BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Aug 06 - 08:32 PM

Enjoy the trip, sounds great

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: Charley Noble
Date: 31 Jul 06 - 09:22 PM

There's all them foreigners that one encounters while traveling as well! LOL

And the wretched food!

And the filthy bathrooms!

And the hungry ATM's/Cashpoints!

And you can never drink the water without getting the runs!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: Ebbie
Date: 30 Jul 06 - 09:50 PM

Tell me about it, JennieG! They have taken over our sidewalks- (footpaths). One rapidly learns the feint and dodge trick.

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: JennieG
Date: 30 Jul 06 - 09:08 PM

Charley, what a lovely verse! I forgot a couple of things. Just as our cruise ship was pulling away from the dock in Vancouver at the start of the voyage, Our Captain announced in his Irish accent that "we are now leaving Vancouver, on our way to the Inside Passage and Alaska....rhubarb rhubarb......and here is some music to send us on our way" and through the PA system came Johnny Horton singing "North to Alaska"! (guess who was singing along) Our Captain has a sense of humour, it was his first voyage on the Sapphire Princess and our son said the music hadn't been played before.

And of all the wildlife we saw, the most fearsome was the Tour Group, sub species Americanus, closely followed by sub species Australis. Something to be avoided at all costs.

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: Charley Noble
Date: 30 Jul 06 - 10:45 AM

Jennie-

Glad you got some time to explore Victoria. We also enjoyed the "human scale" of this port city, and the added benefit of spectacular sunsets, song circles, and interesting architecture. And it was so nice to raise a glass to C. Fox Smith at one of her favorite hangouts, McQuade's Ship Chandlery Shop at 1250 Wharf St., now occupied by the famed Chandlers Sea Food Restaurant.

And I dreamed a dream in Sailor Town, a foolish dream and vain,
Of ships and men departed, of old times come again,
And an old song in Sailor Town, an old song to sing,
When shipmate meets with shipmate in the long evening.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: JennyO
Date: 30 Jul 06 - 10:36 AM

The suitable amount of time is usually cut short at the first hint of the sound of a cat food tin opening, when all is forgiven.

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 30 Jul 06 - 08:37 AM

wow! you cats were pleased to see you - most moggies of my acquaintance punish their persons for leaving them by not speaking to them for a suitable amount of time!

sandra
ps. holiday sounds wow, too.

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: JennieG
Date: 30 Jul 06 - 06:42 AM

By special request (hello Ebbie!) I am quickly refreshing this thread to tell of some of our adventures. We have now unpacked and sorted out our treasures.

We had never thought of ourselves as "cruise people", but I have to say we very quickly became used to being spoilt in a floating luxury hotel. I reckon a folkie cruise would be great, there are lots of bars and spots for great sessions.

We liked Vancouver, but enjoyed Victoria better, it's smaller and seems more laid-back, and I don't think I have ever seen or smelt anything more beautiful that the roses at the Butchart Gardens. We liked the towns we visited on the Inside Passage - Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway - I would love to see them on a day when the cruise ships weren't in town. We chose not to do any tours in Ketchikan and Juneau but rode on the White Pass and Yukon Railroad up into the hills from Skagway, what a marvellous trip. I have great admiration for the builders of this railway and the engineering that went into the making of it, and even more for the people who walked the trail.

And having the Fourth of July in an American town was very interesting and a lot of fun!

We were really awe-struck by the scenery as we went further north, seeing photos does not prepare one for seeing glaciers in real life. We saw a glacier calve - not a huge chunk, but enough to make a loud crack and splash - even captured it on film while we were having champagne breakfast on our balcony (a girl has to eat.......)

After an unfriendly welcome at our Anchorage hotel (I think the staff were harassed by the Veterans' Wheelchair Games that were being held that week) we found Anchorage interesting thanks to Rob. On the trip north to Denali we were able to see Mt McKinley very clearly as the day was clear; the guide said "it's only visible about 20% of the time so you are lucky". The trip into the interior of Denali National Park was even more fascinating than we had hoped it would be, and we had another wonderful view of the mountain (and the tour guide said it's only visible etc) I even found the first forget-me-nots of the summer before our guide did! And we decided that mooses are not pretty and ground squirrels are cute. We don't have animals like them in Oz.

