Vacation in B.C.

Randy and I love to travel to the west and northwest -- probably because it is just so very different from hot, humid, gnat gnawing south Georgia. This year we headed north to Vancouver, British Columbia. Our main goal was to explore Vancouver Island, so we did not plan to spend much time in the city of Vancouver.

Our first destination was Salt Spring Island (http://www.saltspringisland.org/), and the only way to get there is to load up on the ferry. In this case, our ferry was almost a luxury model, so we had a nice 3 hour cruise, stopping at two smaller islands enroute. I had discovered Salt Spring Island by researching for the trip, and I especially wanted to visit the Saturday Market. Many artists and organic farmers live on Salt Spring, exhibiting at the Saturday Market , so I couldn't wait to get there!

I was not disappointed in the late summer fare offered on Salt Spring. Because their weather provides for almost pest-free growing, they are able to produce

extra large, perfect veggies and fruits. A feast for the eyes!

And, that's not all. Tables loaded down with artisan breads and cheeses tempted us. Artists displayed their wares, from jewelry to paintings, wool scarves, and whimsical buttons and cards. One of the cutest things at the market was the table operated by three young girls around 8 years old. They create colorful cards that depict life on Salt Spring. You know I had to purchase several!

Besides the Saturday Market, Salt Spring is a great little town with coffee shops, galleries, and restaurants with fresh, organically-grown food. All of this heaven is surrounded by water (thus, the island:) and viewable from the streets, so it feels like stepping inside a postcard. We forgot diets while on vacation and particularly enjoyed some fresh-made sugared mini-donuts being made on the street corner. Yummy!!

We stayed one night on Salt Spring at a B & B (http://www.bbcanada.com/pineplace), and explored the island more the next morning.

We left Salt Spring Island and traveled again by ferry to Vancouver Island. Upon reaching the island, we set out traveling north so that we could reach the northernmost town of Port Hardy, then trek our way back south again. There is one main highway running north and south, and one highway crossing the island to the west and the Pacific Rim National Park. The island is a thick forest of Douglas fir with sporadic spots of towns and lakes. Our favorite was Campbell River which claims the moniker "Salmon Capitol of the World". Randy takes issue with this title because he believes Alaska is the more likely salmon capitol. But, we found Campbell River to be pretty, friendly, and weobserved some folks fishing for salmon in a cold and gorgeous river. At that same spot, we encountered wet-suit clad college students diving in to try to view the salmon running up the river. They were quickly carried downstream with the current, passing the fishermen on the way. The fisherman below traveled to Campbell River from Switzerland, just for the salmon fishing.

The huge rock below was also in Campbell River. Yes, our names are now written on the rock!

We thought this fish and salmon carving was great symbolism and a fun play on the typical shots of bears catching salmon!






After leaving Campbell River, we continued south on the island, then cut across the width to the west and headed for the Pacific coast and the town of Tofino.

Another artsy, laid back coastal village, Tofino was a fun place to explore shops and grab lunch at Big Daddy's Fish Fry.



We especially wanted to see the beaches because the Pacific can be so wild and nature is in close-up view there. We were lucky there were no storms or we would not have had the good fortune to stroll the beach and climb the rocks.


This tree had been here a long time!





And, look what we saw a little later!


We were ready to head back to the ferry and return to Vancouver, bidding the island good-bye. We chose not to drive all the way to Victoria as we had visited there a couple of years ago while touring Washington state. Victoria is a beautiful city, a hallmark of British parliamentary architecture and a vibrant arts community as well. Not to be missed!

We ferried back over to Vancouver and headed out of the city--- Now it was time to conquer my last, but not least, vacation goal: walk the Capilano Suspension Bridge. It was fun, a little shaky because some airheads were shaking the bridge of course, but I expected that:) And, after walking across the bridge, we got to experience Treetop Adventures, which was also awesome. It's quite a thrill to walk amid the tops of ancient trees, some of which are over 200 feet tall.


We saw some fabulous murals. Here are a couple of them.




And, last, but not least, we went to Granville Island inside the city of Vancouver. Man, oh, man......there is a public market there that would make New York City sweat with fear. Thousands of square feet of fresh produce, fresh flowers, prepared foods, pastries, breads, spices and herbs from around the world......I cannot describe it. Randy and I just walked around in awe and then started grazing!! I finally left there with a pint of blackberries......fruit in the northwest is twice as large as here.....I was still eating those blackberries on the flight home! And, the public market is not all. There are artist galleries, eateries, business offices.....they have it all. If you can't go there right away, take a tour:
http://www.granvilleisland.com/en/node


So, our trip to Vancouver and Vancouver Island was lots of fun, and it was good to escape the daily grind for a week and just enjoy each other and the beautiful northwest.