From Seattle to Vancouver

The morning came quickly and Dale was up and showered and heading to breakfast! I quickly showered and got ready. I'm not a breakfast person, I drink a protein drink every morning but without that option, I had limited choices. Before I realized it, I had missed a call. Our driver was here!!!! I was checking out while Dale took our bags out. I wasn't expecting the vehicle they sent, but it was AWESOME (of course no photos, sorry). They sent a Cadillac Escalade! Our driver was very nice and helpful, had bottles of water waiting for us. He pointed out points of interest on our short ride to the train station. We could have taken a taxi as traffic was almost non existent at that hour, but I didn't want to chance it. We NEEDED to be at the train station early to ensure we had left side of train seats. I've taken Amtrak several times now but never where seats were assigned; basically, you got on the train and found a seat.

We arrived at the train station about 6:15 I believe and headed right into the the seat assignment line. Immediately we met Nicole and her son Ari. We've been 'talking' to Nicole via facebook and were so very happy we ran into her at that point. This was a bitter sweet trip for them as Nicole's hubby Josh had been tragically killed in a motor vehicle accident just a short time before the trip. Nicole thought of cancelling but we were so glad she did not. While standing in line we were informed we needed to take our bags to the 'checked baggage' area. Oh great, we had good spots in line. Oh well, we lugged them over and sent them on their way. This was new to me too as I've always had to lug my bags on the train and find somewhere to 'stow' them. With the checked bags (they had to be under 50 pounds, thankful I packed well) and no liquids or meds (uh oh, I'm sure there were some in there but too late now) permitted in checked bags. We then got in line to get our seat assignments. We just stood around waiting. Dale took a walk to a near by Starbucks as it was time for some coffee. I have finally found something I can drink at Starbucks and was glad to have a nice cup of coffee. Soon they opened the seat assignment window and started taking all the business class passengers first (now I know why). After checking all them in, they finally started with us (the low paying passengers). We got our turn and asked for left side of train seats. Nicole and Ari were right behind us so they too were given seats right behind us. 

After a short wait, it was time to board our train!!! More excitement, we are now on our way to Vancouver! This was a very relaxing trip and I would definitely recommend it to anyone that needed to get from Seattle to Vancouver. Tickets weren't bad (cheaper than the rental car) and we got to enjoy the views and talk with our new friends along the way. While checking in on the free wi-fi, we found others from our group were also on the train so we set about to say hello! It was great to 'meet' people you've been talking to for the past few months (or more than a year for those of us that booked opening day).

After a quick four hour trip we were in Vancouver and getting out bags to go through customs. It was a painless process and didn't take to long. We found our way out of the train station to the taxi area and very quickly had a taxi to our hotel. Those who haven't been to Vancouver take note, MOST taxis are TINY!!! The two of us and our luggage took the entire vehicle with one of our carry on bags being stored in the front passenger seat. In no time we were at our hotel! I changed hotels a couple times in the quick time I decided we were going to go this route. I was very pleased with my choice. We stayed at the Best Western Downtown Vancouver on Drake Street. The hotel was beautiful! I posted a review in Tripadvisor. 

It was too early to check in so we dropped our bags (they are kept in a locked area until we returned). I checked the computer in the lobby for the closest shuttle stop as we were meeting up with friends at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in North Vancouver. It was only a couple blocks from our hotel so we double checked which direction we needed to head out. As we walked down the one block it definitely felt like we were in a "city" as there were some people who appeared to be homeless and a shelter along that block. We stopped in a Subway for a quick lunch before getting the free shuttle the park offers. The shuttle picked up right in front of a Best Western two blocks from ours. In no time the shuttle arrived (it is clearly marked for the Capilano Park vs the other 'free' hotel or paid hop on and off shuttles/buses). Once on board the driver mentioned that he was having issues and we'd be picking up another shuttle at the next stop. Ok, no biggie we thought; but we arrived at the next stop and the shuttle wasn't there yet so we sat for a few. We had to drive around the block once and then the new shuttle arrived and we were off to the park. At the next stop who gets on our bus but Nicole and Ari!!! I was so glad to see them and to get to spend some more time with them.

