All Aboard!

Alaska Cruise Trip Day 1 – Vancouver (still)

After we landed, we took an Uber to the embarkation building.  Three ships were boarding at once!  The line was pretty long, considering approximately 7,300 people were trying to board at the same time.  Surprisingly, the line moved fast.  If only the lines at the DMV would move that fast!

Next Stop–Vancouver

 Alaska Cruise Trip Day 1 – Vancouver

It was beautiful and sunny as we circled for a landing in Vancouver.  As I love bridges, I was enamored with this one crossing the Fraser River.  It's called the North Arm Bridge, and it runs trains up top and bikes and pedestrians underneath.  Vancouver and the surrounding area also have many skyscrapers and highrises.  

Invitingly

From our time at Niagara Falls last year.

Gloomy

Blogging from the road - Canada edition.

Mather Park Gate

According to the attached writings, the land within this gateway was given to the people of Canada in 1928 by American citizen, Alonzo C. Mather.  The gateway was built in 1939 and dedicated in August 1940 to the perpetual friendship of the nations on either side of the Niagara River.

Tourist Trap

Tropical Surroundings

The tropical Margaritaville façade next to our hotel wasn't fooling anyone.  It was cold and blustery when we arrived.  If the silver car wasn't in the way, you would be able to see the falls.

Bridges

Railroad bridge and the Peace Bridge over the Niagara River.

Water Over the Dam

Whatchamajigger

Saw this upstream from the Horseshoe Falls.  There was no plaque saying what it is.  Not sure if it is for rescuing people/boats that are about to go over the falls, or for some other purpose.

I gave it an old-timey look to match the look of the contraption.  Here is another view:

A Skylon View

Rooms with a View

Do Not Climb over Rail

Into the Green Abyss

American Falls

Traffic Jam Next to the Dam

A view of the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge from the Ontario Power Generation overlook.  All those semis trying to enter the US.

Welland Canal Bridge No. 5

Bridge No. 5 over the Welland Canal opened in 1928 and is said to be one of 3 remaining lift bridges on the canal.  In the second image, below, you can see some of the details of the bridge, as we were getting ready to drive over it.

Shoehorn May Be Required

Lock 3 on the Welland Canal.

Blue Water Bridge

The Blue Water Bridge not only spans the St. Clair River and two countries, but six decades as well.  The north span was built in 1938 and the south span was built in 1997.  Each span carries three lanes of traffic.

Maid of the Mist