Friday, July 20, 2007 – Issaquah, WA – Friday

Last year, before we began our travels, I read a book – and I apologize I don’t remember the name or authors, or I would give them credit. In a nutshell, they circumnavigated the USA in 365 days in a RoadTrek van. In their book, they mention a number of times that they would have day(s) where they wouldn’t do anything – anything: like sightseeing, chores, shopping, or traveling – just “chilling out”, i.e., doing NOTHING.

We have learned in our last two years of travel, that even though you may not have a schedule and you’re not WORKING, you do not feel a need to “sight-see”; there is no need to do anything – so you agree amonst yourselves not do to ANYTHING. Just relax and do whatever comes along.

Today was one of those days. We woke to rain – rain in Seattle? How novel! Actually they are having their first period of rain in a while and need it. We took it in stride. After a relaxing morning, we ventured out to check the local shopping. After locating the movie theatre (for a later viewing of Harry Potter: Order of the Phoenix), we located Costco (always important), and stopped in to the local Trader Joe’s. If you have never shopped in a Trader Joe’s, it is truly a religious experience. Unfortunately, we have none in the southeast USA. Maybe someday; in my lifetime?

The rain continued all day. The photo of the day demonstrates two truisms: a) rain and cloudy skies in Washington state; and b) the “paved paradise(s)” I have written about. Other than being sterile and generally unfriendly, “paved paradise(s)”, have lot going for them. Like a MacDonald’s or Holiday Inn, they are predictable. Nothing exciting or memorable, but very predictable, and when you need them, very welcome.

So although we are “parked” less than 100 yards from I-90 and surrounded by fellow RV’ers, it provides a place to hang your “hat”, dump the “excess fluids”, fill up the fresh water, and generally take it easy. Plus, one often has cable TV (the situation here) in which to catch up on the cable TV shows. Like the MacDonald’s / Holiday Inn – not exciting or rewarding, just something you occasionally need to recharge batteries, etc.

One thing we have learned in the last 24 hours: serious traffic is no fun. After 12 years in middle Georgia and Amelia Island, we have become accustomed to little or no traffic. WOW! Even here in Issaquah – 17 miles due east of downtown Seattle – traffic is a nightmare. Of course the rain doesn’t help (being unaccustomed to rain and unfamiliar with the roads), it is easy to blame the other drivers. They, of course, are used to it; we’re not. But that doesn’t make it any less intimidating – or unnerving. But we survived with nary a dent or scare.