We are on our way to celebrate our 50th anniversary in Alaska and some surrounding areas in Canada. It was a long but nice day of travel from Orlando to Vancouver BC.

Tomorrow (Wednesday) we board a ship for part one of our trip. But tonight we are in a hotel near the airport which is where in the morning we’ll meet transport for our cruise.

Bob is an excellent planner but even he was surprised to see that our hotel is right across the street from a Costco. What a great start to our adventure! I’d never been in a Canadian Costco. Now I have.

I don’t think anything could’ve gotten me back on my feet and out of the hotel except for this. Costco does have a draw! But the best part of Costco today was hanging around the food court and eating ice cream with our new friends Tiger and Erica.

This Costco was packed so sharing tables was helpful. We tried to take a selfie so our kids could make fun of us, but our lack of coordination was on display so Tiger offered. He told us we were so cute, he was happy to step up. This was a first and I guess appropriate as we are now that old couple who has been married fifty years. It’s kind of like the first time someone calls you ma’am.

Tiger peppered us with questions about what makes a lasting marriage, asked about taking care of family and choosing a career. We told him that Jesus was foundational for marriage and a good sense of humor doesn’t hurt either.

I asked for a picture before we left. Tiger wanted a copy of it as well. This sweet couple are just dating and so friendly and warm. I pray God‘s blessing on them- the first friends of our new trip. We left a little Jesus with them.

On our walk back to the hotel, we saw our first wildlife. I’m getting excited!