We returned from our ten-day trip almost a week ago, so I’d better get to it before it fades away… The trip was supposed to be a surprise for Aimee’s birthday, but I planned it so long ago that I couldn’t keep it a secret forever. We spent three days in Seattle, three in Victoria, and three in Vancouver, traveling between each location via a ferry. We flew into Seattle on a Saturday afternoon, and Brent picked us up at the airport. The highlights of the fortnight are as follows:
Seattle: Seeing Brent, Amanda, and Darius, for the first substantial time since just after our wedding two years ago. Staying at the Ace Hotel in Belltown. Visiting the Greenwood Space Travel Supply Co. Taking in a game at Safeco, and seeing All-Star MVP Ichiro work his magic at the plate. Tasting wine at Chateau Ste Michelle and beer at Redhook. Tracking down ten photobooths around town. And experiencing it all in three days of glorious sunshine.
Photos of Seattle.
On Tuesday morning, we headed to Victoria, where I hadn’t visited since 1988, and Aimee had not yet been. The rain we had heard about finally showed up, and would stick with us for the rest of the trip. We checked into our cute B&B near the waterfront, and immediately went out to buy an umbrella. Highlights from Victoria: Walking around the inner harbo(u)r and Fisherman’s Wharf. Checking out Miniature World, in all its wacky detail. The Rodin exhibit at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. Browsing Antique Row, and visiting the B.C. Shaver and Hobbies Store. The Titanic exhibit and B.C. history exhibits at the Royal B.C. Museum. And finally, a wonderful evening at Butchart Gardens, wandering the stunningly beautiful grounds and enjoying the evening lights.
Photos of Victoria.
On Friday, we took a combination of bus, ferry, and bus from Victoria to Vancouver, and more rain. We met my parents, in town for a conference, at our hotel, and had a great birthday/anniversary dinner with them at Coast. Highlights of Vancouver: Walking the seawall in Stanley Park. Eating delicious seafood for every meal. Jazz and dessert at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Walking through the markets on Granville Island. “The Taming of the Shrew” outdoors at the Bard on the Beach. Wandering Gastown, now with ultra-realistic accidental side trip through Skid Row! Malaysian dinner in the West End. And watching dusk over Vancouver from the slowly rotating 42nd floor of the Empire Landmark Hotel.
Photos of Vancouver.
We arrived home on Monday afternoon, and waited with Earth, Wind, and Fire at the baggage claim for 45 minutes; the only reason we knew it was them was because one of them was wearing a shirt with the band’s name on it, and I looked up what they looked like on my phone. The trip was great, and despite my boot and my limited walking ability, we had a fun time and I was somewhat distracted from the fact that I wasn’t still training for the marathon. Which was this morning. So congratulations to Brent for running it, and I hope to get back into it sometime soon – or at least just out of this boot, which is no longer that cool.
