To Alaska and Beyond! Updated 10/7: Sled Dog Camp Part III: Puppies! About This Page:

[lauriep]

Welcome back! Looking forward to your report.

[DrDolphin]

Can't wait to read all about it!

[chezp]

Welcome back! Looking forward to hearing all about it.

[Kenny]

YIPEEE!! Can't wait to read all about it!!

[Colexis Mom]

Can't wait to hear all about it!

[POOH]

Welcome back! Can't wait to read all about it.

[goofysdtr]

Welcome back! Looking forward to hearing all about it, Mo.

[statelady01]

We arrived at Beverly’s right at 7:00 am. Kevan put Connor’s car seat in her car and it was time for goodbyes. This was a tearful one for me and I bolted to the car as soon as I could. Kevan, Matt and Aaron followed. Kevan informed me we had forgotten our LCD projector for my workshop so we detoured back home to get it.

Arriving in Little Rock at around 9:45, we checked in and forked over our $60 in baggage fees. When it was weighed, Kevan and I’s suitcase was overweight by 5 pounds. The gate agent was super nice and let us reposition stuff without having to leave the line and even told the pushy couple behind us who kept trying to edge us aside to stand back. As we shifted stuff, the zipper on our second suitcase broke. Not a great start. Luckily, the agent had a zip tie and we were able to fix it temporarily to get us to Vancouver.

Our plane for Dallas was supposed to depart at 12:15 but due to mechanical issues, we didn’t leave until 2:00. The flight crew on our regional jet was awesome and the pilot expressed several apologies and promised to try and get us to Dallas quickly- and they did- our flight time was less than 45 minutes.

With plenty of breathing room before boarding our 5:05 flight, Aaron and Kevan got a pretzel from Auntie Anne’s and Matt and I went for McDonalds. At about 4:30, the flight began to board and everything was looking good for an on time departure. We sat and sat, then finally the pilot came on to tell us that 2 passengers who had checked in had not boarded and TSA rules require the airline to pull their baggage off if they were not on the plane. About 2 minutes later, we see two gentleman board the flight- and you can bet the nasty looks they were getting. Grr. Stay in the gate area if it’s about time for your flight to board!!

We took off shortly after and settled in for the almost 4 hour flight. This was a challenge for Matt and I- as we don’t like flying very much. He got occupied with the in flight movie quite quickly, and I whipped out Cheryl’s trip report from Tokyo Disneyland as well as Cam’s recent WDW trip report. Thanks ladies- you kept me occupied for nearly an hour and a half!!

It was a bit bumpy in spots but nothing very significant. We did have some fun with Fumble. I promise the passenger he posed with never had a clue Fumble was even there.

Our flight path took us over Oregon and Washington state and I was so greatful for the wonderful visibility of the Sierra Mountains.

I love airlines advertising methods. Here’s a picture of the gorgeous Cascade Mountains as got closer to Vancouver. I guess American doesn’t want me to forget their website!

Coming into Vancouver was a real joy. We were amazed by the scenery and beauty and also, we were so tired of being on a plane that the four of us were giddy to be there. As we got off the jetbridge and entered into the airport, Aaron remarked that he felt like he was in a different country. I wasn’t sure how he was basing that on anything at first, but as we made our way in, I started to feel the same.

Many signs and notices were written in French and English.

When we walked through the terminal, we figured we must have been one of the last USA flights to arrive inbound- there was nothing open and virtually no one else around other than those passengers on our flight- and local time was only 7:55- so that really took us for a surprise.

The airport itself was beautiful and I felt compelled to stop and take a few pictures of the wonderful artwork and displays.

I was so relieved to have the flights done with. Can you tell?

Coming Up Next: Customs, Canadian Dollars and Cabs

[chezp]

Great update - the airport looked lovely. I'm glad I was able to help keep you entertained and I loved the Fumble shot!

[Colexis Mom]

Great update and pictures Mo!!

[goofysdtr]

What a beautiful view out the window! So, how long was the flight (sorry if I missed that bit of information)?

[JoanW]

Oh I'm taking notes on this one! DH Pat wants to do an Alaska cruise.

And BTW, we were on RCCL's Grandeur of the Seas the same time, only we were heading to Puerto Rico!

[statelady01]

As we made our way further into the terminal, we continued to marvel at how much Vancouver International represented the people and cultures of Canada. I honestly wish we had more time to stop and enjoy more of the artworks and displays.

I stopped to get a photo of this wonderful totem:



But then was warned by all three males I was traveling with to put the camera down for at least 2 or 3 minutes. So I got them back with this picture- of them going down the escalator. Matthew must have figured out what I was up to- because he didn't fall for the "Hey, you guys- look at me!" request..



After we reached the base of the escalator, we got in the Customs and Immigrations line. The line consisted of our flight and a flight from Tapei. The flight crews (ours and the China Airlines one) had their own separate line and it was interesting seeing those folks go through with their passports.

I found the boards up above the area interesting, they were digital and I am sure can be programmed in as many languages as they need at any given time.



We only waited about 20 minutes and met with a Canadian agent for less than a minute or two- she asked if we were cruising and when we replied yes, that was the end of that.

On to baggage claim, where our bags were fairly quick to come out and then we stopped at an ATM to pull out cash for our cab to the hotel. I told Kevan to get $40 CAD, as all of our Canadian guidebooks had said $30 was the average.

We exited the airport and headed to the taxi stand where an employee was directing folks to their respective cabs. He took one look at us and all of the luggage and directed a mini van up to us.

Our driver was extremely friendly and asked if we wanted some information and tidbits about Vancouver, to which we said yes. As we left airport property, we got a good look at this lovely reminder of the Olympics being held here next year:



As we approached our way into the city, we noticed an impressive skyline but interestingly, as our driver told us- most of the high rises were residential.





It was a 25 minute or so ride to the Pan Pacific Hotel at Canada Place. We were going so fast through most of it, most of my pictures look like big blobs of blur. Matthew was impressed by the every other corner presence of Starbucks. I can't wait to see him in NYC one day.

When we pulled up to the Pan Pacific, I was shocked when I saw the meter reading $36- bit more than we expected and didn't leave a huge tip for the driver- but he seemed very happy with the $40, so I guess it was all good.

I booked the Pan Pacific on Hotwire and was delighted when we got it- it had gotten superb reviews on Trip Advisor. Matthew was even more excited when he read the description on the confirmation as a 5 star hotel. Would it deliver?

Coming Up Next: I'd like to offer you ......

[statelady01]

Heidi, I forgot to answer you in the last installment- the flight time from Dallas to Vancouver was 3 hours and 46 minutes.

[chezp]

Another great update. The airport looks so neat - and I was impressed to see Japanese up first in the list of languages. I couldn't read it, but I can at least recognise it!