Archive for the ‘North America RV 2007’ Category

2007 08 05 – Big Trip – Day 97 – Mount Rainier National Park

Sunday, August 5th, 2007

KOA Campground, Cascade Locks, Oregon Odometer – 8973

Click here for Pictures

Paradise Visitors Center, Mount Rainier National Park

Today was sunny and warm. We left the campground as early as we could (10:30am) so we could park in the crowded Paradise parking lot. We got there and saw Mount Rainier (4300m) in its glory, basking in a warm sun without a cloud in site. (more…)

2007 08 04 – Big Trip – Day 96 – Mount Rainier National Park

Sunday, August 5th, 2007

Cougar Rock Campground, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. Odometer – 8795

Click here for Pictures

Cougar Rock Campground, Mount Rainier National Park

We drove to Mount Rainier this morning, hoping the good weather would keep up. While it wasn’t raining, the cloudy skies impeded enjoying the park as much as we could. We arrived at noon and immediately drove to the campground, because we did not have a reservation and were afraid we would not have a site for the night.

When we got to the campground we found many available sites and chose a nice secluded one adjacent to the forest. (more…)

2007 08 03 – Big Trip – Day 95 – Central Seattle

Saturday, August 4th, 2007

KOA Seattle Southwest Campground, Kent, Washington. Odometer – 8687

Click here for Pictures

Space Needle, Seattle

Shabbat Shalom.

Although the day started cloudy and a bit wet from overnight rain, it improved into a beautiful sunny day by the afternoon. We drove into town to Seattle Center, a compound bursting with fun activities for families. The most famous landmark there is the Seattle Needle, a 520 ft tower with views of the entire area. We did not go up.

After managing to park the RV in the lot next to the center, we proceeded directly to the Children’s museum, whose sole purpose is to encourage newborn to 10 year old children to discover through play and interaction. (more…)

2007 08 02 – Big Trip – Day 94 – Shir Gets a New Cast

Friday, August 3rd, 2007

KOA Seattle Southwest Campground, Kent, Washington. Odometer – 8655

Click here for Pictures

Shir's New Cast, Seattle Children's Hospital

A stressful morning and a pleasant afternoon.

We got up and hurriedly prepared to leave the campground. We had to get out by 9am to drive, through rush-hour into Seattle for Shir’s hospital appointment. Unfortunately, traffic was bad, the GPS guided me through the worst part of it, and when we finally got to the hospital, there was nowhere to park the RV. On top of that, Shir vomited when we were on the highway. (more…)

2007 08 01 – Big Trip – Day 93 – Olympic National Park

Friday, August 3rd, 2007

KOA Seattle Southwest Campground, Kent, Washington. Odometer – 8587

Click here for Pictures

Hoh Rainforest, Olympic National Park

We squeezed two days into one on this gloriously sunny day. We wanted to see Olympic national park and we had to get to Seattle at night. So we took a deep breath and drove 320 (~500km) miles in one day, stopping at various points in the park to hike or enjoy the views. (more…)

2007 07 31 – Big Trip – Day 92 – Victoria to Washington

Wednesday, August 1st, 2007

KOA Campground, Port Angeles, Washington. Odometer – 8270

Click here AND here for Pictures

Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park

Today was half Canada, half USA. We started off easy at the campground on the marina in Victoria’s West Bay. Laundry, phone calls, some playtime for the kids and we were already past noon. We drove into downtown and parked at the ferry terminal. After a last visit to the streets of Victoria we went back to the RV to have lunch and wait for a US customs inspection.

The ferry ride is 90 minutes, and it goes 17 miles in a straight line from Victoria to Port Angeles. The ride was smooth at first but in the second half there were decent sized swells that caused the ship to swing from side to side. We had to hold on to Shir and Orr so they won’t lose their balance and fall. (more…)

2007 07 30 – Big Trip – Day 91 – Victoria

Wednesday, August 1st, 2007

West Bay Marin Village and Campground, Victoria, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Odometer – 8209

Click here for Pictures

Lunchtime, Victoria, BC

Today was a beautiful sunny day. Finally. We drove into town from last night’s campground straight to tonight’s destination. This is a new campground right on the water and is part of a marina residence project that includes houses floating on the water.

After making some phone calls we took an expensive water taxi across the harbor to downtown Victoria. There were many people out and enjoying the sun, and street performers trying to grab their eyes, hearts, and coins. (more…)

2007 07 29– Big Trip – Day 90 – Victoria

Monday, July 30th, 2007

KOA Victoria West, Malahat, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Odometer – 8195

Click here for Pictures

Parliament Building, Victoria, BC

We spent the day in Victoria after waking up really late this morning. Victoria is the capital of British Columbia and at the southernmost tip of Vancouver Island. Named after the longest reigning monarch in the UK (63 years till 1901), this is a lovely town.

By the time we drove into town and parked it was almost noon. There was an antique car show in downtown and half the tourist streets were closed to traffic. (more…)

2007 07 28– Big Trip – Day 89 – Buchart Gardens

Sunday, July 29th, 2007

KOA Victoria West, Malahat, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Odometer – 8148

Click here for Pictures

Buchart Gardens, Victoria, BC

We woke up to a drizzly misty morning in Tofino and were glad to get out of there as soon as we could. We drove over 300km to get to Victoria where we will spend our last few days in Canada.

On the way we made just one stop, at Cathedral Grove, which has 800 year old Douglas Firs, Cedars, and Hemlock trees. We stretched our legs on a 10 minute walk and got back to driving. The kids behaved impeccably. (more…)

2007 07 27 – Big Trip – Day 88 – Playground

Sunday, July 29th, 2007

Crystal Cove Oceanside Campground, Tofino, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Odometer – 7929.2

Click Here for 2 Pictures

Shabbat Shalom.

Today was a cloudy slightly chilly day. We spent it in entirety at the campground playground. To be more exact, the children played while either Paola or I were on watch. It was great to see them enjoy, and the weather didn’t really pick up with the day, so we ditched plans to go to the beach again. Ron found some friends to play with, and we always support that, because usually it takes him a while to warm up to other kids his age and older. (more…)