For our last full day here in Canada we have chosen to visit what is described as the greatest outdoor show on Earth, the Calgary Stampede. The Stampede is situated in central Calgary and we decide to take the Park and Ride and catch a train.
We have booked to see the afternoon Rodeo and the evening Chuckwagon races but the Stampede is very vast with all sorts of entertainment, stalls, fun fair and eating kiosks. There is an indoor area that is like going to the ideal home exhibition. There is so much to see and do you cannot possibly see everything on one day. It is worth planning ahead which we have roughly done and before going to the Rodeo we choose to watch the Super Dogs. The show is brilliant entertainment, with all sorts of dogs not just showing their agility in jumping over fences and racing through tunnels but also doing all sorts of tricks and disco dancing. Rosie still has a lot to learn.
So onto the Rodeo. The Rodeo is made up of quite a number of events all of which attract prize money which enables the winners to take part on the last day. We are seeing the Rodeo on the last of the heat events which means there is a lot to go for to get the places that are available. So we see Steer Wrestling, Bare saddle bronco, Barrel racing from a an excellent vantage point.
After the Rodeo we go to watch an Ice Dancing show. The show offers brilliant music and entertainment with the band playing Led Zeppelin, Rush, Pink Floyd, Elton John. The ice skaters are Canada’s Olympic gold medallists and there is so much more.
The initial evening entertainment is the Chuck wagon racing. Here 4 horses pull a chuck wagon driven by 1 person who assisted by out riders. There are 4 teams in each race. Each of the teams of horses have to be driven around 2 barrels without knocking them over before being driven around the circuit. It is quite spectacular with each of the drivers vying for a place on the coveted last day with $150,000 prize money on offer.
After the Chuck wagon racing we have the evening show. This is again very spectacular with singers and acrobats. The evening is drawn to a close with the grand firework finale with a rousing rendition of Oh Canada, and pictures being shown of the many places that we have visited on our travels and the wildlife that we have seen. It was a very fitting ending to our holiday.
Saturday, 17 July 2010
Thursday, 15 July 2010
Day 17 - The trail ends at the last Port o' Call
As we leave Banff we pop in to Canmore. There is a fair bit of Nordic skiing available here and we see people with roller skis practising on the road. We also see a curling rink reminding us that the Winter Olympics were held in Calgary in 1988. Further on we decide to veer off Highway 1, the Trans Canadian Highway, and go down Highway 40, a longer route to Calgary, but it is worth it as we take a last trail through the Rocky Mountains, this time following the Kananaskis Range. It is a long detour and we see deer, gophers and a cayote. We also see some scraggy Rocky Mountain Sheep. The scenery is again a fantastic wilderness.
All along the routes that we have taken in the Rockies we have seen people cycling, even during the all the snow. This is really extreme seeing these people going up the mountains but they seem to do it and you have to admire their ability and stamina.
Soon though we leave the mountains behind and head toward Calgary. Our hotel is the Port O'Call and is situated near the airport. It has a swimming pool with slides and hot tubs. To the amazement of the girls our room has 2 doors, one of which goes out onto our balcony that leads directly to the pool. It is not long before they get their swimming costumes on. The swimming pool is a substitute for the noise of the aircraft taking off.
Getting here we have relied heavily again on the Sat Nav. What a real asset, we would have been struggling without it, especially here in Calgary where the traffic was very busy and the motprway is worse than the M25. We have now done 4000km. The car has been quite adequate but anything smaller would have been a struggle both in terms of getting up and down the mountains and also space for fitting 4 suitcases and flight bags. Our radio entertainment has been by way of Sirius, a satellite broadcaster. We have a vast choice of radio stations that we can listen to from Elvis to Vatican Radio, from Frank Sinatra to 24 hour news.
And would you believe it, petrol here in Calgary is the cheapest of the route so far at $0.92per litre.
All along the routes that we have taken in the Rockies we have seen people cycling, even during the all the snow. This is really extreme seeing these people going up the mountains but they seem to do it and you have to admire their ability and stamina.
Soon though we leave the mountains behind and head toward Calgary. Our hotel is the Port O'Call and is situated near the airport. It has a swimming pool with slides and hot tubs. To the amazement of the girls our room has 2 doors, one of which goes out onto our balcony that leads directly to the pool. It is not long before they get their swimming costumes on. The swimming pool is a substitute for the noise of the aircraft taking off.
Getting here we have relied heavily again on the Sat Nav. What a real asset, we would have been struggling without it, especially here in Calgary where the traffic was very busy and the motprway is worse than the M25. We have now done 4000km. The car has been quite adequate but anything smaller would have been a struggle both in terms of getting up and down the mountains and also space for fitting 4 suitcases and flight bags. Our radio entertainment has been by way of Sirius, a satellite broadcaster. We have a vast choice of radio stations that we can listen to from Elvis to Vatican Radio, from Frank Sinatra to 24 hour news.
And would you believe it, petrol here in Calgary is the cheapest of the route so far at $0.92per litre.
Wednesday, 14 July 2010
Day 16 - Return to the Icefields
Today is a direct contrast to yesterday with blue skies and about 15 degress warmer. We decide to return back to the Columbia Icefield. Our decision is not in vain for we see mountains that were shrouded in mist all the way. All the snow that had fallen yesterday has gone and the roads are dry. Snow still remains on the top of the mountains and we regularly see glaciers. At the Columbia Icefield the snow that had adorned the steps to the centre has all gone and we can see the Athabasca Glacier. We decide to take the available transportation up to the Glacier. Initially a bus took us up to the edge of the Moraine - the shale/rocks deposited by the Glacier. We are then transferred onto a special vehicle that takes us up to the middle of the Glacier, where we have the pleasure of walking on the ice. This was a really exciting experience. Following the previous days weather the ice was not slippy and we could walk on it quite easily in out hiking boots. We had also prepared ourselves for the cold by having several layers of clothing on. It was quite incredible to be there. At the far edge of the Glacier was the icefield. To one side the guide pointed out that the mountain was a 3 way divide, one of its three rivers going to the Artic, another to the Pacific and the other to the Atlantic, all of which are precious in supplying water and power on their respective ways. You can easily see how much the ice has receded - there are markers showing where the ice has reached. There is an advance during the winter months but it recedes more than it advances by about 10ft during the summer.
This is a wonderous place and we take many photos before moving back to Banff. On the way we stop frequently taking photos. We revisit Lake Louise and walk half way around the lake. We have already seen bears on the way around the lake for the first time we see a chipmunk.
