On Wed 3^rd April 2013 Brianna and Daniel got into Brianna’s mom’s Impala and started on their journey to Canada and freedom (to work). Shortly thereafter they returned to the Bagley home when Brianna realized she’d taken her mom’s key. After another quick stop at Chick-Fil-A they were on their way.

First stop was Egin, Idaho, home of Brianna’s grandparents, Marvin & Karen Bagley, and their cat, Buster. Grandpa and Grandma Bagley live in a lovely log home they built themselves. They took Brianna and Dan four wheeling on their beautiful property, where they saw a [huge] bald eagle, a couple of trees felled by beavers, other trees scratched by elk horns, and a fresh deer print.

Brianna and Daniel, sitting in a tree...

On Thu 4^th April Brianna and Daniel saw a moose during breakfast, then continued North through Montana, across Idaho’s panhandle, and on to Spokane, Washington. Nothing memorable happened on this day, except Dan’s first experience at Denny’s (restaurant), and second experience with bacon and maple syrup on an ice-cream sundae. That evening they stayed in Spokane with friends of Brianna’s sister Lindsay (Justin & Stephanie, and Stephanie’s brother Eric and his wife Charlene). They are great people, and really know how to take care of a couple of fugitives attempting to flee the country.

On Fri 4^th April Brianna and Dan continued their journey and on advice from their kind hosts of the previous day took the scenic but slightly longer route through the Wenatchee National Forest. The way went through lush valleys covered with acres of apple trees and warmed by springtime sun. Green daisy-spotted hills ramped up away from the valley, and even higher and further back rugged, snowy mountains clothed with pine trees disappeared into the mist that hung around up there. The hills truly seemed alive with the sound of music. Leavenworth is an Austrian-themed tourist town along the route. Regulations there stipulate that all the buildings must look like the von Trapps could be lounging around inside, even the McDonald’s. Apple strudel and traditional bratwurst served with sour kraut made a nice lunch.

This place didn't properly read the memo about Leavenworth's stores needing to be AustrIAN themed,.

Apple strudel

 That evening Brianna and Dan reached the Canadian border, crossed it, then got their work permits from an immigration official. Surprisingly (to Brianna), they were not required to drink a glass of maple syrup in order to be allowed into the country.

First impressions: Daniel liked the long, straight road they arrived into the country on. Brianna thought Canada is a lot like the USA.

That evening they stayed at “Celestial Sleeps” (celestialsleeps.com), affordable accommodation for people wanting to visit the Langley (near Vancouver) temple, provided by LDS couple Gary and Letitia Neisner. They would be staying here until they find a place of their own. Luckily it’s very nice.

Sat 6^th April

Brianna and Daniel bought groceries and held Canadian money for the first time - more papery than Australian money, and more plastic-y than US. They also watched the Saturday sessions of the 183rd general conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It’s nice coming into a new place to be able to start things off listening to the words of the prophets.

Sun 7^th April

Brianna and Daniel watched the Sunday sessions of general conference at Langley chapel, which is right near the LDS temple.