Fairbanks was interesting and we met some really nice people. We did the touristy thing and went prospecting for gold, and we both found some; we had it set into a necklace for me, and I have said that Himself can borrow it to wear if he behaves himself. The plane flight from Fairbanks was interesting as some burly gentlemen were sitting in our allocated seats, they motioned us to sit across the aisle. We realised why when we noticed that the gentleman wearing all sorts of metallic stuff on his shirt (stars and things like that)on the aisle seat was handcuffed to his neighbour. We flew over glaciers after leaving Anchorage but it was too cloudy to see anything else until we landed at Vancouver. Then it was a very long flight home and the cats were very pleased to see us.

Now we have wonderful memories and fabulous photographs.

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: Metchosin
Date: 16 Jul 06 - 10:53 AM

We're glad you arrived back home safe and sound JennieG and hope the both of you will get another opportunity to return again some day. Jim sends his regards and we also hope, upon your return home, that Kevin can find the time to locate some good grass and play with his balls.

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: JennieG
Date: 16 Jul 06 - 03:44 AM

Charlie,

We didn't quite get to see sunset on Victoria Harbour, but loved Victoria just the same. We choofled around the harbour on one of those little ferries, which was great fun and gave us many photo oopportunities. And I found Munro's book shop, I could have spent many hours there.

In Skagway we sought out the local museum (the only stone building in town) so I could see the famous duck-neck quilt that a Canadian friend had told me about. It was made nearly 100 years ago by a woman who, with her husband, used to kill game for food. She thought that the necks of ducks were too beautiful to waste so preserved them using a method shown to her by Tlingits, and sewed them together to make a quilt about 5 feet square. The colours are still vivid, including a wonderful irridescent green. A great example of "waste not, want not" I thought!

I am still unpacking all my goodies.

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: Ebbie
Date: 16 Jul 06 - 03:38 AM

Welcome Home, JennieG! I expect you'll be glad to get a little rest. But do tell us what all you did.

I'm so glad I got to meet you two.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: Charley Noble
Date: 15 Jul 06 - 10:19 PM

JennieG-

Welcome back home!

Do get some rest and when you can do what you can to assuage the hunger of we "mouse potatoes" for more details.

Hope you got to see a Victoria Harbour sunset.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 15 Jul 06 - 08:31 AM

welcome back!

make sure you bring your new treasures to the Dog, I want to see them (pls)

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: JennieG
Date: 15 Jul 06 - 04:18 AM

We're back! Our plane arrived this morning at about 6.30am after a loooong flight from Fairbanks via Anchorage - Vancouver - Honolulu. We left on July 13 and it's now July 15, we missed Bastille Day completely. We must have been somewhere over the Pacific Ocean when the dates changed.

We had a wonderful time and met some fabulous people including Ebbie in Juneau, Metchosin in Victoria (say g'day to Jim for us) and Rob (Robomatic) in Anchorage. Glaciers up close are amazingly awesome. Halibut and chips are great, and smoked salmon for breakfast each day is something I very quickly became used to having. The local cider in Victoria is veeeery nice. The economy in Canada and Alaska has been helped by my forays to the local quilt and bead shops too *grin* Spending time with our son on the cruise ship was lovely, as was chatting with our younger son on the phone - he has been living in Toronto (Ontario) for several months now and we haven't seen him since early last year. Denali National Park is a wonderful place and we saw lots of wildlife too.

At Skagway a local singer named Steve Hite came aboard and gave a performance on the early days of Skagway during the gold rush, we enjoyed that very much and I have his CD.

Sandra, I have your bead, a fun one. At this stage the Dog next weekend is looking good. I should be awake by then.

As we speak I am listening to the radio, the Borealis String Quartet from Vancouver are playing a 'classical' version of "Home on the range". Why not.