This is a wonderous place and we take many photos before moving back to Banff. On the way we stop frequently taking photos. We revisit Lake Louise and walk half way around the lake. We have already seen bears on the way around the lake for the first time we see a chipmunk.
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
Day 15 - Icefield Parkway
It has been interesting to see how the price of petrol has varied as we have travelled on our journey. In Vancouver it was about $1.19 per litre, in North Vancouver Island it was $1.12, in the South it was $1.07, at Clearwater it was $1.04 and Jasper it was $0.99. Later on we find that the price in Banff is $0.97. It seems that petrol is the cheapest commodity here.
The weather has changed and as we leave our hotel heading for Banff it is raining and we are unable to see the surrounding Jasper mountains. As we reach the Icefield Parkway the weather really starts to close in with more sleet than rain. At the kiosk entrance to the Parkway (highway 93) the lady says she wished that she had brought her Christmas CD and asks us if are used to driving in the snow. We say yes and drive on and within moments we are travelling in driving snow, some of which is lying as slush on the road. The scenery immediately around us is that of a winter wonder land with snow on the trees and ground and the ice-cold pale turquoise Athabasca River, but virtually nothing can be seen of the mountains. The Icefield Parkway is one of the most beautiful roads in the world but I have to focus my attention on the worsening road conditions.
The weather slightly improved as we reach the Athabasca Falls and we go to see the water spectacularly surging over the falls, but we don’t spend too much time there as the driving rain/sleet and cold start to penetrate.
As we start out again the snow again starts to thicken and our journey slows. We reach the Columbia Icefield but decide not to travel on to the ice. There are markers showing where the Athabasca Glacier was 150 years ago, it has retreated 0.9km since then. The ice field is the size of Vancouver with 6 glaciers coming of it, thus holding an awful lot of water (ice cubes). We decide to go and have a coffee and trudge up steps of deep snow to the Tourist Information area which had a good exhibition of the creation and finding of the glacier.
Travelling on we come to Lake Louise, named after the 4th daughter of Queen Victoria. The lake is a metre thick with ice during the winter and when the ice thaws the colour of the water is deep blue owing to the light refraction and the silt coming from the glacier sinking towards the bottom of the lake. The colour of the lake is now is a pale turquoise and is surrounded by mountains and glaciers except at one end where the features of the Fairmont Hotel dominate.
And so, on to our hotel in Banff, our Sat Nav leading the way. We are staying at the Spruce Inn, a relatively new hotel. Our room is very spacious and luxurious. It is larger than any of the others we have had previously been in, with 2 bathrooms which is a real bonus.
The weather shows that it is 9 degrees in Calgary, only an hour away and the forecast is 21 degrees is forecast for tomorrow. We will have to judge how many layers we wear.
An evening stroll up the main street in Banff reveals a much more established shopping area than in Jasper. Banff is again surrounded by mountains and as the evening wears on the cloud slowly clears to reveal fresh snow.
The weather has changed and as we leave our hotel heading for Banff it is raining and we are unable to see the surrounding Jasper mountains. As we reach the Icefield Parkway the weather really starts to close in with more sleet than rain. At the kiosk entrance to the Parkway (highway 93) the lady says she wished that she had brought her Christmas CD and asks us if are used to driving in the snow. We say yes and drive on and within moments we are travelling in driving snow, some of which is lying as slush on the road. The scenery immediately around us is that of a winter wonder land with snow on the trees and ground and the ice-cold pale turquoise Athabasca River, but virtually nothing can be seen of the mountains. The Icefield Parkway is one of the most beautiful roads in the world but I have to focus my attention on the worsening road conditions.
The weather slightly improved as we reach the Athabasca Falls and we go to see the water spectacularly surging over the falls, but we don’t spend too much time there as the driving rain/sleet and cold start to penetrate.
As we start out again the snow again starts to thicken and our journey slows. We reach the Columbia Icefield but decide not to travel on to the ice. There are markers showing where the Athabasca Glacier was 150 years ago, it has retreated 0.9km since then. The ice field is the size of Vancouver with 6 glaciers coming of it, thus holding an awful lot of water (ice cubes). We decide to go and have a coffee and trudge up steps of deep snow to the Tourist Information area which had a good exhibition of the creation and finding of the glacier.
Travelling on we come to Lake Louise, named after the 4th daughter of Queen Victoria. The lake is a metre thick with ice during the winter and when the ice thaws the colour of the water is deep blue owing to the light refraction and the silt coming from the glacier sinking towards the bottom of the lake. The colour of the lake is now is a pale turquoise and is surrounded by mountains and glaciers except at one end where the features of the Fairmont Hotel dominate.
And so, on to our hotel in Banff, our Sat Nav leading the way. We are staying at the Spruce Inn, a relatively new hotel. Our room is very spacious and luxurious. It is larger than any of the others we have had previously been in, with 2 bathrooms which is a real bonus.
The weather shows that it is 9 degrees in Calgary, only an hour away and the forecast is 21 degrees is forecast for tomorrow. We will have to judge how many layers we wear.
An evening stroll up the main street in Banff reveals a much more established shopping area than in Jasper. Banff is again surrounded by mountains and as the evening wears on the cloud slowly clears to reveal fresh snow.
Monday, 12 July 2010
Day 14 - Miette Hot Springs
Torrential rain during the night was sufficient to clear the flies and bugs that had embedded themselves on the front of the car.
Our objective for the day ws to visit Miette Hot Springs. On the way there we see more gophers and a black bear. The rain also returns so by the time we reach the springs it is continuous. This does not prevent our enjoyment of taking the plunge in the hot pool. The water that comes out of the mountain is 54 degrees and is cooled to 40 degrees for the pools. Most of the rain and snow that falls on the slopes of a mountain ends up in rivers and streams. Some of it, however, filters down through the cracks and pores in the mountain rock, pulled by gravity to a depth of three kilometres below the surface. It is this water which later returns to the surface in the hot springs.
Why is it warm?
As it seeps into the ground, the water becomes hotter and hotter — heated by radioactive decay in the earth's core. When the water boils, pressure forces it upward, just like the water in a coffee percolator. The speed at which the water rises, and the degree to which it mixes with cold ground water, causes the temperature to fluctuate.
So to wallow in the pools of such warm water whilst the rain/sleet pours out of the clouds is quite something. There is a couple who have an umbrella! The surrounding mountains gradually disappear in cloud. We later notice that the mountains have become whiter and a passing hiker confirms snow higher up. Indeed as we return to Jasper there is a sign of snow falling on the car. However, the rain had not detracted from such a wonderful experience that none of us will forget.
