Our trip to Pacific northwest...

[olger]

Well.

We flew to Seattle on Christmass day. Good move. The only other people flying were Muslims, Jews and atheists. Lots of people to witness to on the plane.

Arrived in Seattle and took the light rail to downtown area. Checked in at the convention center Sheraton. Went exploring - not lewis and clark but Wagoner & Wagoner. Headed up to the Needle, and walked to Bamboo Garden. Vegetarian oriental. Great stuff!!

Day after Christmass we went to Gaco-Western. One of our roofing suppliers, and it was nice to check in for a bit. The CEO of the company was there in jeans and worn tee-shirt. I like that sort of thing.

Went back to the center of town and explored some more. Wife wanted to shop and I went along for the ride. There were men's shopping areas in almost every store (a couch or a chair). The iPhone 5 took away some of the boredom. ha

GYC started in a few days - great to see a lot of our friends there. Had a nice mexican meal with a couple of Howard brothers and another oriental meal with the Administrator of ADvindicate and his wife.

It rained or misted about 70% of the time, which means there was 30% dry time! Good stuff.

On Monday at noon we rented car and drove up to Vancouver to see two things. Mrs. Gail and Mr. Whistler.

The Canadian border guard asked us the usual questions and we were granted temporary citizenship in the land of maple leaf, moccasins and ice hockey. Unfortunately we were not granted cell service in Canada - unless I chose to pay confiscatory data roaming charges. I didn't. My GPS went from usual detail to blank after we crossed the border as well. So I drove by instinct from then on (plus my iPhone 5 which has a gps of sorts built into it). It kinda worked.

Gail wasn't feeling the best - hope she's ok now. Whistler was really cool. About 20° I mean...

Since it was New Years EVE, we asked the gal at the concierge (I like saying that word) where a good place to eat was. She directed us to the Water street Italian Cafe with a warning to not walk too far. We promptly walked too far. We found ourselves in a dark neighborhood being watched by furtive strangers. I told my wife to cling to my left arm - like to keep my right arm free in bad neighborhoods. No iPhone service, and no sense of direction, we soldiered on faithfully. If someone followed us for a block, I would pull over to let them pass us on the sidewalk and follow them. We were lost.

Nevertheless we made it unscathed - turned left by a big clock that had steam pouring out of it...maybe the clock was broken..? The food was so so. I ordered something called gnocchi because it had taters in it. Boy was I disappointed. The "food" consisted of about thirty-five white blocks about three times the size of sugar cubes. It tasted like a mixture of noodle and...nothing. I never did find the taters. I wonder if they were under the plate or something.

Next morning the sun broke though the morning clouds - time for Whistler via the Sea to Sky pathway.

On the drive to Whistler we went through Squeamish. Not the town, that was how my wife felt after 60 miles of mountain road. Nevertheless we made to Whistler at 11 AM.

Beautiful place. Starbucks hot chocolate? Yes please! Since it was new years day it wasn't too crowded, and the sun was shining. Air was cold tho.

We got breakfast at one of the many restaurants in Whistler. Good schtuff. Got some real taters this time. I like that sort of thing.

The town is like a winter wonderland. We were just enjoying walking through it. At 2 pm, we took a gondola to the top of Whistler Mountain and from there we went peak to peak to Blackcomb where they held the giant downhill and slalom at the 2010 winter Olympics. It was hard not being able to ski down the mountain but we were sightseeing, not skiing on this day. and the sights WERE worth seeing. We met several folks from England. I conducted a private poll and asked each of them if they would like to have Piers Morgan back. "Indeed not Sir. You are quite welcome to the chap!" was the almost universal answer.

We headed home around nightfall, which is 4:30 pm at this latitude. It was a pleasant drive. As we entered Vancouver I couldn't help thinking about jam. I like jam on bread, but not on the roads I travel. After thirty-five minutes of Canadian jam we made it across the bridge and onto bullard street. HOME FREE.

The next morning we took the sky train to the science building and walked all the way back through Stanley Park to the convention center waterfront. It was about 8-miles–just a brief stretch of the legs. There were a lot of ships sitting out in the harbor and we got some pictures of them. We didn't walk the entire way - we cheated and rode a little fairy for about 300 yards. That cost 6.50 American.

