Mr. BIG the drug mule.

As insane as this sounds, Sunday morning we got up and were at the bus stop for 9 am to catch the bus to the airport. Even though we had just driven from Vancouver to Seattle in the prior 2 days, we were now catching a motor coach at the Seattle airport to take us back to Vancouver to get on the cruise ship. We wanted to just stay in Vancouver, catch the cruise there, then fly back to Vancouver from Anchorage, but the cost of a flight to Vancouver is 3 times as much as the cost of a flight to Seattle, so it was considerably cheaper to drive back to Seattle and take a bus to Vancouver. Also, we left Stormy with Alyce & Dave.

P- I hope the Canadians don't become suspicious of our intentions since we just left yesterday and we're returning today.

G- I don't think we seem very suspicious so we should be fine. Besides, it's way more difficult to get into America, even if you're American, than Canada. Well, you might look suspicious since you're funny looking.

P- Shut up, ass. Let me in your country, bitch!! (this should be read like "say my name, bitch" from American Pie).  What's going on up there?  Are they gonna take us off the bus to go through customs?

G- Yes. In a minute.  The bus driver just told them that the BIG guy on the "mobility scooter" and the woman with the walker need someone to come to the bus to check them in.  We're all going inside in a minute.

After going through customs, half of the bus riders are back on the bus, Mr.BIG and walker lady have been cleared, and we're just waiting for the rest of the people.

P- Did you hear that? Mr. BIG just told the bus driver he has to use the bathroom, so he's going to go inside to pee.  Oh, and walker lady is going to go pee too.

G-  H-E-L-L-O!!!!  Did they not just tell the customs guy that they had to be checked on the bus because they were too immobile to get off?  And now they're going to get off the bus to go in and pee?  I mean, I understand that they have to pee, but they could have peed and been checked in like the rest of us.

P- And there is no way in hell Mr. BIG is getting his huge ass down the bus isle to the bathroom in the back.

G- Sweet baby Jesus!  If Mr. BIG tried to wedge himself into that bathroom, even sideways, he'd be stuck in there for weeks!!!  They'd have to bring a vat of oil and a crane to try and pry him out!!  I practically had to turn sideways to get in.

P- The Canadians are probably thinking something fishy is going on.............if Mr. BIG is a drug mule!!  Maybe he really only weights 140 pounds, and the remaining 400 pounds is cocaine!!

G- You watch too much TV.  I've never seen cocaine look like whale blubber, and if some drug lord has accomplished that, he's a genius. 

We finally got to see Vancouver while we drove across the city to the cruise ship dock. The weather was beautiful as the ship pulled away from the dock. We got a great spot on the deck and enjoyed the scenery and several Alaskan beers as we watched Vancouver fade into the distance. Jeffrey, the bartender, sensed immediately that we were people who enjoyed a cold beverage now and again, and stuck to us like white on rice.

Booking the cruise at the last minute could have been dangerous, and we did have an inside cabin, but it was very spacious with a King size bed, a sofa, large shower, and ample storage. We were happy to be able to put our clothes in closets and be in one place for a whole week.



Our most fortunate event of the day came when we went to dinner and were sat, via open dining, with an adorable couple (Jackie & Hal) who would become our cruise buddies and favorite people we met on the cruise. Hal just celebrated his 80th birthday, Jackie has the sweetest British accent, and they have wonderful senses of humor!