After a session inthe hotel pool we return to the main street in Jasper for dinner, the rain now cleared. We immediately notice that the tops of the surrounding mountains are covered by fresh snow, there is an immense change of freshness compared to the previous evening when it was stifingly warm.
After dinner we head for an evening drive to Patricia Lake. On the way we see more caribou, quite a number in fact.
In view of the cold we don't spend too much time there, but note that it was here in World War 2 that, on the request of Winston Churchill, steps were taken to create an ice aircraft carrier to protect the North Atlantic fleet. The project worked but did not get of the ground as it was too expensive and the prototype was sunk here at Patricia Lake.
Our objective for the day ws to visit Miette Hot Springs. On the way there we see more gophers and a black bear. The rain also returns so by the time we reach the springs it is continuous. This does not prevent our enjoyment of taking the plunge in the hot pool. The water that comes out of the mountain is 54 degrees and is cooled to 40 degrees for the pools. Most of the rain and snow that falls on the slopes of a mountain ends up in rivers and streams. Some of it, however, filters down through the cracks and pores in the mountain rock, pulled by gravity to a depth of three kilometres below the surface. It is this water which later returns to the surface in the hot springs.
Why is it warm?
As it seeps into the ground, the water becomes hotter and hotter — heated by radioactive decay in the earth's core. When the water boils, pressure forces it upward, just like the water in a coffee percolator. The speed at which the water rises, and the degree to which it mixes with cold ground water, causes the temperature to fluctuate.
So to wallow in the pools of such warm water whilst the rain/sleet pours out of the clouds is quite something. There is a couple who have an umbrella! The surrounding mountains gradually disappear in cloud. We later notice that the mountains have become whiter and a passing hiker confirms snow higher up. Indeed as we return to Jasper there is a sign of snow falling on the car. However, the rain had not detracted from such a wonderful experience that none of us will forget.
After a session inthe hotel pool we return to the main street in Jasper for dinner, the rain now cleared. We immediately notice that the tops of the surrounding mountains are covered by fresh snow, there is an immense change of freshness compared to the previous evening when it was stifingly warm.
After dinner we head for an evening drive to Patricia Lake. On the way we see more caribou, quite a number in fact.
In view of the cold we don't spend too much time there, but note that it was here in World War 2 that, on the request of Winston Churchill, steps were taken to create an ice aircraft carrier to protect the North Atlantic fleet. The project worked but did not get of the ground as it was too expensive and the prototype was sunk here at Patricia Lake.
Sunday, 11 July 2010
Day 13 - Maligne Lake
Jasper is surrounded by National Park - everywhere you look mountains leap adorn the skyline. Outside Jasper there is wilderness to explore. We chose to go to Maligne Lake. On the way we passed Medicine Lake. This is an unusual lake as it contains sink holes through which the water disappears underground eventually coming out somewhere near the Abathagasca Falls. The level of the lake diminishes gradually until the autumn when it starts to fill up again. The lake acts as a waterhole for many wildlife, and we saw a minke and a gopher.
We walked alongside the Maligne Lake for a bit but midges here were a bit of a nuisance so we decided to take a boat cruise across the lake. This was a real treat and is described as the best boat cruise in Canada - you can see why. With mountains on either side, and the colour of the lake a turquoise blue, the colour owing its nature to being the silt being taken into the water from the glaciers that are on the mountains. In places you can see where avalanches have taken away whole areas of trees in their path. The lake freezes to 6ft thick in the winter and has snow on top of that. Part of the mountain range is the Queen Elizabeth range but she has never seen them. As the boat nears towards the end of the lake there is a huge glacier in front of us with mountains either side. We stop by an isthmus island, an island that becomes an island as the lake water rises. The name of the island is Spirit Island. During our return trip we see that a huge part of the mountainside has come away at some part of history leaving giant boulders as a reminder of the catastrophic event that has happened long ago in time. It is thought that some of the boulders rolled 13km and some locked togther helping to create the lake.
On our way home we keep our eyes peeled for more wildlife, and our efforts are not in vain for we come across a black bear foraging, looking in toppled trees for bugs. Just fantastic. Then later on we come across some cariboo, a declining species in these parts.
When we were in Clearwater our slumbers were awoken on both nights by a horn. This was not a car or lorry but a train and both nights it was at 4am and 5.30am. Here in Jasper the train is one of the main points of employment. Many long trains travel through and as we walk along the main street we watch a goods train go through - I am certain that it took at least 5 minutes for all the carriages to make their way passed where we were standing. It must be quite something to drive these trains through the Rocky Mountains.
We walked alongside the Maligne Lake for a bit but midges here were a bit of a nuisance so we decided to take a boat cruise across the lake. This was a real treat and is described as the best boat cruise in Canada - you can see why. With mountains on either side, and the colour of the lake a turquoise blue, the colour owing its nature to being the silt being taken into the water from the glaciers that are on the mountains. In places you can see where avalanches have taken away whole areas of trees in their path. The lake freezes to 6ft thick in the winter and has snow on top of that. Part of the mountain range is the Queen Elizabeth range but she has never seen them. As the boat nears towards the end of the lake there is a huge glacier in front of us with mountains either side. We stop by an isthmus island, an island that becomes an island as the lake water rises. The name of the island is Spirit Island. During our return trip we see that a huge part of the mountainside has come away at some part of history leaving giant boulders as a reminder of the catastrophic event that has happened long ago in time. It is thought that some of the boulders rolled 13km and some locked togther helping to create the lake.
On our way home we keep our eyes peeled for more wildlife, and our efforts are not in vain for we come across a black bear foraging, looking in toppled trees for bugs. Just fantastic. Then later on we come across some cariboo, a declining species in these parts.
When we were in Clearwater our slumbers were awoken on both nights by a horn. This was not a car or lorry but a train and both nights it was at 4am and 5.30am. Here in Jasper the train is one of the main points of employment. Many long trains travel through and as we walk along the main street we watch a goods train go through - I am certain that it took at least 5 minutes for all the carriages to make their way passed where we were standing. It must be quite something to drive these trains through the Rocky Mountains.
Saturday, 10 July 2010
Day 12 - the Bear Necessities
Exiting Clearwater 4 bald eagles circle overhead sealing what was a very enjoyable time at the resort.
A third of the way along the 311km to Jasper we stop for a river safari at Blue River. The safari took us along a lake fed by the North Thompson river - the main objective - to see bears, and our efforts were not in vain for by the lakeside we saw 4 brown bear cubs with their mother, the cubs playing on a fallen tree. We managed to get very close without disturbing them. It was really quite something to see these bears in their natural habitat totally free to do as they pleased.
