David's Cruise

I don’t really think I could have done much more today, and still I didn’t get up the Willis Tower! 

My second full day in the Windy City started at around 11.30, after a small breakfast and finished around 10.15 this evening.

I walked to Bus Stop 1 where a hop on/off bus was just about to leave. The intention was to go around the circuit, and then choose where I would like to see again, and stay awhile. This enabled me to see much of the city. At the end of the “circuit” I decided to embark on the River Walk first of all, having a very pleasant light lunch at a riverside restaurant. I decided to walk, ending up eventually at the highly developed resort of Navy Pier. I took many photographs as I went along; some are not bad, but none are like those in various brochures, no matter how hard I try and creative I think I am.

I may not have scaled the Willis Tower, but I did get to try out the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier. This provided a decent aerial view of Chicago.

I could have walked back, but may have missed the start of a concert I had seen advertised yesterday. It was a brilliant symphony concert given by the Grant Park Orchestra, every bit as good as any I have heard. The problem with open air concerts are the distractions of hovering helicopters, aeroplanes flying over, the wail of emergency vehicles and other background disturbances. Having said that, I would readily return for more of the three month programme and pay (as I intended doing this time) to sit nearer the stage. The rendition of Tchaikovsky’s Fantasy Overture to Romeo and Juliet was as poignant and powerful as any I have heard. Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony was the main work, the concert opening with Beethoven’s Egmont Overture. The programme was altered because the conductor had tested positive for covid-19 and had to book sick. In between these familiar works, there was a piano sonata for two pianists who interpreted the ultra modern work in such a spectacular way as to earn a standing ovation.

The weather today was not quite so hot as yesterday when even the locals commented on how unusually hot it was. However, the skies were blue and clear.

By the end of the day, I had walked 16,655 steps bringing my total since January 14th to well over the 1.3 million mark.

As with all the places I have travelled to, I shall be sad to leave Chicago tomorrow. The Fairmont Millennium Park looked after me well, and I was able to eat healthily in their restaurant. I suspect I shall spend much time packing tomorrow morning. Hopefully I can get pictures of the elevated railway. I travelled extensively on this in 1969/71.

Many thanks for reading, David 00 01hrs Room 2803 at the Fairmont Millennium Park. 1

“Mother”, I said to her, a very long time ago, “Mother, I think I’ll go and see the Chicago Symphony Orchestra….”  “That’s nice, dear, where are they performing?” she asked, showing a rare interest in what I might be getting up to.  “Why – er – Chicago….” Mother grimaced her disapproval at this far-fetched silly idea!  Even in those days, one could hop on a plane, fly to the “Windy City” stay around three nights, and fly home again.  However, boring common sense prevailed until post-retirement. 

Now, here I am, in a vastly changed Chicago.  All cities around the world are very different now to how they were when I was a young adult.

I took a river trip after a rather late breakfast, and enlightening natter with the Hotel Concierge. This boat trip is run regularly, several times each day, by the Chicago Architecture Foundation Center, with the excellent tour guide describing as many notable buildings as possible, complete with details of when built, who for, and the designer and architect etc. So many facts and figures in such a short time are, for me anyway, almost impossible to remember. I’m sure there’s a book on the subject, and there’s also Google. However, if I’m not mistaken, we went under 25 bridges, 4 of which were of two decks. The intense heat of the day didn’t detract, and taking a river cruise is a good way of seeing as much as possible, even if rather briefly.

Chicago retains the exciting ambience of my first trip there 53 years ago. Marina City is still fabulous, but I will never find that questionable back street cinema where travelling companion Alf Pilbeam (how are you Alf?) and I located the only cinema we could afford…showing a dodgy movie called The Office Party. We stayed for two showings!

Today, it is sunny with clear skies, and temperatures reaching an overwhelming 36°C while on the boat.  For some reason, 37° is forecast for 4 o’clock.  That is a heady 98.6° Fahrenheit, or recognised body temperature.  I needed to return to my room for a break from the heat; it was so hot that I was advised not to use my camera phone. A little sign pops up on my screen with this advice. Nevertheless, I still managed enough images on both this and the Lumix. Returning to the Hotel provided also an opportunity to recharge the batteries which seem to deplete much faster than usual, and also partially reorganise the packing. Suitably refreshed, I decided to walk to what I would learn later is the Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain. Going in the late afternoon or early evening is a good idea. There is a good chance that the setting sun can create a rich rainbow in the fountain’s spray. I over-did the photographs!

