Our last full day in Canada. It has been on my bucket list for years to take the train across Canada. We modified our plans and I am so excited that we got to drive across instead.

We definitely made more stops and experienced more people and places. The views will be with us for the rest of our lives. The amazing waterfalls! The abundance of wildlife! The lack of Dr.Pepper and iced tea! Meals that last for hours! Okay, most of that is waiting to order and waiting longer for the check. The lower speed limits (unless you drive a pickup truck, then you just blow on by) But mostly the best part of Canada is the inclusivity and the diversity of its people. The rest of the stuff just builds on its greatness.

Today we went to the biggest and oldest park in Vancouver Canada. Stanley Park. Yep! It’s the same Stanley as in hockeys ultimate trophy the Stanley Cup.

We took a horse drawn carriage ride around the park. Was a great experience as we learned more history of Vancouver.

I was so happy to turn the car in today at the airport. We put exactly 1,000 miles on Long Red. Total Driving distance across this great country, 4,086 miles! It would be a lot less if I didn’t make so many wrong turns… just sayin’!

We were being pulled by a couple of Draft horses that were bred to be some of the strongest pulling horses in the world. It was time they got some rest and were traded out for two Clydesdales. All four horses are very strong with great personalities. Our first two horses were Chief and Roy, and they are Draft horses. The Clydesdales are Stick and Wesson. So very cool to witness our driver Laura and a stables worker, changing them out.

The park is so beautiful. As with most of Canada 🍁 there was construction and repairs everywhere. It took away from the overall experience seeing detours and signage everywhere. It was difficult to get great pictures of the views without capturing a road cone.

We had other things on our list today but the incredible dense population of Vancouver has created a nearly endless traffic congested situation. Three miles took us forever and yes! I did manage to make several wrong turns. Partly because the GPS would tell me to be in the two right lanes when I was blocked in the far left lane. Construction 🚧 detours. We made a decision and raised the flag to go eat somewhere on the way to turn the car in.

The return went quickly and we hailed a flat rate taxi. We flew through the crammed streets with the ease of a greased pig only we were in a bright lime green skateboard with a balloon over its tailpipe. Our driver was great! Hard to understand but very happy in his profession as a Taxi Driver for over 32 years. He moved from India to work for his friend and had been with him ever since.

We zipped, we zinged. Not one horn honked at us as glided us on our way to the hotel. It would have taken me three hours and several flying birds aimed at me to go as he did in 30 minutes. We thanked him and wished him well. A nice tip for not making Heather heave her lunch.

Now it’s time to balance out our suitcases and get our meds in order. Pull out receipts for purchases we have to declare. We have two bottles of liquor purchased duty free on the ship and one medium bottle of Pure Maple Syrup! Yum! 😋 Everything else was claimed and we paid the tariffs on them as we shipped the stuff home.

Praying for safe travels for tomorrow and wishing you all a wonderful weekend. Amtrak to Seattle, Alaskan Airlines Seattle Washington to Bozeman Montana. Dinner with Ava Lewin when we arrive. Maybe Heather can get some Dr. Pepper and me some iced tea.