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| Multi-grain bread, salami, fresh cheese, strawberries, and lemonade |
Then we drove outside of Vancouver out to Lynn Canyon and went across the suspension bridge and went for multiple hikes at two different parks.
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| Giant mossy forest |
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| Alison on our hike |
Showing posts with label Canada. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Canada. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Last Day in Vancouver
Then we drove outside of Vancouver out to Lynn Canyon and went across the suspension bridge and went for multiple hikes at two different parks.
A Day in Vancouver
We decided to spend our day in Stanley Park. The forecast called for rain starting around 1PM, so we thought we'd start the day with some bike riding. We rented some bikes to do the 8km trail around the seawall. It was a nice ride until it started raining about 1/2 way through. We got pretty wet, but enjoyed the ride despite the rain.
After handing in our bikes, we ventured to the other side of the park to have lunch at The Fish House. It was a really good lunch and a nice place to get dry. AND, as we were eating lunch it stopped raining.
Then it was time for the aquarium (as we thought it'd be a good activity for the afternoon rain...but when we got there it was nice and sunny). Jeff hadn't been to an aquarium before, so I think he liked it. I enjoyed it, but have been to better aquariums.
After the aquarium, we headed over to the geodesic dome known as Science World. Lots of cool activities for kids, but Jeff and I had some fun because it wasn't too crowded since it was close to closing time. We then walked through the Olympic Village on the way back to the hotel.
One of the highlights of the day was figuring out all the public transportation options in this city. We took the bus to Stanley Park, the Sky Train to Science World, and the AquaBus to the hotel. Lots of good times.
After all our adventures, we decided to grab dinner somewhere close to the hotel. We found a sushi place w/ good reviews a couple of blocks from our hotel, so we did that. It was good and reasonably priced. AND definitely fresh!
Tomorrow's our last day in the city! Not sure what the plan is, but we'll let you know.
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| View along our ride |
After handing in our bikes, we ventured to the other side of the park to have lunch at The Fish House. It was a really good lunch and a nice place to get dry. AND, as we were eating lunch it stopped raining.
Then it was time for the aquarium (as we thought it'd be a good activity for the afternoon rain...but when we got there it was nice and sunny). Jeff hadn't been to an aquarium before, so I think he liked it. I enjoyed it, but have been to better aquariums.
After the aquarium, we headed over to the geodesic dome known as Science World. Lots of cool activities for kids, but Jeff and I had some fun because it wasn't too crowded since it was close to closing time. We then walked through the Olympic Village on the way back to the hotel.
One of the highlights of the day was figuring out all the public transportation options in this city. We took the bus to Stanley Park, the Sky Train to Science World, and the AquaBus to the hotel. Lots of good times.
After all our adventures, we decided to grab dinner somewhere close to the hotel. We found a sushi place w/ good reviews a couple of blocks from our hotel, so we did that. It was good and reasonably priced. AND definitely fresh!
Tomorrow's our last day in the city! Not sure what the plan is, but we'll let you know.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Random Vancouver Thoughts
Some random observations from our first day:
- I'm not sure if it's because we have gone from the middle of nowhere, then prim and proper Victoria with gardens everywhere, now to the city, but it seems crowded and a lot of chaos here, I guess this is our welcome back to the real world?
- Our hotel is fine (nothing like the one with a breath-right strip and sticky floors in the other Victoria, TX) but the scent in our room is kind of like a used car smell that someone tried to cover up.
- I told Alison “there are more hobos than you can shake a stick at here.” They are everywhere or at least it seems, just like Austin, however a few of them actually open doors and push people in wheelchairs into stores, so at the very least they are courteous. I'll get the memo out to the Austin society of Hobos for thoughts on this.
- Also, I haven't seen any plasma or flat screen TVs here, Canada loves the old CRT ones from ye olde yester year. Old TVs and VCRs - time warp. 1.21 jiggawatts makes time travel possible, Marty. Yes, that was a Back to the Future reference if you were wondering.
- We walked and walked and walked till our legs almost fell off, I'd like to write more but Alison has a schedule for us today and is telling me to hurry up but my fat fingers can't type fast enough on this tiny computer. We will post some pics tonight. Off to Stanley Park and other what nots and what have yous in Vancouver.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
A Rainy Day in Victoria
We began our day with a 4 course breakfast at our B&B. We had yogurt with granola, dragonfruit and melon, orange poppyseed scones, raspberry and pineapple bread, and a hot plate of salmon, cheese, polenta cakes and a frittata. We were stuffed!!
