July 25 & 26: Our first days in Squamish & Vancouver

We left Whistler on July 25 and headed to Dryden Creek RV Resort outside of Squamish. Squamish is surrounded on three sides by forest and towering peaks. The fourth side is Howe Sound. It is 40 miles from Vancouver.

We arrived at the RV park at noon but couldn’t check in till 3:00, so we went into Squamish for lunch. We ate at Pepe & Gringo’s--I kid you not. All Mexican décor--talavera sinks in restrooms, talavera geckos on the walls, etc. Food was excellent but not what you would expect. I had beef tacos, which were really fajitas with slices of sirloin. Forrest had a taco salad, which was really a fancy salad with a strange-tasting dressing in a tortilla bowl. Later after we checked in, we went back to town to do our laundry, which was managed by a Chinese family. After a couple of hours we were tired and ready to go back to camp, but the tee shirts still weren’t dry. Forrest suggested we just hang them up in the trailer. My big mouth was open and ready to say: “I don’t want the trailer to look like a Chinese laundry.” I can’t believe I caught myself before I became a raving bigot.



Picture 1: Vancover & Whistler are hosting 2010 Olympics. #2 View from Sea-to-Sky Hiway that connects Whistler to Vancover. #3 At Pepe & Gringo's #4 Street corner in Squamish. Ladies, you just wouldn't believe the gorgeous flowers and gardens in BC.

When we got back to camp, Forrest got out of the car and then told me to hurry and get in trailer because there was a bear. I froze and locked myself in the car and slumped down in the seat. I suddenly remembered that bears can get into cars (i.e. Yosemite). Forrest stood on the steps and gave me that “you are an idiot” look! He came back to the car and led me to trailer. Other campers chased the bear up the mountain.

The next day we went to Vancouver and fell in love with the city! In fact, we’re going to move to Vancouver if we can convince Mom to move. Just kidding!

Our first day in Vancouver--July 26

The pictures below are taken from and in Stanley Park, a huge, lovely park. Park also has access to at least four beaches.

At the Bridges restaurant on Granville Island. Views of marina from restaurant. My handsome date!



Today, the 27th, Forrest is fly fishing the Squamish River, and I am obviously working on the blog. As soon as I finish, I am going outside, stretch out in my lounge chair, and read a mystery novel.
How come the Vancouver board gets an entire building???

From Salmon Arm to Hefley Lake to Whistler

Hi Everybody,
We have been without internet for awhile so I’ve got some catching up to do. We left Banff and stayed at Salmon Arm, BC, a town about the size of Carlsbad. I think I told you about the Shuswap Lake. Although we were surrounded by this huge lake, smaller lakes, and rivers, the fishing was lousy for Forrest. He caught some perch and small bass, which is disgraceful for a trout fly fisherman! That region is very hot--95 degrees and 80% H! We roasted the first couple of days and then we were rained on for about 7 days in a row. Forrest had more fun than I in SA--he played golf and fished. As my Poppy used to say “I was all stove up” with arthritis; however, I caught up on some reading, which is a treat since I've had my eye surgery.

(Fountain in Salmon Arm--like "Bob's Bidet" in the Pecos River. Second picture is the Salmon Arm of Shuswap Lake. Pictures from internet.)

(Golf course Forrest played. Turtle crossing is for an endangered species in the Salmon Arm area.) Golf is huge in BC--courses are everywhere. Even farmers have turned some of their farmland into Mom & Pop courses. Whistler has 3 golf courses--one designed by Arnold Palmer, one by Robert Trent Jones, and one by Jack Nicklaus.

We left Salmon Arm and headed to Hefley Lake (gradually making our way to Vancouver Island).
We adored the owner of the Hitch ‘n’ Rail Resort on Hefley Lake. He was from Scotland and kept us thoroughly entertained. We would love to go back some day. And still it rained. This is where Forrest caught his 20” prize trout!

Thorough bred ranch near Hefley Lake. ("Hey! Let's hit the road!" Chewey is anxious to leave.)

A family camped at Hefley Lake warned us not to take the road from Cache Creek to Lillooet because parts were washed out but recommended we go down to Lytton and up to Lillooet and then on to Whistler. Omigosh, the road was a nightmare--a narrow road along deep canyons, steep hills (14% grade), and all kinds of scary warnings, such as avalanche area and falling rocks. At one point we felt like either our Expedition would die and we might, too! Forrest wanted to turn back and go down to Vancouver and then up to Whistler but that meant going over Fraser Canyon!

Arrrrrrrrrrrgh!!!!!

We went over Fraser Canyon on our way to Alaska in 2000, and I said I would never, ever go on that road again. We finally decided to keep going because going back would be just as bad. Thank goodness, the going got easier, and we made it to Whistler with our lives and our car. And still the rain fell! However, we still enjoyed ourselves by sightseeing and wandering Whistler Village. (Pictures from the Whistler area.)

Who is that at Brandywine Falls? Snoop Doggy Dog? A homeless woman? What was I thinking when I got dressed?

I tried to capture the moss "carpets" on the forrest floor. Colors are faded, but trust me, it is beautiful. From Whistler to Vancouver, the forrest is a rain forrest.

Those who have camped with Forrest should get a kick out of this picture of him pouring torch oil on fire. He has nearly burned down more than one campsite in our years together starting fires. (-:

I attended the July 24th board meeting via phone from Whistler BC. Notice I am looking at the laptop. Our board books we get before each meeting are now being downloaded on the internet. I spent much of the day reading the info in the "book" and then was able to follow the agenda during the meeting. The picture also gives you a look at our campsite and area around.

July 11--Lake Louise gondola ride and more grizzlies

The last day at LL we took the gondola ride and what a magnificent view it gave us. We could see many of the mountains and glaciers. We also saw a mother grizzly with her cub.

These pictures above are two views of Lake Louise.

Once again Forrest set up the tripod and took about 6 pictures of us and I AM not kidding. Half the time, as we are grinning stupidly at the camera, someone would walk between us and camera.

Wondering what I am saying to Forrest--"This is the last picture or I am throwing the damn tripod down the mountain!"

We then drove into Banff Town because I couldn’t leave without seeing Banff Hot Springs Hotel. I didn’t take any pictures because my camera couldn’t capture the building in its entirety. However, I have downloaded a picture from internet. The hotel has a fascinating history and really is the reason for the park. Of course, I know this because I am a big nerd who watches PBS, Discover and History channels. The other pics are of the Bow River and Bow Falls, which are behind the hotel.

We are now camped outside of Salmon Arm, BC. Today we are going to a much smaller lake than Shuswap and canoe (is that a verb, too, and fish). By the way, Shuswap’s shoreline is 500 miles (I think I sent an email saying it was 250 miles) .