UP TO THE BORDER SUMMARY

Day 1 - I drove 9 hours up to Grand Teton National Park, making several short stops at various points of interest.

Day 2 - Driving to Jenny Lake, I got some nice views of the Teton Range. I hiked along the String Lake Trail to Cascade Canyon. A rainstorm cut my adventure a bit short though. I drove up to to Jackson Viewpoint for some nice overlooks.

Day 3 - I drove up to the south entrance of Yellowstone National Park, taking in many beautiful views of Jackson Lake along the way. I decided to divide the park up into two sections. Today I would do Yellowstone Canyon and tomorrow would be the geothermal areas. I started with the North Rim Drive, which included the Lower Falls, Upper Falls, Crystal Falls, Lookout Point (with Red Rock Trail), Grand View and Inspiration Point. I then did the South Rim Drive, with Artist Point, Uncle Tom's Point and the South Rim Trail.

Day 4 - My first stop was the Norris Geyser area (with Porcelain Basin and Back Basin). Steam wafted up from the ground, geysers spewed forth, mud boiled, emerald pools gleamed, and radiant colors swirled everywhere. I continued on to Artist Paint Pots, Terrace Springs and Fountain Paint Pots. Midway Geyser Basin was home to the park's largest spring... Grand Prismatic Spring. Spectacular! But there were still more stops... Biscuit Basin, Black Sand Basin and of course, the Old Faithful Basin area. I drove out to West Thumb Geyser Basin located next to Yellowstone Lake, where a small herd of elk wandered about. I finished the day with the Mud Volcano area (with its strong sulfur smells).

Day 5 - I didn't have a lot of time at Mammoth Hot Springs so I only explored the Lower Terraces. This was apparently the dry time of year. On my way out, I stopped at Fort Yellowstone. I exited the park through the north gate and drove through parts of Montana and Idaho and into Washington. I stayed with some couchsurfers in the small town of Chatteroy.

Day 6 - Heading west, I stopped at Grand Coulee Dam and took a free tour. I then crossed the border into Canada. In Osoyoos, I stayed a few days with my friend, Wendy.

Day 7 - I joined them for a large car show in Penticton, located on the shore of Lake Okanagan. This lake used to be home to all sorts of old steam ships. We ended the day with a quick visit to Blasted Church Winery.

Day 8 - In spite of all the rain, we headed out to see a few of the local sites... Spotted Lake and the Osoyoos Canal (where we collected saskatoon berries!).

Day 9 - We took the canoe out for a tour around Osoyoos Lake. We then hit a couple wineries for tastings... Rustico Farm & Cellars and Tinhorn Creek Vineyards.

Day 10 - We took a morning walk out to Haynes Point. Then we headed over to the Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Center, which showed how the native people once lived in this area. We then indulged in a few more wineries... Nk'Mip Cellars, Adega Estate Winery, Oliver Twist Winery and Silver Sage Winery.

Day 11 - I left Canada and was once again in the state of Washington. I stopped for a bit at the ghost town of old Molson. I then headed into new Molson to see the School Museum. I continued my drive down to Leavenworth. I had a wonderful time exploring the traditional Bavarian city... including having spätzle for lunch! I strolled through the Waterfront Park then set up my tent in a campground at the edge of town.

Day 12 - I headed off into the Cascade Mountains. I did a lovely walk at Deception Falls, with its moss-covered forests. The, at Wallace Falls State Park, I did the Woody Trail, which led me through more beautiful forests, past cascades and giant slugs, and eventually to more falls (of the Wallace River). I then headed over to Seattle, where I cut down to Tacoma and over to the Kitsap Peninsula... eventually reaching my friend Ric in Silverdale.

Day 13 - We spent the day exploring the Kitsap Peninsula, starting with Poulsbo (or Little Norway). We passed the Port of Kingston up to Point No Point where we strolled on the beach. After a visit to Port Gamble, we crossed over the Olympic Peninsula to Port Townsend with its beautiful Victorian architecture and Union Wharf. We also spent a bit of time at Chetzemoka Park. We did a quick drive-through of Fort Worden State Park then headed home.

Day 14 - We did a volkswalk, which is basically a mapped out loop walk of an area. In our case, we decided to go from Hainsville, to Point No Point, to Buck Lake County Park and through the Hainsville Greenway. Afterwards, even hough it had started raining, we stopped at the Heronswood Gardens.

Day 15 - Today was spent in Tacoma. Along with rambling around town, we visited the Bridge of Glass (with artwork by Dale Chihuly), the Chinese Garden and Reconciliation Park and the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Nearby was the Fort Nisqually Living History Museum.

Day 16 - In Bremerton, I took the ferry over to Seattle where I spent the day with my friend Pierrette and her husband Ken. We started with the incredible underground markets and shopping zones. We drove up to Kerry Park Viewpoint for a great view of the city, then headed out to the Seattle Center (with the Space Needle). Another highlight was a ride on the monorail! We then drove out to Ballard Locks to see the boats and the fish ladders. I had a beautiful ferry ride home in the evening.

Day 17 - I headed out in the pouring rain to the Sol Duc campground in Olympic National Park. I took a soggy stroll out to Sol Duc Falls and then back along the other side of the river. It was little wonder as to why everything was so mossy and green!

Day 18 - Today I explored the coast... Rialto Beach, First Beach, Second Beach and Third Beach. Giant log jams, small islands, lush forests and an assortment of animals made for a spectacular day... especially as the grey gloom of morning slipped into a sunny blue afternoon.

Day 19 - The rain finally eased up a bit so I headed into the Hoh rain forest. I started with the Spruce Nature Trail and the Hall of Mosses Trail. I returned to the coast, this time Ruby Beach and Beach 1 (via the Spruce Burls Trail). I then set out for Portland.

Day 20 - As I began my drive home, instead of taking the direct way back, I followed the historic Columbia River Highway. There were many viewpoints, stops and waterfalls... Crown Point, Bridal Veil Falls, Wahkeena Falls and the impressive Multnomah Falls (which I hiked to the top of). I then continued my drive to Caldwell, Idaho.

Day 21 - When I arrived in Salt Lake City, I met up with a couchsurfer, Shawn, who spent the day showing me the city. There was downtown, city hall, the library, Temple Square, the conference center, Brigham Young Historic Park, the Beehive house, and much more. We then drove up to the mountain town of Park City.

Day 22 - Today we took a motorcycle ride up into the mountains to Albion Basin where we took a short stroll. At the Snowbird Ski Resorts, we enjoyed a summer ride on the ski lift!

Day 23 - I continued the long drive home to Boulder, Colorado

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