Post #3

Vancouver:

BC is beautiful... everywhere we look there are license plates and bumper stickers that tell us so. I do have to admit, there are many aesthetic pleasures to be experienced here. Lots of beaches, water, bridges, tall buildings, parks, restaurants, crowds, open spaces, art and artists. Cool stuff.

Staying with Joe and Heidi White briefly before heading out towards northern BC. Old friends from Fresno, quite hospitable, and Heidi makes a mean lasagna. Wish we had a bit more time here, but if we want to be in Chicago by the 25th, could be a bit of a push.

Seattle was quite good, spent yesterday evening on Bainbridge island and got pizza with Cousin Erin and Aunt Jo. Erin has a condo in Poulsbo, small community on the other side of the island from Seattle proper. Her cat Dakota has some sort of weird thing going on with attacking guests, but who am I to judge? Though it is a bit disconcerting to be clawed through the back of a chair unsuspectingly. Also spent the morning exploring Discovery Park. Highly recommended for those who visit. Former military base at the west point of seattle peninsula north of downtown and a bit west of the Fremont district. Now it has a great hiking trail loop (about 3 miles) with beaches and trees and old buildings, etc. Though there is a wastewater treatment plant that tends to disrupt the pastoral setting somewhat when the wind blows the wrong way, though for the most part, relatively benign.

Anyhow, big thanks to Joelle for putting up with Roger and I. We are indebted.