We then headed out into the rain in our rain gear and umbrellas. Our first stop was the Victoria Bug Zoo and it was amazing! We got to hold huge bugs like walking sticks, catydids, cockroaches, praying mantis, and millipedes to name a few. It was sweet! The whole time I was thinking my sister would love this place. She's always said she'd be cave tour guide when she retired from teaching, but I think this place would also be a good fit. :)
Then we thought we'd go inside the Parliment building, but they only do guided tours on the weekends and that didn't interest us. So, by recommendation of our breakfast buddies from Calgary, we tried out the Royal BC Museum. It was nice to get out of the rain since it was soaking through my shoes, but I'll have to say natural history museums are not for me. Too many taxidermy animals and old stuff to look at. We should have seen the Hubble IMAX narrated by Leo instead.
After the museum, we ate our leftover scones and bread from breakfast. I also had a bubble tea while Jeff enjoyed a chocolate covered waffle. This was our nutritious lunch since we were still pretty full from breakfast.
After these adventures, we headed to our room to dry out. Then, despite the rain we decided to drive out to Bruchart Gardens. Jeff and I both discussed how much our moms would enjoy this place. Lots of beautiful flowers and it finally stopped raining in time for the fireworks show. Let me just say this is one serious fireworks display choreographed to music. Dancing fireworks. Fireworks that shot sideways. Bug shaped fireworks robots. Crazy stuff! You'd have to see it to appreciate it, but I'd give it to thumbs up. Now it's past my bedtime so we'll see you tomorrow in Vancouver.
We then headed out into the rain in our rain gear and umbrellas. Our first stop was the Victoria Bug Zoo and it was amazing! We got to hold huge bugs like walking sticks, catydids, cockroaches, praying mantis, and millipedes to name a few. It was sweet! The whole time I was thinking my sister would love this place. She's always said she'd be cave tour guide when she retired from teaching, but I think this place would also be a good fit. :)
Then we thought we'd go inside the Parliment building, but they only do guided tours on the weekends and that didn't interest us. So, by recommendation of our breakfast buddies from Calgary, we tried out the Royal BC Museum. It was nice to get out of the rain since it was soaking through my shoes, but I'll have to say natural history museums are not for me. Too many taxidermy animals and old stuff to look at. We should have seen the Hubble IMAX narrated by Leo instead.
After the museum, we ate our leftover scones and bread from breakfast. I also had a bubble tea while Jeff enjoyed a chocolate covered waffle. This was our nutritious lunch since we were still pretty full from breakfast.
After these adventures, we headed to our room to dry out. Then, despite the rain we decided to drive out to Bruchart Gardens. Jeff and I both discussed how much our moms would enjoy this place. Lots of beautiful flowers and it finally stopped raining in time for the fireworks show. Let me just say this is one serious fireworks display choreographed to music. Dancing fireworks. Fireworks that shot sideways. Bug shaped fireworks robots. Crazy stuff! You'd have to see it to appreciate it, but I'd give it to thumbs up. Now it's past my bedtime so we'll see you tomorrow in Vancouver.
Victoria Day One
Lighthouse- We stopped by Fisgaurd Lighthouse on our way into Victoria, it was a lot smaller than I expected (almost ompa lumpa size) but it had a pretty cool view of the Victoria harbor. Notice I didn't say scent, there was a stink in the air here. More like a STANK.
Redfish Blue Fish – We spent an hour in line waiting to order food from this seaside shack, angry Alison came out and began pacing back and forth so she wouldn't pass out. I don't follow the logic here but I'm not arguing with it. We got some different fish tacos that people love, they were alright but one of mine had a hair. I tossed that one right into the trash!
White Heather Tea Room – I nicknamed this place “Grannys Cupboard” because it had a very formal, stiff feel, with muted colors and ancient curtains which I believe is what you are going for if you are interested in afternoon high tea and the cutest little scrumptious delectable finger foods. I struggled to describe this in a positive manner to some Canadian folks earlier today and the guy told me “Well it's not a Texas rattlesnake BBQ” which I've never even heard of (and I'm from Texas) but I appreciated the stereotype but only after lassowing a nearby twister and tossing my ten gallon hat in the air while filling it full of molten hot lead from the blazing barrels of my deadly six shooters. Yeeeehaw. Anyway, I'll go on record of saying I'd prefer anything involving rattlesnakes over high tea again. Tea is good if you toss out the frilly doilies and what not.
