To the top of Alaska (with a few other places along the way)

[kermatu]

My it sure is bumpy back here!

Even worse in the cargo hold.

Yet somehow still with wifi.

 

[Atleastonce]

I had the miso-glazed salmon on a flight a week ago and it was divine. If not too late to change....

It was too late, as I was reading this they served up the gnocchi. It was amazIng.

 

[Atleastonce]

About an hour from LAX and the WiFi is still working. I didn’t take any photos of breakfast, I was juggling laptop and iPad and breakfast to try and get some last minute work done before landing. I managed about 5 hours sleep which wasn’t too bad considering the early turbulence and the screaming youngster in row 1. I was impressed with the bed, comfortable enough for me and plenty of room to move around. I sleep on my stomach most of the time and had no problem doing so on this flight.

 

[Major]

Now that the turbulence has subsided I will hop on board for this fantastic trip

 

[Atleastonce]

Day 1 at Disneyland and California Adventure. It was pretty crowded today but we managed a few rides. Pirates was the first ride to see the new redhead scene. I don’t know if I am a fan, I think we will need to see it again tomorrow. Pirates standby wait time displayed 40 minutes and we in the boat at the 18 minute mark. We were given the red card to assist with the timing estimates. The haunted mansion also showed 40 minutes and we managed that wait in 20 minutes. We did a leisurely stroll through the park looking for photo opportunities and later went into California adventure for a bread bowl soup. I actually had macaroni and cheese. It is an off the menu option, and it is a must to try. We found a great spot just to the side of the restaurant that sells the bread bowls. It is between the restaurant and water that flows into the world of colour. There are about 6 tables there and you can sit and eat your bread bowl and watch the paint the night parade. We had no trouble getting a seat 10 minutes before the parade. You don’t see the performers up close but the vision of the floats are amazing and the sound is the same as being on the parade route. Mickeys fun wheel was lit and the incredicoaster was doing vacant test runs for over an hour. It was all lit up too. We managed a few rides in cars land and a browse through the shops before they kicked us out at 11:00pm. We didn’t buy the max pass. Most of the character photos didn’t have a photographer with them, so it would have been a waste of money. We are staying at the best western park place inn right across the road from the entrance to Disneyland. We went for a walk to the other end of downtown Disney and we are actually closer to the park than the Disneyland hotel. Also at $435 for our 2 night stay a heap cheaper. We spent our savings on a park hopper ticket for the 2 days. A few photos we took in the park today.

 

[Atleastonce]

Day 2/3 in Anaheim and Disneyland. Today we spent most of the day in between Disneyland and California Adventure. (Photos to come). It was no where near as crowded as the previous day. We got 8 rides in today, including space mountain and star tours with a fast pass for each. Lots of character meetings in and around the park. The fireworks were amazing, with the projections on the buildings along Main Street USA. We left early to get to LAX for our flight to Calgary. We checked out at 6:30am, got a quick bite to eat at the buffet breakfast at the best western and drove to LAX in about 45 minutes. A quick check in and through security and into the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge in under 30 minutes. The photos are of the breakfast area that is complimentary at the Best Western, and the proximity to the entrance to Disneyland. The buffet is upstairs at Captain Kidd’s and you can see to the left of that photo, the driveway for the Best Western. I have quite a few photos of in Disneyland that I need to upload and sort. I will upload ore photos when we get to Calgary.

 

[Atleastonce]

This is our first time flying with Air Canada. We are flying J as it was a lower cost to buy a J ticket than a Y ticket and add luggage. The Maple Leaf Lounge in terminal 6 at LAX is comfortable, not too crowded, and has a selection of muffins/fruit and yogurts for breakfast.

 

[Atleastonce]

Thanks to Rooflyer, dinner at Saltlik on our first night in Calgary, and the special of the day, 16oz T-bone with Lobster Mash. Sorry no photos, we were dining with another couple, who despise food pics, but I can highly recommend.