We have been having a lovely time unpacking our loot too, our tee shirt collections have been increased. As has my trinket collection. And my book collection......

Cheers
JennieG....a bit tired.....!

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: Ebbie
Date: 07 Jul 06 - 08:46 PM

JennieG said that she doesn't expect to be able to post again until they arrive home on July 19. I hope they're having a great time.

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: Charley Noble
Date: 07 Jul 06 - 08:45 PM

What a bunch!

We expect a full report when you've recovered from your long flight home.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: GUEST,Allen in Oz
Date: 07 Jul 06 - 08:32 PM

Bob Bolton does not miss much

He even put the grave on the " e " in Cursed Toon Bloody Gabbie.

Any news from the wandering minstrel in Alaska.?..just hand on " I'll ask her" All very Perry Como for those old enough to remember.

best wishes Jenny G et al from all in Australia

AD 1943

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 06 Jul 06 - 02:16 AM

G'day AD,

Wasn't that "Curséd Toongabbie" (pace 'Frank the Poet')?

Regard(les)s,

Bob

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: GUEST,AD 1943
Date: 06 Jul 06 - 01:34 AM

From all at Toon Bloody Gabbie

Please come back,please come back
Nothing is forgiven

AD

Eee Bah Gum
et al

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: Ebbie
Date: 05 Jul 06 - 11:38 AM

Oh, that reminds me, Metch. They relayed your "Hello" to me, and I say "Hello!" right back. I hope I get to meet you some day.

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: Metchosin
Date: 05 Jul 06 - 11:34 AM

We managed to meet up with them too, Ebbie and were of the same opinion. They are definitely tracing "one warm line" of Aus goodwill up the coast.

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: Ebbie
Date: 05 Jul 06 - 11:08 AM

Well, they've been and gone.

I missed them at the Independence Day parade yesterday, although I paraded around with a sign paperclipped to my front. I was at home in the afternoon when the phone rang and I learned where they were.

Lovely people. That doesn't even describe them- I enjoyed them very much.

The best to you. JennieG and Himself, on the rest of your journeys.

Hurry back. Or take your time- but do come back.

Eb

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 25 Jun 06 - 09:54 AM

I eagerly await the travel stories & the bead!

When you get back maybe you can personally deliver it & I'll get first view of you lovely loot. And of course, I have lotsa new stuff to show you - my sari silk scarf is wonderful! I might just buy some more even tho it was a pain to knit up.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: JennieG
Date: 24 Jun 06 - 04:23 PM

Off to the airport soon, next time I visit the Mudcat cafe it will be on the other side of the Pacific Ocean. It still seems a bit unreal, and will be so until we get off the plane in Vancouver - then I will know I am on holiday.

I hope the airport sells good coffee, I haven't had a cup today yet. And I don't mean Starbucks or Gloria Jeans - heaven forbid!

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: Alba
Date: 24 Jun 06 - 12:16 PM

Way to go JennyG. The time has finally arrived...yippee!

There is only a "First Time" once:) and I know you will have a unique and wonderfilled experience.
I am looking forward to hearing all those Adventure stories and hopefully seeing some pics.

I know you are going to meet Ebbie and I hope you are going to meet KT and Alaska Mike so would you mind passing on a {{{{ Big {Hug}}}}}}to them all from me?:)
That will have to suffice till I get myself over to Alaska to give out hugs personally..**Big Grin**or maybe the Getaway will provide a "hugging" Op!.

BON VOYAGE!

Love and Light and Warmest Wishes,
Judi

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: freda underhill
Date: 24 Jun 06 - 04:13 AM

Have a great trip jennie!

best wishes

freda

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: Ebbie
Date: 24 Jun 06 - 04:10 AM

I'm looking forward to meeting JennieG. She has my phone number - I live just 6 blocks up the hill from the waterfront so I'll be trundling down there when I get the call.

I hope she has a simply scrumptious time.

