We planned to make today an easier day for Mom because she was rather tired from the past two days. She's also been fighting a bit of a cold.
However, we were still up by 6:00 AM and had our breakfast at 6:30. It was promising to be a beautiful day for our little outing to Stanley Park. "We'll come back by lunchtime," we told Mom.
We arrived at the Stanley Park Aquarium by 9:15. It opens at 9:30. We sat beneath this gorgeous cherry blossom tree and couldn't stop taking photos of it.
"Would you like me to take a photo of all of you," said Terry as he walked by. I've said it before, but I'll say it again. I love Canadians. I manage to always meet teachers on all our trips.
After taking a photo of us we talked about teaching, places we'd been, etc. Terry is a retired teacher after 34 years, does substitute teaching, is working for the Olympic Games, has a brother who is the grounds keeper for Stanley Park, does a lot of jogging, ETC. After a half hour, it seemed like we'd known him forever. He also asked us if we were Obama supporters. When we gave him an emphatic, YES! he began talking politics with us. Canadians often know more about American politics than Americans. Eventually, we had to say goodbye because the Aquarium had long before opened.
We saw a demonstation of a bald eagle flying and eating.
Here's the culprit that caused some trouble for us. Yes, they did say you could be splashed, but we never expected this little beluga to drench us completely! Art is even having to do laundry for us tonight because we have salt water over all of us.
We ate lunch out in the hot sun so that our clothes would have time to dry, not to mention our hair, shoes, socks, jackets, etc. Good grief!
It was now later than we planned to be out but was having too much fun to return to the hotel.
The totems are like our family crests.
On the way out we caught a glimpse of a beautiful garden. Art had to use a roundabout to go back.
Beautiful cherry trees graced the park.
With each gust of wind we were showered with cherry blossom petals.
Mom said she'd always heard about hana fubuki which means blizzard of flowers, but she'd never actually seen it. She stood there mesmerized and then said, "I can die now. I've seen it all." We assured her that there was still much more to see.
Back at the hotel around 3:30 (ummm...a tad later than we promised), I was glad we brought our multi pronged outlet because we had to use it to charge our cellphone, our rechargeable batteries and laptop computer.
Art has just about finished our laundry now and we're off to dinner.
Guess what? I might be able to see Chuck after all! They have it in Canada... I hope.
However, we were still up by 6:00 AM and had our breakfast at 6:30. It was promising to be a beautiful day for our little outing to Stanley Park. "We'll come back by lunchtime," we told Mom.
We arrived at the Stanley Park Aquarium by 9:15. It opens at 9:30. We sat beneath this gorgeous cherry blossom tree and couldn't stop taking photos of it.
"Would you like me to take a photo of all of you," said Terry as he walked by. I've said it before, but I'll say it again. I love Canadians. I manage to always meet teachers on all our trips.
After taking a photo of us we talked about teaching, places we'd been, etc. Terry is a retired teacher after 34 years, does substitute teaching, is working for the Olympic Games, has a brother who is the grounds keeper for Stanley Park, does a lot of jogging, ETC. After a half hour, it seemed like we'd known him forever. He also asked us if we were Obama supporters. When we gave him an emphatic, YES! he began talking politics with us. Canadians often know more about American politics than Americans. Eventually, we had to say goodbye because the Aquarium had long before opened.
We saw a demonstation of a bald eagle flying and eating.
Here's the culprit that caused some trouble for us. Yes, they did say you could be splashed, but we never expected this little beluga to drench us completely! Art is even having to do laundry for us tonight because we have salt water over all of us.
We ate lunch out in the hot sun so that our clothes would have time to dry, not to mention our hair, shoes, socks, jackets, etc. Good grief!
It was now later than we planned to be out but was having too much fun to return to the hotel.
The totems are like our family crests.
On the way out we caught a glimpse of a beautiful garden. Art had to use a roundabout to go back.
Beautiful cherry trees graced the park.
With each gust of wind we were showered with cherry blossom petals.
Mom said she'd always heard about hana fubuki which means blizzard of flowers, but she'd never actually seen it. She stood there mesmerized and then said, "I can die now. I've seen it all." We assured her that there was still much more to see.
Back at the hotel around 3:30 (ummm...a tad later than we promised), I was glad we brought our multi pronged outlet because we had to use it to charge our cellphone, our rechargeable batteries and laptop computer.
Art has just about finished our laundry now and we're off to dinner.
Guess what? I might be able to see Chuck after all! They have it in Canada... I hope.
I absolutely love cherry blossom trees. Where I grew up in NJ, my neighbor had one that hung over our driveway. We probably got more enjoyment out of that beautiful tree than they did. There was also a park that was an incredible attraction for miles and miles as it was full of cherry blossom trees. We went every April to soak up the beauty. Your pictures are gorgeous. Sounds like you are having a wonderful time! Don't you ever stay home?? Moss will never grow on you!! LOL
ReplyDeleteKay;
ReplyDeleteThose Cherry trees are something special..even in photos.
Thank you for sharing your trip with us!
Everything looks so beautiful and your mother is so, so cute!
ReplyDeletewhat a fun day except for the surprise shower...but seems you took it in stride and even got your laundry done. you know how to travel and enjoy it, making new friends all the time. thanks for sharing your trip and the beautiful spring sights.
ReplyDeleteExquisiste photos, Kay! And I'm so glad you're having such a great trip! Thanks so much for sharing the fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks SO much for bringing us along!
ReplyDeleteAloha
So glad Mom got to see a hana fubuki.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful day you had. I hope you aren't wearing out your mom. I'm more her age, and I know my kids wear me out sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI love the totems!
It is a wonderful area, it has been sometime since I visited Vancouver. It is about a 14-16 hour drive from here but one day I'll try to make it out there again, it's been many years.
ReplyDeleteThe blossoms look absolutely beautiful!! The weather is gorgeous!
What a big difference is weather in BC where is is snowing here in my part of BC.
Wonderful photos!!
Beautiful tree and the blossoms are so nice. I posted some the past few days from my dinky dwarf apple tree and it is pretty neat also.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like you are having a ball and the photos are nice.
Kay, I loved the picture of the hana fubuki or blizzard of flowers! You all look so happy in all the pictures! Glad you are having such a great time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful day. I'm glad your mother was blessed with the flowers, what a lovely moment!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely lovely outing. Looks like everybody had fun. Thanks for sharing and for taking me along. I really enjoyed this.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful day you had. I loved all the photos, the story of the blossoms and the totem poles were awe-inspiring! It looks as if you couldn't ask for any better weather. I have so enjoyed tagging along on this wonderful journey.
ReplyDeleteTraveling is such an adventure! You never know when you might meet a new friend or have to wash salt water out of your clothes. LOL.
ReplyDeleteLOL at that multi pronged outlet, we are going to need one of those for Chicago I think!!
ReplyDeleteAnother fabulous day, can I just say Kay, I think it's wonderful that you both get on so well with your mom, you can take her with you. Sadly we could not do this with either of ours!
Those Cherry Blossoms are incredible but tell your mom she has a long ways to go yet! Wonderful following along with you all.
Hi Kay! Looks like you are having a grand time.
ReplyDeleteHi. It's Wednesday night and I'm catching up. We just got back from three days on Whidbey Island, by way of the Skagit Valley tulip fields- just the opposite of your route. We don't have cable or internet at the beach house there, so I got behind in following your trip.
ReplyDeleteStanley Park is wonderful!