Further on, just beyond Valemont, we joined the Yellowhead highway. The first car to go up this way came about a 100 years ago. How they did it is a miracle. Later on, during the 2nf world war the road was updated using Canadian Japanese interment labour. Just a little further along Route 16 we stopped off at Mount Robson. We are now in the real Rockies with mountains all around us.
As we continue on the trail mountains pass by every few moments, with signposts denoting their names. Soon we come across the provincial border of Alberta and cross the time zone - we are now 1 hour closer to home. A few moments later we come to the edge of the Jasper National Park. A charge is made of $9 per adult per day.
The Best Western in Jasper is the most expensive hotel that we are staying in and I am pleased that we have already paid for this well in advance. It is the only time we have prepaid, although we have made reservations for all other hotels. This allowed for any delays.
Whilst being expensive the room exceeds expectations with real luxury in every aspect, the bathroom for instance, containing a double whirlpool bath.
A third of the way along the 311km to Jasper we stop for a river safari at Blue River. The safari took us along a lake fed by the North Thompson river - the main objective - to see bears, and our efforts were not in vain for by the lakeside we saw 4 brown bear cubs with their mother, the cubs playing on a fallen tree. We managed to get very close without disturbing them. It was really quite something to see these bears in their natural habitat totally free to do as they pleased.
Further on, just beyond Valemont, we joined the Yellowhead highway. The first car to go up this way came about a 100 years ago. How they did it is a miracle. Later on, during the 2nf world war the road was updated using Canadian Japanese interment labour. Just a little further along Route 16 we stopped off at Mount Robson. We are now in the real Rockies with mountains all around us.
As we continue on the trail mountains pass by every few moments, with signposts denoting their names. Soon we come across the provincial border of Alberta and cross the time zone - we are now 1 hour closer to home. A few moments later we come to the edge of the Jasper National Park. A charge is made of $9 per adult per day.
The Best Western in Jasper is the most expensive hotel that we are staying in and I am pleased that we have already paid for this well in advance. It is the only time we have prepaid, although we have made reservations for all other hotels. This allowed for any delays.
Whilst being expensive the room exceeds expectations with real luxury in every aspect, the bathroom for instance, containing a double whirlpool bath.
Day 11 - Wells Gray
During our visit to the British Columbia Museum in Victoria we visited a house attached to the museum that belonged to a Dr Helmcken. Dr Helmcken studied at Guys Hospital in London before going on to Canada and ultimately Vancouver Island in the mid 1800’s.
Dr Helmcken was clearly one of the major pioneers of his time for here in Wells Gray National Park there is a waterfall called Helmcken Falls.
Before going to the Helmcken Falls we decided to visit an old homestead called Ray Farm. Here a John Ray had set up his homestead at the turn of the last century. How he got there to choose this spot is mystery for he would have had to cross creeks and fast flowing rivers to get there. The homestead lies a good 50km from Clearwater. John Ray and his wife Alice, are buried behind the homestead and the homestead is being allowed to fall to ruins to keep in with the landscape. So what is there? The homestead is situated by mineral springs. They may have thought that the waters contained purities that were good for them. The place is totally isolated and the evidence of Black Bear and Moose in the vicinity. There is no electricity/gas - wood fuel is plentiful.
Our hike took us passed the homestead and onwards through forestation to a Mineral Water Spring. Here calcium carbonated water poured out of a conical shaped from called a Travertine.
Our round trip took us passed Alice Lake where we found woodpeckers, squirrels and we also spotted a Mountain Bluebird
So on to the 450 foot Helmcken Falls, the 4th largest in Canada. They were quite spectacular. Just as spectacular were Dawson Falls and Spahats Falls. We just run out of steam and time to enable us to visit the rest.
The whole park has evolved through time through glaciers and sub-glacier volcanic eruptions and the rocks and mountains and waterfalls are still continually evolving. This was particularly evident when we admired the view from the top of Green Mountain.
Wells Grays has its own climate, the animals depend on the rains that are plentiful as the cool moist air amalgamates with the warm air coming from the south. The day had again been very hot (good for mosquitoes). But we were glad to have reached home when a thunderstorm and torrential rain were experienced. This was our first rain for some time.
Dr Helmcken was clearly one of the major pioneers of his time for here in Wells Gray National Park there is a waterfall called Helmcken Falls.
Before going to the Helmcken Falls we decided to visit an old homestead called Ray Farm. Here a John Ray had set up his homestead at the turn of the last century. How he got there to choose this spot is mystery for he would have had to cross creeks and fast flowing rivers to get there. The homestead lies a good 50km from Clearwater. John Ray and his wife Alice, are buried behind the homestead and the homestead is being allowed to fall to ruins to keep in with the landscape. So what is there? The homestead is situated by mineral springs. They may have thought that the waters contained purities that were good for them. The place is totally isolated and the evidence of Black Bear and Moose in the vicinity. There is no electricity/gas - wood fuel is plentiful.
Our hike took us passed the homestead and onwards through forestation to a Mineral Water Spring. Here calcium carbonated water poured out of a conical shaped from called a Travertine.
Our round trip took us passed Alice Lake where we found woodpeckers, squirrels and we also spotted a Mountain Bluebird
So on to the 450 foot Helmcken Falls, the 4th largest in Canada. They were quite spectacular. Just as spectacular were Dawson Falls and Spahats Falls. We just run out of steam and time to enable us to visit the rest.
The whole park has evolved through time through glaciers and sub-glacier volcanic eruptions and the rocks and mountains and waterfalls are still continually evolving. This was particularly evident when we admired the view from the top of Green Mountain.
Wells Grays has its own climate, the animals depend on the rains that are plentiful as the cool moist air amalgamates with the warm air coming from the south. The day had again been very hot (good for mosquitoes). But we were glad to have reached home when a thunderstorm and torrential rain were experienced. This was our first rain for some time.
Thursday, 8 July 2010
Day 10 - Clearwater Revival
Rather than taking the main road from Cache Creek to Clearwater we decided to travel north on Route 97 before steering of the highway and crossing to Clearwater on Route 24. We entered Caribou country and although we did not see any caribou the scenery again was excellent as we passed snow capped mountains and blue lakes. How the snow remained was strange for the weather is very hot.
Whilst travelling all of these roads you wonder at the discoveries made by the pioneers who travelled these routes looking for gold and prosperity as now and again you come across old ruins of shacks/cabins. You wonder how they provided for themselves and what became of them. You also have to wonder at the work that has happened since into utilising and ultimately finding out how to manage the rources and environment to ensure that the pristine country is not spoilt and forestation is maintained. All the highways that we have been on have been brilliant, even the minor ones, despite all the the snowy conditions during the winter, making our A21 look very poor.
