Gladi's First Adventure

Gladi and I headed out on our first real adventure Friday. We headed north on a day trip ending up at Rockport State park on Highway 20.

I bought Gladi, my 1995 Chevy Astro High Top Conversion Van back in February to use for camping. Because of the long winter and the random events of life, I haven't had the chance to pay proper attention to her until recently. But after a oil change and look over by my mechanic, replacing the drivers window motor and switch, recharging the AC (thanks Dad) and a interior deep clean by The Detail Shop down the street we were ready to roll.

Since I was bushed from a long work week, had something planned for Saturday and have yet to be able to get the divers side mid row seat out, I decided on a day trip. The goal was the Mount Vernon area and Camping World. Since I planned a number of shopping stops, I left Dhugal at home.

First stop Harbor Freight in Everett, a truly evil store. I picked up some odds and ends, some of which were for Gladi. She got a tire gauge and a weird accordion shade/window covering thing. Some modifications will have to be made if it is to work, the widow thing not the tire gauge.

Then I hit the freeway and north to Mount Vernon where I stopped and the Dollar Tree, Goodwill (nothing) and since there was a rumbly in my tumbly, I stopped for lunch, at Mr. T's. For years I have seen this place in passing as I cruised up I-5 and had heard somewhere that it was pretty good and it was. It's a small place with rough but fun waitresses. I had a very tasty BLT but noticed that the biscuits are the size of a very large grapefruit. After lunch I went looking for Northern Sales, but it wasn't there any more and stopped at Stupid Prices instead. I thought about stopping at WalMart and Costco but after realizing that they shared a parking lot (what insane person thought of that?) I hit the freeway instead.

A couple exits north, I noticed, I had whizzed by my intended destination Camping World. After backtracking a bit, I was horribly disappointed by that store, I mean what was the point, what a waste.

Since the day was young I decided to head up HWY 20 toward the North Cascades National Park. I stopped a the NPS/NFS info center in Sedro Wooley and grabbed a big stack of brochures (I love brochures) I also snagged a Smokey Bear pencil and a book mark that was in Spanish.

On my way east I found two Smokey Bear signs, if you don't know what that is about I'll update you later. The first was just east of Lyman and the other was just west of Concrete.

The drive up to Rockport State park was gorgeous. I would rain just a little bit, every once in awhile, just enough to bring out the forest smell and there were breaks in the clouds to enjoy the blue sky and mountains.

By the time I reached Rockport State Park (which sadly no longer offers camping) I was getting bushed so I pulled in for a break. I popped the lift gate open, folded the back seat into the bed, propped myself up of my pillow, read a good book, while breathing in the sent of the damp forest scent and listed to the busy birds.

After the break It was time to head home. I made a quick stop at the Mount Vernon Co-op in search a certain brand of local pickles, no dice, but did pick up some very gooey brie. I think I'll revisit old town Mount Vernon again, there were some intriguing shops. I stopped for a quick $2 dinner of shrimp cocktail, salmon and chips and bottomless Cokes at the Angel of the Winds Casino, not bad but I don't think I'll stop again.

It was good day, Gladi ran well and I'll check her fluids today or tomorrow, I put about 175 miles on her and went through about 1/2 tank of gas.