Socks and Sandals, gotta love BC!

Trip Start Apr 10, 2005

Trip End Dec 20, 2005

Loading Map

Map your own trip!

Map Options

Show trip route

Hide lines

Flag of Canada Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Monday, June 27, 2005

Yikes, gas sure is expensive back in Canada! Otherthan that, it's sure nice to be home! We settled for a couple of days in Osoyoos, BC just south of the Okanagan Valley. We read that Osoyoos has a semi-desert climate receiving just 250mm of rain each year. Well, it rained all day as soon as we arrived. Man, we felt like Pig Pen from Charlie Brown, instead of a cloud of dirt, we had a cloud of rain everywhere we went. Nevertheless, we picked a wonderful campground, and were finally treated to TWO hot sunny days (in a row!). We were so deprived of our Vitamin D that we didn't even care that air guns were firing all day to keep the birds out of the orchards and vineyards all around us. Sam will just have to suck it up while we replenish and dry ourselves off.

We couldn't afford much doddling as we were due to meet Karin's baby sister Pam in Vancouver for her one week holiday

01 Vancouver

. We were pleased to find out that the whole west coast has been cursed with this soggy weather and that it's not just us (we're green with envy about the heat-wave in Toronto!). Though it rained for the first 2 days, we stuffed our bellies full of dim-sum (Thanks Pammie for my birthday lunch!), hiked around Stanley Park and Lighthouse Park and munched on A LOT of sushi. Finally, on day 3, the glorious sun came out and we were finally treated to the sight of beautiful Vancouver! We rented a boat at Horseshoe bay and took ourselves out on a sea safari, catching sight of seals, bald eagles and all sorts of other birds (like oystercatchers!). We had a wacko boat driver (that nutty Kevin McCall!) that kept us all amused by hitting the waves making us jump up in our seats. Alison flew out to visit as well, and what a wonderful feeling it is to be reunited with friends, y'all made us homesick dammit!

The next few days, we drove up to Whistler where we were treated to a lovely 2bdrm apartment and spent 2 days hiking and touring around this youthful hot spot full of dirt and mountain bikers (all with scabby forearms), and of course, the ever present skiers and snow boarders that partied all year long on the snowy slopes of Whistler's mountain peaks. We were not surprised to see the bars and patios full of party goers even on a Monday night. The drive up was sensational and we made sure to stop off at all the points of interests mentioned to us by Karin's cousin Leah (you rock!), especially the BC Museum of Mining which was fantastic

02 Vancouver

! The week ended with a drive back out to Kelowna by the Okanagan Valley where we met Karin's dad Gerry who was out visiting for business.

We went on a lovely wine tour at Quail's gate winery and left with 3 bottles of wine and a better appreciation of the wine making process. Also, it helped that we watched the movie "Sideways" a few days prior and went home with a Pinot Noir to boot. A delicious dinner at Earl's to follow, was then ended by a sad goodbye to Pam and Gerry, leaving on flights back home the next morning. We miss you!!

We'll be spending quite a bit of time in British Columbia hopefully volunteering at some organic farms and learning a little bit more about country living. Perhaps a trip up to Alaska? Yellowknife? We shall see...