Saturday, August 23, 2008

Vancouver BC 8/23/2008


"Vanessa" promised to be good so we let her stay in a bed last night.


Unfortunately she took that literally and stayed in bed all morning.


Stanley Park was our first destination of the day. It took us a few minutes to find the aquarium,


and during these few minutes, "Vanessa" had a run in with a shady looking squirrel.

Aquarium time! Home of a brand new baby Beluga whale! We decided not to view it from under water because the line was ridiculously long. There was also a birthing video of the whale that we skipped for some reason...



Jay was done at his Gate Con for the day so after lunch at the aquarium was over, we scooted down to the Capilano Suspension Bridge.

It's a pretty big bridge.

After we got across the bridge we entered and "extreme nature zone" where "Vanessa" had a run in with a shady looking Slug.

We finished out the night with dinner at TGI Friday and a little walking around the mall.

Friday, August 22, 2008

Vancouver BC 8/22/2008


Jason took off bright and early for Gate Con, while "Vanessa" and everyone else woke up after a refreshing night's rest and started off the day with some good breakfast bagels. At one point the smoke alarm went off while the bagels were toasting and we had to fan the smoke away from the screeching alarm. A firetruck showed up a few minutes later but drove off as soon as it pulled up, so it is still unconfirmed if the truck was for us or not. I believe it was.


Then on the way out the girls had to play zoo in the bike chain up area. Look, Paige and "Vanessa" are lions! Grrrrroowwwwllll!!!

Next it was to the H.R. Macmillan Space Centre where they have a giant crab fountain to celebrate the sign of the zodiac for Canada's July 1st Independence Day.

Inside, "Vanessa" and the rest of us showed up just in time for the planetarium show of Harold's Solar System. Harold(the giant projector) took us on a tour of our fascinating Solar System, where we found out that Pluto is no longer considered one of the 9 planets. It has now joined the list of dozens of dwarf planets that also inhabit our Solar System. Poor Pluto...

"Vanessa" then had to suit up to get ready for the Virtual Voyage to Mars.

Luckily she was tall enough to go on the voyage.


Granville Island was very close so we went there for lunch. A burger grill was very highly recommended to us so I decided to eat there. I ordered the California chicken burger after another recommendation from the lady who took my order. Apparently these Canadians haven't had an American burger in a while.... or ever. Not the greatest burger...

After a long day "Vanessa" decided to unwind by swimming in the hotel pool with the rest of us.

As we were all swimming, "Vanessa" disappeared for a little while. After a small search I found her. She said she was just resting, but I suspected a little bit of dishonesty.

I didn't realize how dishonest she was until I saw she was incapable enjoying the water again. Luckily I saved her just before she drowned.


She dried off just in time for the Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon light show. Sam, "Vanessa", and I headed back to the Space Centre for some psychedelic music and animations.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Vancouver BC 8/21/2008

After unimaginable whining, "Vanessa" has weaseled her way onto our Siemers family trip to Vancouver, Canada. Here we are on I-5 northbound to the big B.C..


After a long day of travel, we stop for a Canadian delicacy ...Italian gelato ice cream. Jay's lemon flavor was definitely the best.

Then it was back the the hotel where "Vanessa" quickly got ready for bed to rest up for a busy day of touristing.


Unfortunately, there wasn't enough room so "Vanessa" and I had to share a bed... until she got a little too friendly.

So I kicked her out...


...and got a good night's sleep.