There was no visible difference between day and night in Whitehorse,Yukon. Stayed up to watch, wonder, take photos and write cards. Must have dozed off at some time, then off early in the bus to the airport to catch the CPA flight at 10pm to Vancouver. A bit dazed from lack of sleep, at Whitehorse Airport, left my luggage with a complete stranger and went to freshen up in the toilet. He was still there watching my luggage when I came out. As it happened, he had been on the ss Rotterdam and was now on the same plane returning to Boston via Vancouver. We chatted and he asked me if I made a practise of leaving my luggage with unknown people and before I could answer he warned me never to do it again. Turns out he was a Detective Sergeant in the Boston Police! A Texan couple, I knew from the ship, were also on the plane. Four of us sat near each other on the plane, exchanged travel stories, they gave me tips about travelling in the States, laughed at my trustfulness and dubbed me “Australian innocent abroad”.
Arrived Vancouver 12.25. Had booked in to the Delta Resort Inn because, besides every other thing, they had tennis courts and I wanted a game or two, disappointing, it was not to be as they were fully booked. Phoned my cousin, Celia, who asked me to come a day earlier. So phoned Greyhound Bus and found the best times to go to Seattle/Tacoma next day. There was also a bus from the hotel to the Greyhound terminal. Ate well slept 8 hours.
12.40 Pacific Coach to Greyhound terminal. While looking for a luggage trolley, heard my name called and to my astonishment, there was Dennis, (son’s friend met at Sydney airport, who had taken me around Vancouver). He was on his way to Seattle, to catch a flight to Toronto as it was cheaper that way! He helped me with my luggage & then we were off at 2 pm. chatting all the way. Shared my packed lunch and fruit before the border crossing.
Most of us got through without any fuss, but Dennis & a young girl were questioned endlessly. He was finally let on the bus, but the poor young girl was not. Dennis said they suspected she was there to work without a permit. It was all so exhausting & stressful that he slept most of the way to Seattle where we arrived at 6.20pm. Dennis took me for a coffee at the Burger King (for the toilet). He was waiting for a friend but did not want to leave me alone waiting for my connecting bus. When his friend arrived, a woman sitting next to us said she’d see me safely on the bus and she did. There are some wonderfully kind and caring folks all over the world. Found that travelling solo.
Not many of us on the bus until the next stop when it was suddenly overflowing with lively, young people going away for their summer holidays. A young student sat beside me & told me all about himself and his plans for the future. Very idealistic & sweet. I was the first Australian he had met, he was keen to go backpacking there. Arrived 8pm Tacoma- he came to help me with my luggage only to find it was already in the terminal waiting for me!! How? While waiting for Celia to arrive (I was the only person inside) there was an announcement saying the terminal was closing. Panic!! Went to the counter said I couldn’t wait outside with my luggage, the clerk agreed to wait a while. Happily, just then Celia arrived and off we went in her Thunderbird to her lovely home and dinner.
The last time I had seen Celia was in 1970, she lived in Portland Oregon. Great to catch up on family & everything.
On the weekend Celia drove us (and Brutus the dog)to Mt. Rainier National Park. On the way, we stopped and ate lunch. We hiked as long as we could in this huge & beautiful park, drove home at twilight, taking photos until the film ran out.
On Monday, Celia’s daughter, Anita & grand-daughter,Maya arrived. That is their picture superimposed on Puget Sound (don’t know how); Anita took me to Steilacam? village with Maya, where we shopped and ate (tasty fish).
Spent a peaceful and lovely three days with Celia, thank you Well-remembered because I have it all on my trusty audio cassette ;She drove me to Seattle airport where thy checked in my luggage outside and I caught an elevator that went sideways. I thought it was a train. Huge airport.
Off by United Airlines to Tucson, ARIZONA, (via Portland, Oregon, and San Francisco) to visit my niece in Sierra,Vista.