Road Trip Day 1, Mishap 1

Currently R. and I are in Lacey WA, right near Olympia.

We had planned to leave Thursday evening, but decided it was silly because we were tired and would have to push ourselves to leave them.

So, we held off and left today. After running some errands and finishing getting the last of the stuff out of the apartment, we got on the road about 1:30.

The trailer is full. The car is full. The cat was not happy at first. But, the trailer drives well and the cat settled down.

The border crossing was one of the easiest ever. They asked us where we lived, where we were moving to and gave us some info on importing R.'s car back to the U.S. That was it. Easy as pie.

Then... the slow down began.

There was an oil spill down the I-5 from Bellingham, Washington to Burlington, WA. Apparently, an oil tanker was leaking oil down the road. 10 cars got into accidents. It was slick, so everyone had to go slow. Slow. Slow.

Finally, we get into Seattle. Traffic. Then Tacoma. Traffic.

Around 6:30, we decide it is time to eat. Taco Bell. We are craving it. There is no Taco Bell in Canada. Must eat. Now.

We find one in Lacey WA. As we pull into the parking lot, R. takes the turn a bit too tightly, and hits the curb with the trailer. We get out, check it out, it seems fine. Go inside. The tire looked low, but we were going to go get air. As we drive out of the parking lot, we hear the tire losing air. Quickly. We get to a gas station. OK, it's flat. We shall deal. No worries. We have a spare! Spare tire! Yay! We have no jack. Damn. Ok. To the store. We get a jack. Come back. Tire off. New tire goes on... right? Wrong. We struggle. We fight. We think we just suck and can't get it on. We decide "hey, let's put on the old tire, see if it is easy". It is easy. Oh no. The rim. The rim is not right. It doesn't work. Fuck.

So. We gave up, as it is nearly 9pm by now. We got a hotel room, went in the hot tub, drank some beers, ate some candy, and found a tire store. Luckily, we broke down in an area that is populated and lots of stuff is at this exit. The trailer is still at the gas station. We are watching TV. Getting up early, hoping to get the tire transfered from the bad rim to the old rim. But, the old rim got bent, which is why we got the flat in the first place. So, hopefully they can fix that.

All in all it was a good day. We got out of Vancouver. We got across the border easily. The car is handling the weight well. The cat is getting along in the car fine. We made if 4 hours south. We had a minor set back, but all in all, it is only a flat tire. It sucks the spare is messed up and that is frustrating part. But, we shall get it straightened out tomorrow. Then back on the road. See how far we get.

No pictures tonight. I left the cable in the car. But lots tomorrow and video too :)

This is an adventure. Not everything will go perfect and that's OK. But, for those of you who know, we are basically in the dead zone of the I-5, so this isn't that surprising. I just always think if this isn't one of the 5 worst things that has happened to me, then I'm not worried. We are on our way. More tomorrow.

-N.