B&B – I'm not a big fan of B&B's because they usually feel like I'm staying in someones back bedroom but this place is nice. The bed in our room is gigantic, seriously, like you need a step ladder or running start to get into the thing. Whoever lived in that lighthouse definitely didn't sleep in this bed.
Tapas – For dinner we went to a tapas bar for some drinks with our tiny plates of food. If you know me you are probably thinking I'm going to make fun of this place, but I actually liked it. We need to go to more places like this and less like Grannys Cupboard.
Redfish Blue Fish – We spent an hour in line waiting to order food from this seaside shack, angry Alison came out and began pacing back and forth so she wouldn't pass out. I don't follow the logic here but I'm not arguing with it. We got some different fish tacos that people love, they were alright but one of mine had a hair. I tossed that one right into the trash!
White Heather Tea Room – I nicknamed this place “Grannys Cupboard” because it had a very formal, stiff feel, with muted colors and ancient curtains which I believe is what you are going for if you are interested in afternoon high tea and the cutest little scrumptious delectable finger foods. I struggled to describe this in a positive manner to some Canadian folks earlier today and the guy told me “Well it's not a Texas rattlesnake BBQ” which I've never even heard of (and I'm from Texas) but I appreciated the stereotype but only after lassowing a nearby twister and tossing my ten gallon hat in the air while filling it full of molten hot lead from the blazing barrels of my deadly six shooters. Yeeeehaw. Anyway, I'll go on record of saying I'd prefer anything involving rattlesnakes over high tea again. Tea is good if you toss out the frilly doilies and what not.
Tapas – For dinner we went to a tapas bar for some drinks with our tiny plates of food. If you know me you are probably thinking I'm going to make fun of this place, but I actually liked it. We need to go to more places like this and less like Grannys Cupboard.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Our Little Cabin in the Woods
Hello everyone! I know you missed us, but we've been busy enjoying our stay at the Point No Point Resort in Sidney, BC. Jeff informed me before the trip: “I don't care what we do as long as we stay a couple of nights in a cabin in the middle of nowhere.” SO, after some Google searches I found the Point No Point resort and wondered if maybe it wasn't far enough out as it was only 40 miles from Victoria, but let me say after our drive out here Wednesday, we are certainly in the middle of nowhere.
We stayed in Cabin 12 also known as Jacob's Creek. Jeff made use of the fireplace by crafting a nice fire the 2nd night and we both enjoyed our private outdoor hot tub overlooking the ocean and tall trees. We spent our TV/internet free day on the many private trails owned by the resort. We explored Rocky Top Beach (not its real name, but what we like to call it) and spent a few hours in some adirondack chairs overlooking the black sand beach. We maybe saw 5 other people the whole time. We did however see a sea otter climbing amongst the rocks with us, got to throw a stick into the water for the resort dog, Jack and saw some cool green slug things.
It was a pleasant time with some nice meals at the resort restaurant. However, I realized I don't know how I lived half my life without the internet. There were at least 3 times today when I would start to say, “Jeff, we'll just look it up when we get back to the room.” WRONG! Jeff has always said I have an addiction, and maybe he's right (but I'm not willing to admit that yet).
We stayed in Cabin 12 also known as Jacob's Creek. Jeff made use of the fireplace by crafting a nice fire the 2nd night and we both enjoyed our private outdoor hot tub overlooking the ocean and tall trees. We spent our TV/internet free day on the many private trails owned by the resort. We explored Rocky Top Beach (not its real name, but what we like to call it) and spent a few hours in some adirondack chairs overlooking the black sand beach. We maybe saw 5 other people the whole time. We did however see a sea otter climbing amongst the rocks with us, got to throw a stick into the water for the resort dog, Jack and saw some cool green slug things.
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| Sea Otter...we think. |
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| Rocky Top Beach |
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| Jeff's antics during my beach side nap |
It was a pleasant time with some nice meals at the resort restaurant. However, I realized I don't know how I lived half my life without the internet. There were at least 3 times today when I would start to say, “Jeff, we'll just look it up when we get back to the room.” WRONG! Jeff has always said I have an addiction, and maybe he's right (but I'm not willing to admit that yet).
Pike Place Market
Let me jump back in time here and run down memory lane real quick. Overall, I liked Seattle a lot, I know people say it's just like Austin- I figured it wouldn't, because no place I ever have been even comes close, but it really is. Lots of weird people, Stevie Ray Vaughan on the radio, active bikers and skate boarders everywhere getting totally extreme, a few crazy bums here and there to mix it up, awesome food, and things to do. Now the weather – it was in the upper 70s while all my friends are baking in the 100s in Texas. Let me check, yup in the face – if you have anything left of it from burning off in that heat.
