ONE YEAR AGO TODAY

A change of pace, Gregg saw these on his Facebook page and gave them to me.  Many of you already know that they have a 'year ago today' feature.  

It is hard to believe that it has been a whole year since we went on our Alaska trip.  We started in Vancouver and had a couple of days before everyone else arrived.  In a local ice-cream shop we met this delightful couple we shared a table with.  It was one of those encounters when you meet friendly strangers who make the holiday a little extra special.

These photos are a bit blurry but you can read my post again here, where I also share many other photos from our time in Vancouver.

Also, to everyone out there who is celebrating, I would like to wish you all A Very Happy Cinco de Mayo.

A FEW FLOWER PHOTOS TAKEN THIS YEAR, SO FAR...

These were found on our holiday in Vancouver last May. 

Allium 'Globemaster' about to bloom
Scientific name: Allium sativum
Family: Amaryllidaceae

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."
~Anais Nin~

Horned Tulip

Scientific name: Tulipa acuminata

(Synonym Tulipa Turcica)

Lily Family - Liliaceae

Peony

Scientific name: Paeonia obovatavar. alba

Peony family - Paeoniaceae

Native to China and Siberia

"Tulips were a tray of jewels."

~E. M. Forster, Howards End~

Yellow Crown Imperial

Scientific name: Fritillaria imperialis 'Maxima Lutea'

Family Liliaceae

The flowers of a Texas Buckeye Tree

Scientific name: Aesculus glabra var. arguta

"Tis my faith that every flower enjoys the air it breathes!"

~William Wordsorth~ 

"Lines Written in the Early Spring," Lyrical Ballads 1798.

I will be back on Monday.  Thanks for stopping by.  I'm going to catch up on visiting your blogs over the next couple of days.  

Have a great weekend everyone.

ALASKA TRIP - MAY 2018 - STARTING OUR CRUISE IN VANCOUVER

I will add this on every post, just to let anyone who doesn't know, that we are actually back home.  I am now sharing my journal from the beginning of May.  If you want to see all the posts written so far, you can click on the label below this post entitled, Alaska Trip-May 2018.

THURSDAY, MAY 10TH, 2018 - STARTING OUR CRUISE IN VANCOUVER.

10.09 p.m.  We left the hotel this morning at 10-ish and drove down to the ship.  Gregg dropped us off while he took the car back to the rental company, and caught a taxi back. We were directed into a large hall where there was a long line forming - the first hurdle.  We had to fill out a health questionnaire which I did while waiting for Gregg to join us.  I sat down and called to tell him where we were, and our nephew went down to get him. 

The four of us joined an even longer line and when it was our turn, two of the cruise staff took out a form with our name on it, checked it over and gave us the key to our cabin, which we also used to get back on the ship.  They took our photos and every time they swiped your key as you got back on board, your photo showed up with all details and they said, "Welcome back on board Denise."  But I digress, from the big hall we walked a long way to customs.  Our niece and nephew had to go through the international line, while we went through the US line.  Ours was a faster process and a very pleasant customs lady checked our passport and sent us on our way.  No photos here because you know, we're in customs.  He didn't need to but Gregg told me I couldn't take any photos...ho-hum!  Yes I am smiling, he knows me but my fear of being carted off transcends my compulsion to take photos, and I hope he smiles too when he reads this, because you know husband, I am a policeman's daughter, as you often remind me.  Smiling again!  A straight arrow and I could compete.  "You can't do that, it would be jumping the queue!"  "You can't do that it would be....".  I could name a lot of nit-pitty little things I wouldn't do.  Gregg has teased me for almost 43 years about being a policeman's daughter, all in the nicest possible way of course.

So, after not taking any photos, we walked another good distance, which ended in another big hall but thankfully there were chairs to sit down and we waited for our niece and nephew. As we entered one of the catering crew was handing everyone a paper cup filled with very welcome icy cold water, flavored with lime juice and cucumber.   Very refreshing and something I am going to replicate during the summer months back home.  Gregg's sister and her husband turned up next, and not long afterwards our niece and nephew.  

We all had our photos taken in front of a large  background which showed the ship.  At this point we hadn't set eyes on it.  First photo was of the two of us, and then all four.  We were asked to put our thumbs up.   Niece and nephew had one of just the two of them taken also.  Many stood in line to have their photos taken, and this was before we boarded.  I wondered if those who did not, had been on other cruises.  We encountered several people in the days ahead who told us all about their previous experiences.

Finally it was time to go on board and we were greeted with waiters holding mimosas and champagne in fluted glasses. Then we were directed to the dining area and the six of us sat down for a meal. Our other family friend who was joining us, along with her sister, were spotted at the other end of the dining room, as they had gone through earlier. When they were leaving they passed by our table, and there were hugs all round.  We were all in a very good mood, and it was exciting.

After we had a lovely meal Gregg's sister and husband left and we were taken to our cabin. Happily we were next door to our niece and nephew. 

We stepped out onto the balcony and our niece popped her head around the partition screen from next door.  Sister-in-law also popped by and the three of us talked for a while. Gregg and I thanked her again as she was the organizer of this cruise, and set up the land tours also.  A cousin of theirs, who had been on the cruise the year before, also gave us some great information and we followed many of their activities, so we thank her too as she steered us - pardon the pun - in the right direction.  Thanks Cuz!   

There was a compulsory safety talk upstairs before the ship put to sea.  It lasted about an hour and immediately after that we went outside and watched as we left port. 

We thank you City of Vancouver and all the people we have met.  You made us feel so welcome during the short time we were in your city, and we fervently hope we can come back again one day.

This cruise was a first time one (apart from the navy people in our family who had experienced putting out to sea years ago - Gregg - but obviously it was totally different, and he was just as caught up in the excitement as we were). We stayed outside long enough to sail under the suspension bridge. It reminded us all of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, except this was a grey color.

