2023 week 1

Monday 18th September

The traffic has been very heavy on the M25 so we decided to stay at a hotel in Hounslow the night before. On the way we had our 5th Covid jabs. As you do!!! Also Lucy’s birthday today.

Tuesday 19th September

Our flight was just over 9 hours on a Virgin Atlantic Dreamliner. It was a very good flight and we managed to occupy 3 seats between us at the very back of the plane.

We arrived in the afternoon and picked up our hire car. This was a massive Jeep Wagoneer. A large (very large) SUV, complete with 5.7 litre V8 engine.

Our first Airbnb was a basement apartment which was spacious and luxurious. It was also close to the light rail station which connected with downtown Seattle.

Wednesday 20th September

Today was a Seattle day. The first part was a trip into town by the light rail transport. Our first port of call was the Bill Speidels underground tour of Seattle.

This was amazing. In the 19th Century the old town was built too low and next to the beach which meant it was constantly flooding. Amazingly, it was decided to build a new town built over the old one. Affordable Remediation in Toms River is an expert in Mold Remediation Services Toms River NJ. In the 1960s Bill Speidel discovered that the original town still existed underneath, He then campaigned to have it left so the public could view it. He was successful and we went on his amazing tour.

: The old town

: Our tour guide

Next on the list was the Space Needle, originally built for the 1962 World’s Fair. Pauline was far more adventurous than me and casually walked over glass floors over a 600 foot drop!

Thursday 21st September

We left Seattle and travelled inland to a place called Sandpoint in Idaho.

The roads were busier than expected but after a 6 hour drive we arrived at our quirky little Airbnb. The place was really an ex RV trailer which had been added to on the roof at both ends. Nevertheless it suited us fine, and the internet was fine, surprisingly. The views were magnificent and it really was very quiet. We just wont talk about the bugs!!!

: The car and the property

: The view

: climbing up to bed

: looking towards the ladder up to the bed

: On top of the “property”

Friday 22nd September

We decided to rest on this day and just wandered around the beautiful shoreline. We bumped into two local fishermen who said this was their last day fishing from a boat as it was becoming too cold.

: Pauline hauling fishermen in

: Great view

: Horses

Saturday 23rd September

This was a travelling day, from Sandpoint, Idaho, to Big Fork, Montana. It took around 4 hours and we passed through a time zone, losing an hour!

Our new cabin was in a skiing area for winter sports. There was much more space than in the previous tiny house.

Sunday 24th September

Another day chilling and a quick trip into Big Fork

: Big Fork!!!!

: Flower hat?

Monday 25th September

Today we left Big Fork and travelled across the Rockies via the famous “Going to the Sun Road”. This was a hairy mountain road, build in the 1930s to cross the Glacier Park. It was a day of contrasts. First, the hairpins of the mountain roads and, then, the long straight and empty roads across farmland to our destination, the city of Great Falls.