Our accommodation at Clearwater is at the Clearwater Valley Resort. It is a house with 2 flats - we are in the lower floor. There are 2 rooms and 3 beds. We also have a kitchenette. Our planned stay at Clearwater also included washing clothes and Barbara had all the laundry done within an hour or so. The heat has again been virtually unbearable and we have been glad of the air conditioning in the car. But the plunge into the swimming pool at the Resort was very welcome.
Whilst travelling all of these roads you wonder at the discoveries made by the pioneers who travelled these routes looking for gold and prosperity as now and again you come across old ruins of shacks/cabins. You wonder how they provided for themselves and what became of them. You also have to wonder at the work that has happened since into utilising and ultimately finding out how to manage the rources and environment to ensure that the pristine country is not spoilt and forestation is maintained. All the highways that we have been on have been brilliant, even the minor ones, despite all the the snowy conditions during the winter, making our A21 look very poor.
Our accommodation at Clearwater is at the Clearwater Valley Resort. It is a house with 2 flats - we are in the lower floor. There are 2 rooms and 3 beds. We also have a kitchenette. Our planned stay at Clearwater also included washing clothes and Barbara had all the laundry done within an hour or so. The heat has again been virtually unbearable and we have been glad of the air conditioning in the car. But the plunge into the swimming pool at the Resort was very welcome.
Day 9 - Cache Creek
On of the assets that I purchased just before we left England was a US/Canada download for the Sat Nav. This has been worth it’s weight in gold, allowing us to plan routes and telling us when road junctions were coming up, allowing us to get in the right lane for junctions. It was of a great help getting in and around Victoria and today in getting to Cache Creek. One minor point was that it elected not to take us up the Fraser River Highway. We overroad this and enjoyed a journey with fantastic scenery.
The first major part of our journey today was the return ferry trip across from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen. The trip is passed the Gulf Islands and back on to the main land. As we travelled across the causeway we took one last look at the Pacific and Vancouver Island and headed towards Highway 1.Our planned stop was at Bridal Veil Falls, just beyond a place called Chilliwack. Here a just walk took us to a very high waterfall that splayed itself our like a veil at the bottom. The weather has now turned very hot from the 18/19 degrees that we have been used to and we were glad to be under the shelter of trees. The news has said that Canada is now experiencing a heat wave, the temperature exceeding 82degrees Farhenheit over 3 consecutive days.
We reached the Sandeman Inn at Cache Creek at 8:48pm and just in time to for the chap was thinking we were not going to turn up. Our room is adequate but not as good as what we have been used to. The heat does not help, but we are only here for one night
The first major part of our journey today was the return ferry trip across from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen. The trip is passed the Gulf Islands and back on to the main land. As we travelled across the causeway we took one last look at the Pacific and Vancouver Island and headed towards Highway 1.Our planned stop was at Bridal Veil Falls, just beyond a place called Chilliwack. Here a just walk took us to a very high waterfall that splayed itself our like a veil at the bottom. The weather has now turned very hot from the 18/19 degrees that we have been used to and we were glad to be under the shelter of trees. The news has said that Canada is now experiencing a heat wave, the temperature exceeding 82degrees Farhenheit over 3 consecutive days.
We reached the Sandeman Inn at Cache Creek at 8:48pm and just in time to for the chap was thinking we were not going to turn up. Our room is adequate but not as good as what we have been used to. The heat does not help, but we are only here for one night
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
Day 8 - Victoria
Victoria prides itself on being just as British as the British and when you tour around the City Centre and Harbour you can easily see why with the domination of the Government Buildings and the Empress Hotel, offset with carriage rides and double decker buses.
However, the spectacular sight of the landing and taking off of the seaplanes in the harbour is something that you won't get back home. Our visit to Victoria encompassed a walk around the quayside to Laurel Point where we witnessed 2 seaplanes landing. Not long beforehand a yacht had strayed off into what would have been the sea-runway and was told in no uncetain terms to get out of the way by the harbour patrol.
We spent the rest of the afternoon strolling around the Royal British Columbia Museum, taking in First Nation exhibits as well as the expansion of British Columbia from the mid 19th Century. We then took a drive along highway 14 to Sooke, travelling as far as River Jordan. All along this route we travelled alongside the Juan De Fuca Strait, often referred to in Geography lessons when reference is made to earthquakes. Across the Strait is the USA and before us lay the spectacular snow capped mountains of the Olympic National Park, situated west of Seattle. From Jordan River we could just see the end of the Strait and the Pacific Ocean itself. We also stopped at a point called French Beach. Here we saw lots of tiny creatures that looked like baby lobsters jumping out of some kelp washed up on the shoreline.
However, the spectacular sight of the landing and taking off of the seaplanes in the harbour is something that you won't get back home. Our visit to Victoria encompassed a walk around the quayside to Laurel Point where we witnessed 2 seaplanes landing. Not long beforehand a yacht had strayed off into what would have been the sea-runway and was told in no uncetain terms to get out of the way by the harbour patrol.
We spent the rest of the afternoon strolling around the Royal British Columbia Museum, taking in First Nation exhibits as well as the expansion of British Columbia from the mid 19th Century. We then took a drive along highway 14 to Sooke, travelling as far as River Jordan. All along this route we travelled alongside the Juan De Fuca Strait, often referred to in Geography lessons when reference is made to earthquakes. Across the Strait is the USA and before us lay the spectacular snow capped mountains of the Olympic National Park, situated west of Seattle. From Jordan River we could just see the end of the Strait and the Pacific Ocean itself. We also stopped at a point called French Beach. Here we saw lots of tiny creatures that looked like baby lobsters jumping out of some kelp washed up on the shoreline.
Monday, 5 July 2010
Day 7 - Butchart Gardens & Orcas
Today was one of these days that you can never forget. We prepared ourselves last night by booking an expedition to see whales with the idea of visiting Butchart Gardens in the morning and going on the whale trip at lunch time before ending the day with a return visit to Butchart Gardens.
Butchart Gardens were built on a disused quarry and are one of the most magnificent gardens in the world. The colours stemming from roses, fuchias, begonias etc situated in gardens that were, for example, sunken gardens, a Japanese garden and an Italian garden all of which were fantastic to see and smell. And then topped with that there were fountains and sculptures.
