Vancouver to Seattle

September 3, 2023 / Cate Tracey / 3 Comments

I love Alex. I love Vancouver. I love Seattle. I love all the memories made and food we ate and drinks we downed and laughs we shared. This adventure couldn’t have gone any better. As bittersweet as it was to leave Vancouver – and inch toward concluding our trip altogether – I know my move to Atlanta is approaching and I couldn’t be more excited about my/our future.

Alex and I stopped at a Chinese bakery on our way out of the city on Sunday, and ironically ran into Uncle Joe and Aunt Trish again! We shared some quick hugs and laughs regarding the situation, then bounced to get through customs and return the rental car in Seattle at a decent time. When the representative at customs asked how we knew each other, we both looked at one another and said, “We’re dating,” all giddy like we were kids again haha.

Our afternoon was spent wandering around Pike Place after dropping off the car and our bags, and I started to feel like myself again (my nightmares and wildfire smoke ingestion made me feel like I’d been in a fog all morning). Another Irish pub drinks and food, along with enjoying Alex’s company through the market as we checked out different stores, made everything better. I’d been to that area only once before, and holding Alex’s hand this time made for a much different and insurmountably fulfilling experience. We freshened up, met his cousin Jason for drinks at a local bar, and even made a new stranger-turned-friend Jennifer!

As enjoyable as a day I’d had with Alex, the best was yet to come; Alex had been on a boat tour a few days prior but recommended we go together at sunset this time. It didn’t disappoint! In fact, it was nothing short of magical (sorry, Disney!) With white wine and chips in tow, Alex and I snuggled up next to each other and soaked in the sun and the views. We saw other ships pass by and the sunset was awe-inspiring. The photos Alex and I took together are perfect representations of how much fun I was having—and how much I deeply care about this man. Heck, we even saw orcas, which I didn’t even see in Iceland! It was super sweet because Alex waited for me by the ladder from the bathroom, and helped me up so I could watch the whales with him. 💛

I always pose with both our drinks, so I made Alex do the same 😅🙈

Posting this one for you, Alex, because it’s your favorite ☺️

Seeing the city at night was super cool, despite it being “the end.” Alex and I were given a blanket to cuddle up in and we definitely made the most of it. What an amazing bookend to an unforgettable vacation! Instead of seafood one last time, we went to a sketchy McDonald’s and enjoyed eating in bed before spending one last night in the Pacific Northwest together. I can’t wait to spend more time with Alex once I move in a few days; I miss him already.

Media taken Sunday, August 27, 2023.

Saturday in Vancouver

September 2, 2023 / Cate Tracey / 2 Comments

…and here I thought Friday was the perfect day…

Saturday was *even more* sentimental for me. After some subpar Turkish coffee, Alex and I hit the bike rental place and rode through Stanley Park for a few hours in the morning. I’d done rides along Lake Michigan in Chicago and Mackinac Island and other cities, but I’ve never done anything like that with a guy—especially *my* guy. I was enjoying the views but being behind Alex really distracted me, haha! I felt like a kid again, riding downhill with my legs stretched out and yelling “woo!” I even took a dip in the ocean and wished I had my swimsuit on. To my surprise, I wasn’t sore from the uphill trek and every visitor should rent a bike and check out Stanley Park.

Although nervous, I was excited to meet Alex’s uncle, aunt and some family friends at a Chinese seafood restaurant just outside of Vancouver. I felt incredibly welcomed and Alex made me feel important—truly like a priority in his life, and in his family. I’m glad I wore a dress instead of pants because all the scallops, shrimp dumplings, crab paella and mango pudding I ate was out of this world! And the conversation was as filling as the food. Alex, his Uncle Joe, Aunt Trish and I even went to a Chinese market in the mall afterward and it was nice to have that extra time with them.

After a much-needed late afternoon nap and refresh, Alex and I meandered through a local block party, where Alex bought me some art and we shared some drinks and laughs at a local Irish pub with live music. Every moment like this makes me fall for him more and more; I haven’t felt this intrigued in and this important to anyone ever before.

