Life without the internet!

Okay, this is more than a catch up. I have heard from some of you and yes it has been since last Sunday - but not on purpose!
We left Idaho Falls on Monday about noon and headed towards Seattle. Well, we didn't find a place to stay and then it got late and we kept driving (see a pattern here?) so we finally stopped about 1:30am in Wenachee, Washington. Stayed at a stunning Super 8 Motel and had breakfast at Denny's. The scenic area of Washington is ahead of us. Who knew that these northwest states ad soooo much grasslands and hills with no trees?
By the way, Wenatchee is the apple capital of the world and Drydon Washington is the pear capital. The orchards are planted right up to the roads and highways and up the gentle slopes of the mountains. The trees seem to go on forever!
Leavenworth, Washington is styled as a Bavarian Village. Every building in town from McDonalds to Subway is in this style. Quite touristy but might be a fun side trip. There are flowers everywhere and I don't know when we have seen such lovely groupings. It seems that anything that is planted here grows vigorously and blooms constantly.
We stopped at Elliott's Knife shop along the way a picked up two great multi-eating tools. They have your knife sharpened, spoon, fork and can/bottle opener and stay in great OD green pouches.
This part of Washington is the most beautiful land we have seen on this trip. The trees are fantastic, evergreens and mixed with aspens. Rocks have fallen and the rivers and streams flow around then making little rivlets and patterns inthe water. The moss comes in so many forms and follows the contours of the boulders. There are snow peaked mountains still peaking over the trees and the pine needle aroma is relaxing.
We went through Sultan which is a cute little town and Monroe - a larger town where we visited the McD but will have to come back to the local cafe on another trip.
Headed west we started coming into traffic. We have not really had any until now. We have not missed it! One sign in Seattle said "WEAVING". We were unsure what that meant and then we saw a brown oxidized pickup with a very attractive man go from the far left lane across 4 lanes of traffic and then because he had missed his exit go up and over curbing to follow the exit up the hill. That is weaving in Seattle. Who knew?
We stayed in Mildred's Bed and Breakfast in Seattle. This was the only reservation we made except the train trip. Well, I didnt ask one important question - air conditioning. They didn't have any. We stayed on the 3rd floor. Seattle was having a heat wave. Needless to say anyone reading this knows how much I hate heat. We had fans going 24 hours a day, doors open and coooool showers. There was a small deck out the back which found shade fairly early and we spend some time out there enjoying the cooling breeze that didn't quite reach inside. This B&B has been in business for 26 years and before that was a boarding house since 1946. You would think they would have had some hot days before now! Anyway, it was nice and the breakfasts were pretty good. There was Mittens the black and white cat and Buddy the springer spaniel which of course were wonderful. The owner, Melody (the B&B was named after her mother in law who ran it first) had 3 very nice sons who helped around the place. But, no one could get the internet to work!
We ate Tuesday night at the Loc Spot and great little fish and chips place where we had been last time in Seattle. It has been around along time and has the right "worn" feel to it. The B&B is across from Volunteer Park a beautiful place which has a leash free area and the pups were playing frisbee all over the place. We went to Filson on Wednesday to drop off my coat and get some additional snaps on the cuffs and to the other sporting goods store across the parking lot. It took a while as there was a Mariner's game and the traffic was slow! From there we headed to Bothell to Sandee's house and had lunch at a Mexican restaurant near by.
I spent the last couple of hours in Seattle on the front porch of Mildred's. It was cool and shady. The downtown bus stops here every 12 minutes and there have been fascination people coming and going. The flowers are beautiful and the magnolia is just starting to bloom. Although it is on a fairly busy street it is pretty peaceful this morning.
We miss the fuzzies so much!
The train left on time around 4:40 and we got our room without any problems.The landscape outside is very beautiful. This is a great train trip for viewing. Dinner was pretty good with chicken fried steak and cornish game hen. We went back to our room, pulled out the bed and read for a while and then slept to the rhythmic movement that only a train and boat can produce.
Friday - we passed through fields of Sunflowers being raised for seeds. Never really thought about where all those seeds came from in all those little bags! Now we know.
Saturday - We went through Minneapolis/St Paul and over the Mississippi River with barges and tramps and ferries, a wheelboat and lots of smaller boats. The river was smooth and it looks like they have had lots of rain up here. We packed up all our "stuff'" for Chicago and headed for the observation car. Red Wing Minnesota has a areally cute train station. By this time we had lost an hour and we addressed the no reservation problem in Chicago. No internet has been an inconvenience. So, Verizon internet came to the rescue. We got a room near the O'Hare airport at the Holiday Inn. I called and asked if they had a shuttle from the L to the hotel and the girl said "oh we are so close, not even a block, really, just across the street." The train actually came in close to on time and we headed out the station with L train card in hand. The nearest L (local train/mass transit) was at the other end of the station and two blocks down the street. Then underground. Most of you reading this know how "slow and tired" we have become in the last 5 years. Our stamina was tested today. And yes, we got tired but we made it. The L was down a few flights of stairs then on towards the Cumberland station. One problem, they were working on the tracks and so we had to get off the L, onto a bus and then back on the L. We got off at the Cumberland station - remember how close the hotel was to the station. Well, lets just say it wasn't as close as described and when we staggered into the lobby - her health and beauty would have been in danger had she still been on duty. I imagine we looked like 2 hobos dragging in with1 pack, 3 bags, 2 walking sticks a purse and lots of sweat. But the room has great AC and internet! So here we are.
As we headed down to get a taxi for dinner at Gino's Pizzeria we ran into 3 of the nicest travelers. They are all bike riders and one is just finishing up his ride across the entire nation - done in parts! We were asking for a taxi and they were asking about a restaurant and they were kind enough to drive us. We had a wonderful time and really enjoyed visiting with them. In all the chatter I have misplaced their names but hopefully we will see them again in our travels! If you all are reading this let us hear from you!
Well, off to the shower and then on the train home tomorrow afternoon. Wow what a 17 days! We drove over 5000 miles and saw so much.
Will finish up any spots after we get home! Hope all of you are doing well and will see you soon.