I expect we would have stayed out there much longer but it was a tad nippy, and we went inside and walked around for a while.  We then sat in one of the lounges, ordered drinks and listened to a very talented guitar player.  Next we went back to our cabin to check that out for a while and sit out on the balcony.  At 7.00 p.m. the doorbell rang and the four of us went two floors down to the dining room and met up with my sister-and-brother-in-law.  It was a fun conversation and we were all in a very good mood. 

All the staff we encountered from start to finish could not have been more attentive. The manager who asked if everything was okay, told us about a special meal tomorrow and we arranged with him to attend.  We will meet the head chef and get a tour of the kitchen. Our friend and her sister came over as they were leaving.  We are playing catch up today but tomorrow they will be joining us for this special meal and tour.  

Dinner tonight  was super.  I apparently didn't take a photo of my tomato soup but it was excellent.  I also had filet mignon and for dessert, a poached pear and ice-cream.  Between each course a small serving of sherbet, very refreshing. Along with the dessert I ordered a white chocolate mocha, which came with one of those pretty designs in the layer of creamy foam on the top. With my meal I drank prosecco and also sparkling water.  We stayed talking a long time after my sister-and-brother-in-law left.  There was never any rushing you off the table at any time during our cruise, and that made for very relaxing meals. Eventually our beds were calling. Gregg and I went back to our cabin, and niece and nephew took another walk around the ship.  

This has been an absolutely fabulous day.

ALASKA TRIP-MAY 2018 - MET PEOPLE FROM ZIMBABWE AND GROUSE MOUNTAIN

I will add this on every post, just to let anyone who doesn't know, that we are actually back home.  I am now sharing my journal from the beginning of May.  If you want to see all the posts written so far, you can click on the label below this post entitled, Alaska Trip-May 2018.

At our hotel downtown.

May 9th, 2018.  

4.29 p.m. and we are back in our room after having another fun day.  We started our day by going for breakfast at a restaurant not too far from the hotel.  

It was a great place.  The owners were originally from Zimbabwe, had lived in South Africa for many years, and then moved to Canada.  

They decided to open this restaurant only a year ago and have just celebrated their first anniversary.  They were lovely people and we chatted during our stay.  

Everyone ordered the same basic breakfast, bacon and eggs, sausage or bacon, mushrooms, a slice of tomato and toast, but there was a lot more on the menu to choose from.  Wish I could have tried the crepes but this was a one time stop as we would soon be leaving town.

I can highly recommend it if you are in the area.  It is not a fast food place.  I have nothing against fast food but it was a lovely change going into a mom and pop restaurant.  

Loved the artwork on the walls. 

You can find Barbara and Dave's (the owners) website here.  Its address is 1093 Marine Drive, North Vancouver, BC V7P 3M6.  And no, they had no idea I was going to give them a review on my blog, and there were no freebies.  I just like to give a shout-out to those places we enjoy.  Great stop!

From here we drove to Grouse Mountain.

Our plan today was to take a gondola ride to the top, though I understand intrepid hikers walk up and walk down.  Grouse Mountain is only about 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver.  

You can read its history if you click on the lettering in red above.  In short, how it got its name was from the time the first recorded hikers reached its summit in October 1894. Back then it would have taken someone three or four days to reach the top.  

Along the way they hunted Blue Grouse.  There were many on the mountain, and that's how it got its name, Grouse Mountain.  In 1949 it had the world's first double chairlift. These little snippets came from the link above, and you can read their time line of history there also. 

There was a lot of snow up there and it was very cold. It also rained briefly.  I should have worn a coat. It's been a long time since I have been in high mountains and though I had one back in the car, it wasn't helping me up here.  Lesson learned and a good reminder, when the temperature is milder down below, high in the mountains it can get decidedly nippy!

There were several impressive carvings along our walk, and all very large.  The two here were way over our heads, as were others we passed.

There was a café, gift shop and something that interested us particularly, a grizzly bear enclosure.  We knew we were on the right path when we saw the paw prints, although I think this photo was taken when we were heading back, judging by the direction of those prints.

The two we saw were sleepy, having just come out of their 17th hibernation.  In fact one popped his head up briefly and gave us an enormous yawn...

and look at those pads and claws?

This enclosure apparently is temporary as their much larger home was being updated next door.  I couldn't help but feel sorry for them, not being able to roam free but their stories tell why that isn't possible.

Grinder was found in 2001 in Invermere, BC, wandering alone on a logging road, weak with dehydrations and very, thin, weighing not even 10 lbs.  His mother was never found, so he lives his life here at the top of Grouse Mountain.

The same year Coola was found on a highway near Bella Coola, B.C.  His mother had been killed by a truck and of her three cubs, Coola, was the only one to survive.  Apparently he enjoys letting Grinder take the lead and can often be found submerged up to his neck in the large pond.  You can read about the bears here.

We were only on the mountain for a couple of hours, time to have a cup of coffee and a look around the gift shop after we visited with these beautiful bears.  On our way down we were packed like sardines inside the gondola.  

Wanting to find out where we needed to go the next day, Gregg took us to where we would be boarding the ship. We parked the car using one of those meters I mentioned before, when we visited Dr. Sun Yat-Sen's Garden a few days previously.  They can be found all over the city.

It was fun to walk around, and hard to believe we will be sailing tomorrow.  The one below is not ours, but one that had left by the time we got there the next day.

Our way back to the hotel Gregg took us through Chinatown, but there was no energy left to do more than drive through.  It was very interesting looking at all the store fronts.  

We returned to the hotel, had another nice meal with our niece and nephew, and then went to bed.  It's going to be a big day tomorrow.