We cut short our morning visit to the gardens to focus on our trip out to sea. Our trip started at Sidney where we were kitted out with life jacket suits - we looked as though we had just got off a space craft. However these suits were also there to keep us warm, although the temperature had reached the 20's we had heard that it had been quite choppy out at sea that morning with, we later learnt 4 ft waves. Our trip though was on a near calm sea. Our vessel was a Zodiac and as soon as we left the harbour our boat reached speeds of up 30mph and really zipped along the water. Our goal was to sea orcas or killer whales. There is no guarantee that these creatures are going to be seen but were were not let down. There are 2 or 3 resident pods of whales around these parts and we managed to find one of them. To see them was absolutely brilliant, especially when we saw them jump out of the water and a return with a huge splash. Awesome.
We spent a good hour to 2 hours following and watching the whales, ensuring that we didn't get too close. It was reassuring to note that there was a vessel within the vicinity patrolling and policing the area to ensure that boats did not get to close or infringe whale watching standards. There are hefty fines if these are violated.
After watching the whales our guide did a spot of fishing and caught a rock fish within practically seconds. This fish acted as food for a Bald Eagle. He knew where this eagle was along with her mate, nest and chicks, and the type of fish that they liked. Reaching near the island where they were roosting he threw the food into the water and down came the Bald Eagle, scooping the fish out of the water and taking it across to the nest from which we could here the excited chicks.
From here we went to look at some Pacific seals who again offered some excellent photo opportunities.
So back on terra firma we went back to Butchart Gardens. I had known some time go that there was a Jazz Fastival in Victoria and that there would be a Jazz singer at the gardens. So I was delighted to see the surprise and delight on Barbara's face when she realised there would be an open air evening concert. It turned colder and colder as we sat listening to Barbara Blair sing her heart out. By the time she had finished it was dark. But throughout the whole of the gardens lights lit up the flowers and fountains providing us with a fantastic display of colour to end a brilliant day.
We cut short our morning visit to the gardens to focus on our trip out to sea. Our trip started at Sidney where we were kitted out with life jacket suits - we looked as though we had just got off a space craft. However these suits were also there to keep us warm, although the temperature had reached the 20's we had heard that it had been quite choppy out at sea that morning with, we later learnt 4 ft waves. Our trip though was on a near calm sea. Our vessel was a Zodiac and as soon as we left the harbour our boat reached speeds of up 30mph and really zipped along the water. Our goal was to sea orcas or killer whales. There is no guarantee that these creatures are going to be seen but were were not let down. There are 2 or 3 resident pods of whales around these parts and we managed to find one of them. To see them was absolutely brilliant, especially when we saw them jump out of the water and a return with a huge splash. Awesome.
We spent a good hour to 2 hours following and watching the whales, ensuring that we didn't get too close. It was reassuring to note that there was a vessel within the vicinity patrolling and policing the area to ensure that boats did not get to close or infringe whale watching standards. There are hefty fines if these are violated.
After watching the whales our guide did a spot of fishing and caught a rock fish within practically seconds. This fish acted as food for a Bald Eagle. He knew where this eagle was along with her mate, nest and chicks, and the type of fish that they liked. Reaching near the island where they were roosting he threw the food into the water and down came the Bald Eagle, scooping the fish out of the water and taking it across to the nest from which we could here the excited chicks.
From here we went to look at some Pacific seals who again offered some excellent photo opportunities.
So back on terra firma we went back to Butchart Gardens. I had known some time go that there was a Jazz Fastival in Victoria and that there would be a Jazz singer at the gardens. So I was delighted to see the surprise and delight on Barbara's face when she realised there would be an open air evening concert. It turned colder and colder as we sat listening to Barbara Blair sing her heart out. By the time she had finished it was dark. But throughout the whole of the gardens lights lit up the flowers and fountains providing us with a fantastic display of colour to end a brilliant day.
Sunday, 4 July 2010
Day 6 - Waddling Dog
There was a tinge of sadness as we viewed our last sight of the Strait of Georgia from our hotel bedroom in Campbell River. Nothing can ever match that view.
So, on to our next destination - Victoria. On the way we keep seeing bald eagles swooping overhead. We stopped off at Shawnigan Lake and found the local museum. Again, as in Port McNeil, it seemed that we were the only ones visiting the museum so we managed to get lots of attention from the curator providing insight to the origins of the growth of that particular area of the world.
Our next hotel is actually situated near the town of Sydney, further round the coast from Victoria and close to the ferry port that will assist in transporting us back to the mainland. The Waddling Dog is a relatively recently built building situated just off the main highway. The waddling dog is a Basset Hound, the current dog being named as John III. The building has been made to look like Olde English and I have to say it looks very effective throughout. Our room again has two queen beds and has black wooden beams and has plenty room for all four of us. Free WIFI access is again available for us to us which is very useful.
So, on to our next destination - Victoria. On the way we keep seeing bald eagles swooping overhead. We stopped off at Shawnigan Lake and found the local museum. Again, as in Port McNeil, it seemed that we were the only ones visiting the museum so we managed to get lots of attention from the curator providing insight to the origins of the growth of that particular area of the world.
Our next hotel is actually situated near the town of Sydney, further round the coast from Victoria and close to the ferry port that will assist in transporting us back to the mainland. The Waddling Dog is a relatively recently built building situated just off the main highway. The waddling dog is a Basset Hound, the current dog being named as John III. The building has been made to look like Olde English and I have to say it looks very effective throughout. Our room again has two queen beds and has black wooden beams and has plenty room for all four of us. Free WIFI access is again available for us to us which is very useful.
Saturday, 3 July 2010
Day 5 - Bald Eagles at Telegraph Cove
Opposite our hotel is a obelisk that marks to 50th Parallel. To put this into percespective it is on the same latitude as The Lizard down near Penzance, Cornwall.
Today we went for a short drive. A short drive here is a long way and turned out to be a good 300+ km along the main highway on either side of which were forests lakes and snow capped mountains. Our intention was to visit a place called Zeballos, a forming gold mining community. Apparently there wasa tour of historical buildings where tales of the gold rush were brought to life. However, whilst the main highway is an exellent road drive on the road to Zebellos was nothing more than a logging track and was better suited for 4 x 4's. Not wishing to harm the car we did an about turn and headed on to Port McNeil.
Port McNeil; turned out to be a quiet out of the way 
fishing/logging community. After a bit of research at the local information centre we found the tree with the biggest burr in the world. This was quickly followed by finding the quietest museum that I have come across. The guide said that we were his first visitors that day and indeed looking at his visitors book we were the first visitors for several days, and the ones before that were a fortnight ago. Still our time there was very interesting and our museum curator talked about his family - how his grandparents had escaped persecution in Russia - how they escaped to China hidden in a logging ship - how his grandmother's daughter started crying when the ship was being searched and how she was muffled to ensure the 360 passengers hidden in the boat were not captured. He told us about his time working as a logger as well as telling us about the different artefacts linked mostly with the logging community.
