We are ready to get back to the States. Booked a ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles, WA. Planning on working our way down the Coastal Highway. Had to arrive hours before departure so Customs could do their preliminary thing. Walked to Fisherman's Wharf for lunch where we've heard Barb's Place (barbsplace.ca) serves a wicked fish and chips. The portions are massive and really just okay, but the wharf is kind of cute.
We need to scurry back to the dock because passengers are required to be there one 1/2 hours before departure....you're essentially impounded. The ferry arrives and this time we're pretty much at the head of the line because we paid for reservations...an astonishing Canadian custom! We load Tor, Pearl and ourselves and we settle in on deck for a one 1/2 hour ride on a very beautiful. day.
The crossing is great. Victoria Harbor sparkles. Seals and dolphins play around the ship and the views of the Olympic Mountains are lovely.
As we depart the ship in Port Angeles, U.S. Customs does their thing again, board Tor and we get busted! Who knew that blueberries and garlic were contraband!?! I like the Canadian Customs, they're only concerned if you have firearms. Very civilized.
Stay in Sequim at a one-night-only spot Sequim Bay Resort (sequimbayresort.com) which wouldn't be too bad if you got a bay-front site. Only redeeming thing of our stay was, when we were pulling out, a couple from Lake Tahoe who owned their coach for one day, stopped to talk. Really enjoyed them and hopefully we can meet up with them down the road.
Astoria, Oregon
The drive to Astoria, Oregon was dotted with scenes we found rather distressing. So many areas where all the trees had been felled. Hopefully there's a plan in place here.
There's very little reason to visit Astoria, OR, but we found a couple of things to keep us amused for the day. Crossed an interesting bridge, the longest (4.1 miles) truss bridge in the world. Then found Lewis and Clark Golf and RV Park (astoriaoregonrvpark.com). It's fine for a couple of days, very convenient to town and the owners are the most accommodating people I think I have ever met. Naturally it's cold and foggy so never played their 9-hole course. 
Astoria is at the confluence of the Pacific Ocean and the Columbia River. Also where Lewis and Clark landed to satisfy Thomas Jefferson's quest to find a navigable route across the country from St. Louis. We wandered the beach with the car. And went to Lewis and Clark Nation Historical Park (nps.gov/lewi) which was really quite interesting. For instance, we found it fascinating that Sacagawea, who has always been held up as such an important part of the expedition, goes virtually unnoticed in the exhibits and literature. A guide tells us that actually, her husband, Charbonneau, was the translator and trailblazer and that she and her infant son went along for the ride! Here's where the expedition landed in 1806.
Found a very good restaurant on the Riverwalk, which I must say is virtually unfindable. We finally found it after tracking down the trolley that runs the route.
Bridgewater Bistro (bridgewaterbistro.com) is an unexpected find. It's in a renovated waterfront warehouse, done in a very lofty, industrial style. The food is quite good. Mine was a very innovative duck breast with a blueberry/truffle sauce. Rick had a great bouillabasse. A bayfront table offered a nice, if cloudy, view.
We go to Newport, OR in the morning. Have heard it is a charming little town.
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