Residence Inn By Marriott Seattle East-Redmond

... arrival, we were able to procure a nice site under a tree at the end of the parking lot (even though 10 or 15 other "campers" were already there), and we went inside for a hike. In rating this campground we gave their bathrooms high marks for cleanliness...much nicer than the outhouses at our previous nights' campgrounds. The lack of showers was more than offset by the well stocked camp store...the Ranger on duty informed us that the Oreo species ...

... Mt. Rainier and taking walks along the forest roads. Mt. Rainier still had a lot of snow even at lower elevations. Most of the trails were still covered in snow making it an interesting experience to hike in the late July. After dropping off Tomasz's family in Portland airport we spent a day in Portland. We stayed near Portland downtown. Portland is beautiful city, especially this time of the year. We visited the famous Rose ...

... I surprised that I could ask for something and actually get what I asked for. It sounds second nature but after having to simplify and gesture wildly in order to get a point across, this seemed a bit unreal.

Second thing I've noticed... it's 55'F here and overcast and I'm not sweating. And it's weird not to sweat! For over 1 month I was dripping salt buckets 24/7. Now, just sitting here - dry- is almost ...

... paid a visit to the Space Needleand had lunch with Dr.Crane on the dining deck..he took the photo. We then had enough of the strolling so we got the duck....well the World War II amphibious landing vehicle type of duck...we went all around downtown Seattle, even got to see the boat house from "Sleepless in Seattle", as luck has it its for sale...only 2.5 million.im thinking my first pay check when i get home ...

... Good-oh. We arrived in Seattle, called our host, James Garner (about whom we made not a single Maverick or Rockford Files joke) from the lobby of a nearby hotel, and he arrived to pick us up. In his Lexus. Oh yes. Landed on our feet with that one. He took us back to his place, we settled in, had showers, drank beers and nattered whilst he and Sunny (his other half) prepared food. A couple of their friends popped round, we wined and dined, and eventually, reluctantly ...

... were new to each other and just got together and played. We stayed for about an hour or so - till they packed up, the instuments varied - banjos, guitars, a harmonica, fiddle. They played and sang old time "western" nostalgic songs. Sat 11th Aug Left Emigrant Springs Camp site, on the Oregan Trail - old trans-American pioneer trail at 9.20. We needed to launder clothes so we were looking for any camp site with facilities - Bon picked up a flyer days back with an ad in for Mountain ...

... water. Previous campers had trashed it though and we spent the first day cleaning up broken glass and a large trashbag full of toilet paper. I organized the tons of food left. We had much fun joking and acting like silly six year olds. It was just us, their two cool dogs, mohawk jake, java, ashleigh and a few kids who showed up a few days later. An elder brought a vhs, tv and a rainbow movie which had been made in the early 90's ...

And at last we are international (unless you count our recent trip to Cornwall). After an emotional fair well to the family we set off. As much as I tried to convince the check-in assistant that I deserved an upgrade due to me being an international man of mystery by waving my BA exec card in her face, she stuck me in economy next to a large woman who insisted on putting her flabby forearms over my arm-rest/TV ...

... is called the Canadian Cascades or Cascade Mountains; the latter term is also sometimes used by Washington residents to refer to the Washington section of the Cascades in addition to North Cascades, the more usual American term, as in North Cascades National Park.
The Cascades are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, the ring of ...

We rent a car in Long Beach and took a 3 days drive on 101 Highway - one of the most scenic road. Traveling by car is a great fun in America as there are many places where you won't be able to get by bus.
Redmond is best known as the home of Microsoft. Young, vibrant, very green and clean town has got a lot to offer. For us it was the place to live and also to experience area around - beautiful mountains, rain forest ...