It is now about 1:00am and I have just finished packing most of our things for the drive to Seattle tomorrow.

Our soggy day was spent exploring Granville Island, but with the inclement weather it was just plain hard to keep Cyd interested in all the good shopping to be had. We picked up a gift for her grandmother, her father, her teachers at school, and her good friends Kanako and Jurnee. My poor child was tuckered out by 3pm, though, so rather than hit the kid’s area (I know she would have loved it but she insisted on getting back to the hotel), we hopped a bus back to the waterfront.

Instead of ferries we found ourselves taking water taxis to the island just so Cyd could see what it was like to ride on water in Vancouver. Had the rain abated I would have taken her to Victoria but with visibility down to 10 miles and a biting cold wind tearing at us I didn’t see the point. Victoria is so outdoorsy compared to Granville. We’ll do it on another trip.

After that we returned to the hotel to meet up with Brian for our final dinner in Canada. We ended up at Urban Thai, the same restaurant we visited twice the last time I was in town. This place has the best fried rice I’ve ever eaten…pork and pineapple, anyone? OMG it was fabulous. Later, though, as I started sorting through our belongings, I had a panic attack, which I got under control without drastic measures. I’m quite pleased with myself. Perhaps this is a sign that I will overcome this affliction after all? Cyd was very cooperative and very concerned. She dutifully took her bath as instructed with a minimum of fuss and allowed mom the peace and quiet needed to get back in control.

In any event I am off to finish packing and to try to get some sleep before the drive to Seattle. I hope to show Cydney a little of the Cascades, perhaps taking a side highway up to Mount Baker. This is if the weather clears as expected, of course. Knowing the Pacific Northwest, though, anything can happen. So we’ll see.

It will be good to be back in the U.S., even if it’s only three hours or so away. The scary thing is I’ve gotten to know my way around downtown Vancouver quite well, and it isn’t as hard to drive around it as I had first thought. This is definitely going to be a regular destination for me because I have so much fun here. One of these trips will have to be in the thick of winter before I can determine my favorite time of year here. I love this cold weather, I love this rain, I love this dome of gray. Such a change of pace from the heat and humidity that is Hawaii.

Next report will be from Seattle! We plan to visit with Cyd’s cousins Chris and Phil tomorrow afternoon. I’ve booked us a room at the Holiday Inn Sea-Tac, which I doubt will measure up to the standards of the Pan Pacific, but eh. It’s convenient for our departure and I’m just fresh outta fancy ideas.

Stay dry, folks!