On Beach avenue we saw a restaurant called Whole Vegetarian. We stepped in out of sheer curiosity. We stepped out with a brochure and a strong resolve to come back. We did that evening. It was the best vegetarian food I have ever had, bar none (PF Chang included). And it was reasonably priced too! The hard part will be resisting the impulse to travel to Vancouver again just to eat there.

We took a cab back home (Fairmont Waterfront). I nearly insulted the cab driver by asking him if he was German. No, he was Iranian. I must need glasses . I asked him what he thought of Achmdineajad (sp). He replied "He's crazy, and I’m glad I don’t live there!" We had a lot in common. He also said that God must be blessing us because the weather was perfect for the two days we were in Vancouver. I told him God wanted to bless him too. He agreed, and I tipped him with two American dollars and a blessing. He seemed to like us - maybe he needed glasses too.

For breakfast I had Pannekoeken two days in a row. Big fan, and big taste. Well, the day came to head back to Seattle. I braced myself for the border crossing. It took nearly an hour and once we got to the guard, he only asked me a couple questions and we were on our way. That was a bit of a letdown - we were expecting to be interrogated under bright lights and tortured until we were miserable.

Back to Seattle. Made one last pilgrimage to Bamboo Garden for supper. `twas great but not as GREAT as Whole Vegetarian in Vancouver. That restaurant ruined every other restaurant for me for the next five years. I hate that sort of thing (and love it at the same time). Plus it wasn't raining !!!!!!!!!

Went to North Face south of Pike Street Market to look at coats. I should have bought a raincoat. As we left it started raining fairly hard. I hate that sort of thing, but have come to expect it in Seattle. Wife had a hat but I didn't. I ducked into Target and grabbed a plastic bag that was laying there in a box. I fashioned a hat out of it for the next eight blocks. Judging by the way people stared it maybe it wasn't fashion – form over function this time.

One thing we noticed in Seattle was that almost every time I stopped to take a picture we would be approached by a panhandler asking for money. I think it's a design flaw in the iPhone 5 and I intend to write a strong letter of protest to Apple Inc. on Monday. I may write one to Nikon too, it happened with Nancy's camera a couple times.

I don't give people money on the street but I offer to pray with them. They usually turn away. Why does Seattle have so many panhandlers? I asked a policeman that question one afternoon while we were "shopping." He said Seattle has so many freebie programs that beggars come from all over the United States to cash in on them. I think that is sad. What happened to good old-fashioned ambition? "Gumption" as Grandma used to say...

Well we arrived back home and I type this from the sanctity of my recliner as I reflect on the Magnificent Memories of the pacific northwest. To our friends in Seattle, stay dry brethren. To our friends in Vancouver, stay healthy eh?

G

[M. T. Cross]

And you did not come visit me.......

[olger]

I have been remiss......

[M. T. Cross]

I am only 5 hours east of Vancouver, course its a couple nasty mountain passes away but you would have been more than welcome.

If you are in Vancouver again, go to West 4th ave to find great food as well. There are some amazing restaurants in the area

[olger]

NEXT TIME.. thanks.

Have you been to Whissler?

[M. T. Cross]

Yeah, when I lived in Vancouver I went hiking up there once with a friend of mine in the summer. It is truly beautiful. The part of B.C. I live in is a lot the same, only a bit more forested. I would recommend that as well. Come up in the summer and drive through the Kootenays here. Seriously man, I go for an hour drive and some of the scenery is just breathtaking.

[Gail]

I am only 5 hours east of Vancouver, course its a couple nasty mountain passes away but you would have been more than welcome.

If you are in Vancouver again, go to West 4th ave to find great food as well. There are some amazing restaurants in the area

That is exactly where I would have taken him, had I been up to it

I am STILL not over this sickness. I was so looking forward to seeing the two of them (meeting Nancy) but slept most of my Christmas holidays. In November I caught a sinus cold that settled in my vocal cords, lost my voice for 2 weeks, and at this point- 6 weeks later- I only have half a voice back and the throat continues to be sore and raw. I just didn't feel well enough to make the drive in.

I will comment on Gerry's post next...

[Gail]

Gail's comments in blue

On Monday at noon we rented car and drove up to Vancouver to see two things. Mrs. Gail and Mr. Whistler.

