This past weekend was the Vancouver Marathon. It was one of the most tiring weekends we’ve had in a long time…Oh no no, we didn’t actually RUN in the marathon; are you crazy? We just happened to be up in B.C. during the event.

Charlie loves his toy trains and his Grandparents had the great idea to take him on a real one. The train ride to Canada was a lot of fun, although not the most relaxing experience with a one-year-old, who does not have the ability to sit in one spot for more than 4 nano-seconds (we timed it). Bribing him with Disney movies and his favorite stacks didn’t even work in our favor. He always wanted to be somewhere else.

Vancouver was sunny and beautiful. We stayed at the Opus in Yaletown, which, it turns out, is a pretty hoity-toity place. The typical hotel guest doesn’t arrive by cab from the train station, but rather by ridiculously expensive automobiles. The valet always leaves at least one of said cars outside the hotel at all times, just to remind the less-than-filthy-rich that it’s a privilege for us to be there. The staff was extremely nice—like, on-medication nice. There’s no other explanation; even with a one-year-old running through, wrecking their well-designed lobby and lounge area, they managed to stand calmly with pleasant looks on their faces. Upstairs, the rooms were not huge, but very nice and quiet. It was the first time that I was given the option to sit on the toilet while looking out of a fifth floor window. I could look down and see Starbucks from the shower…and I’m sure the patrons of Starbucks could look up and see us in our ‘bucks’. (heh)

Not having a car, we walked all over town—from Yaletown to Granville Island to Chinatown to Robson Street pausing briefly only for gelato and the occasional meal. So, maybe we didn’t "run a marathon", but between chasing Charlie up and down the aisle of the train and him not wanting to be strapped into his stroller all weekend—I’m guessing we completed at least a double marathon. Where are our metals? We’d settle for another bag of Ketchup flavored potato chips.

More photos from the trip.