Voodoo Donuts, StumpTown Coffee and Powell's Bookstore

Day Nine (the conclusion): So after leave Multnomah Falls we met Seth and Alleena at Voodoo Donuts… this place was the most unique donut place I have ever been in my life! Every kind of donut you could imagine (and some you probably never would think of J). There where donuts with cereal, bacon, candy, chocolate, caramel, frosting, and sprinkles… there were GIANT donuts and tiny donuts… they had EVERYTHING!!! It was crazy! There was a line in the rain to get these donuts! Fun experience. After that we went to StumpTown Coffee… another fun and unique place. We had a hilarious conversation there about squirrel-goats and bears and all kinds of stuff and then had a good laugh when Sarah sat on the huge glazed donut the three of us girls had bought! It was still good though J! Then just as we were leave a bunch of cops came in and started talking to a man who had come in with a young kid. It turned out that the man had found the kid wondering around and had called the police to let them know he had found a child who was lost. As we pulled out of our parking space we saw a police officer walking in with a women who looked like she was worried to death, we could only assume that this was the mother of the child. When she got to the door, and looked inside she collapsed in doorway and the police officer was trying to help her calm down so that she could go inside. I hope those were the emotions of a mother who had just found a child she had lost not the emotions of a mother who just realized that that was not her child. I can’t even imagine what she must have been going through either way! But the story of the day takes a much lighter tone as we moved to your next destination, Powell’s Bookstore! I wasn’t too excited about it originally but after I got there I didn’t want to leave. This bookstore is three or four floors and each room on the floor has a theme… I found a entire half of a floor devoted to languages and the other half was devoted to Christianity… it was AWESOME! I found a $55 dictionary that I wanted SOOOOO bad… actually I wanted three (one in Arabic, one in Spanish and one in Italian!) $170+ was WAY more then I was able to spend so I settled for an Arabic New Testament, a seven language dictionary and an Italian verb book that translates over 501 verbs in every tense and mood! OMG it is AWESOME!!!!!!!! Sadly we had to leave after only an hour (our parking permit ran out and we needed to get to Oregon). So we said good-bye to Seth and Alleena and headed to Sarah’s aunt and uncle’s house for the night. This time we made much better time then the first time… unfortunately we got stuck in some MAJOR rain but thanks to Bekah amazing driving skills and a little prayer we made it to Oregon safely! Once there we ate a little dinner and headed to bed… well at least Bekah and I did… Sarah stayed up a little while longer and talked to her family! So that is where the night ended. The next day we were in for another LONG drive through California! More to come J

~Heather~

A misplaced post that I found on my iphone

Day Nine (1:38 A.M.): *A note: the following post was originally written on my phone (my phone was less disruptive to everyone’s sleep then typing on my computer J) and was later transferred and edited here. This post belong chronologically between my post about day eight and the morning of day nine. So here it is:

It is now 1:38 A.M. Thursday morning and I am lying in bed in Vancouver, Washington after just updating the blog! The girls and everyone else in the house are asleep and I lay here just listening to the rain and looking out the window. Canada and most of Washington are behind us, as we have begin our descent back to Socal and normal life… I don’t think I’m ready for really life to begin again… What a road I have before me, as do we all. But right now I choose not to think about it… All I want to do is listen to the rain.

~Heather~

Multnomah Fall!

Day Nine (2:38 P.M.): Well we just left Multnomah Falls in Oregon and it was just as awesome as we had hopes and more! We ran up to the bridge to take a look and get some pictures! It was beautiful! Then we had to run back to the car with the cameras under our jackets so that we could protect them from the rain!!!! Now we are headed to Portland to met Seth and Alleena at Powells and eat Voodoo Donuts! I hear they are AMAZING! Anyways by the time you get this we will probably be past that point but that’s ok J OH! And I forgot to tell you that that Tuesday on the way to Whistler I figured out how to make the Chewbacca/Yeti sound! A secret goal of mine for a while… yeah I know I’m weird, right? But still I think that is something to be proud of!!!!!!!! Anyways gotta go!

~Heather~

Morning day nine!

Day Nine: This morning we got up just in time to say good-bye to Wendy before she headed out to work! Then it was time for the yummy breakfast she had made! BLUEBARRY COFFEE CAKE!!!!! Good stuff! We spent some time blogging and talking to Bryan and then Bryan and Evan left for Portland. I have LOVED spending a little time with them! Kinda wish they didn't live so far away... Wish I could of spent more time, hopefully I will be able to come up some time with my mom on one of her weekend adventures! Todays plan… MULTNOMAH FALLS!!!!!, Powells bookstore in Portland and then to South Beach Oregon to spend the night at Sarah’s aunt and Uncles house again! Fun filled and packed day! Gotta go, see ya in Oregon! More of my pictures to follow hopefully tonight!

~Heather~

From Vancouver to Vancouver!