 

[Straubs]

Would be great to go back to Disneyland now - its been 20 years since I was there last - went with a school group but had plenty of freedom. Looking forward to the next phase of the trip

 

[Atleastonce]

Not much exploring in Calgary as we were only there for an afternoon and met up with friends for a few drinks. We were staying the downtown Marriott, right opposite the Calgary tower. A great location, reasonable priced and so very comfortable. Yesterday morning we headed straight to Banff. We were on wildlife lookout and only spotted a few deer. The Banff marathon was on in town, so we went to the National parks, Bow River Falls, Vermillion lake and wetlands, Surprise corner overlooking the Fairmont resort and the Hoodoos. Banff is a picturesque location in summer. Snow capped mountains with warm summer days. We stayed at Bow River Lodge. The marathon being in town made accommodation scarce, and I would not stay there again. Yes it was overlooking the river but that was as much as it had going for it. The room was small, uncomfortable bed, with very little powerpoints. We needed to charge our iPads, Apple watches, computers and phones from the powerpoints in the bathroom. We then went for a leisurely stroll through town. A casual meal at The Keg with one of the best rack of ribs I have ever had. A few photos from in and around Banff.

 

[Atleastonce]

@RooFlyer we found the wildflower cafe and spoke to an Aussie waitress there. Good food for breakfast and coffee. We then ventured towards Golden, not only for your photos, but a wolf nature reserve. Photos for @RooFlyer as requested. We couldn’t get closer as access from the side road was blocked, so a few shots as we were on the highway.

 

[JohnM]

Those pics will make @RooFlyer happy .

Everything was covered with snow when I last went past there at Xmas 2015 and it was hard to recognise RF's old stamping ground.

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks! I put about 7 years of my life into that project and rather peeved that the client got taken over half way through the build and I never got to see it finished (or to see if the plant actually worked the way we said it would )

 

[Pushka]

View attachment 129735 View attachment 129736 View attachment 129737 View attachment 129738 Not much exploring in Calgary as we were only there for an afternoon and met up with friends for a few drinks. We were staying the downtown Marriott, right opposite the Calgary tower. A great location, reasonable priced and so very comfortable. Yesterday morning we headed straight to Banff. We were on wildlife lookout and only spotted a few deer. The Banff marathon was on in town, so we went to the National parks, Bow River Falls, Vermillion lake and wetlands, Surprise corner overlooking the Fairmont resort and the Hoodoos. Banff is a picturesque location in summer. Snow capped mountains with warm summer days. We stayed at Bow River Lodge. The marathon being in town made accommodation scarce, and I would not stay there again. Yes it was overlooking the river but that was as much as it had going for it. The room was small, uncomfortable bed, with very little powerpoints. We needed to charge our iPads, Apple watches, computers and phones from the powerpoints in the bathroom. We then went for a leisurely stroll through town. A casual meal at The Keg with one of the best rack of ribs I have ever had. A few photos from in and around Banff.

We are looking at similar next year. How did you get to Banff? Drive? Easy going?

 

[rock86]

Thanks! I put about 7 years of my life into that project and rather peeved that the client got taken over half way through the build and I never got to see it finished (or to see if the plant actually worked the way we said it would )

Oh the joys of public takeovers!! @RooFlyer are you a mechanical engineer by trade?

 

[Atleastonce]

We are looking at similar next year. How did you get to Banff? Drive? Easy going?

@Pushka it was a real easy drive from Calgary.

 

[JohnM]

Oh the joys of public takeovers!! @RooFlyer are you a mechanical engineer by trade?

I have it on good authority that he likes rocks .

 

[RooFlyer]

Oh the joys of public takeovers!! @RooFlyer are you a mechanical engineer by trade?

I'm a geo but put on my metallurgist hat for the new treatment plant and the new process therein ... but back to the Trip Report.

 

[zig]

Catching up with you a bit late....
Looking forward to your time in Katmai National Park. I spent hours on the riverbank there watching the bears, it was one of my travel highlights.

 

[Atleastonce]

Trying to catch up on everything that we have done. I did forget a place we visited in Banff before leaving. We visited the "Cave & Basin". The sulphur smell from the ground water was very similar to Rotorua in New Zealand. We saw the Banff snail, which is a leftie, being the shell curves to the left instead of the right on the normal snail. There are a few sulphur 'pools' and a walk through the forest to learn about the ground water, and ecology around the area. A fascinating place to visit. We spent about 1 1/2 hours there and admission fee was $3.90 per person. Well worth the visit to get an understanding of the around Banff.