Arrived in Centralia

 3rd Annual Tour, Food Network Tours  2 Responses »
May 132013
 

Just a quick note to let everyone know that we made it through the first day. After a rainy two hour ferry crossing and forty minute border crossing, we stopped in Ferndale to grab a quick bite at Quizno’s. Yes I realize that is so not the way to start off a Food Network trip, but it was convenient.

We then continued on south through Seattle – that was more of a delay. In fact, we seemed to hit rush hour head on. We also hit a miserable rain storm that seemed to follow us until we reached Olympia. We reached Centralia just after six o’clock – only an hour behind my original ETA – not too shabby if I do say so.

After relaxing for a bit we headed out for dinner at La Tarasca. For a small town, Centralia has one of the best Mexican restaurants that I have ever eaten at. I had a taco, tostada and chile rellano and my mum had a chile rellano and Caldo de Camaron (shrimp soup). We thoroughly enjoyed not only the food but the ambience. The waitress and hostess were both quite nice and were quite tolerant of my butchered Spanish (at least I tried), and we grabbed a picture of them before we left. (I will include the picture tomorrow – the camera is, unfortunately, in the car at the moment.)

Tomorrow we take a straight trip down I-5 to Grants Pass, Oregon. After stopping to pick up sandwiches at Otto’s Sausages in Portland, we will have a picnic lunch in a rest area just outside of Eugene.

Have a good night all.

Update: I have added two pictures of La Tarasca as promised

Mum and the waitresses at La Tarasca

Mum and the waitresses at La Tarasca

La Tarasca

La Tarasca

Day 1 – Vancouver Island, BC to Centralia, WA

 3rd Annual Tour, Food Network Tours  No Responses »
May 132013
 

Day 1 - Vancouver Island, BC to Centralia, WA

This is our first travel day. After a two hour ferry ride to the mainland, we will have approximately four hours of driving, in order to cover the 374 km to Centralia, Washington. That time does not include the inevitable wait at the border (which shouldn’t be too bad on a Monday) or going around Seattle (which will probably not be nice when we hit Seattle at 3pm – which also doesn’t allow for any delays caused by the construction around Seattle). I am hoping to arrive in Centralia around dinner time. Fingers crossed that it won’t be a late dinner :).

One more sleep…

 3rd Annual Tour, Food Network Tours  No Responses »
May 132013
 

My bags are packed (other than a few small things that I will pack in the morning). I’ve set up a meeting place (Timmie’s) and time with my Mum (and made sure she has the directions with reference pictures from Google Street View). I’ve arranged for most of the things that will need my attention when I’m gone, to be dealt with. I’M READY!!!

Who am I kidding? I am so not ready for tomorrow’s departure. I am never ready, no matter how much prep time I put into planning each trip – there is always SOMETHING I forget to do, or bring, or plan for. This year will be no different, but that’s travelling. I have planned it down to where we will eat each meal, but I know that, unless it is a planned Food Network stop, it is only a suggestion. I have used various apps and websites to research the restaurants that are along our route, including the Food Network app and website, the Trip Advisor app, the Urbanspoon app, the TV Food Maps app, the Yelp app, and the Flavor Town USA website. Hopefully my planning will, at the very least, make it less of a crap shoot.

I had planned to write a bit more tonight, but looking at the clock has made me realize that I should get to bed. I have a busy day tomorrow, with an early start. I will try to post in the morning (from the ferry) with our itinerary, and then again tomorrow night with the highlights of our day.

Have a good night all.