June 27, 2019 Thursday
Sisters, OR

This morning all had breakfast together and to discuss our day.  After breakfast, Debi and I took there dog (Rosie) for her morning walk.  The area they are renting in, has a recreation community, which has tennis and pickle ball courts, pool, basketball courts, rec hall, etc...  Debi usually plays Pickle ball on Thursday mornings but, since we were in town, she passed on playing.  I had heard a lot about this game but never seen it played.  So, we stopped and I watched and thought..this is just like tennis but shorter court.  After everyone was done playing, they asked if I wanted to try it.  You think I was going to pass this opportunity, NO.  Of course I want to play.  We played doubles and I didn't do to bad.  It is really a fun sport once you get the hang of it.  After our walk we hung out back at the house.  I got caught up on my Blog and did wash. 
Tom dropped his truck off in Bend in the morning for all day service.  John followed and brought him back to the house. 

In the afternoon, Tom and Debi wanted to take us to the Aspen Lakes Lodge for lunch which is also the golf course they teach.  After lunch they drove us to there home they are building and will be moving in mid September. the home is a BUTTE!!

In the late afternoon, Debi dropped me off at the nail salon while she went and taught a golf lesson at the course.  John picked me up and when Debi came home we ate a wonderful spaghetti dinner Tom cooked up for us.  

June 26, 2019 - Wednesday
Portland, OR - Sisters, OR

Today we played Proghorn Golf Course in Bend, OR.  We played the Jack Nicklaus course which played just as Jack designed, Firm and Fast.  Firm fairways, Fast Greens.  We had a view of the Cascade Mountains which at times look really dark.  There was plenty of thunder in those mountains, but we received very little hail/rain.

Afterwards, we stopped and had dinner at Mazatlan Mexican Restaurant in Bend while we charged Tessie.  All I can say is YUMMY, that is John's dinner, I had the typical Shrimp Cocktail which I forgot to take a picture.

Our resting place for tonight and for the next 4 nights is in Sisters, OR.at our friend Tom & Debbie.  They moved to Sisters from Aptos to semi-retire (still golf teaching Pros part time) and build there dream home.  They are renting a place while they build there home just outside the town of Sisters. 

June 28, 2019 - Friday

This morning Tom and Debi putt on a Junior golf clinic.  After the clinic, Tom had to work a demo day for PING.   Debi, John and I go played Aspen Lakes Golf Course.  Oh, and we can't forget Ms Rosie who likes to ride with mom.  There were baby ducklings and the beautiful Mom (Pen) & Dad (Cob) Swans and their 8 cygnets.  Another beautiful day on the course. 

That evening all of us were invited to join our friends Candy and Scott for a pizza night at their RV Space with their BIG MONTY (5th wheel) in Bend.  Tom came home not feeling great and Debi coming down with a cold, they both decided not to go.  We joined the Berlin's for an evening of Scotts famous pizzas in his Ooni Wood Pellet Pizza oven, appetizers, drinks, desert and a great time around the fire pit. Thank you both for a wonderful evening.

June 25, 2019 - Tuesday
Seattle, WA to Portland, OR

We went for a short walk and I had to buy a Starbucks in the Headquartered city of Seattle.  As we were walking around we realized we were surrounded by Amazon buildings.  They had a fruit stand that was handing out free bananas so Johnny grabbed a couple.

We were going to tour the Space Needle before heading to Portland, OR.  Unfortunately, we missed our exit and were then in a tunnel that felt like 3 miles long.  Not wanting to turn around after the tunnel, we decided it's something left on our bucket list.  It is also getting late and we have a 3 hour drive + a charge before we get into Portland, OR.  We arrived in Oregon today, checked into the Kimpton River Place Hotel and were upgraded to a beautiful view of the River.  We decided to visit the restaurant for Happy Hour and enjoyed the river view.  Not seeing anything we cared for on their dinner menu and really not feeling that hungry, we walked a 1 mile to the local Green Zebra grocery store for a baguette and bottle of wine to go with our Salami & Cheese we already had.  We enjoyed our cheese board, bottle of wine and enjoyed our room with a view.   That was our day in Portland.

 

June 24, 2019 - Monday
Victoria,BC to Seattle, WA

On our way out of Victoria heading to the ferry, we stopped at Butchart Gardens.  Surrounded by lush greens and colorful blooms, there are over 100 years of blooms.  This land was originally a limestone quarry that was the backyard of Jennie Butchart.  She envisioned landscaping a sunken garden in its place and transforming the property for her family and visitors for generations to come.  Well she definitely succeeded.  There are 55 acres of gardens, 900 bedding plant varieties, 26 greenhouses and 50 full-time gardeners. 

We really enjoyed our journey through the Providences of Canada and it's time to head back to the USA.  We took the ferry back over to Vancouver and drove to Seattle.  Very long day especially when we came to the border crossing.   Which told us there was approx. border delays of 40mins.   It took us 1 1/2hrs to get through the border.  Now through we drove straight to our hotel snapped a few pictures along the way.  Needing to change Tessie from km to miles, I missed the Welcome to Washington sign.  We had to stop and charge Tessie in Lynwood, WA which took another 50 minutes.  

