Well here it is, last day in the states and the end of our USA trip!

The overnight stay at the La Quinta in Lacey was just OK, we didn’t use their pool and spa facilities as it didn’t look very clean and pool was very cloudy.

So after breakfast it was simply loading up car and on our way to the Border in Sumas, Washington.

And not being far from Seattle this was our last major city to pass by and of course endure the traffic…

And spotted a cool looking serious off road customized truck in the traffic..

But before we crossed the border which had about a 75 min wait time, and at around lunchtime we stopped at our favorite sandwich shop in Bellingham. Gandolfos New York Deli.

We’ve made quite a few visits to this fantastic deli over the past 13 years, and it’s the same friendly owners there, and their great (massive) selection of hot/cold subs and sandwiches are just mouth watering.

They also do a lovely homemade Banana pudding and I love their sour cream potato salad. All home made and fresh!

Then just a short 50 min drive to the border which now only had a 10 min wait time…

But before that. Fill up Tess on cheaper gasoline and finish off with a lovely cup of Tony’s cappuccino.

I started the trip with a cup of Tony’s cappuccino and will finish on one. lovely Jubbly. Notice the Hair growth…

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Then once in Canada it was straight to the Chevron gas station where they have a brush car wash (most of them here are brush less and they are has much use as a chocolate teapot!)

oh yes lovely and clean Tessy!

And 20 mins later we are back in Mission!!

And that’s about it folks, I did have every intention to finish this blog on Tuesday, but I think the journey finally caught up with me, as I’ve been very lethargic this past 4 days!

So in summarizing the trip up, it’s been a fantastic journey, I highly recommend to any one doing the the route 66 that you allocate at least 14 days to do it, so you can explore more of it.

I totally under estimated the poor condition of certain stretches of 66, It adds a few extra hours on and if you are in your own car, you don’t want to wreck it. So my advice, rent a car one way!!!!

And if your a motor biker, use extra caution, and don’t drive at night, you take your life in your hands in the daytime with the poor states of the roads. and I ain’t talking just about route 66 either. The main interstates are really dreadful in places, especially California!

Don’t recommend doing it alone either, there is some really sketchy neighborhoods you go through, especially Illinois. so unless you can handle yourself, go in a group.

But overall, we think our favorite place was Nashville, Tennessee, but we did enjoy some of the smaller towns, especially Baxter Springs in Kansas, Shamrock in Texas, Oatman in Arizona, to name a few.

Least favorite place was New Orleans and Memphis.

We have met some amazing folks along the journey and with some we hope to keep in touch with, and a very special thanks to you all for following this trip with us.

And If any of you want to ask anything about the trip, IE: costs, hotels etc, please feel free to contact us via this blog.

And before I end this blog, some fun facts and figures…

We actually did 14,670 km’s( 9115 miles) in the end. The original estimate included driving to Washington DC, but in the end we flew.

You can fit approx 45 united Kingdoms in the whole of the USA. But obviously more in Canada and Russia!

One of the funniest places we drove through was called : “Gap in Knob” in Kentucky! That’s right, Gap in Knob.

Once again folks, thanks for following us. And take care of yourselves.

And finally, one more thing. We LULT!! xxx

Bye Bye!

Well the breakfast was all good at Applewood….And they even had Yogurts for a Yam Yam like me!

And….didn’t do much last night, just chilled and watched TV, then did a bit of shopping this morning, then back on the road towards our very last overnight stay in Lacey, Washington State.

And at rest stop at one of “loves” travel stops, I pulled up alongside a very sexy Ram pick up truck! Twin rear wheel too.

And we decided for our last dinner of the trip, was to be at Cracker Barrel, a great chain of restaurants that we discovered early on in our trip, .

And just on the border too, so we take advantage of this wonderful tax free state of Oregon! Portland to be exact.

Prior to this we did endure some heavy traffic around Portland, we have actually stayed here before and is a great city, but Lacey is where we want to head tonight and it was 1.5 hours away to the hotel.

And the state line is actually in the middle of the river, and we got the signs on the bridge, leaving and entering states.

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And there it is folks, now in Washington State, in the Hotel at Lacey, and finally at last caught up with this travel blog!!

And tomorrow which is Day 50 and the end of our USA trip, I will try and update it in the evening if I can depending on what time we get back home and traffic going through the Border.

It is a long weekend too in Canada, BC Day tomorrow so lineups at border may be fun!! – Will let you know.

So for tonight my dearies…

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Well there wasn’t much golden about Gold Beach last night and neither was this morning too.

So onward we go…

And on our way through some little Scooby Doo towns, we finally come across a quaint little town called Florence.

Sand Dune County!

And Yes, not only does Italy have one, so do many cities…

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And an old cinema that’s took a new life as a shoe shop, an expensive one at that too.

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And along the pier

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And with sand dunes in the background. Now they look golden!

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And don’t forget Tess!

And talking of Tess, she reached another important milestone here in Florence.

Yes, she reached 100,000 km, and here’s her coordinates..

And as viewed on Google map Earth

Then just a very nice drive to the overnight hotel in Eugene, another Best Western and this one not too bad, even got to take in some more rays outside on the patio!

And Let’s hope the breakfast is good, what ya reckon?

And it’s just 2 more sleeps before we get back to Canada!

Good Night. LULT! XXXX

At last!!! – Today’s journey finally took us over the state line into Oregon.

Wow California goes on and on, and to be honest I finally had enough of their arrogant drivers!!

But 1st, Breakfast then more pool and spa time. this hotel is 12 pm check out and we are taking advantage!

And a top of the range massage chair in the fitness room.

And yes I did…

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Then off on the road…

To be honest, this coastal drive wasn’t as nice as we’d thought it would be. There was also low lying fog pretty much to Gold Beach. Honestly thought it would have burnt off by lunch time too.

