Macalester Women's soccer takes over Vancouver!

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Last weekend we took a quick trip up to Vancouver for the Women's World Cup quarterfinal game. We were lucky to get to watch Canada play in Canada (the only better team to watch would have been USA) but unfortunately England scored two early goals and held on for the win 2-1. Despite a disappointing outcome, the Canadian fans were fun and we had a great time. We also happened to be sitting by a dozen or so other Macalester College alums who had traveled from all over the US for the game! Small world! John Leaney, our old coach, would be very proud!
Macalester Women's soccer players at the World Cup game

Our weekend started with an Amtrak ride up along the Puget Sound/Salish Sea coastline from Seattle to Vancouver. Theo was blown away that we were going on a train and could hardly fall asleep despite the train leaving around 8:30pm. We arrived at our VRBO condo rental on the 32nd floor of downtown Vancouver around 1:30am and were exhausted. The next morning we slept in and then took the Aquabus to Granville Island, a farmer's market with lots of street performers, small shops and art galleries. We had lunch with Mommy's good friends from Minnesota, the Hutchinson family, who were visiting Vancouver for the soccer game and then headed to Alaska on a cruise.
On the Aquabus on False Creek with Downtown Vancouver in the background
Family grumpy face picture at Granville Island
After lunch, we headed to the game at the BC Place stadium, where the MLS team, Vancouver Whitecaps, play soccer. There were nearly 55,000 fans, mostly dressed in red with Canadian flags waving in the crowd. Theo watched the first half and then was less than impressed and preferred watching his Thomas the Train movie for the second half. Seth had to sit in a different section because we couldn't get all our seats together but I think he had more fun since he could actually watch the game, where Mommy had to take care of Theo and I.  After the game, we headed to the Vancouver Night Market where a couple dozen food trucks were set up and live music was playing. Theo and Daddy headed back to the condo for some pool action before bedtime while Mommy and I hung out with the Macalester crew.
Mac women's soccer - Cara Goff, Annie Borton, Mommy, Amy Hutchinson and Lizz Hutchinson Kruger

On Sunday, we went out for Dim Sum, Chinese brunch, at a well-known Chinese restaurant and then relaxed in the condo and enjoyed the spectacular views. Daddy had to take the train back home while we stayed and rented bikes and toured around Stanley Park.

It was a great weekend and fun to take the Amtrak train!


View from the 32nd floor condo

















Theo watched the ipad while the rest of us watched the game





Chinatown




















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