sitting right on the counter but we had to resist as we still had to put on as many miles as possible before going to bed.

Gary led us out of Chicago in Norma’s car and in no time we were entering Indiana followed shortly by Ohio. We ended our ride in Toledo, Ohio. Toledo’s claim to fame is Klinger from M.A.S.H. enough said. Tomorrow it is on to Buffalo for another media day and then to Maine on Saturday.

Total miles today 521.

Day 21

Jamestown, North Dakota – Eau Claire, WI

What a day! We were up and on the road by 7:00 AM. We were wearing all our gear as the temperature was 37 degrees and with a 70 mile per hour wind that is cold. It was refreshing 90 mile ride without coffee. Thank you Scotty for my insulated rain pants they work great. And thank you to my brother Trent for telling me that nothing is better than a heated vest, you were absolutely correct.

Wally was super prepared for his first appearance on TV. We arrived at WDAY in Fargo, ND at 9:00 AM where we were interviewed for a taped segment to air later in the day. It was exciting for us to have the opportunity to spread the message about CCALS via television. The taping we went well www.wday.com/event/videos/vidid/6674/and we rewarded ourselves with a coffee and pastry at Babb’s Coffee House www.babbscoffeehouse.com after the taping. Outside as we were leaving Babb’s, Paul met three Fargo firefighters Matt, Brandon, and Steve. They were very impressed with Paul’s bike and his RSQ2 license plate. Matt’s dad has the same model Harley and Matt also spent a day with the guys from Engine 50 in Bunker Hill watching a Red Sox game. Once Wally heard that Matt was a Sox fan he insisted on a photo with the firefighters and Paul.

As we were leaving we were alerted to the fact that the local NBC affiliate also wanted to do a segment. So off we took Wally for his second television appearance of the day. The taping went very well please see Wally at http://www.valleynewslive.com .

Finally by 12:00 we were back on the road heading east on route 94. The scenery was much the same as yesterday with brilliant colors at every turn. We are experiencing many more hills and valleys each with a distinct beauty of their own. By 3:00 we crossed into Minnesota and by 3:30 we were in Maple Grove, MN where met Mike Dodd, a good friend of mine from my Otis Spunkmeyer days. Mike is doing well with 2 children and a great wife. Thanks for the beers and pizza Mike it was just the fuel we needed for our afternoon’s ride into Wisconsin. We made it all the way to Eau Claire, WI where we had a great dinner at Dana’s Pub. Thanks to Holly for buying our first round and being a sport by having her picture taken with Wally and the three of us.

Like I started today’s blog what a day!

Total miles today 433.

Malta, Montana – Jamestown, North Dakota

We awoke to fresh coffee and a hearty breakfast at the Hitching post in Malta. The service from Sam was great and the fried eggs were the largest of the trip to date. After breakfast it was back to route 2 east and all the beautiful scenery. After a couple of near misses with me running out of gas as the stations are not exactly close to one another. About 1:00 I got a call that Channel 6 in Fargo, MD is interested in speaking with us about our trip. So we detoured off route 2 in Minot , ND to route 52 east for a quick 100 miles then onto route 94 east in Jamestown, ND where we had dinner at Grizzlies Steak and Grille. Route 52 took us east right through the middle of North Dakota. We were treated to incredible views of fields of green, dark green, tan, brown dark browns and black. All these fields were in different stages of their growing seasons. As we flew along there were birds and ducks along side the road that would leap into the air as we roared by. Some birds would take off toward the road and some would try to fly along with us for as long as they could maintain our rapid pace. The further we moved east and south the more trees we would see. Now instead of an uninterrupted view of the fields as we moved along, the fields are now defined by neatly planted rows of trees and shrubs. We had a long run today at times the old man even seemed to have another gear to fly off in front of us at the speed of sound.

Once again it is very difficult to find the words to describe everything we are seeing so I will insert photos that will hopefully bring it to life for you. It is nice to be in the Central Time zone and moving closer to the Eastern Time zone once again. The post is a little short tonight as we need to prepare for our first ever TV appearance. Wish us luck.

Total miles today 520.

