We caught a glimpse of this monster the other day. 17 stories.
Celebrity Solstice is a Solstice-class cruise ship owned and operated by Celebrity Cruises. At the time she was launched, she held the record for the largest cruise ship ever built inGermany; however, her record was surpassed when the Disney Dream was launched in 2010.
…theater with a 1,400+ seating capacity …
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. 🙂
Road trip. 🙂
The sun was shining on the Sunshine Coast when we awoke in Sechelt.
We strolled over to a local coffee shop for breakfast. Sat in the sun.
Mom was impressed with the friendly and chatty Sechelt locals. One shopkeep offered to print some documents for us. For free.
We took a sidetrip to Porpoise Bay to check out the option to sea kayak Porpoise Bay Provincial Park. Looks good to me.
Next was Gibson’s.
Gibsons is a coastal community of 4,200 … It is the main marine gateway to the Sunshine Coast.
… Gibsons is best known in Canada as the setting of the popular and long running CBC Television series The Beachcombers, which aired from 1972 to 1990. The storefront “Molly’s Reach“, now a cafe …
The Beachcombers … is the longest-running dramatic series ever made for English-language Canadian television. In all, 387 episodes were produced.
Click PLAY or watch the INTRO on YouTube.
We caught the ferry over to Horseshoe Bay. Another gorgeous trip.
This was my 3rd time in 2014 traveling the Sea to Sky Highway. On the advice of a tourist information guy we grabbed a hotel in Squamish, built new for the 2010 Olympics.
We continued up to Whistler for a walking tour.
Nice afternoon. The mountain bikers were just coming off the hill, hitting the pubs.
Another excellent day on the Sunshine Circuit.
We had a hot tub. Then ordered in Pizza to go with our wine. 🙂
Road trip. 🙂
Yvonne picked up a rent-a-car. We left Parksville 8am for our long planned circuit via the Sunshine Coast.
ferry #1 – Comox to Powell River
Powell River is a virtual island on the mainland, accessible only by water.
… Powell River was at one time the largest pulp and paper mill in the world. In its prime, one in every 25 newspapers in the world was printed on paper from the Powell River mill. However, since then it has significantly cut back on production …
We turned north to Lund, the end of Highway 101, mile zero.
Lunch at Nancy’s Bakery.
Ferry #2 – Saltery Bay to Earl’s Cove was the highlight of the day for Mom. Gorgeous weather. It reminded her of the fjords of Norway.
The highlight of my day was learning of the Sunshine Coast Trail.
… a 180-kilometre trail that stretches from Sarah Point in Desolation Sound to Saltery Bay. …
… this epic trail now boasts seven huts with two more planned this year, making it the only free hut-to-hut hiking experience in Canada. …
No fees. No registration. Easy access from multiple trailheads means you can resupply en route. Next year. 🙂
___
We’d decided in advance not to plan our road trip, but make it up as we went along. One B&B had a weird vibe. We ended up instead drinking wine at sunset outside the Driftwood Motel in Sechelt.
… known for its natural beauty, being a popular destination for those interested in kayaking, diving, snowshoeing and skiing, hiking and backpacking, camping, mountain biking, and other outdoor activities. …
We enjoyed a terrific dinner at the Driftwood.
16. North Idahoans Know The Absolute Best Places To Cool Off
One of my photos.
29 reasons … 🙂
(via Pete Clayden)
updated September 15, 2014
If interested in taking part on this tour June 2015, you’ll need to decide soon. I ask for a verbal commitment by October 12th. I’ll email each person who’s expressed interest personally by that date.
So far I have only 2 people committed:
Rick McCharles – organizer
Wesley Chirima – coach at Calgary Gymnastics Centre
estimated BUDGET (each person pays their own costs)
I’m certain that CDN $4000 would be more than enough for 2-3 weeks. As we’ll be hosted by Gym Clubs en route, we’ll have opportunities to save money by billeting with families, if we wish.
$1600 flight Ottawa JoBurg return
$150 flight JoBurg to Capetown
$200 flight Capetown to Windhoek
$200 flight to Windhoek to JoBurg
$200 for 3 nights hotel Capetown
$500 for 3 day tour of Kruger Nat Park (we’ll get a good deal)
Opt-in Etosha or Skeleton Coast trips would cost less than $500 each. We’ll take a big African camping truck.
Questions? Suggestions?
RickMcCharles@gmail.com
___
Gymnastics is a great excuse to travel. I’m hoping to organize a gymnastics holiday in Namibia and South Africa for gymnasts, parents and coaches.
• training in Johannesburg, South Africa
• training in Swakopmund, Namibia
• big game safari to Kruger
• optional or Etosha or Skeleton Coast side trip to see the desert elephants
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• side trip to Capetown
Two weeks minimum, your trip could easily be extended.
Accommodation with gymnastics families or hotel.
One good window for the trip is the month of June 2015:
GYMNASTICS TRAINING WEEKS
wk 1 – fly to Johannesburg
… transport directly to Kruger National Park for 3 day safari (while jetlagged)
… 4 days training / sightseeing at Visions Gymnastics, Johannesburg
wk 2 – fly from Lansaria Airport, close to the gym, to Cape Town
… 3 nights sightseeing
… fly to Windhoek, Namibia
… transport to Swakopmund on the coast
… 4 days training / sightseeing at Swakopmund Gymnastics
depart
____
wk 3 options include:
• desert elephant safari
• safari to Etosha National Park
One of the gymnastics families in Swakopmund runs Ondjamba Safaris. I’ll be doing one or both of those tours.
Stay on longer, if you like. Or travel earlier and meet us in Johannesburg. I’ll be doing that myself, most likely hiking Fish River Canyon in Namibia. Possibly Blyde Canyon near JoBurg.
___ Notes:
There’s a low risk of malaria in Namibia and southern South Africa, but check with your local travel clinic for “official” advice.
June is winter in southern Africa. Johannesburg will be temperate. Cape Town most probably windy and blustery.
Fill out the form below if you want to be updated by email on dates, costs and details.
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My trip report is up on Best Hike. 🙂
In the heart of Whistler lays Lost Lake Park; a recreational wonderland just steps away from the village. Summer activities include hiking, walking, swimming, canoeing and cycling.
The park boasts an incredibly fun network of mountain bike trails referred to as Zappa Trails. This extensive network of manicured pea gravel pathways, along with fun rocky and rooty singletrack trails take the rider from one end of the park to the other and provide ample opportunities for families, beginner and intermediate riders to explore Lost Lake on their mountain bikes.
The Zappa Trails are a favourite among locals looking to get out for a quick cruise after work or when short on time. The trails are well marked and maintained year round by the Resort Municipality of Whistler, making them relatively easy to navigate. If you do get lost, you’ll find maps at all the major junctions to get you back on track.
The Zappa Trails are well suited to families looking at exploring Lost Lake on two wheels. …
(via Best Hike)
My first visit to the north, central B.C. town. I was there for a 5-day Gymnastics course.
Located nearly evenly between the cities of Prince George and Williams Lake, Quesnel is on the main route to northern British Columbia and the Yukon.
The sunsets were brilliant due to forest fire haze. Forestry is the town’s lifeblood.
It’s on the confluence of the Fraser and Quesnel rivers.
I mostly walked and jogged the North and West Side Quesnel Trails when I wasn’t in the gym.
Mike and friends rode Chile to Bolivia, across famed Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat.
See his photo journal of the adventure.
