(1)  Fremont - Vancouver

Now, ready to roll. - Let's go !! 

Because both of our cars are now 10 years old, even though they are running very well without any major problem, we rented Hertz rent car, Toyota Avalon with odometer reading of 34,194 miles, to avoid any possible car problem during the long driving. I wanted newer car but this should be OK. 

By the privilege of woman, we left home at 10:15 AM, more than an hour later than planned.

The first day was mostly the driving of Interstate Highway 5. When we pass Redding, the outdoor temperature indicated 113F which was very hot but might be usual weather in Redding area. We drove 460 miles and arrived Roseburg, Oregon at 10 min. earlier than 6:00 PM, right on schedule in spite of more than an hour late departure. It looks like Rand McNalley's "Trip Maker" software I use for the planning, calculates too conservatively or I am driving too fast???

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We passed Mt. Shasta and it was the first time we didn't see snow on the mountain top. We passed Mt. Shasta several times, mostly in summer time, but there was always white snow on the mountain top making it very beautiful. It looks like last winter was very dry year perhaps.

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¡¡Whidbey Island, WA

Next day, we left Roseburg and headed for Whidbey Island where Mrs. Sooja Nehrlich, our old ham radio friend and few years junior of Jane at Ehwa University, lives (Korean Ham Radio Call Sign : HM1CC, one of 3 YL - Young Lady - stations almost 50 years ago. Jane - HM1AM, Kwangja Park - HM1CA and Sooja Cho - HM1CC). To get to the Whidbey Island, you have to take this car ferry connecting Seattle and Whidbey Island which takes about 10 min. to cross the bay after about 30 min. of waiting to board.

Mrs. Sooja Nehrlich lived in chicago for a long time. When her husband Mr. Nehrlich retired, they bought a land here, built this house and moved to this house to enjoy the retired life. Whidbey Island is a quiet island and they love this island. From here, they are travelling often here and there. We visited them in August  2003 on the way back to home from our golf trip to Whistler, Canada.

Mr. Nehrlich was born in U.S. but he is German origin. At the enterance to their house, they have this welcome sign in 3 different languages. Mrs. Nehrlich prepared a wonderful dinner for us and we stayed at their house for one night. 

MNI MNI THX (Ham language of Many Many Thanks) ex-HM1CC

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Vancouver, BC

Border crossing to Canada. It took about 30 min. to cross the border.

We have been to Vancouver several times. However, we spent all the times in Victoria Island rather than Vancouver always and have never look around Vancouver city itself, as the Victoria Island has a lot more beautiful areas such as Butchard Gardens, European style downtown and many beautiful golf courses.

Therefore, we decided to spend some time in Vancouver this time and look around a few popular tourist spots such as Gastown and Stanley Park. Fortunately, Mr. Myung-In Shin, our old friend worked together in Fairchild Semikor (1966-1970) and KMI (1970-1973) in Korea, lives in Vancouver and played golf together a few days in 2004, guided us to these places.

We went to the famous Stanley Park first. These are native people's Totems in the park attracting a lot of tourists.

Vancouver downtown observed from the Stanley Park. They have something similar to Sydney's Opera House and every Canadian large cities seem to have a tower with observatory and revolving restaurant - in Calgary, Naiagara, Toronto etc.

With Mr./Mrs. M. I. Shin at the Prospect Point, northwestern corner of the park. M. I. said the houses at hill of the other side of the harbor are most expensive houses in Vancouver and we could easily agree why - They must have a beautiful view from all these houses.

From Stanley Park, we went Grouse Mountain at north Vancouver, where you can take a ropeway to the top of the mountain. We were told you can see a spectacular view of whole Vancouver city from there. However, because of the limited time available, We didn't take the ropeway and just visited a fishery where a lot of salmons lay eggs there, on the way down to Gastown.

Gastown was established the same year that Canada became a nation, Gastown grew to Vancouver as Canada¡¯s third largest city. But the Gastown district today retains its historic charm, independent spirit and distinctiveness. 

In 1867, the south shore of Burrard Inlet was a wilderness. Its only non-native settlement was a lumber mill where the owner didn¡¯t allow alcohol on the premises. One September day, ¡°Gassy Jack¡± Deighton arrived and stepped ashore with a barrel of whiskey, telling the millworkers that if they¡¯d build him a saloon, he¡¯d serve them drinks. The saloon was up and running within a day¡¦just across the property line of the mill and the Gastown was born.

On April 6th., 1886, Gastown was incorporated as the City of Vancouver, after British explorer, George Vancouver. On June 13th, a brush-clearing fire got out of control and burnt all but two of Vancouver¡¯s 400 buildings to ashes. Into the 1920s, Gastown grew and prospered, as did the rest of the City of Vancouver. 

In 1971, the provincial government declared Gastown an historic area, protecting its heritage buildings.

Today: Gastown is a refreshing mix of old and new, downhome and upscale, a place for tourists, Vancouver residents and office workers alike. Various shops have the streets buzzing during the day.  And, more and more, Gastown is becoming home to permanent residents¡¦just like in the old days. 

Photos below - Left : at Grouse Mountain. Right : In front of Mr. Gassy Jack's statue in the Gastwon.)

Streets of Gastown.

Gastown Steam Clock - Saunders' first steam clock was built in 1977 as a tourist attraction for the renovated Gastown district of Vancouver. Although the clock is now owned by the City of Vancouver, funding for the project was provided by contributions from local merchants, property owners, and private donors. Incorporating a steam engine and electric motors, the clock displays the time on four faces and announces the quarter hours with a whistle chime that plays the Westminster Quarters.

After the great sightseeing of Vancouver for whole afternoon, M. I. Shin bought a wonderful dinner at this Korean restaurant.

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