Being a tourist in BC

Had out of town friends visit between July 11 and 20th.  It gave me an opportunity to play tourist and show them places on the Island and for them to show me places during our drive to Calgary.   Except for the two days in Victoria it rained for most of the drip but it didn't "dampen" our spirits. 

Tour itinerary included: downtown Victoria, Whitty's Lagoon (seals), Fort Rod Hill and Lighthouse, Chamainus (wall murals and picnic lunch), Little Qualicum Falls (walk), Ucluelet and its Wild Pacific Rim Trail (we saw a pod of Orcas and black bear across the inlet from our unit), Tofino/Long Beach/Wickaninnish Inn (walk on the beach, lunch and film on Sea Otters), Cathederal Grove (800 year old Douglas Fir trees), Coombs (goats on roof), Parksville (sandcastles), Mara Lake Prov Park (picnic), Three Valley Gap (western ghost town), Craigellachie (last spike), Rogers Pass (opening of TransCanada 1962), Yoho Nat'l Park (Takkakaw Falls), Kicking Horse Pass (spiral tunnels), Lake Louise, Banff, and Lake Minnewanka.  Photo album found at https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=103340800887993076561&target=ALBUM&id=5633483108728826161&authkey=Gv1sRgCIqHl9K15aDyzAE&invite=CIrE5esH&feat=email

Long Beach is beautiful in sun, cloud or rain.  I have walked the beach twice now and both times were in rain.  It didn't stop us from taking our pictures (even of each other!!)

Linda B taking a pitcture of me

Me taking a picture of Linda B

Linda (Ontario) and Barbara (Switzerland) Parksville Sand Sculptures

In Parksville we were there for the opening of the sand sculpting competition. The opening was done with a flourish of drumming, speeches and ribbon cutting.  Last year I saw the sculptures after they were finished.  This year we were there while they were still being created.  It was facinating to watch the artists completing their creations.  The first 100 people were given a small container of Parksville sand and, as we were among that first 100 we left with our free momento.  There was a map with pins to show where visitors to the event came from.  My visitors were able to pin Ontario and Switzerland!!.



Takkakaw Falls in Yoho Park, according to Wikepedia, is a glacier fed fall and is the second-highest waterfall in Western Canada. At its highest point the fall is 384m (1260ft), a measurement taken from its base. The actual free-fall of water, though, is 254m (833 ft). Takkakaw is a loose translation from Cree meaning "it is magnificent." While there, we saw a helicopter heading off into the interior with supplies.