Dear Mai,
We just got back from another quick getaway to Whistler, British Columbia. This time we were going up to see our friends Amanda and Todd get married. (Otherwise known as Panda and Toad, hence the wedding cupcakes)
Mommy and Daddy traveled to Whistler during our first year in Seattle, before you were born. We traveled back to Ohio to visit family and friends for Christmas but returned to Seattle on Christmas Eve. We had a few more days off so we decided, "Hey, let's go on a little mini vacation of our own." We headed to Whistler bright and early on Christmas day with Goose and Foz in tow. We had no agenda, no idea if there were any hotels available or if they allowed dogs and no idea what to do in Whistler. We don't really ski (at least I don't) but we're always up for a good vacation. It turned out to be one of our best Christmas's together. Good food, great scenery and just a lot of fun.
Fast forward to this trip and I feel like we packed enough stuff for a month abroad let alone 2 nights up in Canada. But we hit the road with you and Tito in tow this time and soon enough we were at the border! This is your third trip to Canada already in your short little life! The ride in was just as beautiful as we remembered it but there was SO MUCH TRAFFIC! Luckily you're a good little car rider and didn't mind the 4.5+ hour drive.
This time we rode the gondola up to the top of the mountains! Mama decided to hang back with Tito (read scared out of her mind) so we adventured up with Keith, Joyce and your new best friend Kathryn! This was an awesome adventure. The first gondola took us up close to the summit of Whistler mountain. From there you could take an open air ski lift to the Whistler peak. You had to be 40 inches tall to do that. You were barely under 40 inches and I probably could have gotten you up there but we decided to hang back and take a hike. You did awesome and walked the entire hike, even up the last steep part. Daddy was totally impressed and wildly relieved I didn't have to carry you up the steep part. From there we took the Peak 2 Peak gondola which took us from Whistler mountain to Blackcomb mountain. That was another awesome trip. At one point during that ride we were suspended over 1450 feet up in the air. That is taller than the Empire State Building! We saw some black bears that looked like tiny rocks from our vantage point but that was a cool ride. Once on Blackcomb we ran into a little critter I have no idea what it was. It looked a little mean so we kept our distance. THEN we had to take open chair lifts down that mountain! I was afraid that you would be terrified of that. Nope! Not at all. You were calm and loved the ride. It was a pretty cool adventure Mai.
We landed in a different part of Whistler village and had to hoof it back to the hotel to get ready in time for the wedding! We made it but you decided to rest a bit during the ceremony. You were so excited to see the pretty bride walk down the isle and see the flower girl. But a day in the mountains can tire anyone out let alone my little princess.
The wedding was gorgeous as were the bride and groom. Poor Amanda; you were obsessed with her! You kept saying "AMANDA! She looks SOO pretty" and wanted to follow her around all night. You were more excited to dance with her than with your Daddy! Little brat.
It was a good wedding. Good times with good friends.
The wedding was in a new native american cultural center that was pretty cool. Except for this thing. It kind of freaked me out and reminded me of hellraiser. You'll find soon that Daddy watches too many horror movies.
Of course you got to do some of your favorite things; Act like a bear while posing with a bear.
Speaking of bears, we had our closest ever encounter with a wild bear. We were walking home from the wedding down a well lit, well traveled pathway and we saw a black bear just moseying down the path. There were a lot of people on the path so the bear was obviously accustom to humans but we picked up our pace and kept our eyes open nonetheless. (Don't worry Grandmas, our baby was safe)
You also got to play on a playground, pose with Mommy on some cutout standouts (or whatever they're called) and play in some bobsleds and bike racks (you called your little gyms) throughout the village.
I myself love these pictures. Winter of 2010 and early fall in 2015. Same Mommy. Different supporting crew.
This is a drawing you did the first night in the hotel. Whistler has apparently turned into this party town and our hotel was on top of a night club / disco. When we went to bed you could hear the bass thumping. You called it a bumping sound and said you had to draw a picture of it before you went to bed. We let you and shut off the lights. Surprisingly we all slept good. When we got up we saw your picture. You said those were the "bumping" sounds you heard last night. :)
I love that you are such a good traveler Mai. Just like when we left Orcas you said you didn't want to go and you wanted to stay in our hotel in Canada forever and ever. Luckily you're easily won over. I said we'd go on another trip soon and you said "YAY!" and helped pack your bag before we left.
Until our next great adventure Mai... What's next for us?
Love,
Daddy