Arrived back in Vancouver

We have been touring through Oregon and Washington State in the USA for the last week.  We caught a train to Seatttle and then picked up a hire car and drove to Eugene, Oregon where we were the guests of Marcia and Gouly.  I first met Marcia when I was a volunteer at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and we have kept in contact since then.  We had a great time with them showing us around their beautiful city and countryside.  They took us up to Crater Lake, it is Oregon's only National Park.  we had snow and rain on the way up there.  Once there we couldn't see the lake because of low cloud and it was still snowing.  We went for a walk and had a look at the Lodge, which was still closed for the winter.  Massive snowbanks each side of us.  On the way back to the car we decided to have one last look to see if the cloud and cleared and wow, what a great view.  It was a long trip but worth every moment to see the Lake.  we stopped on the way back for a picnic lunch.  Marcia and Gouly helped us plan our next day's drive from Eugene to Lake Oswego along the Coast of Oregon. 

We had a pleasant day drive up the coast through Florence up to Lincoln City.  Stopping along the way to see sea lions, lighthouses and beautiful coastal scenery.  We headed inland to McMinnville where the Spruce Goose is at the Evergreen Aviation Museum.  It would have been nice to spend more time there but it closed at 5pm so got kicked out and we still had to get to Lake Oswego about 1 hour away.

The next day we did the scenic drive around Mt Hood    Up to Timberline Lodge for a look around, lots of snow boarders and skiers on the slopes.  The drive brought us out at Hood River on the Columbia River.  After following the Columbia River for awhile we turned off onto the Oregon Heritage Trail and saw 3 beautiful waterfalls on our way into Portland.

We had one night in Portland and the Hotel was within walking distance to downtown so walked around, caught the tram, walked along the river's edge.   The Columbia River  is huge makes the River Murray look like a creek.

We headed back to Seattle with a detour to see Mt St Helen's.  It was the 31st anniversary of the day it last erupted the day we visited.  would have liked to get closer but had to be in Seattle by 4pm  to get the hire car back.  Our Hotel was right in town on top of the hill, walked down to the Pier and went to Crab Pot for dinner.   It was all uphill on the way back but we just made it back.  Next morning we went out to see the Boeing Factory Assembly plant for the 747's, 777's and new 787's. The planes were dwarfed by the size of the building, it was massive.  We got dropped off at the Monorail after the tour and went to the Space Needle.  I was very brave and went up, great views all around.  We headed back to the Hotel and then went to Pioneer Square and had dinner and did the Underground tour it was pretty amazing how it came to be and was very interesting tour.  Next morning we had booked a walking tour throught the Pike Place Market.  We had samples from the vendors stalls, restaurants we visited along the way by the end we were full,  we had to check out of the hotel by 12 so quickly back to the hotel and grab our bags and then dropped them at the railway station  for our trip back to Vancouver.  The weather was fantastic while we were away, some rain and snow up in the mountains but mostly sunny in Portland and Seattle. 

At Crater Lake

Crater Lake with Wizard Island in background

Mt St Helen's

Now we are back in Vancouver at Megan and Paul's house in Coquitlam now.  4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, theatre room, lounge, dining and family room just for the two of them.  So plenty of room for them.  Sherri and Anthony arrive back from Montreal tomorrow night, so probably catch up with them on Monday some time.

Nearly Orlando'd out

Spent this morning at Epcot, it was fantastic, went on Soarin, Spaceship Earth, Mission Space, Test Track, the seas with Nemo, the Land and Captain EO after yesterdays 14 hrs at the Magic Kingdom(where we had a great time) we had had enough by 2pm and returned to the Motel for washing, packing(as we leave tomorrow) and a swim.  Picking up Sherri and Anthony at 8pm

Mickey, Michael, Wendy and Minnie

Having fun in Orlando

Today we went to Disney Animal Kingdom, a fantastic well run and organised Park.  We first headed to Africa and did the Kilimanjiro Safari followed by the Pangani Forest exploration Trail, very good lots of information and action.  Next stop Wildlife Express Train to Habitat, Habitat and the Conservation Station.  Then rode the Rapids on the Kali River Rafts where we got drenched, check out the photo.  We did the Maharajah Jungle Trek hoping to dry off during this time but still wet.  Had a break from the action rides and watched the Nemo stage show.  Had a scary ride on the Dinosaur before having lunch.  Then it was off to see the Lion King Festival.  a brilliant stage spectacular with acrobats singers and dancers.  Time to call it a day and headed home.



Megan and I after the Kali River Rapids ride



Had a great day at Kennedy Space Centre yesterday and did an Airboat ride on the Everglades saw crocs , fish, turtles and lots of birdlife.  The space centre was very interesting and we saw the Space Shuttle Endeavour on the launch pad waiting for the 134th shuttle launch on  April 29th, it will be the 2nd last launch.  Did the launch simulator ride it was very good.  Watched a 3D film on the Hubble Space Telescope.  Spent last night a Disney Downtown with the 1,000's of others.  there are so many people in Orlando this weekend.

Disney Hollywood Studio's

Spent the day at Disney Hollywood Studio's.  The centre piece of the park was Mickey's Magician's Hat there were people everywhere, laughing, crying, screaming  noise all around.  Went to see Indiana Jones Show, Lights, Motors and Action, Beauty and the Beast, Muppets 3D, Honey I shrunk the kids, Narnia. and the street parade.  Quite a hot humid day, by the end of the day there were lot's of very red, sunburnt people.  Caught up with Megan and Paul first time for 2 years, they looked very well.  We enjoyed a meal with them at TGI Friday and today going to Universal, Harry Potter with them.

Mickey's Magician Hat

Michael lost in Honey I shrunk the kids

Arrived in Orlando Florida

Had a good flight from Adelaide to Auckland.  Just got through Transit and the plane's status was showing Final call.  Checked at desk to see if upgrade was possible and upgraded to Premium Business Class.  Had a very nice flight to LA.  Didn't get much sleep though.  Arrived in LA and booked into Hotel at the airport and had a couple of hours sleep before heading to Manhattan Beach.  Very beautiful area with lots of people on the beach, in the water, playing volleyball and shopping.  Had an early flight to Orlando next morning.  Arrived Orlando at 4pm caught shuttle to Hotel.  unpacked and then went for a walk to see what was around the area and had dinner, in bed by 10.15.  Only slept till 4am got that dam jetlag.  Michael still snoring though.  Got a big day today, Disney Studio's and then catching up with Megan and Paul who are flying in at 8pm.

Michael and Wendy

Orlando

Cartegena

Corinto

Cabo San Lucas

Seattle

Vancouver

The Itinerary

Day 1            Adelaide to Los Angeles, California, USA
Day 2            LA to Orlando
Day 3-5        Orlando, Florida, USA
Day 6            Orlando to Miami
Day 7-22      Cruise from Ft Lauderdale to Vancouver via
                     Cartagena, Colombia
                     Panama Canal
                     Puntarenas, Costa Rica
                     Corinto, Nicaragua
                     Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
                     Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
                     San Diego, California, USA
Day 23-25    Vancouver, BC, Canada
Day 26-27    Eugene, Oregon, USA
Day 28-29    Portland, Oregon,USA
Day 30-31    Seattle, Washington, USA
Day 32-46    Vancouver, BC, Canada
Day 48          Adelaide, South Australia