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: JennieG
Date: 23 Jun 06 - 11:39 PM

Thank you Skarpi! I am under orders (which I don't usually take notice of, but thought this time I should *grin*) not to spend too much time on the puter. I haven't packed yet.

We fly out at 10am Sydney time tomorrow morning, and it's 1.37pm now. I am off now to make Big Decisions about clothing, it's winter here but I will be packing for summer - that's a bit hard to get my head around.

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: skarpi
Date: 19 Jun 06 - 02:46 AM

Jenny G , you never gonna be able to get home again you´ll get stuck in this parade:>) ...... and what am I doing here in this
cold rain ?? I should go there too

Well have a wanderful travel Jenny G and say hello to
KT and Ebbie for me they are a wanderful ladies :>))

All the best Skarpi Iceland..

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: JennieG
Date: 18 Jun 06 - 05:04 AM

Never mind Sandra, you can't rush genius........*grin*

Cheers
JennieG.....less than a week to go......

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 17 Jun 06 - 11:29 AM

no worries, mate

I went looking for Sydney Mudcatter events & realised I've not posted any of my pics. One day (soon) when things are fixed, I'll do so

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: Ebbie
Date: 17 Jun 06 - 11:19 AM

Thank you, Sandra!

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 17 Jun 06 - 03:31 AM

Ebbie, here are some pics of JennieG & himself from Charley Noble's website

jennie in white shirt & striped waitscoat
the famous Loaded dog audience

Jennie in orange jumper
a member of the crew joins in the singing

now you will know her!

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: Ebbie
Date: 16 Jun 06 - 03:23 PM

JennieG, I checked with them and there are atleast two Alaska-themed cloth places and one beading place that will be open on July 4th, each of them basically on the parade route. And I'm getting some quills from another place. We'll get you fixed up.

PM me for my phone number- although I plan to be down at the parade route on the day I'm not sure how I'll find you. Unless you talk nonstop so that I'll recognize an unfamiliar accent!

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: Metchosin
Date: 16 Jun 06 - 11:41 AM

I believe you have my phone number Jenny, give us a call when you reach Victoria and I hope to get a chance to show you around.

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: JennyO
Date: 16 Jun 06 - 08:06 AM

Hi Jennie!

You lucky thing you! While you're finding a postcard or a bead for Sandra, maybe you could find a little something for your (almost) namesake? Doesn't matter what it is - any kind of little souvenir-ish thing will do. But above all, hope you and Kevin have a great time!

Jenny

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: JennieG
Date: 16 Jun 06 - 04:20 AM

We picked up our tickets last weekend and it is getting very close now.
Ebbie - thank you for that information on quills - that is very interesting. If you can get some I would love it, it would make really unusual jewellery.

Alaska Mike, what a pity we can't meet, and thank you for your offer! We only have the night of July 8 in Anchorage, we come overland from Whittier during the day and leave the next morning by train for Denali National Park. Is there anything interesting happening in Anchorage that night?

GUEST mg, we arrive in Vancouver on the morning of June 25 which wouldn't give us long at Camp Alexandra, especially as we will be tired from the long flight....it's a long way from Oz to anywhere else in the world (except New Zealand, that was 3 hours)

Cheers
JennieG.....9 days to go......

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 07 Jun 06 - 06:13 PM

You can't be there weekend of 23-26 June can you? See my thread on Camp Alexandra..lots of the B.C. folk will be there. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: Ebbie
Date: 07 Jun 06 - 11:34 AM

Here is an interesting site about using quills, including a picture. I had no idea there was so much involved! If you want some, I'll see if I can get some already cleaned. No country or customs should object to cleaned quills.

http://home.flash.net/~mjtafoya/projects/quill/quill.htm

JennieG, those tall cylindrical objects are oil storage tanks. They used to be alongside one of our streets but in recent years they've been installed on the 'rock dump', our manmade peninsula that forms our harbor.

Keep in mind that everything is barged or ferried up the Gastineau channel. From my window high up the hill I once watched with binoculars as a huge forklift trundled onto a barge, lifted a school bus off the third tier, brought it to land and deposited it in the parking lot.