In 1971, Mr and Mrs Franzen, and daughter Linda showed me around Chicago, and I was their guest for lunch in the revolving restaurant at the Holiday Inn. I had met them on my first trip to the U.S. in 1969.  Seeing the Buckingham Fountain from my Hotel room 51 years later revived memories for which I have my parents to thank; and although not here any longer, I still do.  At the time, I assured them that those early railtours in Canada and America would be remembered for all (my) time, and not eclipsed by what may happen later.  I also appreciated the generosity of the Franzens even ‘though sadly, we lost touch some time later.

“Well Mother, it may not be the Chicago Symphony in Millennium Park tomorrow night, but there appears to be a free open air concert at which Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony will be performed, as part of the Grant Park Music Festival.”

Local wildlife reminiscent of Pavilion Gardens, except that just beyond, are the shores of Lake Michigan.

While I felt completely safe walking around and taking photographs, I felt aware of slight foolhardiness on my part, and breathed a bit of a sigh of relief once in the confines of my Hotel. I ought to have something to eat. The breakfast stood me in good stead all day.

I don’t consider that I wasted my day. It was hot and I just took things fairly easily. I have more planned for tomorrow, including revisiting the former John Hancock tower, and possibly the Willis Tower as well. The plan is to be up and out in time for the first hop on – hop off bus at 10.00hrs and also to travel over the Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad. But my train to Flagstaff leaves at 14.40 hrs on Thursday and I can see myself running out of time.

I had a light one course chicken pesto salad for dinner tonight. Although the night seems young, I’m about to call it a day.

Many thanks for reading. David, in the Hotel’s Columbus Tap, a kind of gastro-pub, that does the job.

For a second time on The Empire Builder, sleep was patchy at best, but adequate and I am enjoying the third day on board.  The rising sun woke me at 06.00 hrs and I figured it was going to be a hot day.  Yesterday morning, I awoke at Whitefish MT. This morning, it was at St. Cloud MN that I started to come to life. 

I only have one serious criticism, not actually of Amtrak.  The trains are very rough riding.  I guess this is partly the wear and tear on the infrastructure caused by frequent heavy freight traffic taking its toll on the system.  The age of the passenger coaching stock may have something to do with this also.  Being close to the locomotive is also disadvantageous at night. Legislation dictates audible warning from the train at each of the very many crossings.  I shall be hearing the mournful wail of the locomotive’s whistle for months to come, usually two long blasts, one short, and two long, signifying approach to a level crossing.   Right now (11.32 hrs, 20th June, we are at Tomah WI, and will probably leave five minutes’ late.  That is pretty impressive having come from Seattle the day before yesterday.  Michael explained there was much “padding” in the schedule, but even so, this is still impressive. 

When we arrive at Chicago’s Union Station, the total distance covered from Seattle will be 2,205 miles.  States passed through on the Empire Builder are Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois. States called at on the cruise included Florida, California, and Alaska. Countries covered on this entire 74 night trip include Spain, USA, Grand Turk, Panama (through the Canal), Costa Rica, Mexico, Canada.  Empire Builder serves communities ranging from small settlements to substantial towns and four  major cities including Seattle and Chicago.  The train is full, and I am enjoying the rural areas we have passed through today.  Early summer in rural Wisconsin is lovely to see, but difficult to photograph from a fast moving train.

Here is some of that Wisconsin countryside which I attempted to photograph from the Observation Car.

Milwaukee.

As I write at 14.21 hrs, I realise this amazing 2,205 mile journey has one hour and thirty-three minutes left to run.  Even in the final ninety minutes, one realises that not only England is a green and pleasant land.  I could be cynical and surmise the fields and trees are covered in pesticides,  but really,  I haven’t a clue.  Now then; there’s something I have not seen for a very long time, railway telegraph poles. The one wire, and occasionally more, between each structure indicates they are still serving a purpose. All we need now is jointed rail and bells at the numerous level crossings to complete a vintage picture. I do love the drone of the locomotive’s warning horn, but every few seconds? In the UK, such use, especially during the night would result in prosecution!