Day 18

We awoke to fresh coffee eggs and Canadian bacon prepared by the two Terry’s for breakfast. Once breakfast was completed we headed for the shop where we cleaned the bikes for a couple of hours. Man were the bikes ever dirty. There was so much dirt that ran off the bikes that we had to clean the shop floor after the bikes were done.

Lunch was light a combination of veggies and chicken wings served el fresco in the side yard. While Icille was putting lunch together Paul and I went into town to get some replacement beer and new memory sticks for our cameras and the two Terry’s installed the stakes so we could have a game of shoes in the afternoon.

Paul and Terry Pighin took the quad for a ride through his property and maybe see a bear. Next the two Terry’s took a ride on the quad while Wally and I caught up on our blogging.

While we were eating dinner Wally took a quick hike up Fisher Peak where he had to ward off an angry humming bird’s attack. Terry’s sister Sharon and her husband Bill joined us for dinner and after dinner Terry and Icille’s friends Phil and Wendy stopped by for dessert. They were trying to take the bikes for a ride but we settled on a picture with the three couples sitting on the bikes in Terry’s shop. Later in the evening my cousin Rick and his girlfriend Gail stopped by for a visit. There were quite a few laughs all around.

All in all it was a great day off from riding the bikes and visiting with Icille and Terry. Thank you to them both for showing us a great time. I love you both very much.

Total miles today 0.

Castlegar, BC

Day 17

Kelowna, British Columbia, CA – Cranbrook, BC

A great cup of coffee by Clint at 7:00 AM and a sad goodbye for me and we were off to my Aunt Icille and Uncle Terry’s place in Cranbrook. Cranbrook is my Dad’s home town and where my Mom and dad met, fell in love and got married followed by the arrival of my brother Terry. Shortly after Terry’s arrival they moved to Massachusetts where the rest of us were born and raised.

The ride was nothing short of spectacular as we left Kelowna the sun was out and the temperature was approaching 75-80 degrees. We filled up at the last gas station in town and made the final clothing adjustments for the morning ride. By 10:00 we were in Beaverdale and stopped for a muffin and coffee. By 11:00 we were crossing through Greenwood, BC when I spotted a sign for a demolition derby and with a quick u-turn we were at the demolition derby. What a hoot as Terry would say. There was a real hometown atmosphere with families standing in the backs of their pick-ups and under makeshift tents to get out of the sun. They had a 50/50 raffle door prizes and some cool wrecks on the track.

By 12:30 we were back on the road again and heading for the Salmo-Creston cut off aka The Kootenay Highway. In Castlegar we stopped for some photos and to drink some water as the temperature was approaching 85 degrees. The Kootenay Highway is the highest highway in BC taking us to almost 6,000 feet. Just prior to the summit we spotted two big horn mountain sheep along the side of the highway Paul was able to pull over and get a couple of great pictures. At this point we cannot figure out how to get pictures from Paul’s camera into the blog.

There was a great deal more snow at the summit here than there was on the way into Kelowna on Thursday. Paul and Wally opted not to do any more snow angels. Entering Creston around 3:00 we filled up for the last time of the day. Creston was my dad’s mom’s hometown in southern BC.

Once we left Creston we made a quick stop in Yahk to have a cold beer and call my dad. The beer was cold but there was no cell service so no phone call to dad. We did have a little episode with Wally and the three of us had to bail him out of the Yahk jail. From Yahk it is a short but beautiful ride north on route 3/95 aka The Crow’s Nest to Cranbrook. Just about 5:00 I spotted one of the best sights, if not the best sight of the trip, Fisher Peak. This could only mean I was minutes from Icille and Terry’s home. It sure seemed like we did a lot of riding today but total was less than Thursday’s ride.

These arrivals are certainly worth the all day riding as Icille had instructed Terry to keep the beer cold. Anyone who knows Terry Pighin knows he takes his work seriously so every 15-20 minutes he opened one of the beers to ensure it was cold. Need less to say they were both very happy to see us arrive safe and sound. Icille had prepared some excellent burgers with potato salad for dinner and we had fresh homemade rhubarb pie prepared for us by Terry’s sister Sharon. The food was great the beer was cold and the laughs could be heard late into the night. It sure is great to be back in Cranbrook one of the few places on earth that I feel at home.