We then moved on to another out of the way fishing/logging village called Telegraph Cove. This village was built on stilts at the water's edge and had boardwalks as pavements. As we walked alon the boardwalks to the harbour entrance sailing over our heads were 3 Bald Eagles. We had seen bald eagles at Port McNeil but these circled so closely over head we could not help but gaze at wonder at such an extrodinary sight. And just to add to the excitement I later saw one of them scoop up a fish at the harbour entrance. Simply awesome. The links to whales here are very close with many excursions to see them being available. There was also a whale museum where the skeletons of some whales that had died were on exhibit.
fishing/logging community. After a bit of research at the local information centre we found the tree with the biggest burr in the world. This was quickly followed by finding the quietest museum that I have come across. The guide said that we were his first visitors that day and indeed looking at his visitors book we were the first visitors for several days, and the ones before that were a fortnight ago. Still our time there was very interesting and our museum curator talked about his family - how his grandparents had escaped persecution in Russia - how they escaped to China hidden in a logging ship - how his grandmother's daughter started crying when the ship was being searched and how she was muffled to ensure the 360 passengers hidden in the boat were not captured. He told us about his time working as a logger as well as telling us about the different artefacts linked mostly with the logging community.
We then moved on to another out of the way fishing/logging village called Telegraph Cove. This village was built on stilts at the water's edge and had boardwalks as pavements. As we walked alon the boardwalks to the harbour entrance sailing over our heads were 3 Bald Eagles. We had seen bald eagles at Port McNeil but these circled so closely over head we could not help but gaze at wonder at such an extrodinary sight. And just to add to the excitement I later saw one of them scoop up a fish at the harbour entrance. Simply awesome. The links to whales here are very close with many excursions to see them being available. There was also a whale museum where the skeletons of some whales that had died were on exhibit.Day 4 - Elk Falls
The breakfast room at the Austrian Chalet is just as small as at Exhibition Park but the view across the strait is very pleasant. There is not as much variety of food so no waffles or yoghurt but sufficient to keep us going. Perhaps the size of the room means that you don't stay there too long and eat too much.
With all this food and all our of main dinner meals so far have been at restaurants we needed to work off a few pounds. So today we went for a hike. It was perhaps a bit further than everyone expected - about 8km - but it took us up alongside the Campbell River via a hydro dam to Elk Falls where huge amounts of river water gushed of the mountain side. I saw a snake - the others couldn't see it.
At the end of the walk and with a bit of time on our hands we drove inland. My map reader fell asleep so when I said shall we go this way the response of it was up to me came from the land of nod.
The road took us to the Strathcona National Park, British Columbia's oldest national park, passed huge snow capped mountains and on to a place called Gold River. Just a little bit further on, but not accessible at this point by road is the Pacific Ocean and Resolution Cove where Captain Cook landed in 1778.
Our return to Campbell River took us to a Walmart. Not very exciting but it was interesting to find 2 elk sleeping in a field on the edge of the parking lot.
Wednesday, 30 June 2010
fourcorbies land in Canada
When I was young I enjoyed playing with a picture viewer. You inserted circular discs and I had a couple of sets. One was of a Batman and Robin story and was in 3d - brilliant considering that we are only now getting into 3d film. The other set had scenic pictures of Canada, Banff, Niagra Falls etc. I continually viewed these pictures and made it my ambition to one day pay the country a visit.
We here we are. In my fiftieth year on the planet I have achieved a lifelong amibition. And after a 12 hour arduous flight we are here in Vancouver, and the views and county have not let me down.
The Flight
We chose to book via Canadian Affair obtaining the cheapest price for our journey on Thomas Cook airlines. The plane did have cramped conditions (just as well that I am reasonably slim for the seats were not made for large people) but having got up at 2am and got everyone out of the house by 4am we all managed to get some sleep along the way. Thomas Cook served up a couple of edible meals and the couple who sat beside us provided some pointers for car travel and recommendations for eating out. Probably the most fantastic part of the flight was flying over Greenland and the Rockies. Flying over Greenland Alice spotted a truncated valley giving her 5 bonus points. Looking at the valley it was a though we were looking at a place where time had stopped.
Our flight elongated by having a touch down for an hour in Edmonton before the flight over the hours flight over the Rockies, where the scenery was brilliant, and finally we reached Vancouver.
Vancouver airport was very busy. One of the things we had to do was to declare that we had not carried any dairy products into the country.
The Car
In preparation for the holiday I had booked a car through Canadian Affair. It took a bit of time to find the car hire company, especially since we were so tired after the flight. The car hire company, National, suggested that as we were travelling through the Rockies we should upgrade to a SUV car - which truned out to be a Dodge Jeep. Having agreed to do this we found that the parcel shelf had been removed from the vehicle thus leaving our luggage exposed. We complained about this but were amazed to learn that the removal of the cover was normal practise as they had been stolen in the past. So we downgraded the type of car from a SUV to a Ford Fusion. It is more like what we would know as being a Ford Mondeo and we can just fit our four suitacases in the trunk. It is black and is an automatic which takes a bit of getting used to. It is a lovely car to drive.
Our First Hotel
Our first hotel is the Best Western Exhibition Park. It is situated well away from the town centre
and it took a little bit of finding but it was not too bad. The room has 2 queen size beds and is partitioned into virtually 2 rooms. The division contains the bathroom outside of which is the sink, which is strange. The room has 2 televisions, a fridge and a micro-wave. There is a filter coffee machine with coffee available but there are no filters, and there is a couple of T bags but there is no milk. There is a bath with a juccuzzi. Our first night we were so tired that having fallen asleep at 5pm when we got there we did not get up until 7am the following day, effectively a 14 hour sleep. Breakfast was small but decent enough with waffles, babels, toast yoghurt etc all available. One point of not was that there were only about half a dozen tables in a miniscule breakfast room which was very puzzling for the hotel served 3 floors worth of rooms. Still, after queuing up for a short period of time we got our breakfast.
Day 2 - Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain.
So far this holiday has mostly gone to plan. Our first real outing was to the Capilano Suspension Bridge which we found without any real d
ifficulties. This suspension bridge is a long 
wobbly bridge over a gorge and leads to a tour around very tall douglas fir trees. For me probably the most thrilling thing we saw was this bird. I thought initially it was a dragonfly it was so small but I think it was a humming bird. It just looked and acted like the bird in the Disney film - Pocahontas.