Alaska Mike, I spent a couple of weeks in Anchorage last June and had a great time. I had never been on the road system up there and there's a lot to see and do. It is hard to go indoors with those surroundings.

We went as far south as Homer and then up and back down to Seward (on the way we stopped and watched a brown bear eating dandelions); as far north as Denali (my favorite spot on the trip was Talkeetna, followed in order by Seward); we went to Girdwood and Alyeska and Whittier and points between. The Old Seward highway is a notoriously dangerous one- it is a gorgeous drive alongside the Inlet, its beauty allegedly one of the factors in causing accidents.

We also went to the Portage Glacier (ah, here I can point out pronunciation. In the US we say "GLAYshurr", not "glassier" as one might in French-English.) I was astonished at what had happened to the Portage. I knew that over the years it had receded dramatically - it sometimes lost 300 feet in a month - but I had no idea that it had practically vanished as far as the view from the road goes. There is an excursion boat that carries people to a viewing spot but it was after hours and it was closed.

We did go to the Visitors Center and spent a couple of hours there.

Oh, yes, and everywhere we went we saw moose. Not on the highways, luckily, but on the vrrges and in the meadows.

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: Alaska Mike
Date: 07 Jun 06 - 09:49 AM

Hi Jennie,
I'm sorry to say that my wife and I will be out of town during your stay here in Anchorage. We were so looking forward to meeting you and showing you around. If you get the chance drive south from Anchorage about 40 minutes to Portage Glacier. There is a beautiful and informative visitor's center there where you can learn about glaciers, ice worms, and Alaskan history. (Why do glaciers appear blue?) Keep a watch out for Beluga whales in the inlet and Dall sheep up on the side of the mountains near the road.

Also, there is the Alaskan Native Center in Anchorage where they display many native crafts and artwork. They sometimes have craftsmen there building kayaks or totem poles or various other items. We have had wonderful weather these past couple weeks and I hope you have a clear view of Denali. Summer weather is unpredictable and sometimes finds the mountain shrouded in dense clouds for weeks on end. Be sure and pick up some insect repellant before you head into the park.

And always keep your eyes peeled for moose. I drove down to Soldotna on Monday and spotted 16 of them on or near the road during my drive. I will warn you these animals will sometimes wait until the very last minute and then race across the road right in front of you. Hitting a moose can seriously mess up your day.

I hope your trip is as wonderful as you can dream it to be Jennie. I look forward to hearing all about it when you get back home.

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: JennieG
Date: 07 Jun 06 - 04:05 AM

Of course Sandra! Stephen The Drummer was in Juneau again today and by the look of the 'cruisecam' on the Sapphire Princess it was raining. When the rain cleared later today I could see some large cylindrical shapes, Ebbie and KT, what are they? They look like storage of some kind.

Diana, thanks for the advice re the long flight, I will keep moving. I don't know about not falling asleep though, I may doze occasionally! We have a stopover in Honolulu which will break the flight a bit, and the same coming home. I have made a note of the bead shop too, I reckon I could get lost in a shop like that.

Porcupine quills??? The folk at work were aghast when I mentioned it but I am interested. However I'm not sure if I can bring stuff like that back into Australia as our quarantine laws are very severe (rightly so I guess), I think any animal or plant product may be banned. I will check the website.

Cheers
Jennie.......18 days......

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 06 Jun 06 - 09:29 AM

hey, Jennie, bring me back a bead (please) &/or a postcard (please please)

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: GUEST,AD 1943
Date: 06 Jun 06 - 12:17 AM

Only 20 days to go

But who's counting?

Best wishes

AD

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: Ebbie
Date: 05 Jun 06 - 11:37 AM

JennieG, a local variant in beading involves porcupine quills. Would that be something you'd be interested in? I would imagine that is something a person (don't laugh, KT) could get beforehand. Whatever we can do, let us know.

