Two Mini Vacations...Day 1

I realize that it's been quite some time that I've actually posted a blog...and for that I'm sorry. Life has been crazy, and I know I always say that...but it's the truth. I've been busy building the new chicken coop to replace the old house/flower bed part of the current one, and then Michael had a little sickness as well. So things have just been a little off, but I agree...it's no excuse. But I'm here to tell you that you'll be getting quite a few posts this week! :) Aren't you happy?

Now I know I said that I built a new coop, but that post will come after vacation. :) Right now I want to talk to you about today. This morning we got up at around 6:30...rolled out of bed (the music from Dolly Parton's "9 to 5" is playing in my head right now) and got ready to hit the road. Any time we are going on a trip, the morning of the dogs start acting totally ridiculous! They seriously know that something is up, and this morning was no different! So after fighting with them in the backyard, I got them to do their business and we loaded them into the car and headed towards Everett to drop them off at The Dog Spot.

The happiest part of any vacation of ours is dropping the dogs off at The Dog Spot. Is that bad of me? Seriously though...if you spent a day with my dogs you'd understand why getting rid of them for a few days is amazing! But all that aside, we dropped them off and we ran back to the car and peeled out of the parking lot before the staff changed their minds and decided that Cooper and Puck couldn't stay with them! :) And we made our way north. That's right folks...we made our way to a place I affectionately call "Tokouver, Japanada."

This will be my third trip to Vancouver with Michael since we've been together. It seemed like a rather quick drive to the border. And again, as always, I got super nervous at the border! I don't know why I have this fear inside of me that I've done something wrong and that the border agents are going to get me to confess my deepest, darkest secret. Right now, the biggest thing is that I drink more Full Throttle energy drinks than I tell Michael I do. But still...admitting that with him in the car right next to me would NOT be good! Luckily, I kept my composure and we breezed through the border crossing and finished our journey to Vancouver. Oh...and my secret is still safe. ;-)

My #1 reason to come to this fine city is a little place called, "Meat & Bread." I found out about this place from "Diners, Drive-ins & Drives" a year ago...and let me tell you...if you are EVER in Vancouver...EAT THERE! They have this amazing porchetta sandwich. I can't even explain how utterly delicious it is! Honestly, if we came up here...ate there...and drove home...I would be a happy man. Vacation complete!!!!! But as we all know...that is never really the case when you go on a vacation...it's always about the other person too. :)

So after eating we made our way back to the hotel and rested a bit. (Truth be told I played a new flight simulator game I downloaded on my iPhone...I got to fly a 747...WHAT!?!) And then we made our way to my #2 stop here...The Vancouver Aquarium! Michael and I have visited several aquariums in our time together...but we both agree that The Vancouver Aquarium is the best by far. Last year we actually did the Beluga Experience, and it was GREAT!

Here are some pictures from today's visit to the aquarium.

One of the first exhibits you walk into is the Jellyfish Exhibit. No matter how many times you see them...they are always amazing and beautiful.

We then made our way into the Tropics region. This exhibit is always a bit "muggy" but I do like it. I like this picture because it showed a "pool" in the Amazon. :)

These parrots were so dang adorable! The one on the right looks like it has a CHEESY smile! LOL. But they were so funny. The one on the right was actually on the main part of the tree and wanted on to the branch...so the one that is on the left actually hung upside down on the branch so it could pass over it! So funny!

 

 

But then they were sitting there and each had a foot holding the other one a little bit away from them. Michael of course said...that's what you do to me! LOL :) Such cute birds...Michael REALLY wants a parrot. But he knows that I would be the one to take care of it because he wouldn't have time for it. So finches it is! LOL

The next stop is my absolute FAVORITE! I love the beluga whales. Before I moved from Boston to Hawaii I had the opportunity to do the Beluga Experience at the Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut. Ever since then I've been intrigued by these amazing creatures! I could sit for hours in front of their tank watching them swim back and forth. We actually sat there for almost a half hour today! So beautiful and graceful. But just like visiting a zoo, I can't help but feel a little sorry for them. Even though they are well cared for, they just seem bored or sad. And how could they not? **sigh**

After I pulled myself away from this exhibit (reluctantly)...we made our way to a newer exhibit...the African Penguins. They stayed over by the door the entire time because a zoo worker was in the back side of the cage doing things. They clearly thought they were getting fed!

We made our way over to the dolphin tank. And I couldn't stop laughing at what I saw. Apparently the divers had cleaned the tank today...and there was a hose running. I looked at Michael and said, "This is how they fill the tanks at The Vancouver Aquarium!" LOL

Before leaving the aquarium we swung by the Sea Otter exhibit. This was the only otter that we saw, and it was just chillin' by the wall. They are so darn cute!!! :)

After our visit to the aquarium I wanted to take Michael up to Prospect Point. I'd been there once before about 5 years ago...and Michael had never been. There is a great view of North Vancouver and Lions Gate Bridge. It was a gorgeous day today, we really lucked out with the weather!

Tonight for dinner we decided to hit up another "Diners, Drive-ins & Dives" recommendation...Falconetti's. Now this was a ways east of downtown Vancouver and we had to drive through what seemed like a questionable neighborhood. But let me tell you...it was WORTH THE DRIVE. It is a bar and grille and the owners also own the meat shop next door. They make their own sausages and dogs. SO GOOD! I couldn't decide on what to have so I got the sampler where was able to have three of the sausages! Just look them up online, I promise their menu will make your mouth water! This is definitely another place you SHOULD eat at if you ever make it to Vancouver!

We are staying at the Metropolitan Hotel in downtown...and while the pictures online look nice...it's a bit dated. To let you know how dated it is...The 80's called...they want their bathroom phone back!

All in all it's been a great day. We did a fair bit of walking...even got to see a drunk, homeless guy puke all over the sidewalk (it took all I had NOT to vomit as well)...and we ate some GREAT food! Tomorrow we are heading up to Whistler for the day. We already have booked a zipline tour and then the ride up to the top of the mountain and the gondola ride from peak to peak! :) I can't wait to post pictures!

I hope you all have had an amazing day! Until next time...Keep Cooking!