Day 1 (on our way to Woodinville, WA)
We both slept off and on all night anticipating the early start to the day, but then decided we are on holidays!, and didnt leave the house until almost 8AM. We stopped at the duty free before the border Todd was excited to get a 24 of Moosehead for $16; I picked up a reserve Sav. Blanc.
Up to that point the drive was uneventful -then we reached the US border at Sarnia and were selected for the intense screening (an orange paper was stuck to Todds passport) we had to park the truck, turn over the keys, leave all electronics, take all cash and ID and proceed inside. Once inside, the security guy took our passports, had us fill out a form, asked us the basic questions, then went to remove the orange sticky note from Todds passport AND RIPPED THE PAGE NOT JUST ANY PAGE, BUT THE ONE WITH HIS SIGNATURE ON!!!! He then took the passport and taped the page in with GREEN DUCT-LIKE TAPE!!!!! He did apologize and then sent us on our way no more questions, no frisk ..but a defective passport!!!!
We pulled over to a rest stop in Indiana for some lunch that I had packed devilled eggs, chicken, and cauliflower salad ..plus a glass of wine.
We continued on just in time to hit Chicago during rush hour traffic was incredibly slow, but at least it kept moving. Once we passed the airport, things opened up. (Temperature 35 degrees) We munched on some trail mix I had made the chocolate covered goji berries made it.
We stopped in Milwaukee at a Best Western Plus for the night got a special rate with one of the coupon books at the rest stop. Its not bad (comes in middle of the road on TA) it has a safe, fridge, and microwave…. .wine and beer are chilling .
Looking forward to a good nights sleep and an early (not too early) start in the morning .