Total miles today 338.

Day 16

Kelowna, British Columbia, CA

A good nights sleep for everyone last night and we were up early for a great cup of coffee prepared by Clint and eggs cooked by Tammy. We took a vote to see if Alex should go to school and school won in a landslide, so off he went. Tammy and Terry went out and rented a car so we could all travel in the same vehicle. Tammy took us on a tour of some of the local wineries in Kelowna. We skipped the guided tours and did a tasting at both the Mission Hill and Quail Ridge wineries. Kathy and Kristy did a great job detailing the wines at Mission Hill and Peter did a fine job as well at Quail’s Ridge.

Later in the day after Clint finished up at work and Alex made it home from school we were treated to a leisurely ride around Kelowna on Clint’s boat. Little did we know that the boat ride was also the Madhouse Creative summer party. Boy did Wally have a good time, he got to drive the boat and back at the yacht club he was the center of attention once again. The view of Kelowna from the lake is spectacular the mountains seem to leap from the shore line right into the deep blue sky. Dispersed along the shore are incredible mansions sitting alongside summer cottages built in the 50’s and 60’s. It is quite the contrast to see them side by side.

The yacht club was followed by an excellent dinner of grilled pork tenderloin and asparagus accompanied by garden salad. We chose to eat in so we could sample the various wines we had purchased at the wineries. For dessert we had a Mission Hill ice wine that was delicious. Yes Patty it was as good as you remember from our previous visits to Kelowna.

All in all it was a great day off for all three of us and especially great for me as I got to spend my whole day with my favorite cousin Tammy. (The only thing that could have improved the day was if her brother Brian had met us in Kelowna.)

Thank you to Tammy, Alex and Clint for being great hosts and making us feel right at home.

Total miles today 0.

Everett, WA – Kelowna, British Columbia, CA

We were up early again today and enjoyed waffles for breakfast at the hotel.  A short ride and we were at the Harley dealer in Marysville, WA. I needed to verify where to access a Chuckanut Road in northern Washington. In 2000 I rode this area with Patty and Jack Feeney on rental bikes and we really enjoyed the ride on Chuckanut Road.

Back on the bikes and about 20 miles north of Marysville we turned north/west for the last time onto route 11 Chuckanut Road. It was just as I remembered winding along the coast with incredible vistas overlooking Spanish Bay which is part of Puget Sound. We stopped at the mid-point to take some pictures. In the distance you can see snow covered mountain tops rising up beyond the crystal blue water. About four miles off shore there was an enormous ship at anchor. Chuckanut Road is only about twenty miles long and it is packed with beautiful scenery at every corner. With all the twists and turns I think we probably only moved about ten miles north. At certain points it was like were taking a refresher course of all the highlights of our west coast ride. There were thick forests with huge old growth trees covered in thick moss much like we saw in Oregon. At other points we caught incredible glimpses of shimmering blue ocean lapping up against deep green forests with huge boulders that seemed to be floating along aimlessly this was much like Big Sur, CA. And in other places the road was carved right into the granite face which reminded me of New Mexico and Arizona.

Once we were through with Chuckanut Road it was on to Blaine, WA and corner #3. Wally ran into a little trouble at the Blaine Post Office as young Wesley thought Wally should stay in Blaine and hang out with him and his bear, Baby. With a little persuasion from his Mom, Wesley assisted me in securing Wally back on my bike. Following the stop at Blaine we crossed over the border into Canada.  An easier task for Paul and me than it was for Terry as he was asked to go inside for additional questioning. Forty five minutes later we were on our way to Kelowna. We stopped in Chilliwack, BC to pick up some shirts at the Harley dealer and topped off our gas at Hope, BC. I told Paul he was beyond Hope just after we were east of the town line. To this point we were on Highway 1 a.k.a. The Trans-Canada which traveled due east through a beautiful valley with snow covered mountains all around us. Just past Hope we turned onto highway 97 the Okanagan Highway . WE climbed to 1250 meters at the first summit where Paul and Wally made snow angels and we took a lot of photographs. At the midpoint we stopped in Merritt, BC to top off the tanks again and were off to Kelowna. This time we climbed to over 1,700 meters where we needed to stop and put on additional layers of clothing as it was much colder at the top of the pass. Thirty minutes later Okanagan Lake appeared off in the distance, we stopped at the last rest stop to take off a layer of clothing and take some more pictures. Kelowna is a city of about 100,000 people that sits right on the Okanagan.

