Day -1 : Still at Large

I remain unprobed and unincarcerated! Most days more an expectation than achievement, but well, you know.

In the event, my passage through American immigration could hardly have been easier. Clearly lulled by my soothing Attenbrairian tones, the agent was even approaching cheery and far from the handcuff wielding menace that one may be led to expect. After a brief enquiry as to the purpose of my visit and the obligatory photo/fingerprint recording, I was wished a good trip and waved on my way. Things however may have transpired somewhat differently for Lego Ben. He is either hiding out in a shady crevasse of my rucksack, or has been disappeared to an ICE blacksite. I suspect the former, given his notoriously volatile temperament, so a daring rescue may be required. Watch this space…

Other notes from my first 1.5 days in North America:

• The hooting of the train whistle when approaching intersections is very evocative. However, after the first hour it does begin to get rather old. Quite why the big deals of business class (myself included naturally) get stuck in the carriage closest to the whistle I don’t know. Perhaps a secret communist plot cooked up by the shadowy overlords of the Amtrak Cascades train company to punish wealth inequality?
• The Irish American train conductor came over the tannoy at one point to issue a warning about the dropping of f-bombs in the dining car and reminding people that it was a family train. And I thought the border guard who boarded the train with a casually slung automatic rifle would be the only person with serious weaponry to deploy!
• When the nice Indian proprietor of the hotel offers you an almond cookie during breakfast, it will be pink.
• Grocery stores in the US are large and products filled with a baffling array of ingredients. Not recommended to attempt before 09:30 and 2 cups of coffee. Definitely not advisable when jetlagged.

In other news, I will sleep at the home of two hikers, Kate and Eric tonight. They are giving something back to the community by hosting and driving hikers to the trail this year. A big help in order to avoid the 1.5 day long journey via public transport. Tomorrow, we will be leaving the house at 07:00 for an estimated arrival at Hart’s Pass, and the start of the trail, round about lunchtime. I met Tony (from Florida) this afternoon for lunch, who will also be in the car tomorrow (I remain blissfully unmurdered despite connecting via Facebook), and the final passenger is due here this evening.

Until then, I have few jobs to do. Principally cuddling with the dog and keeping my caffeine levels high to ensure I reach an adult bedtime without falling asleep.