Canada 2016 - Getting started - Sweet Home to Vancouver BC

Sunday, June 12
It only took us until 3 pm to get the yard watered and the house buttoned up We only need to get to Albany by dinner time so no stress.

Plus it is a beautiful afternoon for a ride.

It was even warm enough for a stop at our favorite place in Lebanon. We think he is going to miss our regular visits

We have been seeing a lot of these new hazelnut orchards this spring. Maybe Nutella is giving peanut butter some competition.

Checking out our route and timing from the motel to the train station took us right by one of our favorite dinner spots in Albany.

They have the best fish and chips and LOTS of stuff to look at while you wait.

Monday - June 13
Not much traffic at 5:30 am

Looks like the weather really is going to be a little wetter today.

The Amtrak Cascade train was on time and loading the bikes went really smoothly. It was so nice not having to put them in a box.

We were only 5 minutes from the Portland station when we came to a stop just south of Burnside. Turned out that the big ships that had come for the Rose Festival were leaving town and they have priority over trains per President Lincoln. Sooooo we sat for an hour but we did get to see the Burnside Bridge go up and down. So much for being on time. Nice that our plans aren't that tight. Several working people had to call colleagues and apologize for being so late.

Leaving Oregon

It started raining pretty hard and we felt sorry for this guy and were glad that we were not out on the road..

Puget Sound and the Olympic Peninsula in the distance.

Arrived at King Station in Seattle an hour and half behind schedule but we already ate lunch so were ready to ride.

King Station is a beautiful place but we have about 5 hours to do some exploring before our next train segment.

Seattle's city bike system.

The UPS Waerfall Garden - an oasis in downtown.

The morning rain had turned to afternoon sunshine and warmth.

Second stop - Starbucks on the waterfront.

We followed the waterfront trail to the south and got a taste of a major shipping port at work. Also found a sign that explained all the construction. They are putting the freeway in a tunnel!

Time to head back north.

We turned around just north of the Scupture Garden. Such a lovely afternoon - we felt soooo lucky to have this layover.

Had time to stop for dinner on our way back.

Still had a little time to explore after returning to the station. This building is just west, across the parking lot from the stadium.

We had time to sing "Happy Birthday" by cell phone video to Alana while we waited. The train was on time and we arrived in Vancouver at 10:50 pm. By the time we got through customs, rode to the motel and checked in, it was 12:30 am...a very long but great day.