Pre-Canadian Adventure

This past October my husband, Philip and I set out on an adventure to Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. We always fly out of Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). I normally click on my Expedia app and make a reservation for an overnight stay at a hotel close to the airport…this trip would be no exception…so I thought.

As Philip drove us to Houston, I began my search for a hotel room for the night. I searched for the hotel we normally stay at, which is only 3 miles from the airport, but…there was no vacancy. Hmmm…that’s never happened before. So, I continued my search, but kept coming up with nothing. Then, Philip remembered…The Houston Astros were playing in the World Series and they were playing at home…every hotel near the airport was probably going to be pretty booked up. No wonder I was having such a hard time finding a room, but I persisted, and it paid off. I found a room – only one room left the app said, and I nabbed it! We settled in at the Double Tree Hotel (15747 John F. Kennedy Blvd), just 2 minutes from the airport! The rooms were excellent! Very clean and the room service was spot on! The staff was friendly and so very helpful…we will stay there again 😊

After a good night sleep, we were up at 4:00 a.m. to get ready to head to IAH. As we were loading our luggage on the hotel luggage cart, Phil asked me what gate we were flying out of. I took out our tickets & that’s when it happened… Pandemonium! As I looked at the ticket, in total panic, I realized we were headed to the wrong airport! We were flying out of Hobby Airport this time…not IAH!!! Hobby was clear across the city on the other side. We were in panic mode…we had to get all the way across the city, in Houston traffic on a Wednesday morning when everyone would be going to work…Phil said “we’ll never make it!”

We unloaded our luggage off the luggage cart, then dragging our luggage behind us, started sprinting across the hotel parking lot to our car. It was now 5:20 a.m. – our flight was set to board at 6:55 and fly out at 7:25 a.m. The GPS said we had a 30-minute drive…but, in Houston traffic, in the middle of the work week, it could be 2 hours! We loaded up our car and it was off to the races for us! Tada dum, tada dum, tada dum, dum, dum….I felt like the McAllister family on Home Alone as our car sprouted wings and flew down the Houston freeway. I was staying positive and praying that we wouldn’t miss our flight, and …no tickets, no accidents, no traffic.

I couldn’t believe it as we flew down the freeway, there was hardly any traffic! It was like Moses parting the Red Sea…the traffic seemed to part as we flew through! We made it! We arrived at the airport at 6:00 a.m. We decided it would be easier and faster to valet park our car. So, we headed to the valet parking area. We drove up to the electronic ticket dispenser, got our ticket and drove up to the electric valet gate…Nothing! It wouldn’t open! It was out of order or broken – we had no idea, but the traffic was beginning to pile up behind us…are you kidding me right now!!? Eventually everyone started backing up and moving away and we were able to back out and make our way through the parking garage to find a place to park.

Once we parked we grabbed our luggage out of the car and hurried through the garage to the baggage check area….bags checked…now through security and to our gate. We get to the security line where it feels like we wait for an eternity – get to the security check only to find out….we were in the Wrong Line!…REALLY!?? At this point we were just a cluster of comedy errors! We have traveled for years & have never had so many mishaps! And it wasn’t over…we got into the right security line…Phil went through, no problem…then my turn…the officer took a long look at me and then at my ID. Then he asked me, why was the middle name on my ID different from the middle name on my ticket….well – I do not know! So he asked me if I had any other form of ID – yes I did – my passport. I showed him my passport which matched my ID and I was allowed to go through…WHEW! Note to self…make sure your ID, ticket, and passport all match when you’re traveling.

In spite of all the mishaps…we made it…again! We got through security check, made our way to our gate with 30 minutes to spare! BIG SIGH & EXHALE! Wiping the sweat from our brow, we both sank down into a chair and waited to board….I wondered what other adventures are waiting for us on this trip 😉

When we boarded, I got my notepad ready to watch one of my movies I had downloaded. Phil settled in with a book…we had a 3 ½ hour flight ahead of us. As I watched, a woman in the movie reminded me of my mother. Not in her looks or anything like that – it was the way she folded her hands together as she observed everyone around her, watching with a smile on her face as she “people watched”. It took me back to the times I would have to help her reach the bathroom sink to wash her hands…she had been bound to a wheelchair before she passed in 2017. – My mind drifted to the times when I would be washing her hands for her and I would think to myself…I will always remember washing my mother’s hands 😊 I thought about how this year, running off on our vacay adventure, I wouldn’t be wondering how she was doing or worrying about something happening to her or going wrong while I was away….no phone calls to check in on her. Which then led me to think about how different this year was from last year…when there was no vacay adventure time. At this time last year, I was in the middle of chemo treatments for triple negative ductal carcinoma breast cancer (you can read and follow my story under the “Blog” tab then click “My Journey”)…it has been a tough two years! But this vacay was going to be a GREAT adventure in spite of all the comical mishaps up to now. Before I knew it we were landing in Seattle, Washington. We rented a vehicle and set out toward Port Angeles where we would board the ferry and cross the international waters to Victoria, BC, Canada.