We arrived at Capilano Park and shortly after entering the park ran into our friends Ginny & Shanea (hadn't seen them in two years) and as we went around the corner we saw Kim & Adam (hadn't seen in about 18 months)! We introduced Nicole & Ari to everyone and then started to make our way through the park.

Upon entering the park you can decide to go across that suspension bridge or walk around on this side of the bridge. We all opted for the bridge. About 1/2 way across we find out that Ginny is afraid of heights and we are REALLY high up!!!

This was the bridge we crossed!  Once we got across though there was a lot of exploring to do! We enjoyed all the views and places to climb. There was an Jr. Adventure activity that Ari did with Nicole. We all enjoyed the different walkways and views.  

After enjoying this side of the park it was back across the suspension bridge to the side we entered on.  There we enjoyed some yummy ice cream (and coffee for others) before we headed to the CliffWalks!

After a wonderful day with friends it was time to head back to our hotel (and check in). When returning to the exit area you are directed to the correct shuttle for your hotel drop off (but they sent Nicole & Ari on the wrong one). Our shuttle driver on the way back was a riot, we swear he was a Jersey or NY driver, lol. We said goodbye to our friends and that we'd see them in the morning at the port because TOMORROW WE WERE GETTING ON THE WONDER!!!!

Dale & I took a slightly different walk back to our hotel from the shuttle stop and found the next block to be much nicer and several places we could stop for a coffee or snack. We arrived back at our hotel and checked in (very quickly), gathered our luggage and off to our room. We had a corner room with a nice view from windows on both walls. The room was very nice and comfortable. 

We checked out the hotel and decided it was time to get a bite to eat. There is a restaurant right in the lobby so we decided to eat there. It was a very good meal, decent price and great service. After dinner we decided to walk to Starbucks a couple blocks away but found they had closed already so it was Tim Hortons for some coffee. We checked in with home on the free wifi and people watched for a little before heading back to our hotel. We were a bit blow away at the availability of 'medical marijuana' in both Seattle and Vancouver. This medical dispensary was just a block from our hotel.

We went up to the rooftop to check out the fitness are and deck and enjoyed the views.

Time to hit the hay since we have a cruise to catch in the morning!

A Little Background and First Day

Well, I guess I should start this thing, huh? I always want to do a trip report but just fall behind and never seem to finish. So this may be lots more photos than info but here goes. . .

We had a 7am flight from Philadelphia to JFK in NY where we would catch our connecting flight to Seattle. It was a LOT cheaper to fly into Seattle and stay there before the cruise. We went back and forth between staying two nights in Seattle and taking Amtrak up or driving up the morning of the cruise. The train ride is about four hours (very scenic along the coast) and car is less than that typically. I actually had us booked in Seattle for the two nights and a car rental (worried about freight issues with the train as Amtrak uses the freight line and if a problem the passenger train is delayed so the freight can get through). Another fear we had was last year the MAIN bridge along the main road from Seattle to Vancouver collapsed last year. So with all that, we opted to stay one night in Seattle and take the Sunday train up (a day early) giving us the day in Vancouver with no issues getting to the port on Monday.

With this set in motion, the first order of business was setting up the meeting with my friend Lynn. Lynn and I have been online friends for so very long. We both belonged to an online support group for women who had miscarriages. So finally getting the chance to meet Lynn was a special highlight of our trip. She was going to pick us up from the airport and we would spend the afternoon/evening with her. 

