Rocky Mountaineer Canada Trip 2019 - Day 1

In May of this year we received a group invitation from friends that began "We were visiting with Dad about taking a trip in early October aboard the Rocky Mountaineer..."

Todd and I had been wanting to do this same trip for a few years, so the unsolicited opportunity arriving from out of the blue was spooky.  We immediately said yes (in our heads), but spent a week researching and talking about it before committing.  My mom was also going, so that was a bonus.

Our "Journey Through the Clouds Excursion" trip started at the beginning of this month.  We flew from DFW to Vancouver and spent two nights there.  We then boarded the glass-domed Rocky Mountaineer train for a two-day rail journey with overnight stops in Kamloops, British Columbia, and Jasper, Alberta, followed by a two-day bus ride with stops along the scenic Icefields Parkway and overnight stays at Lake Louise and Banff, both in Alberta.  On the last day we took a bus from Banff to Calgary to fly home.

The trip was amazing:  We had amazing scenery, great company, great food, and the fall weather (including an incredible snowfall on the last day that didn't impact our travel) was perfect.



On the first day we arrived at DFW airport at 7:30am and met up with our 8 other traveling companions at the gate.  Our roughly 4-hour flight took off at 9:15 CST and landed at Vancouver International a little after 11:15 PST.  After collecting luggage and going through customs, a mostly kiosk-interaction process, we grouped into taxis for the 30-minute ride to the hotel.  Luckily our rooms were ready so we were able to check in early.

Todd and Mom waiting at the airport.
"I once flew on an airplane thiiis big..."

"...your seat cushion may be used as a floatation device.  In the event of a donut emergency, bags of donuts will descend from the tray table in the seat in front of you.."

Birthday Phantom

After our return from Vegas, for her birthday we took my mom to see the national tour of the new production of The Phantom of the Opera at Bass Hall in downtown Fort Worth.

The cast was excellent as was the production.  The new staging was innovative and fresh, but the standout (for me) was Katie Travis as Christine Daaé - what a talent!  Go see this show if you can.

Bass Performance Hall, Fort Worth, TX (taken from the parking garage)

Looking up at the covered infamous chandelier before the show starts

The chandelier after the "crash" at the end of Act 1.  Even though I've seen the Phantom before, it was still quite dramatic especially since we were underneath it.  Mom (and I) got a chuckle that I gave out a little involuntary yell when it came down.  :)

South Dakota Road Trip - Day 1

South Dakota here we come!

When we decided on relatively short notice that we wanted to take a road trip with my mom and my aunt Shirley, we knew that we wanted to go someplace familiar that would be a great getaway.  South Dakota quickly topped the list.

Todd and I had previously driven to South Dakota in 2013, and had had a great trip.  Custer State Park was a standout of that last journey, so this time we knew we wanted to stay in the park.  With that in mind we booked a cabin and set the following itinerary:

Day 1:  Drive from Dallas to Salina, KS - check in to the Holiday Inn Express
Day 2:  Drive to Rapid City, SD - check in to the Hotel Alex Johnson
Day 4:  Check in to the cabin at Sylvan Lake Lodge in Custer State Park
Day 7:  Drive back to Salina and stay at the Holiday Inn
Day 8:  Drive home

When the day came we loaded up the car with luggage, snacks of nuts and dried fruits, and were on our way.  So, with that out of the way, let's be off!

Our chariot awaits!

Road Trip

My niece recently moved back to Texas after studying at the University of Hawaii.  When she moved to Hawaii she hired a transport company to drive her car to the coast and ship it, but they no longer do the cross-country transport piece.  So last week she, her grandmother (my mom), and I flew to LA to pick up her car at the port and drive it home.  Who knew I'd be back in the desert a month after my last trip?

We flew into LAX at 7am on Monday to paramedics waiting on the tarmac at the gate (we had a little excitement during the last hour of the flight when a passenger a few rows up had repeated medical emergencies, losing consciousness a couple of times - she ended up ok, but it's scary to wake up from a drowse to see a flight attendant running past you down the aisle then running back up a minute later with an oxygen tank as an announcement is made over the intercom asking if anyone on board is a doctor or nurse).

After we were cleared to depart the plane, we caught our shuttle to the port at Long Beach, picked up the car from the shipper's lot, stopped for a tank and tire fill-up then a car wash to wash off the ocean salt.  After that we made a pit stop at the Walmart across from the car wash for water and snacks, then were on our way.  Our route followed a large portion of historic Route 66.

The route

Photos after the jump.

Bad Dream

Woken up early by a bad dream. Made me think of the countless times as a child when I would do the same and start to call (quietly at first so as not to attract the monsters), then yell across the house for Mama who would come to comfort me.

Which also reminds me of the countless times I would wake up and call ( quietly at first so as not to attract the monsters), then yell across the house for Mama, and when she came to my bedside I would say "I'm thirsty." and she would bring me a glass of water (instead of slapping the shit out of me and saying what the fuck is wrong with you?!).

I love you Mom.

The Ross Perot Museum Of Nature And Science

Yesterday Todd and I took Mom to the Ross Perot Museum of Nature and Science in downtown Dallas.  It was the first time any of us had been there, and we had a great time.  I highly encourage you to plan a visit if you're in the area.

What I learned that will stay with me the longest was this fact that was written on one of the benches:
"The average person accidentally eats 430 bugs each year of his or her life."

A unique exterior, and the inside is a lot of fun too

Shout Out To Mom

Thank you Mom for driving me today.  I really appreciated your help.
Love you.

Happy Birthday Mom

Happy Birthday Mom - you are loved!

Mom and my brother - chillaxin at Rock'n'Roller Coaster

Mom and I on the teacups - slightly overstimulated  :)

Lunch With Mom

Had lunch with Mom at Razzoo's. Good company and good food.

Buttons For Brunch

Mother's Day brunch buffet at Buttons restaurant. Cheese grits, french toast, sausage, biscuits, bacon, scrambled eggs, green beans, catfish, potatoes, pineapple and mimosas. So good.

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day everyone!  Especially to the Moms.  Especially to my Mom.
Love you.