Day Eight: Well today was our last morning in Vancouver L We still had yet to see a Mountie or a moose and found out that we could see a Mountie in Victoria and apparently it is a very pretty place so we headed over to Horseshoe bay but it was REALLY expensive and with the time on the fairies it would’ve taken us WAY to long so we decided to spend sometime at the bay and then head out… so unfortunately no moose or Mounties L But it’s ok we had a lot of fun otherwise! While I am sad that we didn’t have more time in Vancouver I am ready to go be home and not traveling! I am not a travel person I am a destination person so trips like when I went to Italy fit my style a little better, but I have loved actually spending a Spring Break doing something kinda crazy!!! Anyways, after crossing the border a few hours ago we are now driving down to Vancouver Washington to spend the night at the Abelings home for the night! Can’t wait to eat and go to sleep!!!!! Not to long ago we drive through Toledo Washington and I suggested that we say “HOLY TOLEDO BATMAN!!!!!” as we drive through and so we did! Good times, good times! (I stop writing this in the car and am now writing it at Thursday morning) So we got to the Abeling house around 9:30 P.M. last night and were great by hugs and welcomes at the door! Wendy told us that the guys where out getting the pizza and would be back soon! So we talked, played with their cute doggie and got settled in. The guys got here and we talked some more while the pizza was baking! Then we talked while eating the YUMMY pizza! It was great! After that it was off to bed for the night!

~Heather~

The Olympic day!

Day Seven: Well today was an interesting day… last night we planned on getting up and leaving early so that we could spend most of the day in Whistler. Unfortunately none of our alarms went off and the sun was hidden by the clouds so I didn’t wake up until around 9:30 A.M…. not exactly late but later then we had planned… after I took a shower, Bekah and I tried to wake Sarah and found that she was sick… dang… after figuring out what the symptoms were and figuring out how she felt we started talking about the plan and she decided that she wanted to go to Whistler and she would sleep in the car on the way up. So instead of leaving at 8 or 9 as planned we left at 11ish and headed up to Whistler! It’s crazy how quickly the scenery can change in B.C.! Within 20 min we had driven through the city, through a mini forest, along the coast, and started heading up the mountains! Along the way Sarah slept and Bekah and I talked! Good conversation!!! Once up the mountain we went to the Olympic park and were told that we couldn’t enter due to the fact that the Paralympics had just ended yesterday. So the nice guard man gave us directions to the place where the Bobsledding track was along with some SWEET window stickers! We then followed the signs to the sliding center and ended up in a construction site thingy… asked someone again and then headed up the correct direction! But I think I saw the side of the track through the trees after talking to that lady. We then got to the gate in front of the street that lead to the sliding and the lady said it was closed until Summer… NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! L Sad day! But she did tell me that I could take a gondola ride and see… so we investigated that and found that it was almost $50 per person… yeah um no… so I was satisfied to have seen the side of it! After that we headed down the mountain and tried to find the Totem poles I had heard about… we got lost… twice at least… and then FINALLY found that they were in Stanley Park and then it took us sometime to figure out how to get in there… it was really confusing… Once in we found the Totem poles and wandered around for a bit in the park. Then surprise of all surprises we saw the OLYMPIC RINGS on top of a barge in the middle of the harbor!!!!!!!!! Needless to say we took a bunch of pictures and then headed out! We then drive through the city and took some pictures again… lots of photo ops today! Now, after working on the plan for tomorrow we are going to bed! Tomorrow it’s off to Victoria hopefully and then down to see Wendy and Bryan and the family in Vancouver Washington!!!!!

~Heather~

First day in Vancouver (continued)

Day Six (7:30 P.M.-11:30): So earlier today we went to Granville island and toured around there!!! Totally AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!! Then we went to Queen Elizabeth Park, the highest point in Vancouver!!!!! IT HAD SPECTACULAR VIEWS!!!!! Sarah and I ran around taking picture after picture while Bekah sat in the car since she was tired and wanted to protect the car from tickets (we were only going to be there a few minutes and didn’t wanna pay for parking!). Anyways, it was a lovely park! Then we came back here and waited for the parentals to call us on Skype… but it took FOREVER cause the hostel has internet DRAMA!!!! No telling what the internet is gonna do ‘round here L After talking to Sarah and my families we went to this SWEET restaurant/ pub thingy in Gastown to celebrate Sarah’s birthday! It was in a really great location so I got some great pictures! This place was highlighted on a special I saw during the Olympics about the best places in Vancouver! It was supposed to have some world famous Mac & Cheese so I decided I had to try it out! I tried it and indeed it was some pretty delicious Mac & Cheese YUM YUM!!!!! So I shared it with the girls so they could experience the yummyness! Then I drive for the first time in a foreign country on the way back after we were done… it wasn’t bad but I had to make a u-turn and I am not used to Sarah’s car so my u-turn was a little messed up… oh well… After that we went and played cards at the pub place that had country music and pool tables across the street at the sister hostel to our hostel… yeah I totally lost at the card game… me: 39 pts, Sarah: 25 pts, Bekah: 1 pt… yeah um it wasn’t my night… now it is off to bed! Hopefully tomorrow will be an early morning since we are going up to Whistler!!!! OLYMPIC BOBSLED HERE I COME!!!!! Night night!

