Day 1….Welcome to Vancouver

After an early start in Tampa……

We’re excited to get out and start exploring!

After 7 hours of flying……

And 5,000 miles…..

Over the Gulf of Mexico, the plains, snowcapped mountains, and lots of clouds……

We Arrived!

The airport was crowded. We got here almost 2 hours later than expected due to delays in Dallas. The first thing Abby and I notice is how many Asian people work at the airport and how many are arriving with Canadian passports. We soon learn that many came here in search of wealth and gold.

We checked into the Residence Inn on Hornby St. It’s nice, roomy, comfy, convenient…..

Welcome to the 14th floor. I think we’ll stay a few days.

Watch out for all the bikers on the path. They are fast. A lady who was trying to beat me to the cab, almost got taken out by a biker. I hesitated and was watching her not watching the bikes, so I lost the cab. Oh well, another was just behind.

This building, just down from our hotel, is pretty cool. It has a giant swinging pendulum. I thought Abby took a picture and she thought I did and we have nothing! She does have a video.

I crossed the street to look at a park and found this along the way. I thought it was really cool.

Found the park. It’s up 1 flight of steps so you have to look for it.

Very pretty.

It was raining, but we took a cab to Gas Town in search of a late lunch, early dinner. BC is 3 hours behind. We got up at 3am and hit the road by 3:25. Robert Irvine sat next to me at the airport. He likes to base jump and has 2 new shows coming out soon.

Along the way, our taxi driver, very nice, friendly, and helpful, pointed out a guy getting a ticket and said that texting and driving is a $543 fine!

Our first stop was Local Public Eatery. It was YUM! Abby and I shared a giant bacon burger and a chicken pot pie. Al had clam chowda and hot wings. All were great. Our water had NO ice! I guess it’s an English thing. Fun, cute atmosphere. 5 stars from us.

Next up, some shopping and then we stopped for hot chocolate and cheesecake. It’s 58 degrees here – pretty cool for some Floridians.

We saw a number of these old thin buildings.

Welcome to Gas Town.

Meet Gassy Jack, founder of Gas Town.

These flowery lamp posts are everywhere – love them.

I’m not a coffee drinker, but couldn’t pass up the sign.

The steam clock. It steams all the time, but whistles and ‘really’ steams every 15 minutes.

Believe me when I say it’s hard to get a picture of just the clock. Gas Town, well all of Vancouver, is a busy place.

Extra Steam at 5:15.

And, just like that, the sun came out!!!

We are going up in this Lookout tower tomorrow. 553 feet. We walked around Gas Town for a while, eating and shopping and then right into Canada Place, where the port is. More shopping and sight seeing.

We made it to the water. BEAUTIFUL! This park is part of Canada Place. I think it was developed for the 2010 Olympics or at least improved for the event.

My girl, Abby. She’s very excited about our trip.

She’s a dancer, if you didn’t know.

Somewhere over there is Whistler Mountain – home of the 2010 Olympics. We are going to Grouse Mountain tomorrow. I think it is the mountain with just the peak showing on the left.

I just love this view. The park is very nice and hardly anyone is here. It is Sunday evening maybe 6ish.

She loves to jump!

These sails were put in for the 2010 Olympics.

Such a cool park.

PhotoBomb!

My guy, Al, with Abby.

Huge container port.

How magnificent. That is Grouse Mountain. Can’t wait to go there. It’s going to be a full day.

Lots of seaplanes coming and going. I want to go on one but it’s expensive for a short ride. I don’t think Al cares to fly in such a tiny plane. I don’t know why…..we have been skydiving out of much smaller planes.