Barn Burner

City stop #2

After a fun time, but a short time in Vancouver, the car was packed and MS and myself headed towards the Canada-US border.
After declaring 'an Aussie' and getting my USD$6 VISA sorted, we were able to continue along our merry way..

And then we saw it........

SEATTLE



Seattle and that Tower!

 Now, since the sun doesn't shine every day in Seattle, MS and I took the opportunity to head straight up that there tower and enjoy the views!

Queen Anne

Lake Union

Mt Rainer- didn't know they had a floating mountain as well as floating bridges?

Seattle

Now that is what I call a ferry! BNE City Cat? pfft!



Its not an easy structure to get a 'unique point of view' shot!

So those who know me, understand that its all about the food!  Here I am, in a city that is the birthplace of Starbucks and has Restaurants, Happy Hours and Pike Place!

MS took me to my first Hard Rock Cafe experience (yikes - ease up on the hard sell buddy), we smashed our way through Crab, Prawns and Mussels at the Crab Pot on Pier 57 (photos if I get them..) and I discovered the Cheescake Factory :)

Cheesecake Factory Chocolate Tuxedo Cream Cheesecake - Fudge Cake, Chocolate Cheesecake, Vanilla Mascarpone Mousse and Chocolate - Mmmm

 MS - Thank you for taking me on your Journey! I sincerley loved being your company, if only I didn't have that habit of falling asleep as a passenger in the car!

Off the Hill...City Stop #1

The morning dawned bright and beautiful, just like any other bluebird day in Sun Peaks!

Mt Tod - 5:40am Monday 9th May 2011

But unlike any other day - I was going down the mountain, to Vancouver and beyond with MS.

For the first time, I got to see the drive between Kamloops and Vancouver, around 400km of highway.

Nicola Valley



Snow covered mountain sides



Return journey - no cloud cover, the Mountains were visible!

Avalanch Tunnel (Return direction)

Once I arrived in Vancouver, I made my way to the University of British Columbia to visit AR.  A wonderful catch-up over lunch, but too short as always.  I then took a stroll around a little of the campus.
Since Sun Peaks is still blanketed in snow, there are no spring flowers yet..... But in Vancouver colourful garden beds, manicured lawns and blooming trees are everywhere you look.  After coming from the mountain it was more than a little like that moment that Dorothy crushed the witch....

Tulips and Clock Tower - UBC



Atop the 'Rose Garden Carpark' UBC

Makes me smile everytime I see one!

The Full Bouquet.

After a huge day of travelling and exploring, it was time to meet up with more friends and enjoy more food!
An amazing dinner at Joeys, started by a bottle of wine and the delightful company of MS and CS - never a dull moment with these two at the table - concluded with a win by the Vancouver Canucks and a catch-up with another equally delightful dinner guest from Brisbane.

Tuesday morning gave me a little more time to explore, so I headed in the general direction of Stanley Park.

 

DIY Breakfast overlooking English Bay and an array of cargo carriers

Stanley Park is an amazing area of conserved land right beside downtown Vancouver.  It has several lakes, kilometers of hiking and biking trails, a main highway and more critters than you can point a camera lens towards!  And I just never have enough hours in a day to explore this beautiful City Oasis fully.  Here is a sample from my 30 minutes in Stanley Park, walking around Lost Lake, heading towards Coal Harbour.

I count 15 Goslings - well done to this pair of Canada Geese!



Daddy Canada Goose...



Mother Canada Goose - she hissed at me just after this photo, so I took a hint - didnt want Daddy Goose after me....imagine explaining those injuries!

!SQUIRREL!

Great Blue Heron.

Wood Duck Pair

Mallard Pair



Mute Swan Pair - Once again, a very protective Daddy Swan.  He was patrolling the lake just in front until I stepped close to the protective net.  His mate never moved her head from under her wing...

Mine Mine Mine   Mine   Mine Mine



Coast Coal Harbour (look for the Coast Blue Swirl)

BIG BIG Thankyou to MS for taking me on her work trip to Vancouver.  It was great, and being in Vancouver reminds me of why I keep coming back to Beautiful British Columbia, and why I should make the effort to go to Vancouver more often. 

Thankyou to CS for being you!

Next Stop - Seattle, WA

Snowshoe Solitude

I know there are quite a few adventures missing from my page.... not to worry, they will get their chance!

A special adventure, just recent, is worthy of being posted now.  I finally snowshoed my way to McGillivary Lake!

Since its off season, and there is NO-ONE around, I packed the pre-requisite food, water and warm clothes for a hike alone in the alpine.  Someone knew of my plans, when to expect my return, and when they should call 911, so Mum, don't panic!

I set out with my snowshoes on from my house on Burfield Drive, taking the Valley View snowshoe trail above Fairways Drive toward the Village.

View of Burfield lift, Expo on Mt Tod, from above Mountain View Drive





Mt Tod, from Fairways skiback/snowshoe trail

 


Morrisey Quad, view up Showboat run.
Don't be fooled by the snow - ski season is actually OVER.  Thats why I'm snowshoeing......

 


Putting Green, 11th Hole of the golf course.
They removed the bulk of the snow late February, to start preparations for play in June.

 


Start of McGillivary Lake Cabin Trail for snowshoers

  Up to this point, I have already been snowshoeing for just over an hour, and haven't seen another living soul.  The signs above suggest its going to be another 2h of walking before I get to the lake cabin, and in that time I will gain approximately 700 meters in elevation!

Early elevation gain on trail

Yours Truly! All eager to keep on following the blue flagging tape to the lake.

Up to this point, I was all casual, no dramas, listening to some tunes on my ipod.......
Then I found this paw print...

Paws for concern?  No claw marks, so its most likely feline.....I didn't want confirmation!


After this, I turned my iPod off.....I wanted to listen to the great outdoors!

Undressed for Winter

 

Pussy Willows



My Destination

So, it took me 1h15m on the Lake trail, not too shabby.  Its just me out here, time to unwind and slow the pace right down...

My Feast
Homemade scones, chedder cheese and a zesty Merlot.  Cheers!

My View - Snow on ice covered McGillivary Lake.

The warming hut.  Open during winter, it has picnic tables and a gas powered heater inside.

Sun Peaks most remote toilet.  I wasn't sure why it was out here?
Then, I  turned around slightly - and found Little McGillivary Lake.

Which I walked across to re-connect with the Cabin Return snowshoe trail.  I had been following the cross country ski trails for about 500m, but decided here to head back onto the snowshoe trail.

Yes - I walked over the little lake!

Some of the return snowshoe trail is shared with the Dog Sled Teams.

I did about 14km of walking in 5h, plus breaks, by the time I returned home this day.  Amazing scenery, crisp alpine air, fresh blisters and REALLY sore shoulders from carrying my pack.

And, the lasting view for the end of my day....

Mt Tod Sunset, April 23rd 2011, from 16th hole of Golf Course.

Very Special Thanks to C & M Cannon for loaning me a pair of their snowshoes.

Very Special Thanks to JH for being my contact point in the village, keeping me safe.