Amtrak did not apologise for bringing us safely into Chicago Union Station around 20 minutes early! Nor did I hear any kind of didn’t we do well! unless I missed that announcement! If I have done the maths correctly, I was on the train for 47.5 hours, and not once was I bored. And I wouldn’t be a second time!

I found a taxi opposite Chicago Union Station and he sped me to the thirty seven floor Fairmont Hotel at Millennium Park. The reception lady very kindly upgraded me to a super room on the 28th floor with a fabulous view of the lake and park which I recognise from 1971! Ye Gods, 51 years ago almost to the month. I hadn’t realised that at this particular hotel, unlike at Toronto, Vancouver and Seattle, there is a $20 + tax Amenity Fee per day, not yet paid for. I protested somewhat at the reception, but was embarrassed to find that this had indeed been mentioned fully in the information pack sent by my excellent travel agent to my home, weeks ago! Humble pie in the Hotel restaurant won’t come cheap. The Fairmont did give me a very decent upgrade, and my room has probably the finest view of anywhere I have stayed.

Dining in the hotel’s Columbus bar and eatery was just what I needed. The turkey club sandwich went down rather well, along with a decaff latte. I am debating whether to take a walk tonight. I understand temperatures were in the mid 90s outside. In an air-conditioned train or hotel room, it’s hard to tell. I am slightly weary from two dodgy nights on the train, but I am tempted to explore, especially where I was 51 years ago.

One annoying thing, all the tourist suggestions at this Hotel are via a QR code!

I did wander off from the Hotel after the turkey sandwich which actually, I doubt I will be choosing again! Once outside, even after the sun had gone down, it was sweltering, just as I remember from over 50 years ago. The fountain which I can see from my room is further than I thought, and I got nowhere near! I did get to the last bars of an amazing pop concert in Millennium Park. There’s a joyous atmosphere outside and my head still thinks it’s in its twenties! My tired old body reminds me otherwise. Chicago does not disappoint. But the 37 floors of my hotel are dwarfed by the giant high rises surrounding it.

I have no plans yet for tomorrow and Wednesday. There’s a ton of stuff to see and do. But now, it’s time to get my head down.

As ever, thanks for reading. David in the Lobby of the Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park, 21.55hrs.

This has to be yet another trip of a lifetime.  Yesterday, I settled into my travelling accommodation and was thankful for the space my room has to offer.  However, when the lower bed is made up, the space in front of the wash basin is tiny, making washing/shaving a bit of work of art!  I slept fairly well last night despite the motion of the train, people getting on in the middle of the night and conversation rousing me from my hard to achieve slumbers.   Nevertheless,  I feel quite rejuvenated today.  The good scenery is now left for hopefully another day, and as lunchtime approaches, the landscape is flat and cultivated with an occasional crop of hills on the horizon.   I am seeing this vast country first hand, and it remains a wonderful experience. 

What I didn’t realise is that much of where we have travelled through today is now part of a huge oil and fracking industrial complex.   I’m sure these fairly recent developments were met with protest, but as explained to me, jobs and prosperity have been created.  I was interested in what was being pointed out as we sped by.  

I am beginning to get to know one or two of my fellow travellers.  Believe it or not, a couple from the south of England who have not only heard of Buxton, but enjoy visiting the town are, like me are travelling to Chicago having enjoyed an Alaska cruise from Seattle, and are spending time  in Chicago.  And I joined two celebrating their anniversary from  Oregon for lunch, and later for dinner.

I am enjoying riding the Empire Builder as well as its facilities. Of course, I am reminded of pre-mortgage days when, with very generous assistance from Mum and Dad, I was able to join the North America Rail Study Group for two of their three visits to the USA and Canada in 1969 and 1971, the very month Amtrak was created.  Those two journeys remain trips of a lifetime; they certainly were 53 and 51 years ago. 

