Four o'clock came early, but the alarm was set for three. We raced around the house to get ready and out the door. We hoped in the car and were off. Traffic though Seattle was light and the drive to the airport was quick. We figured we had time it was only 5:10am and the flight was at 6am. Well….WRONG…for International flights they want you there 2 hours before. Now this was only a 30 minute flight to Vancouver. So, why do you need to be there so far in advance for a 30 minute flight?? So we were rebooked for the 8 am flight, and put on standby for the Calgary flight at 11am. We headed to the Alaska Boardroom to hang out and eat and so I could take a nap. We had to walk on the tarmac to the plane, it was a 12 row prop plan not my favorite! We barely got in the air and we started to prepare for landing 30 minutes that was it. Once in the Vancouver airport you have to walk for what felt like ½ a mile to get to Immigration. Once they barked a few questions at you…what are you here for, who are you here to see, and how long have you know them. We walked more to pick up our luggage, and then to walk more to get in another line. This is where you hand your Immigration declaration to someone who sends you to the left for a luggage search or to the right to stand in yet another line, down a long high walled corridor, with no airflow, and about 100 other tourists. The next person we come to lets you put you luggage on the belt to get it on your next flight or sends you to the elevator to walk another long corridor then get in another line. You can only guess that we had to get in another line to get a boarding pass. Barely making the cutoff time the nice, but dippy agent sent us off to get in line again to go through security, we had to wait, as they had just closed down the second security line. I think it was training day, as there were 4 "TSA" agents searching bags. Once through we were off to gate C36…you know it would be the absolute last gate in the concourse. We get to the gate and they are boarding….the last agent didn't tell us we were only on the standby list. Not to worry there is a flight every hour on the hour, but the 12 pm flight was already 35 minutes late. We headed off to find some lunch, and do a little airport shopping!
We made it on to the next flight only to be seated in the very last row. I slept most of the flight and Bob played with the TV screen in the seat in front of him. I woke up when there was a little turbulence, enough to make most everyone come out of there seat, that woke me up. It was very bumpy until we landed 15 minutes later.
Once we got into the Calgary airport, we collected our already waiting luggage from the carousal, and found ground transportation. This was the easiest part of the trip, so far. The agent at Avis was very helpful and got us a map to get out of the city, and on our way to Canmore. Once Bob was used to the Chrysler 300, we left the airport, and got on the road. About ½ way through the city we decided that we need a drink and some fries, so McDonalds it was. After placing our order, we realized that we didn't have any Canadian money. Usually not an issue, but we were a ways from the border, so it's not as easy as Vancouver. After much confusion from the counter worker, we just paid with the credit card.
On the road trip to Canmore, we went past the Calgary Olympic park. It was amazing to see the ski slopes up that close. We are going to plan a trip to go back before we leave, Sunday. After what seemed like a full day of travel , we finally made it to town, found our hotel and kicked back for a minute or two. We decided to get some Gin for a cocktail later and scope out the town for dinner. We went to the recommended liquor store, closest to the hotel. Big mistake! $45 for a bottle of Gin, that we would normally pay $25 for at home. We thought, what the hell it all going to be the same, so we bought New Amsterdam, and went to the convenience store across the parking lot to get tonic. After loading our purchases into the car, we drove into downtown, and noticed the Safeway….with the Safeway Liquor store next door. We just had to know how much we got screwed. And we did, big time. Oh well, I guess it will make the Gin and Tonic's taste better.
After driving through downtown, we came across Rocky Mountain Flat Bread Company (http://www.rockymountainflatbread.ca/), basically a flatbread pizza restaurant. When we parked and walked to the restaurant, there was a waiting line. We thought it kind of unusual, as there were 4 empty stools at the bar, and several empty tables. We both thought it was due to it being a large group. When we asked to sit in the stools at the bar, we were told by the bartender, "no, that's where the waitresses get beverages from". Again, kind of unusual, but it's not our restaurant, so….when in Rome! We went back and waited at the door. The lady seating people, came over to ask how many in our party, we said 2 and she asked us if we'd prefer to sit at the bar. We looked questioningly at her then each other then other and took the 2 stools at the bar. We had a WONDERFUL ½ and ½ BBQ Chicken and spicy chicken and veg pizza. 2 beers later the bartender told another group they couldn't sit at the bar because we were sitting there. We laughed, finished our beers and left, graciously giving up our seats. On our way back to the hotel, we figured we couldn't take glass to the hot tub, so we stopped by Safeway to get a couple of glasses. We searched and searched but could find any. I was about to leave, when Bob went to the Starbucks and asked for 2 venti cups, with lids. This was such a great idea. You all should remember this when you're in a hotel and all they have is glass. We headed back to the Hotel of the Rockies, for a quick trip to the hot tub, and a nice G&T.
One thing we have noticed since we have entered Canada, almost EVERY guy is wearing a style of pant and short that is very cool. Bob want to find a pair. They are kind of a blend of stretchy nylon, but not worn tight, like spandex. They look VERY comfortable. I will update as soon as I figure out what the hell they are.
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