...

Gail wasn't feeling the best - hope she's ok now. Whistler was really cool. About 20° I mean...

Since it was New Years EVE, we asked the gal at the concierge (I like saying that word) where a good place to eat was. She directed us to the Water street Italian Cafe with a warning to not walk too far. We promptly walked too far. We found ourselves in a dark neighborhood being watched by furtive strangers. I told my wife to cling to my left arm - like to keep my right arm free in bad neighborhoods. No iPhone service, and no sense of direction, we soldiered on faithfully. If someone followed us for a block, I would pull over to let them pass us on the sidewalk and follow them. We were lost.

when I read Water Street, I know where you were- in Gastown! Yes, it IS a dark part of town, can be. When I was a teenager I worked in a hairdresser's down one of its alleys and the clients used to talk about drugs and going to court. That was another life ago...

Gastown, two or three decades ago, was a really funky place with importing shops that sold exotic items from China and India. The warm, spicy odours of incense permeated throughout. People could go there for their head supplies (for me it was black light posters and incense) and you could get custom printed t-shirts and imported rattan furniture. My father used to take us down there to sight-see when we were kids. I loved to explore the back alleys (in the safety of my dad).

That area and Chinatown, next to it, we're where the Chinese population of early Vancouver lived. I THINK there may still be evidence of the opium houses in spots. In Chinatown there is a Chinese garden/museum where you can get information about that time. There used to be a head tax for Oriental people. It's fascinating history.

I was sorry to read that the steam clock is broken.

Nevertheless we made it unscathed - turned left by a broken steaming clock. The food was so so. I ordered something called gnocchi because it had taters in it. Boy was I disappointed. The "food" consisted of about thirty-five white blocks about three times the size of sugar cubes. It tasted like a mixture of noodle and...nothing. I never did find the taters. I wonder if they were under the plate or something.

Gnocchi... Makes me wonder if you ate at the Spaghetti Factory. That was the original Spaghetti Factory for the greater Vancouver area.

Next morning the sun broke though the morning clouds - time for Whistler via the Sea to Sky pathway.

On the drive to Whistler we went through Squeamish. Not the town, that was how my wife felt after 60 miles of mountain road. Nevertheless we made to Whistler at 11 AM.

I warned you about that highway! But wasn't the view wonderful?

You drove on the improved NEW highway. The Sea-to-Sky highway was once one of our most dangerous roads. From reports of head-on collisions in those curves to people driving off the cliff to boulders falling down the mountains onto cars we always had a feeling of dread travelling it in the old days.

Beautiful place. Starbucks hot chocolate? Yes please! Since it was new years day it wasn't too crowded, and the sun was shining. Air was cold tho.

We got breakfast at one of the many restaurants in Whistler. Good schtuff. Got some real taters this time. I like that sort of thing.

I love Whistler!

The town is like a winter wonderland. We were just enjoying walking through it. At 2 pm, we took a gondola to the top of Whistler Mountain and from there we went peak to peak to Blackcomb where they held the giant downhill and slalom at the 2010 winter Olympics. It was hard not being able to ski down the mountain but we were sightseeing, not skiing on this day. and the sights WERE worth seeing. We met several folks from England. I conducted a private poll and asked each of them if they would like to have Piers Morgan back. "Indeed not Sir. You are quite welcome to the chap!" was the almost universal answer.

We headed home around nightfall, which is 4:30 pm at this latitude. It was a pleasant drive. As we entered Vancouver I couldn't help thinking about jam. I like jam on bread, but not on the roads I travel. After thirty-five minutes of Canadian jam we made it across the bridge and onto bullard street. HOME FREE.

i think you mean Burrard Street. My son lives there.

The next morning we took the sky train to the science building and walked all the way back through Stanley Park to the convention center waterfront. It was about 8-miles–just a brief stretch of the legs. There were a lot of ships sitting out in the harbor and we got some pictures of them. We didn't walk the entire way - we cheated and rode a little fairy for about 300 yards. That cost 6.50 American.