Much of the day was grey and wet, so much so that I didn’t spend too much time off the train at the various twenty minute breaks for fresh air. However, the skies have cleared for the early evening and perhaps a second glorious sunset is assured. The flat countryside remains pleasant and far from tedious.  (18.18 hrs MT).  But the vastness of these  seemingly flat lands is awesome.  We are around 40 minutes late as we approach Williston ND.  Ye Gods…I am seeing the sky over North Dakota!  I am told there’s more scenery to enjoy here. It’s hard to hear the on-train announcements in the Observation Car, over the general hubbub of conversation of passengers, either with each other, or on their mobile phones.  Williston is on Central Time, but dinner will still be served Mountain Time.  I will then advance my watch an hour shortly afterwards.

It’s time for some sleep. Many thanks for reading, David, 23.02hrs CT, BST -6.

21.27 hrs On board The Empire Builder.

I enjoyed my unplanned exploration of the world famous (so I’m told) Public Market around Pike and Pine Street, which really is massive and impressive. So engrossed was I that I only left just enough time to get comfortably to Seattle’s surprisingly impressive King Street Station.  Just like at Vancouver, there was a substantial gathering of passengers for the train, some with “impossible” baggage.  We entered at Gate 7, where the Seattle portion of The Empire Builder, around 5 vehicles and one loco was waiting at a nearby platform, not platform 7!  The Empire Builder also runs from Portland Ohio, the two sections attaching after our arrival at 12.40, in time for the scheduled departure for stations to Chicago at 1.25 am.

Michael is my cabin steward. I think his shift pattern is two round trips to Chicago and four days off. 

I have made two expensive but wise decisions on this trip. One was to have the big blue suitcase transferred to Queen Mary 2, and the other was to book bedrooms for the overnight train journeys, rather than the more sensible roomettes with next to no space, but a decent bed, nonetheless. I had experienced something similar on The Ghan in 2019.  The Bedroom on Amtrak is spacious, particularly in day-time mode. However, I wouldn’t like to share with anybody else.   48 hours will tell whether I still enjoy very long distance rail travel.  Certainly the first few hours out of Seattle were fabulous, starting with running parallel to Alaskan Way along which I walked yesterday.  Then we were along the water’s edge for several miles, as people waved at us from the shoreline. 

So far, I am very pleased with everything. The lakes gave way to the most dramatic of wooded, snow-capped and rainbow crowned scenery.  Unfortunately, I was charging my phone at the time, but got one or two reasonable pictures on my recently acquired Lumix.  The sunset was magnificent, particularly when reflected from mountain rivers and millpond lakes. 

I was very pleasantly surprised by the excellent meal in the dining car.  Each table is laid up with linen table cloth and badged metal cutlery, and a small vase with fresh flowers against each window.  One passenger leaving the Dining Car expressed his great satisfaction with the dinner.

I tried the Amtrak Steak which was very well prepared, with baked potato, carrots and runner-beans.  I shall give the delicious cheesecake a miss tomorrow. Sadly, as in most restaurants, the desserts are all sugar laden, and still I can’t get away with trying one of these desserts, as confirmed after said cheesecake with fresh strawberries and look-alike cream.

Breakfast starts at 06.30 tomorrow, i.e. 05.30 Pacific Time.  I’m going to have to get used to going in and out of different time zones.  Michael has sort of prepared the bed for the first night. I shall advance my watch by one hour. There’s no way I shall be first in line for breakfast! 

Many thanks for reading, David, in the Dining Car of the Empire Builder, 09.35 hrs Mountain Time, i.e. BST -7.  We are approaching Glacier Park having come through continuous magnificent and dramatic countryside.

Now to venture to the Observervation Car.

“The Overland” is what I have decided to name this part of the Journey, between Vancouver and New York mainly by rail. Today is Day 5 of the 24 night “Overland” and the first day I shall actually be riding a train.  Like a kid, I am excited as well as slightly nervous.

Let’s not forget Seattle in too much of a hurry.  In the short time I was here, reading the official guide book left in my hotel room, I ralise only too well that I have hardly scratched the surface of what this fine city has to offer.  Like London or New York, a full week of intense sightseeing would still leave much to explore.  Therefore, Seattle returns to my “bucket list” if the opportunity presents itself to spend more time on North America’s Pacific Coast.

Unbelievably, my electric tooth brush has taken industrial action. I am loathed to replace it, but I have no choice.  So, this morning will be spent searching out from where I can acquire a replacement….something I can get my teeth into!