And this temperature?????? – Feeling chilly after our mid to late 40c days…

But scenery did start to smarten up..

And I must have zoomed passed the turning for the Redwood tree you can drive through… That would have been great to take Tess through it..

This is a picture I got off google…

oh well, we wasn’t far from tonight’s hotel when I realized we’d passed it..

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And into Oregon

And fog finally lifted

And tonight’s hotel stay was at a sure stay by Best Western, on the beach side, and a 5 min walk to beach. We did have a sea view, (even though you need good eyesight). The room didn’t have AC, but the night was cool anyway.

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So let’s try the beach…

But beach was very rough like the waves, a black type builders sand…so a few pictures and went to hotel pool instead.

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After pool and our WALMART salad dinner, on to our private balcony for sunset. Bliss..

That’s it for tonight too. Lult, xxxx

Well well…. Another chilled out slow drive today and their wasn’t that much to see on the way as well.

And we still got to hotel early!

We wasn’t expecting much with this hotel to be honest as we’ve totally given up on reviews for these hotels now.

Cleverly arranged photos and reviews by people who have not travelled much in life or stoned or have poop in their eyeballs. (Or all 3!)

And when I saw. “Oasis” on the pool door and wall, I just laughed it off and said ” Yeah right”…

Well. I had to take it back, this hotel was very nice for a 3 star. And the pool ‘oasis’….. Was just that!

We pretty much blew the whole afternoon by the poolside, and chatting to a lady travelling with her parents and her young daughter from Long Beach!

She asked us where we had travelled from, and told her pretty much from where she lived. And a lot more….

People are quite shocked as to how much travelling we have done in this past 6 or so weeks, but they are also very interested and strikes up some great conversations.

But after the lounging and chatting, we was feeling a bit peckish (as you do), and I said to deb in the morning that we should give our stomachs a rest and just have a salad or something light.

But this hotel had a free limousine service to drop you off and pick up from local restaurants etc.

So said to Deb, sod it.. I fancy a good steak dinner and a couple of beers, so let’s use the limo…

So I already googled local restaurants and “Kristinas” took my fancy

Great… But it was 100ft away next door. FFS….

I really wanted to get in the Limo though just to take us next door… Can you imagine the look on drivers face…lol.

Anyway, steak and shrimp dinner was very good, and so was the locally brewed beer called White Shark. Yummy!

Then back ” next door “, and I caught up on some blogging and at 9 pm we went back to the Oasis courtyard for the spa and to be by the fire pit..

And after an hour of this heat and relaxation. It’s off to beddy bye!

Love ya long time folks. xxx

Day 45 – So today, we are actually turning towards the west coast, as we have already traveled the Oregon coast a few years back, as far as seaside, so we want to do the lower half this time.

But before we get to the Oregon coast, we still have 2 more nights in California yet. And tonight it’s in a small town of about 17,000 residents in Ukahi.

And we got to the Hotel very early and they allowed an early check in and just as well because they had a great outdoor pool and spa!

Don’t mind if I do my dear….

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And one thing at this hotel in the pool area was the imagination to save costs but still looks good.

I couldn’t help chuckle to myself for the enclosure for the emergency telephone…

A husky tool box from Home Depot! Fair play to them, as I know how much the proper enclosures cost here!

Then for dinner we walked to a nearby restaurant called Stars, and we both had a sandwich dinner, but we could really have shared one.

The portions are so huge in the states. Think we need salads from now on Deb!

Right then off to sleep it off. Nighty Night.

Lult xxx

So heading North now folks, and when we was planning this trip way back in Early March, for today, we was going to take a coastal drive to Santa Barbara and Malibu.

But as we have learnt this past week the traffic in this area is just too unpredictable, so we just headed straight for our over night hotel stay.

So no pictures for today I’m afraid 😦

Tomorrow we head to Sacramento, and yes it’s still in California, so is the night after that and night after that too.

Many thanks… Lult! xxxx

So after an hotel stay in Fresno, we wished we had driven a lot more to Sacramento. Fresno wasn’t exciting at all. No Pool, No Fitness center. Boring.

But Sacramento a little bit better, hotel was good and of course went straight to the pool area. We also tried the on site Mexican Restaurant at the hotel.

The food was fantastic to be honest, Deb was a bit reluctant to try as she doesn’t do spices dear….But they accommodated her requests and she really like it. We both had a Fajita dish each, and job was a good’un!

Then another early night….

Bye. Lult xxxx

Next Please!

This one is even a shorter post than yesterday.

We was in debate that we should do the Universal Studio tour today, however as this is more of a theme park than actual studio tour, we decided we couldn’t tolerate more line ups.

The Fast Track price for this place was unreal. For 2 Adults it worked to $540. Not happening! – So we decided that we will do the one in Florida in a few years time.

So that meant 1 more thing, as we wasn’t going to endure any more LA traffic!

For 6 sunny hours!

And that was it, was also our last night here at the ALO Hotel, and the evening was relaxed too.

Tomorrow we make our journey North and our overnight stay will be in Fresno.

And our journey so far on google maps is:

I think the next few blogs will be fairly short ones too, as they are just over night stays, but if anything is worth blogging about we will do it.

So nighty night all. Lult xxx

And we are starting to unwind a bit now from all this road tripping and tourist trappings and so a beach stop is in order of the day..

LAGUNA BEACH

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Well this will be fairly a short post on this, as to be honest we just chilled out on the beach.

It wasn’t as crowded as Santa Monica or as commercialized as such, just brilliant.

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And some great little waves, and the water was freshly cold too.

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Then we had a light dinner at a near by Brew house, shame I was driving because they had some good beers on…

Then it was back to the hotel. Told you it was a short one…

So Lult..