Day 5: From Pho to the Waterfront

I woke up excited this morning, curious to see how much of yesterday’s storm had washed the dirt off Ashley. The rain had done a decent job, but I still wanted to give her a little extra attention. While Rusti was still sleeping, I decided to film a demo of the cleaner I had brought along for the trip—Giotechniq’s Bug Remover that I picked up before leaving home. It worked beautifully, rinsing away the last of the stubborn bugs clinging to Ashley’s hood and windshield. There’s something oddly satisfying about caring for a car that feels like a companion on the road.

Before leaving Bend, I wanted to do something thoughtful for Rusti. She had mentioned her love for Vietnamese pho noodles, and I had a feeling it wouldn’t be easy to find authentic pho in Bend. So, before the trip, I had purchased an authentic soup base and a couple packages of rice noodles. With whatever veggies she had in the fridge—mushrooms, carrots, broccoli, and tofu—we cooked up a pot together. It turned out delicious, warming and comforting in a way that made the morning feel special.

By midday, it was time to say goodbye and head north toward Vancouver, Washington. The drive took about four hours, and I felt a rush of anticipation as I got closer. Vancouver’s waterfront had been on my list since planning this road trip, along with Long Beach and Astoria.

Originally, I had booked a hotel on Hayden Island, but after reading reviews about frequent car break-ins, I decided against it. I figured it was worth spending the extra money to keep Ashley safe. Thanks to my hotel rewards points, I was able to check into a beautiful hotel right on the waterfront. To my surprise, they even let me check in early.

The evening ended on a happy note—Max got to reunite with Molly, a pup from his old dog playgroup back home and I got to say hello to my friend, Molly’s guardian, who had introduced us to the group in the first place. Max was spoiled with treats as usual. Watching him wag his tail in recognition felt like a little piece of home following us on the road.

As I settled into my room overlooking the river, I felt both gratitude and relief. After days of pushing forward, I had finally arrived at one of my key destinations. Vancouver was waiting for me to explore.