Again, this morning, God is parcemonious with the degrees Celsius, but generous with the precipitation.  I suspect, as The Empire Builder wends its way south, hopefully with me on it, Seattle will become bathed in decent weather for the rest of the summer. 

I am always being reminded that “you cannot take it with you” when debating an extravagance.  With this in mind, I decided on breakfast at the hotel. Unlike the hotel in Vancouver which offers both hot and continental buffet options, here in Seattle, just à la carte is available.  Nevertheless, the cooked option with toast and coffee was generous in size, and should see me through to late afternoon. 

My luggage is packed and in store at the hotel. That gives me an hour or two to take a final look around, and seek out that electronic tooth brush, an unavoidable but biting decision.…

I understand there is no WiFi on Amtrak trains.  I shall, of course, write as the “Overland” continues and publish my next blog as soon as WiFi becomes available.

I wasn’t expecting much out of the few hours before my train.  I have got the new tooth brush which I do hope works.  If not, I suspect social distancing will be much easier!  

While in the area of where I bought said electric toothbrush, (no more bristly puns) I came across the famous market near Pike Street which was highly recommended I should visit.  This was a brilliant way to pass those last few hours, and also receive a Christian blessing at an Evangelical rally, as well as support striking Starbucks workers! I also came away with (I assume) an original J.F.K. Inauguration Program, $1 in 1961, $90 today!

So, there we have it. Of course I hope to come here one more time. But now, it’s time to Seattle in on my train to Chicago!

All the best, David, in the Lobby of the Fairmont Olympic. 15.36 hrs

Actually, I slept rather well in my oversized accommodation at the (probably) 5 star Fairmont  Olympic on University Street/4th and 5thAve.  Seattle is like San Francisco in that it has steep hills and trolley buses, which are also widely used in Vancouver. 

I understand Buxton is basking in sunny weather right now, with temperatures set to hit 30°C.  May be I’m being wound up, but Google confirms something along those lines.  We cannot compete here in sophisticated Seattle.  The Google lady tells me that today in Seattle it will be no more than 14 miserable degrees Celsius with showers.

It didn’t take long to get fed up with forking out almost $40 for breakfast, perhaps spending $100 / day just to feed myself.  Even my friends in North America would tell me I’m doing it all wrong on this trip!  So today, I sought out a breakfast eatery patronised by the locals.  A tub of gluten free oatmeal, a banana and decaff latte came in at $12.57 at Fonte just opposite the Art Museum.  Now, to explore the Waterfront and see what cruise ships has arrived for the day.   I walked from my hotel to the biggest Ferris Wheel on America’s  West Coast. and got a decent overview of the city. This is situated by the Waterfront and almost opposite University Street, which now, later in the day, shouldn’t be hard to find.  It’s a steep old climb back to the hotel if I walk back along the Waterfront. 

Not too far away was a boat trip which left at 12.00 noon.  Gimmicky it might have been, but the recorded commentary was very well put together, and the boat, much to my surprise, got up close to three of the four cruise ships visiting.  Oceana’s Regatta, CelebritySOLSTICE, and Royal Caribbean’s massive Ovation of the Seas are in port at Seattle today.

After the one hour boat trip, I started to walk along Alaskan Way, I suppose a bit like the Golden Mile in Blackpool, but not nearly as long (I don’t think). The Space Needle was where I was headed and I walked to the end of Alaskan Way where a flight of stairs and a fairly steep hill would, after walking around 45 minutes see me very close to the Space Needle.  I promised myself lunch in the revolving restaurant, except that, that ship had sailed years ago, and the first ever revolving restaurant was longer in existence.  I made do with a 6″ Subway baguette for lunch, before going up the tower at around 3pm.  If I suddenly become sick, it will more than likely the disregard for social distancing.  I had a bit of a dilemma. Do I stear clear of crowds and do nothing, or, do and see as much a possible; I don’t have plans to come back. I chose the latter.

I should have expected the place to be packed out with tourists and families.  People were everywhere,  many oblivious to being 520 ft above sea level.   But, like the Kennedy Space Center, the catering facilities are rubbish.  At least, there was a Subway eatery where I could take refreshments.

I walked back to the hotel despite being told that it was about three miles away.  I don’t think that is true because I was at University Street much sooner than I thought I would be. 