There was another restaurant Alex spotted that was near our waterfront bar the night before, so we obviously had to check it out! It was our last night in Vancouver before heading back to Seattle, and I was savoring the espresso martinis, seafood and memories with Alex tenfold.

We both agreed we’d be back. 💛

Photos taken Saturday, August 26, 2023.

Friday in Vancouver

September 1, 2023 / Cate Tracey / Leave a comment

I wrote about Alex’s and my seaplane experience, but the rest of our Friday in Vancouver was just as incredible!

My buddy Eli – who we met up with in Seattle – recommended we check out Cactus Club and Jade Dynasty for drinks and dim sum, respectively. Alex and I wandered around Vancouver and although we saw some rough things in the streets, it was nice to hold Alex’s hand and talk to him about my past. Being able to share that with someone who is curious about me as much as I’m curious about them is unique and special and something I’ll never take for granted.

After great food and drinks (Eli’s recommendations didn’t disappoint!), we freshened up and headed back out for an evening stroll along the water. We took some goofy photos, shared some laughs, decided we’re too poor to ever own a yacht, and even heard some live jazz music on our walk to a beautiful waterfront bar. Alex and I enjoyed some fancy drinks, I indulged in more oysters and soaked in the view and good conversation. We decided to hit up a Malaysian place on our walk back that piqued our interest earlier on the trip.

I’m looking forward to more adventures with Alex!

Photos taken on Friday, August 25, 2023.

Vancouver Harbor Air Seaplane Experience

August 30, 2023 / Cate Tracey / 3 Comments

When Alex and I first matched online, he was telling me about his much-anticipated solo trip to Vancouver—including his seaplane tour. I’d never been on a seaplane and thought this was totally badass! Before Alex and I even met in person earlier this month, he asked me to join him on the trip, noting that he didn’t want to go solo AND really wanted me to join him on the adventure. I was extremely flattered (I still am!) and can easily say this was one of the coolest experiences of not only Vancouver, but of my travel memories to-date.

Despite the check in process being a tad clunky and disorganized, the chaos was worth it and the plane rides couldn’t have gone smoother. The plane was super small, and Alex had the opportunity to ride up front on our way to the first island. I was giddy and excited and happy for him! I was pumped he was able to experience something like this—especially when he’d booked these flights months ago. I was also able to ride in the front after Alex, before finally being able to sit next to him once more. I would’ve been happy and excited had he not been able to add me to his reservation, but I’ll be forever grateful to have this memory with Alex. Alex, if you’re reading this, thank you for yet another unforgettable memory together!

Media taken Friday, August 25, 2023.

Seattle to Vancouver

August 28, 2023 / Cate Tracey / 2 Comments

Before I begin to write about my adventures in the Pacific Northwest, the jaunt from my house to the Detroit metro airport deserves a shoutout. I survived what was probably my scariest driving experience to-date (yes, even worse than the Michigan winter blizzards!) and met incredibly kind strangers along the way. The women getting on the airport shuttle and the passengers next to me on my flight to Seattle were amazing—as was the badass shuttle driver who pulled off this stunt:

I couldn’t wait to see Alex again after not seeing him for a few weeks. Our weekend in Atlanta was perfection and I couldn’t wait to be in his arms and presence once more. I also felt lucky enough to still meet his best friend (also coincidentally named Alex!) even though my flight was delayed a couple hours.

Before heading north to Vancouver, Alex and I met one of my coworkers-turned-friends Eli, who I’d actually never met in person until then. We ate delicious sandwiches and talked as though we’d all known each other for quite some time. Eli is seriously the sweetest and I’ll miss working with him very much! It was great to meet up and I know we’ll stay in touch.

The drive, the border crossing, and the much-needed map were all great and easy. I can’t put into words how much simply being next to Alex and experiencing all these little things with him means to me; I never thought I’d ever find love again – or at all – and I can honestly say that I’ve *never* had anything quite like *this.* Alex has quickly become my best friend.

We enjoyed drinks at a local French-style bar and a lovely dinner on Granville Island in Vancouver, where we ate our bodyweight in oysters, crab, yellowtail sashimi, Brussels sprouts and chowder. It was the perfect start to what was an effortlessly perfect vacation with Alex. 💛