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Published: February 16th 2020
Packing belongings (and wine)
When we travel with Norm and Jenny we usually pack everything needed the day before departure.Having spent many a glorious vacation in several corners of the world, from viewing the magnificent glaciers of Alaska up close, the peaceful civility of New Zealand and the cultural dynamism of modern China, to name a few, through this blog, I showcase our very backyard -
Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia. How better to spend six summer weeks than with one's own family, touring the spectacular majesty of western Canada, albeit a mere sampling of its quintessential magnificence? I have chosen to publish this blog now (better late than never) because at the time of this vacation, I chose not to disrupt group activity by being glued to a tablet writing.
This is neither an account of an adventure into some mysterious and strange faraway land nor is it a description of museums like the Louvre in Paris and Gothic cathedrals of renaissance Europe. It is simply my reflection on one of the most thoroughly relaxing and congenial trips ever, when even the unexpected fitted seamlessly into our routine.
Jeanette and I were once again guests of Norm and Jenny and in their beautiful and very comfortable Forester motor home. Since Norm was recovering from recent knee replacement surgery, I shared the driving with him, having passed the trial run in Calgary under his watchful eye, maneuvering the extra long vehicle towing their car at the rear. Eye coordination and good anticipation of traffic events ahead served me well. Plus, I think that I am a reasonably good and experienced driver anyway. (Here I go blowing my own trumpet)
All packed and ready to go, including an impressive stock of mainly red wine, we headed west to
Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley of BC. Our superb highways make it an easy traverse of the magnificent Rocky Mountains, some peaks still clinging to the vestiges of the previous winter, their sides often scarred by falling avalanches of grey rock. The Rockies are intimidating, yet alluring in their magnetic attraction to hiker and climber alike. Spanning Alberta and British Columbia, the jagged peaks, including the towering Mount Robson, alpine lakes and diverse wildlife and recreation sites make this massive area a huge draw for millions of visitors. Jasper, Yoho and Banff, the Athabasco Glacier and glacier-fed Lake Louise are unsurpassed in beauty. Of course, I specifically
mention this for the benefit of those readers who are yet to be pulled in by this unique part of our great country.
The Okanagan Valley, including from Salmon Arm to Osoyos, is very dear to my entire family as it was a frequent holiday destination for us when the children were growing up in our home and not yet on their own. Kelowna is a great town with a good mix of restaurants and good lake shore entertainment. The bonus is that we also have lovely friends there that we enjoy spending time with, when possible.
Norm is very knowledgeable and experienced in selecting motor home sites and is meticulous in his planning. In the six weeks that we spent on this trip, I believe there was only one short stay that did not live up to his expectation but which was nevertheless fun. Jenny and Norm are organized to the hilt; Jenny taking on responsibility for the interior and Norm the exterior of their home on the road. It is a marvel to see how seamlessly they set up once they park the vehicle on a site, hooking up to local services
The Sutherland flag
Norm, passionate about his Scottish ancestry, plants the flag wherever the motor home is sited, often presenting a good opportunity for conversation with neighbours. and preparing to make life as comfortable as if they were still at home in Calgary.
Our
Vancouver site was well positioned and we had great access to all the attractions, especially enjoying the
Canada Day Fireworks along the shoreline amidst the throngs of people who filled every available viewing space.
For the ferry crossing to
Vancouver Island, the motor home and car were stored separately for the voyage but the operation worked seamlessly. We experienced one unexpected glitch. Having taken a wrong turn on the way to the ferry terminal we ended up in a limited space car park and almost wrecked the towing mechanism as we tried to turn around. I was using Google Maps on my phone as the motor home navigation was not up to date and I was erroneously following a bike path.
However, our first site on the island was magnificent. Lounging on the grass with a glass of wine in hand, we could see the city of
Victoria in the distance as we watched both boat and seaplane traffic going to and fro as eagles gracefully soared above us, landing on nearby tree tops
where their nests lay hidden. Whether on land or in the sea where the otter is not shy to approach, wildlife abounds on this island backyard paradise.Our neighbour and his wife, traveling in their huge A class motor home, befriended the four of us and thus began an interesting period of interaction that included a visit to their home in Duncan. That is an interesting story in itself but is not part of this blog. For one breakfast, the six of us enjoyed superb freshly caught Coho salmon barbecued to perfection by our new friend.
I hope that my pictures help capture the essence of this six-week stint. We had a marvelous vacation. Tasty meals at home (in the motor home), great wine, wonderful scenery, thundering waterfalls, placid lakes, superb salmon, haddock and crab (except for allergy prone Jeanette) all contributed to most memorable moments for each of us. Watching Norm's friend Paul (he has a deep sea fishing charter operation out of
Ucluelet) expertly filet salmon and haddock for his clients was a great display of artistry. As he discarded unwanted parts of the meaty fish, hordes of seagulls swooped down and plucked their supper almost
before it hit the water. Afterwards, he took us on a run out to sea, returning later to enjoy a delicious dinner in a popular seaside restaurant together. Earlier he introduced us to a popular fish shack which served succulent fish and chips, English style. That was also in Ucluelet, where we stayed. A hike along the rugged seashore near our location was so interesting that Norm and I did it a second time with the girls later. This area, and further north to
Tofino, which we also visited, is very popular in the winter when the ocean rages, crashing massive waves shoreward, creating a spectacular display of nature's power.
We visited and or spent time in
Victoria, Nanaimo, Qualcum Beach, Comox, Courtenay, Campbell River staying long enough to savour everything the area had to offer and boy, did we ever enjoy the seafood all along the coast. Our northernmost trek was to have lunch in
Elk Bay where soon afterwards, we stood on the shore and watched huge humpback whales gracefully on their way through the narrow channel. We watched as many paying clients on organized boat tours hovered around, trying to get a view of
these magnificent mammals while we stood there taking in the display, for free, and within much closer proximity. Campbell River and all that we explored from there, was very impressive. Of course, a visit to
Butchart Gardens should always be on the itinerary. For me it seemed even more impressive than years earlier.
Back on the mainland, we immersed ourselves in still more pleasurable activity, spending time at various sites, including a return visit to
Whistler, one of the
premier year-round visitor destinations in all of North America. We attended concerts and were lucky to enjoy one of the world's best reggae bands,
Steel Pulse, based in England and in Whistler as part of a tour of the US. Family members living in BC, also joined us for the week, adding to our pleasure. Would we have expected to enjoy Middle Eastern belly dancing in the town centre? And yet, there she was, skillfully and gracefully entertaining the crowd in an appropriate daytime display of this attractive ancient art. She joined us for drinks later and surprised us all in declaring that she was, surprisingly, Jamaican.
One of the highlights of the area was
the gondola visit to
Blackcomb Mountain and the twin peak ride from one summit to the other.
The ride back to Kelowna followed, then our ultimate return to Calgary to recuperate before the next trip somewhere.
I hope that this blog has jogged the memories of those who have visited this magnificent slice of western Canada and also lures those of you who are yet to taste its sublime appeal to place it at the very summit of your bucket list.
It will undoubtedly deliver on a promise of life-long and indelible memories as it has done for me.
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Rosemary
non-member comment
Memories!
So enjoyed your blog! We lived in Campbell River for 4 years & Victoria for 8. Loved both places! Still have 2 sons in CR & one in Vancouver.