I like this hotel. It has been extensively refurbished to, perhaps, beyond its former glory, although I don’t see present day Presidents of the United States staying or visiting as they did in the past.  Despite the high-end price tag, I decided to enjoy dinner at the Hotel’s historic George Restaurant.  It’s unlikely I shall be here again. 

The Fairmont Olympic was opened as The Olympic in December 1924 to great acclaim. However, the Depression (1929) and WW2 had its effects. Ironically, it was during the recent pandemic lockdowns that The Fairmont Olympic was tastefully and expensively renovated. The room I am occupying appears brand new. If interested, there is an excellent account of the history of this hotel available via Google.

I just had to dine in the George tonight and may opt for the continental breakfast tomorrow, before boarding The Empire Builder for Chicago in the afternoon. As in Vancouver and Seattle, I shall be on the train for two nights.

The weather today was cold and wet with frequent showers. More of the same is forecast for tomorrow with temperatures possibly reaching 16°C. Wow! If it wasn’t so horrible outside, I might be tempted to walk some more. There is plenty more to see tomorrow before my train leaves for Chicago.

All in all, I have enjoyed my first (and only) full day in Seattle. I would like to see the place again, but I am aware that time is not infinite. I don’t feel as if I am several thousand miles from home. Thanks to modern technology, I can remain in touch with people as if I was at home. I have a rough idea what is going on at St. John’s, thanks to the e-mails and updates which come through on my “device.” But, for the next two days, I won’t be contactable; there is no WiFi on The Empire Builder, my home for the next two nights/ three days. I may get another blog out before I set off for The Windy City tomorrow.

Many thanks for reading, David, 22.21hrs The Olympic.

Again, I opted for breakfast in the Hotel, this time choosing the continental option. This was a much better deal than my choosing separate items the day before.   Later, I was out of my room well before check-out time.  The hotel concierge printed off a copy of my covid-19 vaccinations certificate, and an entry form which may be required. My bus leaves Pacific Central at 4 pm, I aim to pick up my bags from the Hotel an hour earlier.

I decided to try out the Sky Train which had me intrigued when I came here three years ago.  I didn’t quite realise how far Surrey Central was!   I just hope I don’t have to wait long for the return service.  In fact, I “bottled it” and bailed out at the penultimate station, Gateway, where a return train had just pulled in.  There was time to bid farewell to the Waterfront and Canada Place, which was devoid of cruise ships.  There is so much more to see and do in Vancouver; I hope the opportunity does present itself for me to come here to stay a third time.  I brief glimpse of the lesser known suburbia was welcome, although with the Sky Train rather full, meaningful photography was more or less impossible.  I want to ride the trolley buses next time, particularly to Stanley Park.  We got rid of our trolley buses in the 1960s; I do remember the very last ones in Bradford in 1971.   I still get a kick out of seeing these eco-friendly vehicles, rather like when I was first interested at age around 7!

Once again, I’m in the Cactus Club, still doing a roaring trade at 2.45 pm.  I had the same for lunch as dinner the night before, to avoid spending now limited time perusing the menu. And, I made it back to the hotel by 3 o’clock to pick up my luggage and take a taxi to the Pacific Central Station from where the Amtrak bus to Seattle would be waiting.  The railway station has seen better days, and if you had travelled from Toronto on The Canadian, you might feel underwhelmed after such a wonderful journey.  The building itself is splendid but lends itself to careful restoration. 

We all piled into the Cantrail coach, and there was just enough room for me not to be squashed in next to somebody.  Crossing the border into the United States was not the problem I feared it might be with their complicated new and seemingly complicated immigration procedures.   We were all issued with Custom Declaration forms which were needed along with passports and (in my case) ESTA visa authorisation. I had been under the impression there was a further entry authorisation required, along with a $6 fee.  This requirement was not enforced, and I  was able to enjoy more Pacific Northwest countryside, this time, The Cascades, wooded hills, mountains which characterise the journey from Vancouver, along Highway 5. 

The driver worked hard for an on time arrival at Seattle.  A taxi got me to my Hotel, the Fairmont Olympic, which again appears to be refurbished.  With the U.K Pound being at probably its lowest ever value, general eating out feels extravagant. 

Tomorrow, I shall explore using the hop on-hop off bus which during its circuit will take in all the main sights.  This time, I will hop on and off and hopefully make the most of my one full day here.

