March 2009
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The author and her father at the Capilano Suspension Bridge in Vancouver. // © 2009 Marty Wentzel |
Three decades separate our ages, but when it comes to travel, my father and I are twins. We share a love of trains, Canada and offbeat humor. Last March, we found ourselves giggling our way out of Seattle on the Amtrak Cascades, bound for an overnight Vancouver getaway.
Since I’m always checking Amtrak’s specials (www.amtrakcascades.com), I found a two-for-one companion
offer that kept our fares low. We sat on the left side for shoreline views and enjoyed four hours of upbeat conversation.
From the Vancouver train station, a short walk led to the Sky Train, a cheap and easy light-rail system. In fact, after checking into our hotel, we hopped back on the Sky Train and rode it to the end of the line and back, just for fun. It gave us a great overview of a city at once captivating and charming, and friendly locals helped us determine where to change lines.
For accommodations, I chose the Loden Vancouver for its central downtown location. One of the city’s newest hotels, this boutique property pampered us from the get-go, right down to our bathroom’s radiant-heat floor. It was just right for this special father-daughter trip (www.lodenvancouver.com).
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The next morning, Ann — a Vancouverite and part of our extended family — drove us 20 minutes to Grouse Mountain, where a gondola lifted us 8,573 feet skyward. After a lofty lunch with inspirational vistas, we drove to the Capilano Suspension Bridge. There, we jiggled and joked our way across the 450-foot-long span. Tourism Vancouver’s attractions pass includes admission to these and other activities (www.tourismvancouver.com).
The return train ride came much too soon. Hey, Amtrak is adding a second Seattle-Vancouver run lasting through the 2010 Olympics. What do you say to that, Dad?