As we rolled into town we could see sailboats and jet skis moving across the lake little did we know that my cousin Tammy’s son Alex was racing on one of those sailboats.

Soon after entering Kelowna we were comfortably relaxing in Tammy and Alex’s 6^th floor apartment. They have a beautiful home with incredible views of downtown and the lake. Tammy’s friend Clint joined us for dinner, actually I think he did most of the cooking and donated some excellent bottles of wine to the cause. It is really nice to be back with family again so we are taking Friday off (much to the chagrin of Paul) from riding the motorcycles.

I do not have the words to describe all that we saw today so I will include more pictures than I usually do. If you like beautiful places, fly into Seattle and follow the route we took today you will not be disappointed.

Total miles today 340.

Day 14

Bandon, Oregon – Everett, WA

 Wow what a day. We were on the road early at 8:00 AM after a hearty breakfast at Fraser’s. The food was filling and the banter amongst the customers and Tracy our waitress was priceless. An interesting thing about the west coast is the towns are all 26 miles apart which is the distance a horse could travel when the area was settled.

By 10:00 AM we had rolled through Coos Bay and a number of other coastal towns when we stopped in Florence, CA. to refuel. While I was filling up I asked the customer next to me where I could get the best cup of coffee in town and she suggested Roasters on Bay St. So off I went for a great cup of mocha. While enjoying the coffee I spotted a rare sight, a router that I could use to access the internet. One and a half hours later I had caught up on posting my blog for the past three days. Jan Crippen was nice enough to take our picture in front of the Firehouse and we were lucky enough to get a shot of her with Wally. This is a shout out to Jan’s husband to feel better quickly.Jan was nice enough to provide Paul and Terry with directions to expedite our arrival in Washington state.

We headed east on route 126 toward Eugene, WA. On this road I had my first sighting of an eagle gliding along on the thermals looking for some prey for lunch. Route 126 took us straight east through the coastal mountains, literally we went through a tunnel, on our way out to route 5 north. Once again the scenery was incredible with huge old growth trees covered in hanging green moss and for the first time in awhile I could smell the pine from the trees. Route 126 rose only to 800 feet above sea level but even at that level the vistas were beautiful. Once we were close to Eugene we hit a long stretch of lakes and marshes with birds and ducks coming and going.

Route 5 north is mostly a three lane freeway that runs north and south along the entire west coast, the equivalent of our route 95 in the east. Needless to say not the best motorcycling route, but it did serve its purpose by getting us north in a hurry. Sometime around 2:30 we crossed the 45^th parallel, the mid-point between the equator and the North Pole. I learned about this in my senior year science class at Weymouth South High School.

By 3:00 we had crossed into Washington State soon to be Paul’s favorite state as that is the last state we will enter that is not heading us in an easterly direction. Our goal was to make it all the way to the third corner, Blaine, WA but once again as it got later in the day and we moved closer to the coast the temperature dropped making it a very unpleasant journey. On a positive note I did see my first bald eagle just after we got on route 5 north. I do not know why but the sight of that bird in its element makes me want sing out loud how lucky we are to live in this country. Ultimately we made it to through Seattle and to the Best Western in Everett, WA for the night. After a less than perfect dinner at the local Outback steakhouse I blogged while Paul and Terry soaked in the hot tub. We did make great progress today and are set for some milestones tomorrow. On day 15 we will hit the third corner, surpass the 5,000 mile mark and enter Canada. To end the day we will be staying with my favorite cousin Tammy in Kelowna, British Columbia.

I should be up to date on the blog as I will be staying with family for the next four nights.

Total miles today 450.