Travel Journal

Live the adventures of Dan Walker's travels through reading his travel journal. The travel journals are listed below in descending order of date. To search the travel journals, use the keyword search at the bottom of the page.

Journal Entry:

Trips | Rolls Rally 2008

Sunday, September 14, 2008 21:44:53
Rolls Rally 2008: 1 - Victoria to Winthrop, Washington, USA Saturday, September 13, 2008 Today we were to travel to La Conner, Washington for the first RROC (Roll Royce Owners Club) function that I have been involved in. Fees had been prepaid, schedules worked out, the car washed and packed in the morning, and son Scott arrived at 12:45 so we would have lots of time to get to the 2 PM sailing of the Sidney-Anacortes ferry. On arrival at the terminal we were somewhat surprised to find the gates closed, no one there and no 2 PM sailing listed on the departures board. Scott examined the reservation form I'd paid $30 for and discovered I'd mistaken the time the email was received for the departure time - our ferry had sailed at 11:30 AM on schedule! After discussion we decided to catch the 2 PM BC Ferry to Tsawwassen, then drive south across the border at Blaine Washington. On arrival at the terminal we were informed there was no 2 PM sailing - the next was 3 PM. We bought a ticket, entered the terminal and talked about it. Scott went into the ticketing office, and they phone the Blaine border to be informed the lineup to cross was over an hour long. Basic math showed we would not get to La Conner, the starting point of the tour, any earlier than taking the much more leisurely trip on the 6 PM Sidney-Anacortes ferry, so he got the ticket cancelled and we called Washington State Ferries. They assured us there was a light load for the 6 PM ferry, so reservations would not be required. Our wives and Scott's 3 daughters were in Sidney having lunch, so we spent the afternoon with them until it was time for the ferry. There was no problem boarding, and after a stop in Friday Harbour we arrived in Anacortes at 8:30 PM. This ferry has the advantage of having draught beer and well priced duty free liquor on board, so we took advantage of both. We arrive in La Conner at 9 PM, and knowing we had missed the afternoon wine reception we tried to make it to the restaurant before the included dinner was finished. No such luck, the restaurant was closing and everyone gone. At the La Conner Country Inn, where we had reservations, we were told our room was in another hotel a couple of blocks away. We repacked the car, left a lot filled with beautiful vintage Rolls and Bentley cars, and drove to the other hotel, where we were efficiently checked in - however the room had one standard double bed. We pointed out to the receptionist that our reservation clearly stated two bed, and were told the hotel was booked except for one other single bed room, but we'd have to pay for two rooms if we took it. After some strong words and phone calls to higher authority, it was agreed we could have a two-bedroom suite in the first hotel we were in - so we packed again and drove back. Now hunger (and thirst) was the problem. Once moved into the room we were informed that the dining room had closed, but there was a brew pub a block away. We walked there, but it had just closed. A helpful employee suggested another place a block and a half further, and it was open but no food. A double scotch later we had to get someone to let us out, as it had closed. Further down the deserted street was another club that had people - largely staff from other now closed bars and restaurants. Beer, clam chowder and popcorn was dinner, after which we headed back to the hotel. Apparently the liveliest things in La Conner after 9 PM are 12 wild turkeys who prowl the streets looking for food! Sunday, September 14, 2008 While having the continental breakfast in the hotel we began to meet some of the other participants, all of whom had been briefed and given kits yesterday. It was particularly interesting to meet John Pierson and Nick Northeast, as I'd been in contact with them by email. John had been a great help on the around the world trip, making suggestions to overcome problems as we went and Nick is in charge of the coming RROC meet at the end of the month. We found that today's first stop was at Newhalem for a boat tour of Diablo Lake, which is actually a continuation of Ross Lake from the Ross dam to the Diablo dam. On the way we stopped at the interesting North Cascades Visitors' Center. We were at Newhalem early, but there were a number of cars from the group already in the tour parking lot. Phil and Jean Birkeland were on hand, and when the baggage vehicle arrived they helped us get our kits, car signs and badges. Newhalem is a Seattle Power & Light company town, originally build for the building of the dams in the 1920s, and now is the maintenance centre. Scott & I explored the visitors' centre, crossed the suspension bridge over the Skagit River and wandered through the general store, where we bought some ice for the beer cooler, leaving half the bag in the freezer so we could refill the cooler when we got back from the boat trip. Surprisingly, there is no gas station here - this is a 94-mile stretch of road with no gas. A guide gave us a briefing, then we boarded buses for a tour of the area, ending by driving across the 350 foot high Diablo dam to the Alice Ross III, a comfortable lake cruise boat. The scenery was spectacular - forests with towering peaks above; deep narrow channels between cliffs and emerald green water. The sky was cloudless - a perfect day. At the end of the channel the impressive Ross dam towered some 500 feet above us, giving an odd feeling when thinking that the concrete wall was holding back a lake nearly as high as the dam. A good box lunch was provided and we took along our cooler of beer. Our next stop was at the top of the 5,477 ft (1,670 meter) Washington Pass, where we parked the car and made the one mile return hike to the Washington Pass Overlook, which provided a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains, and the road we were to drive in the valley far below. On arrival in the old-west looking town of Winthrop we found the Cascade Inn and checked in - this time the room actually had two beds. A reception billed as heavy fingerfood with left over wine turned out to be an amazing spread with lots of wine - there was need for dinner. Scott and I drove to downtown Winthrop and had a beer in a local saloon, but the town was quite. It may be like La Conner and roll up at night, or perhaps it is only because it is a Sunday. We were back at the hotel before 9 PM.

