Vancouver

Drove up the Pacific coast with my friend Wei during the winter holidays, visited beautiful Vancouver with its miniature Golden Gate Bridge (called "Lion's Gate Bridge"). First we stopped at Astoria, Oregon, crossing the long bridge at the mouth of the mighty Columbia River. Then we stopped in Seattle with its beautiful bay and lake setting. Compared to Vancouver Seattle was more grimy and industrial, while Vancouver was impressively clean. We visited the Lynn Canyon in north Vancouver hills with its suspension footbridge, and rode the un-manned skytrain which was efficient and sleek. On the return drive we stopped in Portland and found it to be another clean, pretty city in a great hillside setting.