Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

I can't tell you how excited I was to get an email from sister asking if I was up for a girls weekend! Not only was I up for it, I wanted it, and more importantly, I deserved it!  There were so many wonderful things about this trip.  It was in the NW, so I didn't have to buy airfare.  We had beautiful weather, which those of us from the Northwest know is a rare blessing.  I got to spend time with 6 amazing ladies. Some of which I hadn't seen in a long time and otherwise probably wouldn't had ever seen again.  And last but not least, my sister planned the entire trip for us!

Just a word of warning for those that are brave enough to travel with my sister.  She is like travelocity, reincarnated, and on speed.  If there is something she wants to do, she will find a way to fit it in!  I laugh now that she nicknamed Scott, "general" on our first couple trip with them because he wanted us up everyday by 5:30 a.m. so we could accomplish all his little heart desired.  I think it is now time he officially relinquished that title to her.  Many doubted we could pull off all we did, but she never wavered.  And we came to the NW and we conquered!

We all met up in Seattle where wet stayed up late, catching up on old times.  Most of us knew each other, but not everyone.  I was there with my sister Heather, her best friend from childhood, Daisie and Daisie's sister, Sylvia.  Heather's freshman roommate from college, Vanessa and Heather's sister-in-law, Rae and my best friend from high school, Jill.

We set out to see 3 different locations in 3 days.  First on our stop was Friday Harbor of the San Juan Islands.  We took an hour and half ferry ride out of Anacortes which allowed us to really enjoy the views of the islands.

Daisy and Sylvia headed off for a whale-watching cruise, while the rest of us wandered around town, shopped, ate and enjoyed looking at the peaceful view of the sailboats in the harbor.

After a full day in the harbor, we took the ferry back and drove to Vancouver, Canada.

First thing on our agenda for Vancouver, was a 5 hour bike tour with good 'ole Dan.  Our very patient and accommodating tour guide.

He took us through Chinatown...

Gastown...

And with the help of a little bike ferry, to Granville Island.

We also rode all through Stanley Park, which is one huge rain forest!

It was so fun seeing all the Vancouver landmarks by bike.  So far every time I have a done a bike tour, it has turned out to be my favorite activity of the trip.  We rode by to see the totem poles in Stanley Park, Brockton Point Lighthouse, the famous Science World building and Lion's Gate Bridge.

But I think every one's favorite stop was Third Beach.  Well, everyone beside Dan the tour guide.  This was one of our last stops on the tour and we were already about 2 hours behind schedule.  Little did Dan know, how much we liked our "photo opportunities".  

 Well, we had this great idea that we needed a jumping picture.  Sounds simple enough.  We just did the same thing when we got our family photos taken and I think we got it in one shot.  Maybe we can blame it on the sand, but no matter how hard we tried, we could not all jump together!  Dan was so patient as we kept telling him, "just one more - we will get it this time"!  We gave it our best try - 5 times to be exact, but to no avail.  We did however, leave that beach with smiles on our faces!  Any time I think about that moment, I just break out laughing still.

After the bike tour, we wandered around Vancouver, did some shopping and got free roses and footballs off the streets.

 Our final day was spent in Seattle.  We went to church first thing in the morning and then spent the rest of the day at Pike's Market.  Another great day with shopping, eating the worlds best chowders and enjoying the sights and smells of the fresh flowers, produce and fish of the market.

The only destination we had to find at Pike's Market was the gum wall.  This is as cool as it is gross!  You have to see it to believe it.  And of course, we did our part to add to the beauty of our surroundings.  

Next time I visit here though, I am bringing something besides white gum!

 We finished off the night with the Underground Tour of Seattle.  Seattle burned to the ground in the early 1900's and was rebuilt on top of what was left.  The tour took us under several buildings where you could see the original buildings, doors and windows along with a sample of the first wooden sewer pipes that proved to be a disaster.

 And like I said, Heather even had a stop scheduled for us on the way to the airport.  We couldn't leave Seattle without visiting the Troll under the Freemont Bridge.  Even though the bridge was blocked off and under construction, we still managed to find him!

It's funny how something so busy could be so rejuvenating!  Definitely memories to last a lifetime.