MADE IT TO THE PACIFIC

Dear FFF:

Wow, what a journey, and I have only just begun!

I arrived at "The Open Gate Farm" a week ago today and am having the time of my life.  My hosts, Jon and Elaine Stevens are brother and sister-in-law of my old neighbor from Hillsdale, .  Dave (and Iva) Stevens.  They have been gracious enough to offer me a place until I can find one of my own.  I am checking classifieds and getting word out to everyone I can.  For now, I am enjoying a slice of heaven.

They are located on the island of Camano in the Puget Sound, just a wee bit north of Seattle.  They have the most gorgeous organic farm with veggies, flowers, nursury stock, and even an organic bakery where Jon makes several types of bread, cinnamon rolls, and various baked goods all of which is sold at the small farm stand out on the road with all kinds of new people and regulars stopping by on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. 

In order to pay for my keep, I feed chickens and ducks, gather eggs, weed the many gardens, help bake bread and cookies, and try to keep up with the endless array of dishes and pots and pans.  I haven't run out of stuff to do and I'm loving every minute of it!!!  I go to bed with the chickens and wake around 6:00 am.................good healthy living.

As much as I love it here, I am anxious to find a my own apartment or house.  Having visited so many places over the last year, I would very much like to unload my van and settle in for awhile.  Hopefully a job will also be in my near future.  There are so many things to see and do out here, I need extra money so I can explore everything!!!

Until I have a permanent address, you can always email or even call me.  Would love to hear from you all.  Gypsy Joyce

WHAT A DRIVE!!!!

Dear FFF

Well, I have driven over 2400 miles, BUT I am almost there!  I am spending the night in Ellensburg, WA and think I will only have a few hours tomorrow to get to the Puget Sound.  It has been the most phenominal drive!!! 

Glacier National Park in northwest Montana is by far, the most beautiful place I have ever been!!  The Rocky Mountains are breathtaking...every curve in the road is a sight more beautiful than the last.  I spent a full day there, but that certainly wasn't enough.  I will have to go back.  For one thing, I had a reservation to take a helicopter ride over the park, but it rained and the fog rolled in.  I did however hike and saw mt. goats, deer, fox, prarie dogs, and even a young black bear. Driving on a main road, a horse walked out of the woods, very slowly, and came towards my van.  Turns out I was in the middle of the Blackfoot reservation and apparently the indian ponies have free reign! 

The Columbia River in Washington is also an awesome sight.  Hard to believe Lewis and Clark made the same trek I just made, and they did it without a car or McDonalds coffee. Can't imagine it!

I am looking forward to finding a furnished place to rent and getting a job.  I miss working.  I am going to look into working for a cruise line.....that way I might get to go to Alaska FREE!!  Who knows?  After I get settled, I will let evryone know where I am and what I am doing.  Look forward to getting emails from all of you!

Luv, GJ

Go West Young Woman............

Dear FFF

I am offically on my way to the Seattle area!  I left Ludington, Mi Saturday, 9:00 and took the SS Badger car ferry over to Manitowoc, WI.  (played bingo on the way over and won a deck of cards!) It was a four hour ride, then in my van and off to Minneapolis to meet up with my old friends, Al and Linda.  They invited me to stay and have dinner with them then as their overnight guest.  It was like staying in House Beautiful!  And so nice to catch up with some great friends.

I left this morning and drove to Minot, ND and proceeded to find a charming bed and breakfast in town.  Those accomodations are always my first choice and glad I could find one.

I will make it into Montana tomorrow, but it will take me 2 days to get through that state.  If I have a place with WIFI I will give everyone a quick update.  So far, an easy drive across route 2.

Gypsy Joyce