Day 2

Mary with British Columbia in the background

The Statendam

The Church on the mountain

Roast Pig at the Fairmont

Day 2. Day 2 we spent in Vancouver as the ship did not leave until 5 p.m. We had breakfast in the Crystal Room in the Pan Pacific Hotel and then walked to church. Every city in America has a Catholic Church. All of them are at the top of a mountain from wherever we are. My wife is of the opinion that if she misses Sunday Mass somehow something terrible is going to brought down on our heads. So, girding up my loins we set out up Mt. Everest to pay our Sunday morning respects. At first it was easy going but after awhile I could feel the muscles in my legs straining. Soon it became the old put the left foot forward and then put the right foot forward never looking up to see how far you have to go. About half way up I felt like Sir Edmund Hillary climbing Mr. Everest. My current wife kept offering words of encouragement such as " It's only a little ways more ". Her idea of a little ways does not take into account that a little ways up is a lot different than a little ways on the level. However I made it and the trip back down the mountain was a lot easier. We had lunch at the Vancouver Fairmont Heron Room. They had a whole hog roasted for Father's day brunch. I'll send a photo of it along with a picture of the Statendam. The Statendam is one huge ship. 55,000 gross tons which is about the displacement of a WWII battleship. 720 long and 13 decks high. Wow, double Wow! We cast off at 0500 promptly and we are all settled into our little cabin. The accomodations and the ship are first rate. I don't know how old it is but everything looks new and modern. I'm still struggling with uploading the photos to the blog. They upload easily enough but I can't figure out how to get text to accompany them. By the end of the cruise I'll figure it out if the cruise director allows me enough time.