July 19, 2015 – “Have you bought your maps yet?”
Our summer travelling time has finally arrived, and this time, our anticipation and excitement don’t seem to be as high as we sometimes experience. For one thing, our trip is a very long one, and for another, one of the driest seasons on record has created huge fire danger potential. Also, we are quite enamoured with our homebound hobbies of quilting and woodworking, and my workshop is nearly ready for productivity instead of organizing. These hobbies along with family and friends will give us great incentives to be eventually homeward bound.
A fish-eye view of my new workshop. The “door” wall at my back, is seen on the left and right of the photo.
My new workbench using pipe-clamps instead of traditional vises. (The plan is modified from “Fine Woodworking – A New-Fangled Workbench”.)
In preparation for leaving this week, I sought some electrical wiring assistance from my neighbour – Jim Clark. (I have added an after-market backup camera so that I can judge rear-view distances a little more accurately.) As he quickly resolved my issues, he asked about our itinerary. I explained we would head down into Birch Bay, Washington and then across to the Penticton… “Tony,” he interrupted, “Have you bought your maps yet? Alaska is NORTH!” Yes…we have all our maps, and the 2014 edition of Alaska State’s “Milepost” book. We are on our way with the first stop being in Fort Langley at the new digs of our Lindsay family. We will eventually visit with family and friends in Birch Bay, Penticton, Kamloops, Prince George, and Whitehorse.
Truck House is as crammed as it has ever been, and although I saved a bit of room by downsizing our barbecue, I then added a 5 gallon diesel can for reserve. Although I am not sure that it is needed, our experience in the Springtime of almost running on empty in southern Oregon (“sage rat” episode) has encouraged me to be more cautious. Multiple fish “guns” are stacked in the crew cab, and the kayaks loaded on top. Fishing is a high priority for me on this trip as well as the opportunity to see new vistas and travel down new roads. We are probably carrying way too many books, but many of them are used to it as seasoned veterans of our travels! Perhaps they will get read this time.
We’ll keep you posted and will look forward to your comments – both on the blog, and via emails – whichever you choose.
Much love and best wishes to all, and we hope that you all are enjoying your summer wherever you are – including the snowy regions of Australia!
Sandy, the Quilter and Tony, the Quill
roadquill1 
Bon voyage. Looking forward to following along with your blogs. Love to you both. 😜
Sue
July 20, 2015 at 1:06 am
Thanks Sis! Love to you also!
coastmariner
July 22, 2015 at 11:10 am
Hi Sandy and Tony! Hope you have a fantastic trip to Alaska! We left home yesterday for our cross-Canada excursion. First day was interesting … got to Chilliwack and went to gas-up. Attendant filled our tank with regular gas instead of diesel! Luckily Greg realized it before he started the engine. We had to drop the trailer and they towed our truck to Canadian Tire and had it siphoned out. Then they replaced the gas with diesel and 3 1/2 hours later we were on our way again! Got here to 100 Mile House about 7:30 pm (missed our dinner plans with my cousin) but were content to relax and visit and Greg and my cousin shared a lovely bottle of much needed wine! Here’s to an “uneventful” rest of the trip as far as mishaps go! Leave tomorrow for Jasper.
Enjoy your travels and we’ll look forward to a big catch-up when we are all home again! Big hugs to you both, Kathy
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Greg and Kathy
July 20, 2015 at 7:16 am
That is an unhappy tale…with a happy ending! We will be vigilant! Safe travelling you two!
coastmariner
July 20, 2015 at 11:20 am
Hi Kathy and Greg. Your story shocked us! We will be very vigilant when filling up! Be safe!
coastmariner
July 22, 2015 at 11:09 am
Tight lines, piscator!
Stephen Sims
July 20, 2015 at 10:31 am
Will do, Steve!
coastmariner
July 20, 2015 at 11:21 am
Thanks Steve! I bought some additional fishing tools at Yaegers in Bellingham. Tight lines for sure!
coastmariner
July 22, 2015 at 11:08 am
Hi there, Hope your latest jaunt in the “Truck House” goes well.
Love the look of your work shop! Dad would have been VERY interested!!! Good luck with your new projects.
PS Is this reply going to be going out to all the people on your ROADQUILL! mailing list??
Peter Gordon
July 21, 2015 at 1:13 pm
Hi Peter! Thanks for your comments! The workshop is in a separate building – a 2-car garage. Yes, comments come in full as you send them. Personal stuff should probably go in a separate email to me, however, I do edit out personal info if I can get to an Internet connection. Best wishes to my “back-east” family!
coastmariner
July 22, 2015 at 11:07 am