Phoenix to Seattle to Oregon 



Well, couldn't see much on the flight from Phoenix to Seattle because of smoke and clouds until we got close to Mt. Ranier, and the pilot swooped close enough for me to get a couple of shots, but once again I forgot to take the polarizer off the lens, so they have a funky rainbow effect. Click here for the pictures. Swooped low over Lake Washington and by downtown and our fighter jock pilot did a hot landing and cooked the brakes.

Went to the Alamo desk to get our car, and were fifth or so in line with NO ONE in line at other rental agencies and only 1 guy behind the Alamo counter, who, don't get me wrong did an OK job, but they really should have had more staff on hand. Forty five minutes later and a free upgrade from mid to full-size we picked up our Impala. Took me only four shots to get stuff in the trunk; I know trunks used to be bigger than this on Impalas. Thoroughly amazed and disgusted with all the gewgaw features they have stuck on the car. Most of them are just gee-whizz items of limited practicality and feel like they will be easy to break or burn out, so it is easy to see why GM is facing bankruptcy. Controls in this car are counter-intuitive and I am amazed people don't get killed adjusting the radio or fiddling with the cruise control and after four hours driving it, I still can't find a comfortable seat position, steering wheel angle or even have the mirrors right. This car will turn me into a complete Luddite in the next 6 days.

We had a SPECTACULAR view of Ranier with snow blowing from its summit as we left SeaTac, but unfortunately, there is really no good spot to turn off and grab a picture and the 5 swings away from Ranier as you head for Tacoma. Hopefully, Thursday when we are at our hotel Downtown we can get some good shots, either then or on the Monorail over to the Space Needle.

Stopped for a quick bite at the IHOP at the edge of Olympia. Lynda's eggs had a hair in them, so she got her meal for free with apologies all around. It was IHOP, nothing spectacular, but kept us going, and we were on the road again after only an hour. Could see snow on the Olympic Mountains back in Olympia NP from the 5.

About thirty miles south of Olympia we came around a curve as we topped a hill and there sat my arch-nemesis, Mt Helens, swathed in clouds and steam, looming dark and foreboding with its flanks bathed in shadows instead of late afternoon sunlight. Its ragged north-tilted crater facing us, it presented a much different look than the near perfect cone I saw when I drove up through here 26 years ago. Before we could stop, the clouds and trees had reclaimed her and we didn't see her again.

On south through the evergreens (which I am still allergic to <<sniffle>>) to the Columbia River and Portland. Between the clouds, we caught glimpses of Mt. Hood with a cloud climbing its western flank and blowing over the top, but the light was fading and I didn't think I could do justice to the view with a picture and besides, we were getting into the Portland traffic. Portland is not too bad to drive through, with the exception of some really tight curves between the bridge over the Columbia and downtown, but we made it without too much trouble. Started running into steadier rain as headed south out of the city and had a heck of a time with the wipers.

We made it to our destination after 3 hours and 55 minutes driving time after being told to expect a 5 to 6 hour drive, which wasn't too bad considering all the gawking we were doing at the lush vegetation, mountains and the river and the traffic wasn't exactly light.

Long day…

It's raining…

In my previous blog entry, I told of my TSA problems, and I guess we will calling them tomorrow and giving them an earful.

It is almost 1 AM and I am going to bed. 

Posted: Sun - June 4, 2006 at 12:56 AM          

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