483 Days. Hmmmm. That's a lot.
69 Weeks. Still a big number.
16 Months. That's a little easier to digest.
Or ..... In one short year ... I can start packing !!!!!!
QUACK -
Am begining to seriously look at pre-cruise travel, tourism and hotels. Our current thinking is:
Fly in around the 13th. Spend a couple days in Seattle. That gives us one day to visit w/Calgon's family and a second day for SunFlower's kin. Plus, SunFlower wants to spend a lot more time at the Pike Place Market. There's also an organized tour of "Emerald City" chocolatiers that's starting to get her attention ...
On the 16th, relocate to Vancouver. We'll have a day to play tourist and wander Vancouver; and a final day to join in the "gathering of the flock". Mele Ana has mentioned that getting goods across the border, via commercial carrier or the post, can be a bit of a hassle, so we'll probably just have Oriental Trading ship the "duck stuff" to the Springhill, then just drag it with us when we change hotels. Have an excellent limo service (which we've used in the past) that should be able to accommodate a couple/three couples, luggage and cases of rubber duckies.
I have a co-worker who grew up in Oz, and he's made the following recommendations:
1) For the best coffee house - Cloud City Coffee (Cloud City Coffee - Maple Leaf's Community Cafe - Seattle), in the Mapleleaf neighborhood. Quite a claim, considering that there are more coffee houses in Seattle than just about anywhere else on the planet! Has my curiosity peaked ...
2) Restaurants:
American - The Oak Table Cafe' (The Oak Table Cafe in Sequim). We want the one in Kingston. Pretty good menu and reasonable prices.
Chinese - Judy Fu's Snappy Dragon (Snappy Dragon), in Maple Leaf. I agree. We've been there before. Very, very good. Some of the best I have ever had.
Eclictic European - Cafe' Nola (Cafe Nola | Welcome!), in Bainbridge. The owner/chef is a personal friend of my co-worker and he will call ahead if we decide to giv it a try.
Mexican - Barrio (Barrio Mexican Kitchen & Bar), over in Capitol Hill. Totally authentic.
Pub grub and micro-brews - Harbor Public House (The Harbour Public House - Heritage and Hospitality On Tap) - Awesome 'pub food" and micro-brews, in Greenlake.
Will start looking at Vancouver stuff this afternoon ....
Know a bunch of you have been to Seattle, and/or Vancouver, before and really want everyone's suggestions.
