Weekend in Seattle area

Friday we went to Vancouver. Passed the border, got our passports
stamped and proceeded to the tourist info point to get travel advices from the nice
guy. Then we drove exactly as suggested - north to Vancouver. What a
beautifull city!
So we first went to Stanely Park - by far the biggest in-city park
in North America (look at it here  http://www.discovervancouver.com/places/tourist_attractions/stanley_park.shtml).
The place is really beautifull and as weather was clear so we walked along
the shore and admired surrounding views - downtown on one side and The port
- yes, it's really huge, - on all the others. Then we realized that it was
immpossible to make the whole park in a time we had there, so we left the
coast and went inside the park - that is in fact a rain forest. It's so
green... Well, I took some pictures and hope I'll be able to show you how
great the place is. Not to forget the air, that is plain tasty!
Then we left the park, got back to the car and drove on to the
Lion's Gate bridge to the North. In some 20 minutes driving, we got to
another attraction - Capilano Suspension Bridge and park
(http://www.discovervancouver.com/places/tourist_attractions/capliano_bridge.shtml).
After that, we planned to take a skyride to the Grouse Mountain
(http://www.grousemountain.com/), but decided it was too cloudy and yes, a
bit expencive for an hour visit :-(.
So we went back to the downtown, being absolutelly hangry. We've
spotted a restaurant where we had an all-includive lunch - for some 14
canadian $$ everyone had steak(very good!) and all the salads+side
dishes+fruits+ice-cream were eaten. Well, some complimentary coffee as well
:-). We couldn't move then. So heavy...
None could drive after that, so we stroll around the downtown,
that is cool - green and brown glass & iron business and residential
skyscrepers were beautifull! So we wondered till the duck and then had to go
back home. Pitty we couldn't spend more time in the city.
Next day we decided to explore american side of the border, so
headed to the Olimpic National Forest
(http://www.gorp.com/gorp/resource/us_national_forest/wa_olymp.htm).
Although we were told it would take us about 4 hour for the whole trip, we
spent the whole day there ... We did about 270 miles way just to get to the
point. Lucky thing, the way itself was quite scenic - starting from the huge
highways in Seattle area, and then to the narrow roads of "real america" as
far as we considered it. The road runs along the bay shore, so we could see the
water almost all the time. We stopped once to shop for smoked salomon in a very
authentic place :-) and then once again to get down to water where I saw the
oisters - u c, for the first time in my life, shells and live oisters!
Took pictures. They didn't smell, so you won't loose an experience anyway.

As we became hangry, one guy advised to eat in a dinary, or whatever they call it, can't remember. For sure it was something local - by the road, owner - quite aged lady, serving, - beaf and sea food and of course, coffee. It wasn't as tasty as the lunch in Vancouver, but still, it was an experience.
Then we headed straight to the Forest. Got up to the mountain,
walked around on the snow trails - like 3m of snow they had there! And
again, air was so clean and tasty... It's a real forest, you know,
trees.....
On our way back there was kind of accident that eventually could
kill us, but as you can see, we are saved and safe.

That's it for now. There will be no more weekends here for me. It took me long time to write,
with some breaks for work and lunch.

Traveling-on-the-other-side-of-the-Earth friend.