Now Wednesday morning we went to the infamous Pike Place Market, we did this Savor Seattle tour which I also thought would be cheezy and lame but it was pretty cool. Our tour guide was Erik, he was rocking a pretty lengthy Salvador Dali mustache, for some reason he wore a kilt, made fun of “pants wearers”... and he also carried a pink Mary Poppins umbrella so we could see him in the crowd of people that just stop and don't have a clue as to what they are doing.
On the tour we had these hilarious earpieces that allowed us to hear Erik as well as look like secret service folks/futuristic robots sent from the future. We got to sample the following local foods:
Now Wednesday morning we went to the infamous Pike Place Market, we did this Savor Seattle tour which I also thought would be cheezy and lame but it was pretty cool. Our tour guide was Erik, he was rocking a pretty lengthy Salvador Dali mustache, for some reason he wore a kilt, made fun of “pants wearers”... and he also carried a pink Mary Poppins umbrella so we could see him in the crowd of people that just stop and don't have a clue as to what they are doing.
On the tour we had these hilarious earpieces that allowed us to hear Erik as well as look like secret service folks/futuristic robots sent from the future. We got to sample the following local foods:
- Fresh donuts straight off the Donut Robot 5000 at Daily Dozen Doughnuts
- Some wacky cinnamon tea at MarketSpice
- FISH THROWING and various smoked salmon at Pike Place Fish – these guys also made fun of Erik's mustache multiple times so I thought that was pretty funny
- Probably the best peach, cherries, and nectarine I've ever had at Frank's Quality Produce. Also, just FYI – Alison had never had a fresh cherry before so congrats to her for accomplishing this feat at age 30. Yup, never had a cherry before. We're tearing walls down here people. Crazy!
- Awesome chowder at Pike Place Chowder. Erik tried to tell some story (I wasn't paying attention) about this place winning all the awards so after talking about them winning he asked us what happened the next year. I loudly suggest they lost (trying to hype up our group) but I was wrong. This place never loses. Shame on me. Also skip the seafood bisque, we give it 2 thumbs down, double up on the chowder.
- Sampled some various cherries at Chukar Cherries, plus some peach and cherry salsa which sounds gross but is pretty good.
- I don't really really even like cheese that much (my mom likes to claim I'm allergic to it) but Beecher's handmade cheese was pretty good, they make a killer macaroni and cheese there.
- I saw this Russian joint on the food network so it was cool to go to Piroshky-Piroshky, they make some kind of soviet hot pocket with different items in them. We had the potato and cheese, as well as apple cinnamon. Perestroika!
- Last we stopped at Etta's Seafood, which is owned by Tom Douglass, a chef here that evidently is on every cooking show on tv, and he also owns like 17 restaurants here. They love this guy here, he makes a good crab cake too.
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| Pike Place Market Sign |
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| My tron earpiece. I'm from the future. |
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| Fish market. |
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| Fruit stand. Best Fruit Ever. |
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| Our guide Erik strikes a pose. |
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
See ya later
Hello all. Jeff and I are chilling at the ferry dock preparing to head to Vancouver Island. We are trying to eat the 3 peaches and 2 nectarines from the Pike Place market before we board because apparently you can't take these fruits across the border. It's a real bust because I was really looking forward to having them for breakfast the next couple of days at the cabin.
FYI: we are headed to a cabin in the middle of nowhere. No TV and no Internet. So you may not hear from us for a couple of days. But check back soon for updates from today and our cabin adventures.
Fruit update: Jeff has now consumed 2 large peaches and 1 nectarine and I finished the other nectarine. I would have eaten more but I like my fruit cut into pieces so the whole peach didn't interest me. Good job, Jeff.
Fruit update 2: Jeff consumes final peach. Time taken to complete fruit mission: 1 hour.
FYI: we are headed to a cabin in the middle of nowhere. No TV and no Internet. So you may not hear from us for a couple of days. But check back soon for updates from today and our cabin adventures.
Fruit update: Jeff has now consumed 2 large peaches and 1 nectarine and I finished the other nectarine. I would have eaten more but I like my fruit cut into pieces so the whole peach didn't interest me. Good job, Jeff.
Fruit update 2: Jeff consumes final peach. Time taken to complete fruit mission: 1 hour.
1800NOtels
We have completed day one of our vacation and I'm up early ready for day two. Here are some notes about yesterday's adventures:
1. We decided to take the light rail to our rental car place downtown. It turns out a few hours before we arrived one of the light rail trains collided with a pickup truck. Glad we missed that one.
