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Minneapolis, MN
Stone Arch Bridge My first visit to an American city outside of the top 20. And depending on when you read this, Minneapolis is ranked in position 46. My draw to visit this city was a conference. And this is how I would summarise Minneapolis, a conference city. Located along the Mississippi River at mile marker 854. Which is also the location of the only naturally occurring water falls along the Mississippi River, the Saint Anthony Falls. This then meant I had the ability to see the Mississippi from (almost) both ends. Our trip to New Orleans in March means we saw the Mississippi from mile marker 90.3. To mix…
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Toronto, ON
Toronto Previously known as York, Toronto received it’s current name in 1834. We came to Toronto to catch up with friends, as well as to make our way to Niagara Falls. Toronto is a big sprawling city in need of better public transportation infrastructure. With the baby’s stroller we walked to all the sights, no not to Niagara. We probably could have caught a bus to get around, but didn’t want to waste time trying to sort out the routes and payments. The airport is a whole level of weird. If you can’t clear immigration via the automated computer, due to a weird visa or something, then it’s always slow.…
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Niagara Falls, ON
Horseshoe Falls and American Falls We headed to Niagara Falls for the day from Downtown Toronto. The drive is approx. 90 minutes and 132 km drive away. We parked at Skylon Tower, 5200 Robinson St, and cost $10 for the day. To get to the falls we went down a level to the arcade and towards the south west corner and down the stairs, turning left on Murray St. At the corner of Murray St and Niagara Parkway is the Niagara Parks Welcome Center. Tickets to attractions can be pre-purchased here. Cross the Niagara Parkway and you be faced with the American Falls to the left, and the impressive Horseshoe…
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The Food of New Orleans, LA
Cochon Fried Alligator and Louisiana Cochon New Orleans is famous for its foods. Beignets, Jambalaya, Gumbo, P’boy, Crawfish Etouffee. While our stomachs are only a certain size, we tried to put a dint in the local seafood population. Day 1 Our first stop was Drago’s. Drago’s apparently invented the char grilled oyster. These were the best I had while we were visiting. As the oysters weren’t a meal we grabbed the Alligator Tacos and Seafood Gumbo to complete lunch. As this was a late lunch around 3pm, we got a table immediately. Annoyingly we lost internet on both of our phones, so just wondered aimlessly until we decided it was…
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New Orleans, LA
Jackson Square Louisiana, so named after King Louis XIV, and New Orleans so named after the Duke of Orleans. New Orleans was founded in 1718 by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville. The Louisiana Purchase occurred in 1803, where the USA bought Louisiana from the French. New Orleans is comprised of a number of districts, such as the French Quarter, The Garden District, Downtown and, the Arts Warehouse District, amongst others we didn’t manage to have time to explore. And despite popular portrayal in TV and movies, the Bayou isn’t behind the French Quarter. French Quarter The reason to visit the big easy. The French Quarter is thirteen blocks by seven…
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2018 Year In Review Video
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Where Have We Been?
A World map of our travels!
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Vancouver, BC
Devonian Harbour Park After the warm blue days on Vancouver Island, and at Sea-to-Sky, our lucky streak in the weather continued to our stay in Vancouver. For a change of scenery from the usual built up cities, we decided to stay in the suburbs, near Lougheed Town Centre. The Skytrain is convenient and provided access to a number of areas, such as Downtown, Airport, Richmond and, Port Moody. Plus accommodation is expensive downtown. Downtown Vancouver mostly follows a grid system, and I was surprised at just how temperate the climate was. I was expecting a colder appearance more reminiscent of snowy cities such as New York or Sapporo. Popular areas…
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Vancouver Island, BC
Ucluetet Lighthouse Loop What do local Vancouvians do on the weekend? They go to Vancouver…Island. So I jumped in a car and headed to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, only 500 m (1500 ft) north of the border with the USA, and made my way to Swartz Bay. The ferry ride is rather scenic and you’ll see plenty of sea planes, and a view of Vancouver City with a backdrop of the North Shore Mountains. Once disembarking from Swartz Bay Temrinal it’s a quick and easy 30 minute drive along Route 17 into Victoria, the capitol of British Columbia. Victoria Victoria is a bustling town, larger than I had expected. I only…
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Boston, MA
Paul Revere Statue, and Old North Church Boston, why not, I flew up here for a quick easy weekend trip away with the family. But what would I do while I’m here? I didn’t really research anything apart from doing the Sam Adam’s Brewery tour. Saturday mornings, yes mornings, There is a Morning Mash In tour, at 9:30 am and costs $15, for that fifteen dollars you get to try a beer to start off the tour, a guided tour with history of the brewery and why it’s called Sam Adam’s (I won’t ruin the story), and then you’ll be given a small 150 ml (5 oz) tasting glass and…