Monday, May 14, 2012

Quick tour of the NW, Now on to AK.

We spend Friday night camped next to the ocean as planned. It was a beautiful night and we got a good start the next morning arriving at Tillamook just as they opened the tour. We were told it only took an hour, but it took us almost three. I do really like cheese and found the whole factory pretty fascinating, especially the free samples...

After the tour we headed North of Seattle to Heather lake to camp out in the mountains and roast our haul of cheese over a fire. It was another perfect night even with several feet of unexpected snow on the ground. The good news is that my sleeping gear has now been fully tested. We spent a lot of time talking and throwing snowballs for my brother's dog Tagg to chase. Cheddar cheese curds are excellant roasted over the fire on a stick.

Last night I tried a form of networking couch surfing, staying with friends of my fourth grade teacher after my brother dropped me off. It was pretty fun and good to catch up with an old teacher and friend. My ride to AK is here though, so it's time to go. I'm not sure If I will get a chance to post in Canada or not. If not, I'll be back on in another 2000 miles...

Wind blasted pines on the edge of the Pacific. 
Watching the waves coming in at sunset. 
Tagg chasing a stick into the Sun.
My brother's dog is one of the best behaved dogs I have ever met and also really likes playing fetch.

Some people have accused me of being a bit of a snob about cheddar cheese and my preference for Tillamook.  
It turns out I just have good taste. 
I wish they sold those 40 lb blocks at the store...

The view from our camp site at Heather Lake.
The picture isn't upside down, the reflection was so perfect it was almost disorientating. 
Tagg sitting by the lake.
On the way back down from the lake. 


7 comments:

  1. That pic of Tagg by the lake is pretty awesome!

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  2. Oh, and I think it's really silly that they require a Captcha for EVERY comment I make, even though I'm already logged in, grr.

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  3. Your pictures show at least 4 distinct ecological zones from a single camping trip! That never ceases to amaze me--we live in such a diverse world. You'll get to see lots more different environments in the next few months as well. Glad to hear the trip's going well; how has your experience differed from the last time you went hitchhiking across the country?

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  4. Tagg is pretty good at sitting still for photos.

    I'll probably do a summary post contemplating the differences when I get to Alaska.

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  5. Wow...Camping by the ocean sounds like an awesome experience. Were there any other people around? Did you hike to the area, or just drive right up?

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  6. Beautiful pictures and story:o) Thanks for sharing your journey with us!! It looks like so much fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  7. I grew up visiting the Tillamook cheese factory and I still only buy Tillamook! I'm so glad you got to see it. You look really really happy in your pictures.

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