Of course I do not sleep well the night before vacation for fear of not getting up and missing our flight, ugh and with 3:30 am alarm (we were being picked up at 5am) I was definitely dragging when it went off. Once up and moving though, the excitement was building. My good friend Cam and her hubby were giving us a ride to the airport. Before leaving though I had to take my furbaby, Bella, for a walk. We stress when we go away that our fur-children won't get the much needed attention they are used to, but they always do! After walking Bella, Cam & Howard were here and we loaded up and ready to go. Quick stop for coffee and in no time we were at the airport. Dropped our bags at the Delta stop outside and off we went to security. We do not typically travel on a Saturday so I really was not sure what to expect in the airport. There was a very short line and we were 'randomly selected' for the TSA Pre-check (or our first 'FastPass' as we like to refer to it)!!! Not sure how or why we were selected we truly do not travel often but hey, laptop stays in the bag and shoes stay on (of course I have slip on flats so this wasn't a big deal); Dale though, had on his riding boots and of course they had to be removed!!! Either way, we were through security and on our way to our gate in no time. 

Those that know Dale, know he likes to EAT! He didn't have his typical 'big breakfast' so I made a bee line to the D&D and got him another small breakfast and some coffee. We knew that our puddle jumper we were taking to JFK would not have any amenities so thought best to be ready. We found out that you cannot 'carry on' anything larger than a brief case on these tiny planes so you carry your 'carry on luggage' outside to the side of the plane where they load it in the baggage area. We then walked up the stairs to our TINY plane. As soon as Dale walked in, I think he was going to have a panic attack. There are three seats across, one on one side and two on the other. The single side seats looked so very small and each person in those seats appeared to be crammed into their little space. Thankfully our two seats were fine for us but the head room is very LOW and quite a few heads bumped. 

Our flight from Philly to NY was very short and in no time we were on the ground at JFK. Now I've never been to this airport so I had no clue what to expect. As we got off the plane we were guided to an semi-enclosed walk way and then through what appeared to be a 'back door' to the airport. We then walked through the small terminal where we were lead to a waiting bus to take us to the main terminal to catch our next flight. This other terminal was HUGE and of course it seemed our gate was forever away from where we entered (as always happens). While waiting for our plane to call for boarding they were asking for people to check their carry on bags for free. I had packed and locked my carry on just in case as this happened to us (without our having any say on a flight) so I was eager to get rid of my 'carry on' suitcase for FREE!!! This flight was a MUCH larger plane and we were comfortable for the most part.

I was a little disappointed that my entertainment system was not working so I borrowed Dale's on our flight and watched a movie and tv during the flight. I did contact Delta and they added skymiles to my account but I don't travel enough to ever have that amount to anything. Our flight was uneventful and we were in Seattle by noon (Pacific time).

I texted Lynn as soon as we landed and she informed me she was eagerly waiting by the baggage claim. I couldn't believe how comfortable it was to just sit down and talk to this person who I never truly ‘met’ before! But we've been FRIENDS forever so it was a breeze. (kind of like my Disney Brides group of friends). Dale grabbed our bags and Lynn and I started right in gabbing. A quick stop at Subway for lunch and we dropped our bags at Lynn's before heading to a local park for a walk in the beautiful sunshine. We got to see Mount Rainier (hard to see in this photo but we DID see it!!) If you look really close you can see the 'cloud' but it's the mountain!

We spent a while enjoying the sunshine and pretty views before heading back to get our luggage and go check in to our hotel. I booked the Super 8 by the SeaTac airport since it was affordable and convenient. After we checked in and dropped off our luggage we stopped by the TEARS Angel of Hope Monument. Both Lynn and I and Lynn's daughter have lost precious babies. It was so beautiful I truly had tears taking it in. Following that it was pizza party with the entire family at Lynn's house! It was great to meet the rest of her family and her grandchildren. We had a wonderful time but it was soon time to get to our hotel as we'd been up since very early East Coast time. 

We got to our hotel and settled in. Dale falls asleep as soon as his head hits the pillow, me not so much. My cell phone rang at 9:30 pm (12:30 am east coast time) with our car service cancelling my pick up that was scheduled for 6am that next morning. I was floored. Guess I'm glad they called and just didn't show. I had to pull out the laptop and get online and see what I could find at this late minute. Thankfully, I was able to book a last minute car with Airport Taxi Seattle (Best Limo LLC). The price was only $5 more than I was going to pay and they were picking us up a few minute earlier than I had original think I needed to leave for the Amtrak station. Once this was booked I quickly fell asleep and it was morning before I new it!