Feeling very tired from our long day drive, we checked into the MOXY by Marriott which we had never stayed at this brand before.  It was quit interesting.  The MOXY is very modern unique hotel. The check in is at the Bar, which they give you a complimentary drink upon arrival.  

We walked over to the Palmera Mexican Restaurant and enjoyed our dinner.  After the Margarita and Dinner we are done for the day.  

June 23, 2019 Sunday
Vancouver, BC to Victoria Island, BC Canada

This morning we took the BC Ferry over to Victoria Island.  On the ferry, they have a “Quiet Lounge”, which we thought would be nice.  There was a lady there to open the door for us, so we went in sat down and thought this is pretty nice.  Well, a lady came over to us letting us  know that we needed to pay to sit in this lounge and it’s $13.00 CAD per person.  No Problem for us which ended up costing us about $20.00USD for both of us.  It was very nice, they have very comfortable lounge chairs, they provided snacks: cheese, crackers, vegetable w/dip, trail mix, coffee, tea and juices and we had a smooth 1hr 35 minute sailing trip.

After unloading from the ferry we headed straight to the hotel (Marriott Inner Harbour). 

Once checked in, we stopped at the Concierge to get information on what is the “MUST SEE” since we only have one day visit on the Island.  It was extremely windy and with the option of biking around town, we would have been blown backwards, so we decided to walk.  We started walking and right away, John needed his hat and I had to braid my hair because of the extreme wind.  Ok now we are ready to visit this windy town.  We walked the river walk, Historic District and Chinatown.   

We were told Chinatown in Victoria is the largest Chinatown in Canada.  Fan Tan Alley was our highlight of Chinatown, which is this alley that is no more than  10 feet wide and lined with shops.

.    

We walked to the Market Square where there was a band playing (Jamacian type music). We stopped to have a brew and listen.  Very festive event they have every week-end.  

   

We ventured onto Bastion Square, which is a historic pedestrian mall lined up with shops, restaurants and historic buildings. 

We stopped at the Old Times Pub for Lunch/Dinner.  This unique restaurant building is an eye catcher in the center of Bastion Square.  It has the classic Irish Pub fare.  The building was the first home to the Bank of Montreal, built in 1894 by Sir Francis Rattenbury.  The building is chateau style stone work.  The interior has cozy fireplaces, rich dark wood, Victorian-etched glass doors and windows.  It was such a beautiful day, we sat outside.  All the staff wear Kilts to represent the Irish flare.  Of course, John had Fish & Chips and I had there Lobster Bisque and salad.  It was all good and the service was great from our Irish waitresses.  HA

We walked back to the hotel to rest up  for our evening walk in the city.  The Concierge told us to take a short walk at night to see the Parliament Building (Provincial Legislature) all lite up.  We also took a short stroll around the inner harbor beautifully lite up.

  

  

June 22, 2019  Saturday
Whistler, BC - Vancouver, BC Canada

This morning we headed out kinda early for a pit stop to visit the Sea to Sky Gondola.  The 10 minute ride to over 2900ft above sea level to the summit provides sweeping views of How Sound, the majestic coastal forest and surrounding mountains.  Once at the top, we walked across the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge.  The bridge is just over 300 feet long.  As you walk across the bridge you can get a greater perspective of exposure and height over land.  We then journeyed on a 1 mile hike to several viewing areas.

Just down the road is Shannon Falls.  The falls is the third highest waterfall in British Columbia where water falls from 1100 feet.  The visitors parking was packed so, Johnny let me out to take pictures.  I went to the main viewing area which really wasn't the view I wanted.  I saw some steps and started climbing.  After 100 step I reached the highest tourist viewing point.  I had to have my pictures taken after running those stairs.

We are now on our way to Vancouver, BC Canada and our first impression was looking up through the glass top of Tessie and seeing nothing but Skyscrapers.  

Vancouver's building structures are built ground to sky cause they have very little land left to build.

We checked into the Westin and with our hotel status were able to get an upgrade (as we have with most of our hotel stays). But, this one was one of the best.  Corner room with City and Harbor view.

  

Visited the Concierge to point out interest areas for us to see on one day.  With several options, we opted to walk since we have been sitting a lot.  Needed a brew and a bite, we walked along the river and stopped at the Parkside Brewery, had our brew, bite and watched the Seaplanes land in the harbor.  

Afterward we walked to the Gastown District.  In the 1800's locals named the town after the first saloon was started by Jack Deighton, known as "Gassy Jack" because he loved to talk-apparently for hours. 

The Gastown Steam Clock, which is the world’s first steam powered clock built in 1977 by Raymond Saunders (Clock Maker).  It’s supposed to blow a whistle every 4.5 minutes but didn’t while we were there, it was just steaming and the time was correct.  

Walked through Old Town Vancouver.   Feet feeling tired we headed back to the hotel and turned in for the night.

SQUAMISH-BC-SUSPENSION-BRIDGE-SUMMER.JPG