2. We arrive at our hotel (Maxwell Hotel) to free cupcake hour and a non existing reservation. It turns out 1800hotels filed for bankruptcy 2 weeks ago and never paid for our room. Thankfully they had a room and for $30 cheaper than the original reservation. Now I just have to work on getting my money back from 1800hotels. Side note: this hotel is right up my alley. Super modern! Great artwork and hardwood floors in the room! No sticky carpet here.
3. Had a great dinner at Poppy (home to one of the Top Chef Masters contestants).
4. Spent some time high up in the Smith Tower during the day and the Space Needle at night.
1. We decided to take the light rail to our rental car place downtown. It turns out a few hours before we arrived one of the light rail trains collided with a pickup truck. Glad we missed that one.
2. We arrive at our hotel (Maxwell Hotel) to free cupcake hour and a non existing reservation. It turns out 1800hotels filed for bankruptcy 2 weeks ago and never paid for our room. Thankfully they had a room and for $30 cheaper than the original reservation. Now I just have to work on getting my money back from 1800hotels. Side note: this hotel is right up my alley. Super modern! Great artwork and hardwood floors in the room! No sticky carpet here.
3. Had a great dinner at Poppy (home to one of the Top Chef Masters contestants).
4. Spent some time high up in the Smith Tower during the day and the Space Needle at night.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
On our way
We've made it to San Jose on our way to Seattle. I'm happy this swanky new airport has free internet and i also enjoy that the bathroom stall doors open outward--a real must in airports!
I'm stoked to arrive in Washington as it will be state #31 for me. I'll give you all a little rundown of our plans over the next week so you'll know what's in store.
Today: Seattle
Tomorrow: Seattle then take ferry to Vancouver island
Thursday-Friday: cabin in the middle of nowhere.
Friday-Saturday: Victoria
Sunday-Wednesday: Vancouver
Looking forward to our adventures and letting you all come along for the ride.
P.S. I just did this whole post from my iPhone! Fancy.
I'm stoked to arrive in Washington as it will be state #31 for me. I'll give you all a little rundown of our plans over the next week so you'll know what's in store.
Today: Seattle
Tomorrow: Seattle then take ferry to Vancouver island
Thursday-Friday: cabin in the middle of nowhere.
Friday-Saturday: Victoria
Sunday-Wednesday: Vancouver
Looking forward to our adventures and letting you all come along for the ride.
P.S. I just did this whole post from my iPhone! Fancy.
Airplane haikus
If you were expecting some nonesensical posting with no regard to punctuation or even a coherent thought process well that's where you are right but as an added bonus I have included my thoughts below in traditional haiku format. Enjoy!
Hot stuffy cabin
Coughing people with large bags
Hint of bologna
Our magic robot
Solar pinchers of power
He's not from our world!
Shameful stale muffin
Yes Austin java tricked me
Is there sand in this?
Hot stuffy cabin
Coughing people with large bags
Hint of bologna
Our magic robot
Solar pinchers of power
He's not from our world!
Shameful stale muffin
Yes Austin java tricked me
Is there sand in this?
Monday, August 2, 2010
Help Us Magic Robot Doodle
Usually when a friend/family member/trusted confidante leaves and you won't see them for awhile, you might part ways on some kind words or sage advice about the intended location or just life in general. Today, my boss Russ really outdid himself by doodling the following piece of artwork on what originally appeared to be an old napkin or possibly a kleenex, taking a picture of it on his iPhone, then sending to our entire department with the following description "he will watch over you Jeff and make sure you and Alison never feel alone" which I've honestly been pretty scared about. Big sigh of relief.
My guess was Russ didn't think there was any way I would post this, well that's where he's wrong, that's in his face! So if any of you were worried about Alison and me taking a trip to scary canadaland, rest assured I'm taking the magic robot doodle to protect us. Notice the little squiggles by what look like miniature tank tracks indicating it's super fast rapid movement, nothing can get away from the magic robot!!! It's got some serious pinchers too, look out Canada - here we come!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Packing For Vancouver
I logged into this website for the first time in a year and saw that there was 263 comments! Thank you for all the wonderful gentleman's enhancement pills and diet schemes! I've moved all those to where they belong... the trash. Now I can concentrate on packing. Here is what I've got so far:
- Ear plugs for Alison's snoring. Check!
- Eye mask so people don't have to look at me. Check!
- Tiny computer aka "Tiny C" that no normal human can type on. Check!
- 2 Lbs of Twizzlers. Check Mate!
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