In my last email I said we were departing November 21st.  Whoops.  As you can probably guess, RBD didn’t proof my email.  

We begin our New York City escape by traveling to JFK, which takes a degree of concentrated effort.  The most expensive way to get there is by helicopter.  The cheapest method is to walk.  Most people train or cab.  Ironically, they all take roughly the same amount of time door to door.  

We will spend the night at The TWA Hotel, located at JFK.  It is a strange and expensive place, but a fun way to begin a trip.  When RBD and I travel on early morning flights out, we try to spend the night there to avoid a 330 AM wake-up and 430 AM taxi.  As we get older, our bodies seem less inclined to participate in the very early morning start with any degree of grace.

We depart Friday at 7 AM to Vancouver, by way of Seattle.  It’ll take a total of 11 hours of travel time, roughly 7 hours of which will be in the air.  We arrive in Vancouver at 3 PM. 

We will spend several days touring Vancouver, including gardens, parks, museums, and more parks.  Lots of parks.   

On Tuesday we take a day trip to Victoria, the capital of British Columbia.  The plan involves a brief flight on a seaplane over and return via ferry.  I wanted to come back on the plane, but it was very expensive and the ferry has a bar so I’ll be fine.  The landscape will likely be stunning during a Fall sunset if the weather cooperates.  Currently it looks to be a soggy trip. 

Wednesday we drive north to Whistler and spend two nights.  October is a month of calm after the summer season has ended but before the winter ski season has begun.  I am not sure what to expect in terms of tourists or things being open. 

Friday we return to Vancouver by way of Squamish, which has a gondola and falls to visit, and stay near the airport so that we can catch our early morning flights back home on Saturday.  Mom and I will part ways in Seattle, her to Raleigh and me back home.    

Sunday is a day of rest and football.  And probably homework.  I am snoozing through a Genetics course currently, putting forth as little effort as possible.  The teacher is too, so I don’t feel particularly bad about it. 

I was supposed to go to London the next week with RBD.  Work, however, asked her to delay the trip.  So we’ll go in Q1, or maybe not.  Instead that weekend I’ll be working at the hospital simulating pediatric mass casualty events so social workers, nurses, and doctors can hone their skills.  I know, I know.  Sexy stuff.  I’ve been told this is the price of freedom, so the medical community figures it best to practice footing the bill.