By the time we reached Port Angeles we were famished. I saw a billboard sign for Michael’s Seafood Steakhouse (www.michaelsdining.com)…reef and beef always sounds like a good idea. Phil had the Risotto and I had the fresh Grilled Salmon…the meal was absolutely wonderful! When they say fresh, they mean – swimming that morning – serving that evening.

Michael’s is located in downtown Port Angeles with plenty of easy and accessible parking. The restaurant has been in operation since 2001 and is one of the top restaurants in the area. If a cozy, intimate atmosphere is what you’re looking for with fresh from the garden vegetables, and only fresh ingredients…I highly recommend Michael’s Seafood Steakhouse.

With our tummies happy and full, we made our way to the ferry harbor. We arrived at approximately 5:30 p.m. – only to find no one there! They were closed for the day! The ferry was the fastest way to get to Vancouver, unless we drove 4 ½ to 5 hours up the map and around…AHHH!! (in my Charlie Brown voice)! We were scheduled to check in to our room at the Dashwood Manor Seaside Bed & Breakfast in Victoria…this cannot be happening! Where were we going to stay?

Phil got out and looked around to see if he could find anyone who could tell us if the ferry was in fact closed for the evening and if so, when would it be running again? He ended up meeting a lovely lady named Mozelle. He asked her if she knew anything about the ferry schedule. She went in the ferry office and found someone to talk to and confirmed that they were indeed closed for the evening. …they had made their last run for the day. Mozelle said this time of year the ferry only makes 2 runs per day – one in the early morning and one in the afternoon. Who knew?? Another note to self…when traveling to another state and or country – find out the ferry schedule ahead of time!

At is turned out Mozelle actually owned a local Bed & Breakfast! The Park Bear Bed & Breakfast (808 S. Golf Course Rd., Port Angeles, WA. – Phone: 360-670-3345 – Email: mozellem@gmail.com). She told us they were still in somewhat of a construction stage, but we were welcome to stay, and she gave us a really good deal on a room for the night…we took her up on it. We followed her to the B&B where we met her husband, Larry. Larry was just as friendly and welcoming as Mozelle. They took us in and let us get comfortable, then invited us for wine and hot cocoa…and wonderful conversation well into the night. They told us all the great sites to see while we were in Victoria and the best routes to take, and they also told us about all the fun things to do and sites to see in Port Angeles. Larry worked in the national park system for many years before he retired. He gave us information on all the happenings, and the best trails & camp sites in the area. He also had great information on the Victoria area as well as traveling pointers and tips for traveling in Canada. By the time our visit was over, we had made two new friends in Port Angeles, WA.

We got an early start the next morning. Larry tried to make us a well-rounded breakfast, but we were anxious to get to the ferry. Larry wouldn’t hear of us leaving empty handed, so he laid out pastries (Yummy), fruit and coffee. We said our good-byes and headed to the ferry harbor.

If you ever find yourself in the area, remember The Park Bear B&B – it is so very charming and has all the amenities you need. Better yet, check out Port Angeles for your next vacay experience and give Mozelle a call, she & Larry are very knowledgeable, and they will make you feel right at home…as though you have known them for years.

We reached the harbor at 7:30 a.m. and were told we would be loading up and pulling out within the hour. The ferry service: Black Ball Ferry Line (www.cohoferry.com), located at 101 E. Railroad Ave., Port Angeles, WA. 98362) is the only ferry service in town. We heard it is owned and operated by the employees. I suggest calling ahead of time to find out the schedule in the fall and winter months (1-800-99ferry) or go online. When traveling from Victoria, BC to Port Angels, the Black Ball Ferry Lines is located at 430 Belleville, St., Victoria, BC (1-800-cotto475).

The ride from Port Angeles to Victoria, BC is approximately 90 minutes across international waters. I have never had a ferry ride like that before…it’s like a cruise ship for your car! You drive your car into a parking garage type area and enjoy the “cruise” from the upper deck, or inside lounge. The ferry has a restaurant and even a gift shop…it was the coolest thing!

We had breakfast by the ginormous windows and watched the sun make its arrival over the water while we sipped our coffee and chatted the time away. After breakfast, we strolled the deck before settling in the main sitting area to finish out our ride which ended all to quickly, but we were FINALLY getting to our first destination.