Road trip. 🙂

We enjoyed the complementary breakfast at the Sandman hotel in Squamish, new built for the 2010 Olympics. Many of the other guests were cyclists.

Prices are still half or less in Squamish as compared with Whistler.

We opted not to ride the new Sea to Sky Gondola, $35 return. Next time.

After some debate, we decided to next get a hotel close to the ferry in Delta. By luck we found the Coast Tsawwassen Inn. The best of our hotels, so far. Attached is Brown’s Socialhouse, a favourite restaurant of Yvonne and my Mom.

The B.C. chain has now expanded to Saskatchewan and Alberta. 🙂

We dropped our bags and continued across the border to Birch Bay, Washington, a spot  Yvonne and Rob enjoyed years ago.

Mom was impressed with the view from a rough (to be diplomatic) beachside cafe.

We rambled towards the Bellingham, Washington Costco. The parking lot was packed with Canadian vehicles.

Most were here loading up on cheap milk. $US 5.32 for 2 gallons, about half what it costs in the Great White North.

We loaded up on cheese, maxing our allowable for crossing back to Canada.

Seems the Canadian government props up the dairy industry. In America the free market keeps retail prices low.

Arriving back at our hotel at a reasonable hour (for a change)  I had time for a run in Boundary Bay Regional Park.

Mom and Yvonne drank wine, both tipsy by the time we headed for dinner.

Next morning we were up at around 6am. Mom and I walked on to a morning ferry back to Nanaimo. Yvonne had a long driving day in front of her – Whitefish, Montana.

So … Our 4-day, 3-night loop went Comox (ferry) to Powell River to Lund (ferry) to Sechelt to Gibsons (ferry) to Horseshoe Bay to Whistler to Squamish to Twawwassen (ferry) to Nanaimo. With a sidetrip to the USA. 🙂

We’ve been talking about doing this loop for years. Mission accomplished.

I’m already planning 4 future trips:

1. same loop by bicycle
2. Sunshine Coast Trail on foot
3. parts of the Sea to Sky Trail by bike
4. Lake Lovely Water Trail, Tantalus Range on foot

There is plenty to do in the Sunshine Coast. 🙂