Sunday, September 14, 2008 21:44:53

Rolls Rally 2008: 1 - Victoria to Winthrop, Washington, USA

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Today we were to travel to La Conner, Washington for the first RROC (Roll Royce Owners Club) function that I have been involved in. Fees had been prepaid, schedules worked out, the car washed and packed in the morning, and son Scott arrived at 12:45 so we would have lots of time to get to the 2 PM sailing of the Sidney-Anacortes ferry.

On arrival at the terminal we were somewhat surprised to find the gates closed, no one there and no 2 PM sailing listed on the departures board. Scott examined the reservation form I'd paid $30 for and discovered I'd mistaken the time the email was received for the departure time - our ferry had sailed at 11:30 AM on schedule!

After discussion we decided to catch the 2 PM BC Ferry to Tsawwassen, then drive south across the border at Blaine Washington. On arrival at the terminal we were informed there was no 2 PM sailing - the next was 3 PM. We bought a ticket, entered the terminal and talked about it. Scott went into the ticketing office, and they phone the Blaine border to be informed the lineup to cross was over an hour long. Basic math showed we would not get to La Conner, the starting point of the tour, any earlier than taking the much more leisurely trip on the 6 PM Sidney-Anacortes ferry, so he got the ticket cancelled and we called Washington State Ferries. They assured us there was a light load for the 6 PM ferry, so reservations would not be required.

Our wives and Scott's 3 daughters were in Sidney having lunch, so we spent the afternoon with them until it was time for the ferry. There was no problem boarding, and after a stop in Friday Harbour we arrived in Anacortes at 8:30 PM. This ferry has the advantage of having draught beer and well priced duty free liquor on board, so we took advantage of both.

We arrive in La Conner at 9 PM, and knowing we had missed the afternoon wine reception we tried to make it to the restaurant before the included dinner was finished. No such luck, the restaurant was closing and everyone gone.

At the La Conner Country Inn, where we had reservations, we were told our room was in another hotel a couple of blocks away. We repacked the car, left a lot filled with beautiful vintage Rolls and Bentley cars, and drove to the other hotel, where we were efficiently checked in - however the room had one standard double bed. We pointed out to the receptionist that our reservation clearly stated two bed, and were told the hotel was booked except for one other single bed room, but we'd have to pay for two rooms if we took it. After some strong words and phone calls to higher authority, it was agreed we could have a two-bedroom suite in the first hotel we were in - so we packed again and drove back. Now hunger (and thirst) was the problem.

Once moved into the room we were informed that the dining room had closed, but there was a brew pub a block away. We walked there, but it had just closed. A helpful employee suggested another place a block and a half further, and it was open but no food. A double scotch later we had to get someone to let us out, as it had closed. Further down the deserted street was another club that had people - largely staff from other now closed bars and restaurants. Beer, clam chowder and popcorn was dinner, after which we headed back to the hotel. Apparently the liveliest things in La Conner after 9 PM are 12 wild turkeys who prowl the streets looking for food!

Sunday, September 14, 2008

While having the continental breakfast in the hotel we began to meet some of the other participants, all of whom had been briefed and given kits yesterday. It was particularly interesting to meet John Pierson and Nick Northeast, as I'd been in contact with them by email. John had been a great help on the around the world trip, making suggestions to overcome problems as we went and Nick is in charge of the coming RROC meet at the end of the month.

We found that today's first stop was at Newhalem for a boat tour of Diablo Lake, which is actually a continuation of Ross Lake from the Ross dam to the Diablo dam. On the way we stopped at the interesting North Cascades Visitors' Center. We were at Newhalem early, but there were a number of cars from the group already in the tour parking lot. Phil and Jean Birkeland were on hand, and when the baggage vehicle arrived they helped us get our kits, car signs and badges.

Newhalem is a Seattle Power & Light company town, originally build for the building of the dams in the 1920s, and now is the maintenance centre. Scott & I explored the visitors' centre, crossed the suspension bridge over the Skagit River and wandered through the general store, where we bought some ice for the beer cooler, leaving half the bag in the freezer so we could refill the cooler when we got back from the boat trip. Surprisingly, there is no gas station here - this is a 94-mile stretch of road with no gas.

A guide gave us a briefing, then we boarded buses for a tour of the area, ending by driving across the 350 foot high Diablo dam to the Alice Ross III, a comfortable lake cruise boat. The scenery was spectacular - forests with towering peaks above; deep narrow channels between cliffs and emerald green water. The sky was cloudless - a perfect day.

At the end of the channel the impressive Ross dam towered some 500 feet above us, giving an odd feeling when thinking that the concrete wall was holding back a lake nearly as high as the dam. A good box lunch was provided and we took along our cooler of beer.

Our next stop was at the top of the 5,477 ft (1,670 meter) Washington Pass, where we parked the car and made the one mile return hike to the Washington Pass Overlook, which provided a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains, and the road we were to drive in the valley far below.

On arrival in the old-west looking town of Winthrop we found the Cascade Inn and checked in - this time the room actually had two beds. A reception billed as heavy fingerfood with left over wine turned out to be an amazing spread with lots of wine - there was need for dinner.

Scott and I drove to downtown Winthrop and had a beer in a local saloon, but the town was quite. It may be like La Conner and roll up at night, or perhaps it is only because it is a Sunday. We were back at the hotel before 9 PM.