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: Ebbie
Date: 05 Jun 06 - 11:20 AM

Good point, KT. I suppose the Nugget will be closed too. But for the quilting we can introduce BevelAnn H. - I think she'll be in town - and maybe Odette. For the beading, hmmmm... Lots of people bead - Susan Auer does - but if the shops aren't open... Darn.

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: GUEST,KT
Date: 05 Jun 06 - 03:05 AM

Since you'll be in juneau on the 4th, which is a holiday, the bead and quilting shops may very well be closed. If you are interested in something specific from either of these places, let me know what it is, and I'll see if I can get it in advance for you. I could arrange for a friend to get it to your ship.

KT

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: dianavan
Date: 05 Jun 06 - 12:29 AM

Jennie G. - Forgot to tell you that their is a fantastic bead shop on Main Street between 27th and 28th called Bead Freaks. She has beads from all over the world. Mom travels all over the world buying beads and the daughter runs the shop. Anyone who likes beads will like this place. Take the Main Street bus south from the Main Street sky train station. One fare will get you there ($2.25) and it will take 40 minutes (or less)from downtown Vancouver.

I also want to remind you to get up and walk around on your long flight. Do not fall asleep or remain in one position for too long. Remember to drink lots of water and wiggle your toes. Keep the circulation going so you don't end up with a blood clot (otherwise known as deep vein thrombosis).

I'd invite you over but that is an extremely busy time of the year for me. I'll be packing it up at work and getting things ready for an art exhibit on the island. I'm sure you will have just as much fun wandering around on your own. Don't forget to visit Granville Island (a great seaside market and there is a bead shop there, too). You can take a water taxi from downtown.

Another great place is, of course, Stanley Park. Take a walk on the seawall.

Do you like beautiful gardens? Try Dr. Sun Yat Sen (an oasis in the heart of Chinatown)or Van Dusen Gardens (Oak street). I would avoid Cambie Street - major construction going on for the new sky train line and stations.

If you want a day trip, there's a train going to Whistler Mt. daily.

I hope you have fun and that the sun will shine for you. We put up with gallons of rain because it is so worth it when the sun shines. This is a beautiful city (as far as cities go).

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: JennieG
Date: 04 Jun 06 - 11:35 PM

You folks are wonderful - I would not have found out so many things without youse all! We will certainly enjoy the waterfronts as Himself likes boats; his maternal grandfather sailed on a famous clipper, "Sobraon". When I'm not playing music (or wasting time on the puter *grin*) I make clothing or quilts on the sewing machine, or make bead jewellery, or knit/crochet - hence my interest in these shops. Anything connected with hobbies makes wonderful holiday souvenirs. I bought patchwork fabric in New Zealand a few years ago that is very different to what is sold here in Sydney.

The worst part of this trip will be the flights, it's a long way from Oz to anywhere else in the world. But I have bought a mystery book to keep me occupied for a few hours.

Cheers
JennieG.....20 days....!

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Jun 06 - 01:48 PM

JennyG-

You'll have a lot of fun prowling around the Victoria waterfront. Here's a link, "On The Trail of C. Fox Smith", from my visit there last summer describing some of the sights: click here for website

I don't think you'll be there for either of the two bi-weekly music swaps.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Aussie catter visiting Alaska/Vancouver
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 Jun 06 - 12:05 PM

I'm looking forward to meeting you in Juneau, JennieG. At the very least I can direct you to people involved in quilting and/or beading. Maybe because of our long winters many people create their treasures on their own and in their own homes.

But there are also classes and clubs:

"Spirit Beads owner and bead artist Salty Hanes hopes all the bags in the show will drive visitors to create their own works of art.

"It's to encourage people to be creative during the year," Hanes said. "It was also to encourage people who had these gorgeous antique bags that just sat in a dresser (to display them) so that the public could see them once a year and be inspired."

Check this out or just google 'Spirit Beads'

A local friend not only quilts and meets weekly with a quilters' group but she has customized window shades at home. She also sells the machines that turn quilting into a modern art.

Always assuming that they are in town when you get here I'd be happy to take you to meet these people.