Yep, yep, yep! The science centre is a great place to play

On Beach avenue we saw a restaurant called Whole Vegetarian. We stepped in out of sheer curiosity. The smell that greeted us made me resolve to come back. We did that evening. It was the best vegetarian food I have ever had, bar none (PF Chang included). And it was reasonably priced too! The hard part will be resisting the impulse to travel to Vancouver again just to eat there.

As EmptyCross mentioned, there are lots of great vegetarian eateries in Vancouver. 4th Avenue is the place to go to check it out. I've also eaten well at Granville Island. But there is lots. A vegan would not starve in that town!

We took a cab back home (Fairmont Waterfront). I nearly insulted the cab driver by asking him if he was German. No, he was Iranian. I must need glasses . I asked him what he thought of Achmdineajad (sp). He replied "He's crazy, and I’m glad I don’t live there!" We had a lot in common. He also said that God must be blessing us because the weather was perfect for the two days we were in Vancouver. I told him God wanted to bless him too. He agreed, and I tipped him with two American dollars and a blessing. He seemed to like us - maybe he needed glasses too.

Nice!

For breakfast I had Pannekoeken two days in a row.

Gail-

Well we arrived back home and I type this from the sanctity of my recliner as I reflect on the Magnificent Memories of the pacific northwest. To our friends in Seattle, stay dry brethren. To our friends in Vancouver, stay healthy eh?

I'm so glad you had a great time and again I'm so sorry I couldn't share it with you as planned. I know we would have had a blast!

[olger]

Gail - the steam clock is fine. `twas a dry comment referring to the steam pouring out of it.. I apologize for any misleading impressions therein.

[M. T. Cross]

Yeah that kinda made me sad too, I used to love that clock.

Gail is right about Gastown as well, if you could have seen it 20 years ago..... my girlfriend and I used to go just walk around there all the time.

[olger]

original paragraph before editing

"By the time we found the restaurant we were steaming...and so was the clock on the street corner that we were looking for as a waypoint. Perhaps the thing is broken.."

No it's fine. Got some good pictures of it too!

Burrand street it is. oops.

We would have enjoyed seeing both of you friends there. Till then we will have to rest in our shared memories of a beautiful land and a common hope of that City "bright and fair" (Revelation 21:10-18).

[M. T. Cross]

Cool.

Funny, I have not lived there in over a decade, but every time someone talks about visiting Vancouver there are all these things I would love to take them and show them

[olger]

[M. T. Cross]

Thank you for those Olger.

[Gail]

Nice pics!

[Stan]

IS the GYC headed for Vancouver next year or the year afterwards?

[phkrause]

Awesome pics olger.

[Jeannieb43]

Olger, you're a great travel writer and photographer. Of course, Vancouver and Seattle are wonderful cities to write about. My late husband and I spent our honeymoon [in 1990] in Vancouver, and drove that mountain road up to Whistler. Fortunately there was no snow when we were there. We loved Butchart Gardens in Victoria on the same trip, plus high tea in that wonderful hotel [can't think of its name].

Returning to the US, we were thoroughly cross-examined by the border control. They tried to get us to admit that we went to Canada to buy clothing [!] and weren't really married (since our passports had two different last names). But we convinced them that the prices were higher in Canada anyway, and we didn't have any desire to buy new clothes then because we were on our honeymoon. [Of course looking at us they had their doubts -- we were both 50-somethings, and didn't LOOK like newlyweds.]

I didn't know about all those good vegetarian restaurants. Maybe I'll have to go there again to sample that good food!

[Gail]

That hotel is the Empress :)

[Gail]

High tea runs about $50 there

[Jeannieb43]

Thanks, Gail. My memory has lapses these days.

[And my hubby loved going to the "landmark" places so we could experience things we otherwise wouldn't have had a chance to see. That's why he justified spending money on high tea at the Empress. And it was an unforgettable experience.]

[olger]

IS the GYC headed for Vancouver next year or the year afterwards?

We're heading to Orlando next year.

Possibly Louisville the following year (2014).

blessings,

[Kevin H]

Thank you for sharing Olger. I have an aunt who use to live in Seattle when I was little and we visited her a couple times when growing up, then when I was in the Army I was stationed at Ft. Lewis Washington, and my sister lives in the Portland OR area

[Kevin H]

Get well soon Gail!!!

[Gail]

Get well soon Gail!!!

Thanks, Kevin- it's slow but coming! :)