Google Maps gave me different mileage figures every time I checked in the month before I moved from Spokane to Sequim. One time it said 267 miles. Another time, 310, and so on. Now that I have completed the trip, I can tell you that  the total mileage is 412!! I have noticed this before on cross-country trips. The mileage usually comes in higher than Google Maps estimate.

Anyway, we made it! Since I was pulling the RV and knew that I had a long section crossing the Cascade Mountains, I had previously decided to stop after the first 200 miles, at the eastern base of the mountains. I am glad I had a long sleep and some good coffee that morning because the drive over the mountains was brutal. It rained nonstop and the visibility was limited. I drove between 50-55 MPH the whole time, and I stayed in the far lane with the trucks! One thing I have learned: in adverse conditions, just slow down, and it paid off that day as I navigated the worst driving conditions yet pulling the RV.

True confession about food on the road: when driving I stop at a fast food place for breakfast and again for either lunch or dinner. I avoid fast food at other times, so this is a special treat for me. I only bring it up because of my great score: Burger King has 10 chicken nuggets for $1. I also discovered that they have senior sodas for 58 cents. So, for 1.58 I had nuggets with buffalo sauce and a drink. Some days, life is thrifty.

The rainy, cloudy weather prevented views of Mount Ranier and the other famous volcano peaks, just like last summer when I was in coastal Washington and Oregon. Someday I will get a great view. Approaching the coast was exciting, anyway. I crossed the first bridge outside Tacoma (Tacoma Straights Bridge). As I drove closer the Olympic Peninsula I crossed another bridge, and the view reminded me so much of the Inside Passage of Alaska. This was not unexpected since that area is just a bit north. I was hoping for the same vibe. Next, the road wound around through some coastal towns then through low-lying pine forests with snippets of a water view to the left or right of the road. I also saw some of the Olympic Mountains in Olympic National Park, which is basically my neighbor to the south. Can’t wait for the sky to clear to the south as well.

Olympic National Park to the south

I have learned that I can get a ferry to Seattle from a nearby town for less than $5. I can also get to Whidbey Island and Vancouver Island (Canada). Today I saw a ferry/hotel deal to Vancouver Island for $78 dollars. I see that trip in my future, as well as a day in downtown Seattle around Christmas.

Currently, I am settled in central Sequim. I drove down the main drag and found the Safeway, Michael’s, and Walmart.  The downtown is cute! Tomorrow I will drive a couple of miles to the beach. Sequim is quite promising as my new base, but more on that later after I explore more. So far, I love what I see. The RV park is small and the spaces are tight, but it is working for now. It is well-kept and has a lovely laundry area. I am paying more than double what I paid in Deming for my space rent, but it includes excellent high-speed Internet and cable TV. I have not ever had cable TV in the RV, and I am loving it. I have ESPN, NFL, which are perfect at this time of year and all the other basic cable channels as well. But we prefer being outside, and across the street: a large open area where I can walk Tango off-leash. He seems content now as well.

Next week, I will take the bus back to Spokane to pick up my car, which is at my son’s house. I arrive on his day off so he can pick me up at the downtown bus station. I will get a grandbaby hug again before I turn around and head right back. Silas is walking now, or should I say running non-stop.

As for my mental funk, as soon as I hit the road the dark cloud following me in recent weeks disappeared! Travel is my best therapy. The immediate feeling of crisis seems to have passed.  I know that I need to keep up the ACA and Al-Anon work, though, and I attend my first meeting here on Sunday. It will be a great place to make friends as well.

So, that is the initial report from Sequim. The weekend will be beautiful so Tango and I will be out exploring and hiking.