We here we are. In my fiftieth year on the planet I have achieved a lifelong amibition. And after a 12 hour arduous flight we are here in Vancouver, and the views and county have not let me down.
The Flight
We chose to book via Canadian Affair obtaining the cheapest price for our journey on Thomas Cook airlines. The plane did have cramped conditions (just as well that I am reasonably slim for the seats were not made for large people) but having got up at 2am and got everyone out of the house by 4am we all managed to get some sleep along the way. Thomas Cook served up a couple of edible meals and the couple who sat beside us provided some pointers for car travel and recommendations for eating out. Probably the most fantastic part of the flight was flying over Greenland and the Rockies. Flying over Greenland Alice spotted a truncated valley giving her 5 bonus points. Looking at the valley it was a though we were looking at a place where time had stopped.
Our flight elongated by having a touch down for an hour in Edmonton before the flight over the hours flight over the Rockies, where the scenery was brilliant, and finally we reached Vancouver.
Vancouver airport was very busy. One of the things we had to do was to declare that we had not carried any dairy products into the country.
The Car
In preparation for the holiday I had booked a car through Canadian Affair. It took a bit of time to find the car hire company, especially since we were so tired after the flight. The car hire company, National, suggested that as we were travelling through the Rockies we should upgrade to a SUV car - which truned out to be a Dodge Jeep. Having agreed to do this we found that the parcel shelf had been removed from the vehicle thus leaving our luggage exposed. We complained about this but were amazed to learn that the removal of the cover was normal practise as they had been stolen in the past. So we downgraded the type of car from a SUV to a Ford Fusion. It is more like what we would know as being a Ford Mondeo and we can just fit our four suitacases in the trunk. It is black and is an automatic which takes a bit of getting used to. It is a lovely car to drive.
Our First Hotel
Our first hotel is the Best Western Exhibition Park. It is situated well away from the town centre
and it took a little bit of finding but it was not too bad. The room has 2 queen size beds and is partitioned into virtually 2 rooms. The division contains the bathroom outside of which is the sink, which is strange. The room has 2 televisions, a fridge and a micro-wave. There is a filter coffee machine with coffee available but there are no filters, and there is a couple of T bags but there is no milk. There is a bath with a juccuzzi. Our first night we were so tired that having fallen asleep at 5pm when we got there we did not get up until 7am the following day, effectively a 14 hour sleep. Breakfast was small but decent enough with waffles, babels, toast yoghurt etc all available. One point of not was that there were only about half a dozen tables in a miniscule breakfast room which was very puzzling for the hotel served 3 floors worth of rooms. Still, after queuing up for a short period of time we got our breakfast.
Day 2 - Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain.
So far this holiday has mostly gone to plan. Our first real outing was to the Capilano Suspension Bridge which we found without any real d
ifficulties. This suspension bridge is a long 
wobbly bridge over a gorge and leads to a tour around very tall douglas fir trees. For me probably the most thrilling thing we saw was this bird. I thought initially it was a dragonfly it was so small but I think it was a humming bird. It just looked and acted like the bird in the Disney film - Pocahontas. As a light snack we bought 4 diet cokes and 4 lots of curly fries - this was $38. Any currency converter will show this to be very very expensive!
A 
short drive further up the road took us to 
Grouse Mountain. The views of the mountains from Vancouver are fantastic but there is nothing like going up one in a cable car which is ex
actly what we did. Reaching the top we did find it to be very chilly but this did not detract from the really fantastic views. We also saw 2 orphaned Grizzly Bears, a lumberjack show, and went up even higher on a ski lift.
Our day was rounded off by a drive around Stanley Park and a really nice meal at a recommendable restaurant called Earls in Robson Street.
short drive further up the road took us to 
Grouse Mountain. The views of the mountains from Vancouver are fantastic but there is nothing like going up one in a cable car which is ex
actly what we did. Reaching the top we did find it to be very chilly but this did not detract from the really fantastic views. We also saw 2 orphaned Grizzly Bears, a lumberjack show, and went up even higher on a ski lift.Our day was rounded off by a drive around Stanley Park and a really nice meal at a recommendable restaurant called Earls in Robson Street.
Day 3 - Arrival at Campbell River
There is so much to see in Vancouver but what we saw we enjoyed and everyone still had memories of the visit up Grouse Mountain fresh on our minds. The proximity of our hotel was quite close to Highway 1 a highway that meanders right across Canada. Having said our goodbyes to the hotel we joined Highw
ay 1 and ultimately Route 99 to follow the Sea to Sky Road. An early riose meant that we could allow ourselves an hour's drive beyond the ferry terminal where our ferry would take us to Vancouver Island. One of the main thngs that the guide books say is to remember to keep your eyes on the road. This is better said than done for the scenery was fantastic.
There is so much to see in Vancouver but what we saw we enjoyed and everyone still had memories of the visit up Grouse Mountain fresh on our minds. The proximity of our hotel was quite close to Highway 1 a highway that meanders right across Canada. Having said our goodbyes to the hotel we joined Highw
ay 1 and ultimately Route 99 to follow the Sea to Sky Road. An early riose meant that we could allow ourselves an hour's drive beyond the ferry terminal where our ferry would take us to Vancouver Island. One of the main thngs that the guide books say is to remember to keep your eyes on the road. This is better said than done for the scenery was fantastic. We followed the road as far as a waterfall known as Shannon Falls where we stopped for a few moments before heading back down to Horseshoe Bay.
We had pre-booked a reservation on the ferry that would take us across the Strait of Georgia to Nanaimo, a journey that had approximately the same distance as a trip from Dover to Boulogne. The trip was fairly uneventful on a calm sea but we were cetain that we were being accompanied by a school of dolphins.
So on to Campbell River. Our hotel is again a Best Western called Austrian Chalet and we are in what could be described as a maisonette. There is a living area downstairs (the wash hand basin we were pleased to note is within the bathroom area this time). There is a balcony from which there are uninterrupted views are across the Strait, and where we have seen several cruise ships whizzing past. Our bedroom containing 2 queen beds is upstairs in a loft area which also has a gallery looking down onto the living area. There is a swimming pool, putting area, and table tennis. And just along the road there is a marker indicating the crossing of the 50th Parallel.
As well as today being our wedding anniversary it is also a bank holiday in Canada, the country celebrating Canada Day. So, many people congregated in a park on the water front of Campbell River where there were live bands, stands and all sorts of entertainment.
Some of the dates on our photographs are incorrect as the camera is set up for UK time.
The finale was a firework display which was done to music ending with a rousing rendition of the national anthem Oh Canada with fireworks in red and white going of over the Strait. Brilliant.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)