~Heather~

First morning in Vancouver

Day Six (1 P.M.): Well the day is only half over and already we have seen some pretty amazing stuff. We walked around all more morning and it was a lot of fun! But now we are back at the hostel eating lunch and checking out maps! We ran into a nice German man at who is also staying at the hostel and shared info, he gave us insider information on Vancouver and the surrounding areas and we told him all the must sees for Seattle since he is going there from today until friday! It was nice because he has been all the places we want to go! Right now we are getting ready to go to the Granville public market!!!!! One of the places that I HAD TO SEE!!!!!! I’m SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOT WOOT!!!! Gotta go!!!

~Heather~

First look at VANCOUVER!!!!!!!

Hey all, WE MADE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Here are just the first shots I took on Matt's camera... we didn't bring the fancy cameras when we went exploring... just wanted to look around :)

~Heather~

From Washington to Canada!

Day Five: And so it begins! We are in the car listening to Ayiesha Woods J Good stuff! Bekah just asked me “hey, you wanna go to Canada today?” my response… “Well, since we are in the neighborhood… why not!” Then I asked Sarah the same question, her response… just a wide-eyed nod with a huge smile! I think we are headed for Canada then! It’s hard to believe that only four days ago I at this time I was turning in two papers and now I am 3 hours from Canada! It’s crazy what you can do in less then a week! You can drive over 1,305 miles, through almost the entire western coast of the USA and into Canada! You can stay in three different friends and families beautiful homes and in a hostel in a foreign country. You can drive past wildflowers and through the redwoods, over rolling hills or over mountains, along the coast or through the desert! What a contrasting landscape of God’s beautiful creation we have seen J Now as we are driving past Sarah is taking pictures out the window of the Seattle skyline! We are going to have SO many pictures of this trip to share with everyone when we get back!!! We I’m tired of typing so for now good-bye… oh one more thing HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!

~Heather~

Seattle

Day Four: Well today turned out to be pretty awesome! It was our first day of absolutely no traveling (well except to go see Seattle) and just taking in some of the sites of Washington. Seattle turned out to be a big hit for all of us… Bekah got to talk to some local dairy goat farmers and buy some cheese from them, Sarah got to go to Pikes Place Starbucks (the first Starbucks EVER) and I... well… I got to see a three story Old Navy… but I think one of the highlights for me was just walking around a city that reminded me so much of Rome, Italy! Obviously it is not the same but Seattle had the same feel and same atmosphere that Rome has. Since I have been missing Rome lately it was a nice reminder of how Rome made me feel when I lived there. The Public market was awesome and the fresh flower smelled just like Campo dei fiori in Rome!!!! One of my favorite smells ever! So it was a good day, topped off by the Space Needle, a tour of the Northwestern Baptist Seminary, McDonalds Ice cream cones and a dip in the hot tub! What a day! But I can’t wait to get to CANADA!!!!!!!! Tomorrow we embark on the last northern leg of this trip! Soon I will have been to every country in North America… that’s really cool to say! Even though it’s only three countries that is still something to be proud of J The only sad part of the day was not seeing my friend Jeremiah from Old Navy. He is from Seattle and is visiting family but it never worked out to see him. I think it would’ve been funny to see a co-worker SO far away from work! But other then that, all in all I think today was a winner. Staying with the Goertzen’s has been a blast and it is kind of bitter sweet to leave them, but I am glad for the time that we have had here. And am SUPER excited for the next portion of the road trip!!!! See you in CANADA!

~Heather~

Northwest Baptist Seminary

We went to see the school where Leory Geortzen works... this place was AMAZING!!! Unfortunately it was already dark so I couldn't get very many good shots :(

This is an original dryer... and it still works!!!! I love historical items!

~Heather~

Space Needle and Science Fiction Museum

A reflection of the Space Needle on the wall of the Science fiction Museum! I love reflection pictures!

The Space Needle

The side of the Science Fiction Museum... this building was AWESOME!!! Sweet architecture and colors!!!!!

Another Space Needle shot from a different angle :)

~Heather~

Washington (Mostly Seattle)

Crossing the bridge into Washington at last!!!!!! I love sunsets :)

Daffodils are EVERYWHERE in Washington... well at least they are everywhere in Tacoma and Seattle... so pretty :)

At the cheese factory :)

It was fun watching them make cheese!

Um... A THREE STORY Old Navy... yeah... I can't imagine working there! But it was fun to visit!