I enjoyed spaghetti and meatballs for supper tonight in another vibrant noisy Italian restaurant right by the hotel. It’s dark now, but I am tempted to walk gently to the Waterfront, part of which I can see from my hotel room on the 11th floor. The hotel is another traditional build from decades ago.

So far, so good. Many thanks for reading, David 22.32hrs Purple at Seattle, replete with an amplitude of sufficiency!

The termini of the cable cars on both Mount Whistler and Blackcomb are not at the summit as stated in Blog 795, my mistake. The summits of both are considerably higher. Nevertheless, just seeing the infrastructure of this system of cable cars has one contemplating the super human expertise and ingenuity what made such engineering possible. I felt completely at ease wobbling high above the wide expansive valley below.

Thanks again for reading, David in his hotel room, 15/6/22, 23.06.

Yesterday, I took advantage of the hop-on-hop-off bus to remind myself of the geography of Vancouver. I slept well last night, and was up in good time for today’s trip to Whistler just over 75 miles away. I didn’t need anybody to suggest this excursion; I had it in mind to make the journey if I happened to be in Vancouver for more than just a day. A bus runs daily, at least twice in both directions, from almost opposite the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. For convenience, and out of curiosity, I tried breakfast in the Hotel, knowing from previous experience that value for money would not be forthcoming! I didn’t opt for the all you can eat buffet, but the light choices I made didn’t come to much less than the full works deal at $39 (Canadian) + tax + 15% gratuity. It’s a pity I didn’t take photos of where I had breakfast, in a part of the dining area decorated like a chess board. Annoyingly, on the trip that was cancelled due to covid, my travel agent had arranged a brilliant deal where breakfast was included at all the Fairmont Hotels. When eventually the trip I am on now was put together, room only was the only option except in Washington and New York, where breakfast is included.

Exactly on the dot of 10 o’clock this morning, the coach which I had boarded ten minutes or so earlier left from in front of the Hyatt Regency where I stayed three years ago. This is an alternative to the rather expensive organised conducted tours that are always available. However, it is “swings and roundabouts” in that if you opt for the cable rides to Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain, that will add around $90 to the initial fare of $41 including tax. But, that is $90 very well spent. The first cable car takes one over 6,000 feet above sea level to Mt. Whistler. You then, whenever you wish take the Peak 2 Peak cable car to the equally spectacular Mt. Blackcomb, also in excess of 6,000 ft above sea level. If you have a head for heights, this is a must-do. The views are unsurpassable, but I do expect to be equally enamoured with the Grand Canyon in a week or so. I shall leave a few images of today, which was perfect in that we had no commentary in either direction on the coach. Peace, perfect peace!

An excellent day, one I had not really planned, except possibly on a “distant back-burner”. When I am so far from home, I kind of think it incumbent on me to attempt something definite and hopefully worthwhile. Every box was ticked today. A scenic bus journey to a well known and established resort town in a fairy-tale setting. And the cable car trips offered the finest views imaginable. It is with some regret that I leave Vancouver in indecent haste tomorrow, as I shall depart each city on my Round North America, (mainly U. S. A.) tour. There might be time to squeeze one final excursion in the morning, but I must be in good time for the Amtrak service to Seattle which because of the continuing effects of the pandemic….is a bus! Ironically, it’s far quicker by bus! Amtrak’s new Cascades trains will enter service in the winter. Just a bit of a note here; I paid for a first class rail ticket. The train was replaced by a bus. My refund after pointing out that I had a first class rail seat booked and paid for? I will leave you to guess!

Tonight, I enjoyed my favourite Thai Green curry in the super trendy and joyously noisy Cactus Club, just down the road from Hotel Vancouver. It’s a young vibrant professional clientele this place appears to seek to attract. The darkened booths may be set aside for ageing tourists! The attractive Vancouver-born waitress, Emily, had me lamenting my three score years and thirteen!

It’s 22.01 hrs. I enjoyed my Thai Green Curry and a spot of delicious Canadian ice cream with a decaff coffee. It’s a short walk to the Hotel Vancouver, and a long complicated procedure crossing the border into the United States!

Many thanks for reading, David, 22 04, awaiting the bill, The Cactus Club.