B.C. Vacation - The End

B.C. Vacation - Day 8

Caught the 10:50 a.m. ferry back to Horseshoe Bay, then drove to Stanley Park in Vancouver. The park is absolutely beautiful with miles of trails and things to do. We planned on spending a full day there but only fit a ride on the mini train and a fish and chip lunch at Prospect Point Lookout.

We checked into our hotel -- the Westin Grand -- and just relaxed a little bit. I totally recommend this place. We had a comfortable room on the 29th floor overlooking the harbor, and they made the kids feel really special -- complete with back packs, a hat, and postcards to color. That night we walked around the area, and had a great dinner at Tropika. H & C wanted to try the crab. They weren't huge fans, but we were! Came back to the room, and waiting for C was an early birthday present from the Westin -- a tiramisu in a chocolate cup. See what I mean?

B.C. Vacation - Day 7

A day at the beach ... need I say more?

B.C. Vacation - Day 6

Woke up and went for a run on the Lost Lake Loop. I wanted to do the whole loop, but part of it was closed for baby toad migration. I'm not even kidding (even though, I have a bit of a bear phobia so it was a good excuse to cut the run a bit short before panic sets in). Then it was time to pack up, and head for the Sunshine Coast to stay with the lovely Enga family -- Bjørn, Joanna and Landseer Enga. We stayed with them a couple years ago, and it really is a highlight of our trip. They have such a warm, comfortable home overlooking the ocean. We were also lucky enough to have a slumber party that included Jamie Goldman (who went on to win an event on Vancouver Island this past weekend) and Bobby McMullen (who's story is incredible -- he is a mountain biker who is blind -- if you can even imagine).















(Want to see how crazy these riders are? Here's a photo of Jamie that Brian took at Crankworx. Yeah, this is what they do!)

B.C. Vacation - Day 5

Spent part of the morning (and later in the afternoon) at Whistler Kids Blackcomb Base Adventure Zone, where H & C got to bungee jump, zip line (tried talking H into doing the big one, but he had no interest -- maybe next time), try the batting cage, and ride the luge. C developed a crazy cute new laugh on the bungee that had everyone giggling. Fortunately, he's kind of kept it, so maybe you'll get to hear it too.





































Lunch at Wild Wood Cafe where we went crazy over their mini sugar pies, then headed over to Brandywine Falls Provincial Park, where we did a small hike to Swim Lake -- absolutely gorgeous.


After a little relaxing in our hot tub, we asked the boys where they wanted to go for dinner -- so off we went to Sushi Village for more seaweed salad and box sushi! I'm already craving it again.

B.C. Vacation - Day 4

Raining and cold, but that didn't stop us. In fact, the rain brought the slugs, so we went on a slug hunt near Lost Lake. Delicious dinner at Sushi Village with Tyler and Matthieu.

B.C. Vacation - Day 3

Boys slept until 8:30 a.m. -- this could have been the latest ever. Made breakfast, then headed back to the mountain and took the gondola up to the top. We wanted to go to the peak, but H & C still are not themselves. It's an open chair lift, and we didn't want to risk it. Still, the view was amazing. It was sunny and warm -- pretty much perfect. This is our second time here (Brian's 8th, or something like that), and I just am amazed how absolutely gorgeous it is. We took the gondola back down to the half way point, and got out to watch the beginning of the Canadian Downhill event. Actually ended up going down to a rock face to watch them, and joined some British blokes in cheering them on. It's amazing how fast and crazy these guys ride! Made dinner at the condo, hopped in the hot tub and crashed.

(When traveling with kids, condos are the way to go, and usually how we travel. In fact, when we showed up to the Vancouver hotel -- which actually cost more than our lux condo -- H announced that the room was too small to have fun. Spoiled? But really, you usually spend the same amount, but have laundry and a kitchen. It just makes it feel like home).

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B.C. Vacation - Day 2

A motor coach picked us up at 7:45 a.m. and took us to the train station where we caught the Whistler Mountaineer from Vancouver to Whistler. Both boys loved it, but H in particular was absolutely in heaven. It was definitely the way to go. The 3-hour ride was beautiful and relaxing. The only downside, is that the open air observation car was closed for repair. Once in Whistler, Brian (who has some sort of rib injury from flipping over his handle bars, by they way) met us at the Crystal Lodge, where he had been staying since last Friday for Crankworx. From there, he took us to our house in Whistler -- an amazing 4-bedroom house in the Montebello complex (yes, friends, you too could have come -- there's plenty of room). We turned right around, grabbed hot dogs and gravy fries at Zogs, and went to the slopestyle event. It was a crazy scene. Fortunately, we had access to the VIP area. The kids were so exhausted they were delirious. But they were surrounded by a bunch of mountain bikers who appreciated their wild side, and got a water fight started. That evening we grabbed some take out at Opa, and called it a day.

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B.C. Vacation - Day 1

We made it! H, C and I took a 3:00 flight to Vancouver, B.C, and checked into our room at the Renaissance Vancouver Habourside. There wasn't much time to explore, but we grabbed some sushi to go, and headed for Stanley Park where we watched sea planes take off and land, and the kids got to run around and burn some of their energy after the 4.5 hour flight. Didn't get to explore, but we are very glad to be here.