~Heather~

Oregon

Some pretty drift wood

This is for my mom an dad... The beach!

Some pretty plants on the beach in Oregon

Ummm... just because we are awesome...

~Heather~

California drive and the Capitol

The 99 was covered in with these AMAZING wildflowers... I couldn't get a good picture but the will work :)

Some of California on the way to Sacramento

More of God's awesome creation!

The California Capitol Building!

~Heather~

Day Three: Well you actually already know what happened in the wee hours this morning… fun stuff!!! Only 6 am and already practically a full days worth of activities J Needless to say we slept in a bit this morning and woke up around 10:30 am, YES 4 HOURS OF SLEEP!!!! WOOT WOOT!! Actually we all were pretty good for such little sleep. Anyways we got up and once we were presentable we had bagels and OJ while sitting looking out at the BEAUTIFUL Oregon coast… much better in the day then night… After eating a million of the yummy bagels it was off to explore the beach (check out my video on about the trail down to the beach!) On the beach we took pictures galore… some running… some walking… some of sand… some shadow ones pretending to be Charlies Angels and some pretending to be models (yeah um… don’t ask…) After some good-byes, advice on the best route and last minute car checks it was on the road again… well at least for ten mins… we needed oil J After satisfying the car it was time to raid the Dollar Tree and satisfy ourselves! YEAH FOR THE DOLLAR TREE!!!! Now we were truly on the road again as we headed up the Oregon coast some more (this time it actually was visible). We drove along the beautiful Oregon/Washington boarder talking about the average things people talk about on road trips… theories about the age of the earth, the flood, Pangaea, the ocean floor Mormonism, and Exodus 4:24-26 (any theories to add to our discussion?) before driving across a CRAZY cool bridge and into Washington! At last!!!!! Then I only remember bits and pieces as I was in and out of sleep for part of the time and gazing out the window thinking for the other part of the time… (mostly I think God was just letting me know some stuff). Then after a few U-turns we made it to the destination for the night, Leroy and Karen Goertzen’s house in Tacoma Washington! YESSSSSSS!!!!! Since we’ve been here we have had some yummy snacks, admired the beautiful house and talked in a hot tub… good times J Now for blogging and sleeping… more to come tomorrow!

~Heather~

Day Two (continued): Ok so in between my last two posts we did do some stuff. So here is a quick summary of the day. So after leaving the Starbucks in Fresno we drove the 99 up to the state capitol, Sacramento! We found a parking spot, paid $0.50 for 24 mins (what a deal!!!!) and then went to see the capitol building, took pictures, petted a police horse and peeked inside (since we were quickly running out of time). Then it was off to Starbucks to make PP&J sandwiches before we hit the road. We continued up the 99 until Redding where we decided to cut over to the coast on the 299 then picked up the 101 with the hopes of seeing some redwood trees… we “saw” the redwoods as we drove by in the dark around 9 pm. The girls wanted to take a picture with the redwoods but I have seen WAY to many CIS's to take a picture in the forest in the middle on a dark highway (it actually wasn't that bad but still)... so yeah now pictures of redwoods yet... Let me tell you the coast of Northern California and Oregon are BEAUTIFUL… we that’s what I’ve heard anyways… can’t see much in the dark… We are hoping to take a similar route on the way home so hopefully we will get to see something! We drove on the 101 for A LONG TIME!!!!! And then the story picks up at my last post, we got stuck at the bridge and weren’t able to cross until 5 A.M. Once across we drove quickly (and safely) to Sarah’s Uncle Mac and Aunt Gloria house in South Beach Oregon! Finally we had made it at 6 A.M. Friday morning… now for sleeping in beds :) …

~Heather~

Day Three (1:50 A.M.): So today we drove (well Sarah and Bekah drove) all the way from Fresno California to Glenada Oregon. Estimated around 700 miles… it took us ALL day… Now our actually destination was South Beach but we are sitting in Glenada do to the fact that there is construction on the ONLY bridge that goes across the river… the next closest one is 3 hours away… so we are currently in the parking lot of the Best Western Pier Point Inn right next to the nice little police guy who told us that the bridge was out waiting for the bridge to open again… then the adventure will continue…for now we wait…

~Heather~

Day Two: Well we woke up a little late… who cares? We are making our own time!! After leaving KJ’s house and arriving at Starbucks for FREE WIFI we realized that we had left something SUPER IMPORTANT at his house… OUR BREAKFAST!!! Honey Nut Cheerios... seriously we had to go back for them J So as me and Sarah tried to figure out the EXTREMELY confusing internet Bekah went back and saved the day… well morning at least… and rescued our cereal!!!!! So now to add some fun stuff to the blog and eat! Then the epic portion of our epic adventure epically begins! 13 HOURS BABY!!!! See ya on the other side! To be continued…

~Heather~