After buying all kinds of equipment needed for my trip in a Thriftshop and a few other stores I park my car near the airport. I’m waiting for Sven, a friend of a friend from Germany, who is coming to Canada for a few weeks. While waiting I go to a casino nearby to watch the semi finals of the soccer world cup. Germany against the host Brazil! I’m expecting a really exciting game. But when I arrive I can’t believe my eyes…5:0 for Germany. I missed the bigger part of the first half. I sit down to watch the rest of the game and order a beer. The game ends with Germany winning 7:1. The trophy might be closer then ever before.

Back at the camper I meet Sven. We talk for a few minutes and start driving back to the city then. We arrive in North Vancouver having a spectacular view over the skyline of Downtown Vancouver. A few other friends are staying here with some Germans who had moved to Canada years ago to open up a bakery. Trying to find a solution to match all our travel plans, Sven and I end up agreeing to join them on a short trip into the USA. Sebastian has to bring back his rental car to Seattle and Maurice and Julia want to go shopping in a big outlet store on the way. I realize that I’m finally traveling again and plans are about to change every day.

The next day we head off to the US Border, which is not very far from Vancouver. With two rastafari looking guys we get pulled out to be searched. We have to leave everything in the car and are not allowed to stay there while the officers search our cars. Not a very good feeling. Welcome to America! Inside the border office we have to claim all our vegetables and fruits. Our chilies and green onions are refused entry into the States. Luckily we are allowed to continue though and drive over the border without any further troubles.

But something seems to be wrong. We then realize that we didn’t get any stamps for our passports. While stealing our beloved vegetables those officers had forgotten to do the main part of their jobs. We decide to drive back to avoid bigger trouble when driving back into Canada a few days later. Back at the border we park on the US side of the border and walk over to the border office by foot. We get very strange looks while explaining why we are coming from the US without any stamps in our passports. Two very serious officers finally go through the procedure of taking our fingerprints and a photograph then. After half an hour we get our visas and can meet up with the others again.

 

On our way to Seattle we stop at a casino to become club members. Travelers watch out for casinos in the States! In a lot of places you’ll get some money to gamble and even some food for free when you become a member. Of coarse becoming a member is for free as well. We eat something in the casino and use the free internet. We walk out off the casino with about ten dollars more then before. No gambling! I never thought you would get something for free in a casino…After stopping at some outlet stores for a few hours we arrive at Lake Tapps later in the evening. Ashton, a friend of Sebastian is staying in a beautiful house right at the lake here. We stay for the night and I take a late night swim in the lake. The water is surprisingly warm!

In the morning Maurice and Julia take a bus back to Vancouver and Sebastian brings his car to Seattle. Sven, Ashton and I use the time to paddle out on the lake with the two boats they have. In the not to far distance we see Mount Raineer, which is the tallest mountain in the area with 4.392 meters. Back at the house we pack our gear into the car and head off. Next stop Olympus National Park!