On Our Way!

Saturday saw us wake up to temperatures of 32 degrees and a light skim of  frozen fog on everything. We got the truck loaded with presents we are taking to Kelsey's house to open on Sunday, along with our luggage. We managed to get on the road by 8:50, not too far off the hoped-for departure time of 8:00 am and dropped Stella off at Penrod Kennels for her stay. On the drive to the kennel, The Walla Walla Valley started fog in with a heavy fog we didn't lose until we were over Nine Mile Hill, and then picked up snow outside Yakima until we got over the Pass.

Erika had never seen Snqualmie Falls so we took a short detour after North Bend to stop. It was 36 degrees and the wind was blowing a blustery 25 mph. We didn't stay long, but the Falls were, as ever, impressive.  Last time I was here was some years back with Lynne.

 Hard to believe that in 48 hours we'll be in 80 degree COSTA Rica.

We had dinner with Maureen and Bob at the Woodinville Red Robin. Great seeing you two again and looking forward to our annual Hause Creek Campout in June.

I had resurrected one of Erika's old cell phones for use in Costa Rica and got the unlock code from ATT (Costa Rica's cell company, ICE, uses GSM 1800 mhz service.  I needed a multi-band phone to have it work with an ICE SIM card down there.   All was well until the phone died.  I spent an hour at the ATT Store in Woodinville learning that they could give me the unlock code to my iPhone since it is out of contract.  Fail!  They recommend I do a backup with iTunes, unlock the phone then a restore.  iTunes is on my computer at . . . home.  I ended up buying a quad band GoPhone (ATT's version of a prepaid cell phone) for $19.99 only to be told by the service rep that they don't give out unlock codes.  Now trying to get the code from a third party vendor.  If that doesn't work, guess we'll have to end up using Skype while in Costa Rica.

Another Photo Test

Our departure date for Costa Rica is fast approaching. One short week from today we will be heading for Houston on a red eye flight, then connecting to San Juan Santamaria aeropuerto in San Jose, Costa Rica.  Thought I'd do another photo test. I'm not caring for the way the iPad functions in making posts to Blogger, so I may be taking my netbook along as well.

This photo was taken early in the morning on Nov. 24 we were searching for our standard poodle Stella, who had gone missing  from the yard on Lake Washington that this shot was taken from.  Luckily, we got her back, but not for another 24 hours.  She was missing for a full 48 hours.

http://smithee.smugmug.com/Other/Camera-Awesome-Photos/i-hCxSqDz/0/M/CA_12011216080106-M.jpg

Nope.  Doesn't work on the iPad.  Stupid.  I may have to upload to Picasa and then insert from there. 

Edit:

SUCCESS!!!  I have to upload the photo from the iPhone to Picasawebs and then from there insert it.  Google seems to want to rule the world with its inter-connected apps.

Photos Sharing Test Post

I'm trying to hone my posting skills using the iPad to post photos when traveling to Costa Rica. This is a test.

Grand Tetons last summer. Odd, I don't recall the sky being orange at the time.

Costa Rica Bound

Some months back, the girls concluded that it would be too difficult to spend Christmas at home this year. The memories of Lynne's illness and passing are just too fresh, and Christmas has always been a tradition-filled, joyous time in our household. Since we don't ski, we decided to travel somewhere warm. We were in Hawaii in 2011, and have been to Mexico (though Erika doesn't remember). Someplace new? Thailand came to mind by the cost of the airfares is prohibitive. After some discussion, we decided on Costa Rica. At this point, we've arranged three nights at Hotel Bijagua, in La Fortuna, near the Arenal Volcano.


This photo of Hotel Bijagua is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Casa Lola View from Deck

Casa Lola Pool and Rancho

We'll spend three nights at Hotel Bijagua and then head out in our rented 4x4 for Malpais, on the southern Nicoya Peninsula for five nights.

I will be taking the SPOT GPS with me, so click the "Where is Alan Smithee" link above to pull up a map that will locate us.  You'll likely find me relaxing in a hammock on the deck looking out over the ocean.

Lynne's Obituary

This obituary will be published on January 29, 2012, in the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin.

How I Spend My Weekends

Many often ask, how does Alan Smithee spend his weekends? This video, which was shot earlier today in Starbuck, WA, provides a partial explanation. Starring Jack, John, John, Dave, Dave, Kelly and Steve.

Toad Rock Motorcycle Campground, Nelson, BC

After the ride up through the Palouse, through Metaline and Metaline Falls, after playing 50 questions with the inquisitive Canadian Customs Officer, we headed for Nelson, BC. A little known fact is that Nelson was the filming location for Steve Martin's 1987 film, "Roxanne." Of course, the town is nothing like what is portrayed in the movie, but nevertheless it's an interesting smallish town surrounded by tall peaks lying at the south end of Kootenay Lake. After a stop at a very disappointing grocery store, it was on to find a campground. I'd found Toad Rock Motorcycle Campground online. It lies halfway between Balfour and Ainsworth Hot Springs, just off BC 31.

The campground is run by Mary, who owns the property. One of her memorable sayings is "If it doesn't thrive on neglect, it doesn't belong here." The camp is on a large parcel of land and has wooded and open sites. There is a newish washroom with toilets, showers and sinks. Scattered throughout the property are "accommodations" for those who don't want to tent it. There are little cabins as well as a late '60s vintage VW bus, complete with painted-on flowers (more on this in a bit).

Mary says she's owned the property since 1974, but it has the feel of an old 1960's commune (please don't ask me how I know that). At any rate, the other guests, most if not all on motorcycles, were a well behaved bunch. There is even a camp dog - Dick - who made a show of begging food while we cooked out dinner. Only problem was Dick, a Boston Terrier, enjoyed barking the better part of the night. We consoled ourselves with the thought that he was keeping the bears away from camp. In the morning, Mary was unapologetic. Dick, she said, was just "doing his job."

The most unique element of Toad Rock is the common area. There is an open pavilion with a bar, refrigerator, coffee maker, piano, pool table and various and sundry other items to lend ambiance. When I asked about snow, the response was they get "just about the right amount - 4' - enough to cover the chores." My inquiry about whether Mary closed up the buildings in the winter led to the "if it doesn't thrive on neglect..." quote. So, herewith, some photos from Toad Rock:


And finally, about the aforementioned VW Bus. . . Saturday morning, the Pup said he wanted his picture taken in front of the bus. The site was occupied, but no problem, the residents were apparently absent. Pup got up on the deck in front of the bus and we snapped his photo (I'll have to find that photo and post it later). As we were doing this, I noticed movement inside, behind the curtain, and out popped this woman who had slept in the bus the night before and had been dressing. She was not amused. We defused the situation and learned that her name was Christine and she was from LA. She was riding with her brother Steve, who was from Colville. The two others in the party were Mark and his wife Leslie, from Deer Park. As it happened, we met up with them at the ferry dock and ended up sharing two camping sites with them in Revelstoke. They were great folks who generously shared their sites at the campground, which was otherwise full, with us.

If you're on the road near Balfour, BC or Ainsworth Hot Springs and want an unusual camping experience, check out Toad Rock. Just bring ear plugs, cause Dick will keep you up half the night.