Day 11: We're IN!

We got a late start this morning since we were meeting my friend Chelsea and her husband Matt for breakfast in Portland. I haven't seen Chelsea in a long time and breakfast with her this morning put me in a great mood.It may have been a meal-long visit but it was exactly what we needed before our final push.

We went to a breakfast place called Down to Earth. I had the California panini with red onion, avocado, lettuce, tomato, smoked cheese and an omelet. Yum. Rating: Lexi: 7  Peter: Good.

After our great breakfast our day became pretty trying. We had some rain leaving Portland and headed towards Seattle. We waved hi to Seattle and just as quickly waved bye to Seattle. Maybe we shall return another time.

After fairly decent weather going through Seattle we ended up getting hit hard with the snowstorm we were trying to avoid. For about a half hour we stayed at a steady 40mph pace while huge chunks of snow swarmed around us. I actually became pretty sick driving when the visibility was so bad and the traffic so slow that it seemed as if we weren't moving at all even though I knew I was pushing down on the gas. Luckily we got out of it a-okay and experienced no more snow for the rest of the drive.

First snow at a rest stop in north Washington. 

We made it to the boarder and after handing over the three (pretty sketchy looking) pieces of paper that said that I was allowed to work in Canada, we were sent inside to discuss my visa qualifications. We had one more border guard look at me as though I were crazy, some muttering about paying a $150 permit fee for which Peter was ready to bolt out the door without me, a second border guard type in the magic code and I had my freshly printed work visa in my passport and we left without an extra fee; Peter decided to keep me. 

WE MADE IT INTO CANADA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are collecting our keys tomorrow afternoon so we're staying in Richmond tonight. By the time we got into Richmond we were both tired, cranky and hungry. Our first hotel attempted failed since they were full. Our second hotel attempt failed because our GPS failed us for the first time this trip. Our third attempt was successful and so much better than paper thin wall motel of doom last night, we even have clean towels and little bottles of shampoo! 

Sadly with the cross of the Canadian border comes the end to our trusted books Road Food and 500 Things to Eat Before It's Too Late have come to an end since they do not cover Canada. We had zero motivation to drive anywhere else and went to the closest restaurant Mad Greek. 

I had the Greek Salad with garlic shrimp while Peter had the chicken and shrimp souvlaki. 

Rating: Lexi: 6   Peter: Good.

We made a quick dash to good old Canadian Shoppers Drug Mart for some soda for Peter and face moisturizer for my struggling skin. We're back in the room, warm, fed, relaxed and happy. Peter has the Calgary vs. LA hockey game on  and munching on a bag of dill pickle chips. I'll be headed to the hotel gym for a solid workout since I plan to tackle part 2 of the Voodoo dozen! 

Some excellent motivation! Although it does seem I'm running around in circles :)

VANCOUVER TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lexi