Trouble in Vancouver

February Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Statues”

A little rain won’t hurt me.

Finally, after a year of planning, the big day had arrived. I flew from Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the USA, to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, to launch my first long-distance bicycle tour. But the first trouble of the trip began at Vancouver International Airport.

I waited for my suitcase at the baggage claim carousel. Finally, after all the other travelers had picked up their luggage and walked off, I stood alone, puzzled. “Where is that suitcase?” I thought.

Moments later, a public address announcement blared overhead. “Mr. Randall Runtsch, please come to the baggage claim counter.” I looked around, spotted the counter, and walked over.

When I arrived at the counter, the agent said something like, “Welcome to Vancouver, Mr. Runtsch. You landed here, but your suitcase landed in Detroit.”

We laughed after I explained that my folding bicycle was packed into the suitcase and that I was to start a month-long bicycle trip in two days. Then, she assured me the luggage would arrive on an overnight flight, and her company would deliver it to my hotel in Richmond, a suburb south of Vancouver, in the morning.

I rode a shuttle to the hotel, dropped off my backpack, and hopped on a bus to downtown Vancouver.

The sun shone brilliantly while I wandered around the city on foot. Next, I traveled by SeaBus across Vancouver Harbour to Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver. After returning to the hotel, I enjoyed dinner in a Japanese restaurant.

As promised, the suitcase arrived the following morning. After unpacking and assembling the folding bike, I rode north to Vancouver.

The rain started to pour after lunch and a glass of ale at a brewpub on Granville Island. So, I donned a raincoat and rain pants and pedaled to Stanley Park. The park was a forested playground. I recall the views of Lions Gate Bridge and the totem poles pictured above.

After breakfast the following morning, I launched the month-long Pacific Coast Highway Bicycle Tour. A week later, my son Nick, a serious cyclist, and now a surfer dude, joined me in Portland, Oregon. Three weeks later, we celebrated our adventure together when we arrived in San Diego, California.

I am happy to count Vancouver residents Mary Chang Story Writer and Rodrigo S-C among my friends. Mary publishes Six Word Photo Story Challenge, while Rodrigo publishes Full Frame.