The Big Trip Part IV

Day 4: Whistler

We headed into Whistler in the morning to go up the mountains. We took the gondolas up Whistler.




The whole trip I tried to take pictures with Christmas cards in mind. Just to show my friend Susan that her kids are not the only ones.




















More photo ops with the Olympic rings at the top of the gondolas


You could take a short hike down a ways and take a chair lift up to the very top of the mountain. It was cold but we did it anyway.
















The last photo shows the hiking trails at the peak. I wish we had been more appropriately dressed and we could have gone for a short hike. It probably had some beautiful views.

After the chair lift we hiked back up the gondola landing. It was a lot tougher go up than going down. Next we went on the Peak 2 Peak gondolas that take you to Blackcomb.


We went across and got right back on to check out the glass bottom gondola.


Not all that exciting. At least we didn't sit through the very long line that was on the Whistler side. After a trip back across to Blackcomb, we had lunch in the cafe and took chairlifts down.




On our way back to Squamish, we stopped at Brandywine Falls to check out the scenery.

The Big Trip Part III

Day 3: Vancouver/Squamish

Leftovers from Part II. DH's picture of the kids at the Space Needle.


We got up early and took the train from Seattle to Vancouver. The train station was close to our hotel so we hoofed it, dragging our luggage behind


The train was a new mode of most of us and the boys were slightly excited. The dining car must have been really cool because multiple trips were made to it.








Before leaving Vancouver, we stopped in Lynn Canyon Park on our way out of town. It was a fabulous state park with a suspension bridge and a cafe with yummy food.  We took lots of pictures.














After the hike, we drove out to Squamish to meet the ILs. We arrived at our hotel and the ILs had gone somewhere and we had time before they got back. On their suggestion, we went back down the road to Shannon Falls. We took a lot more pictures, but since we're on photo overload, here are only a few.






J was refusing to pose for the camera. Until he did his gangster pose. I promised him I would include this picture on the blog. My revenge for refusing to smile and hiding from the camera!

The Big Trip Part II

Day 2 : Seattle

We spent day two being typical tourist.

Pike Place Market






We ate the World's Best Mac & Cheese at Beecher's. I have to say it might actually live up to its name. And the turkey panini we ate was really good too.

We went to the library.


S#2 is a librarian so she wanted to go. I knit the Koolhaus hat (knitting pattern based in the windows of the Seattle Public Library) so I wanted to go. The rest of them just had to tag along.

Next we headed to the Aquarium. The kids spent most of the time at the splash pool touching all the creatures.


B insisted on putting on the scuba gear. He tried to get it just like the poster.




Not a bad job.


The cousins headed to another ball game, we left to go to the Space Needle.




Anna danced.

We walked back to the hotel. By the time we got back, my feet were exhausted. We were all cranky and hungry. DH went to find a restaurant near by. There wasn't much open so we got Thai food to go and a cheese pizza from the hotel deli. The Thai food was great and everyone was happy.