From Toronto to Niagara Peninsula

Blog entries work best when you actually do them when you are travelling but that is not always possible but I am going to make a few attempts this trip! July 28th I set off for Toronto but there was one slight problem!







I had managed to have a slight wrist fracture just before I left. I will spare you the whole sorry saga but this was me two days before leaving.







I briefly considered cancelling but I could drive and use all my fingers so I tried to pack lightly and I could wheel my light carry on and shoulder bag. I even got to preboard the airplane though it did strike me that air travel and waiting in hospital emergency rooms have a lot in common! Oh and I forgot to mention that I was called just as I was leaving to tell me that there was a computer glitch and I didn't have a rental car in Toronto. I informed them that they had better find me one so a little later I was told I did have one with another agency-hmmm...







The Alt Hotel at the airport was fabulous-easy to get to by the airport train at 10 o'clock at night.







And really well planned and reasonably priced.







The next day I was picked up and got a car. The mall near the airport was interesting as it was a bit like being in India!



Soon I was out of town and heading for the Niagara Peninsula and a visit with my cousin Janice and her husband, Gord, but I made a stop in Jordan for lunch







































and a bit of wine tasting and shopping! It is such a pretty spot! And I recommend Cave Creek's Sauvignon Blanc and the fudge in another shop.









I loved this literary masterpiece!







On the way back to the highway I stopped at Upper Canada Cheese and enjoyed tasting and bought some delicious cheese!







I got off the Queen Elizabeth Highway at Niagara Falls as I wanted to catch a glimpse of this amazing natural wonder again.







Growing up in Quebec we would make semi-annual trips to the Niagara Peninsula visiting various relatives on both sides of the border but the falls never cease to amaze me.









I love the drive along the Niagara Parkway to Fort Erie















soon after turning up Dominion to Ridgeway I reached my cousin's house and met her adorable cat, Bailey!

Vancouver to Christina Lake June 28,2014

Initially friends were coming from Australia who had been here on exchange long ago and we were planning a road trip to visit our friends, Elaine and Terry who had moved full time to Christina Lake. Unfortunately, health concerns made them postpone the trip but I decided to go on my own.






It had been a long time since I had done a long road trip solo and never one alone on twisty up and down Highway 3 but I was game. The trip can be done in seven and a half hours but it took me about nine and a half. I like to stop every hour or so!







First stop was Chilliwack about 103 kilometres east of my house in Vancouver. I picked up travel brochures for reference!







It is a beautiful drive to Hope where you switch from the Trans Canada to Highway 3.






From Hope you head to Manning Park where they have amazing trees!








The weather was interesting, sometimes threatening rain, and the skies were amazin









in the park they remind you about grizzly bears...








Cross Country skiing is popular here in the winter






I saw vintage cars so I think there must have been a rally.






My next stop was for lunch in Princeton but I didn't take a picture. But you do hit some lovely scenery after Princeton and you can see how it is getting drier.
























Here is Hedley, where you can visit a once operating gold mine, but I didn't have time to stop.
















As you approach Keremeos, you see lots of signs for fruit stands and wineries. we are now in the southern Okanagan valley.












I decided to stop at a winery with a beautiful view














and I liked the name. and I purchased a nice rosé.












After many threats it finally did rain!











But since we we coming into Osoyoos which is in Canada's desert, it stopped!













I checked out this resort and winery for its lovely view as well.























As you climb up the mountains east of Osoyoos it really is spectacular.


















And then once again it gets very green!







Greenwood is BC's smallest town but again I still had a long way to go so I didn't linger.









I did stop at this pretty park for a minute before I got to Grand Forks







and finally I arrived at my destination, beautiful Christina Lake.







Stay tuned for more...
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Whistler July 9-10, 2014

Wednesday a friend, Liz,  and I went up to Whistler to stay overnight. We both wanted to try out the new Sea to Sky gondola near Shannon Falls. I neglected to take a picture of the gondola itself unfortunately!  But here we are on our way up!



It was an amazing view and certainly an easier way to "climb" the Chief.  You can climb up and ride down or ride up and hike down.  If you have a dog he can only ride down!


Some gorgeous views of a beautiful area!


And it always helps to have a spectacular day!



Those mountains are so gorgeous!  And yes there is a a suspension bridge.  I don't always like suspension bridges but this one was fine and amazing views of course!  It is 100 metres long...





In addition to beautiful views, there are guides who give you lots of interesting information and there are lovely hiking trails of course.  And there is a restaurant if you are hungry!




I love that view of Howe Sound-glaciers give that water that amazing colour!



I liked the tree above!










After this pleasant adventure we drove up the spectacular road to Whistler but stopping first for lunch at Nike Lodge on Nike Lake.  It is one of my favourite spots!







Here is where we were staying at Club Intrawest in the Upper Village




We headed almost immediately to the pool!





The next morning after another refreshing swim and breakfast we headed off.  Below is a bit of a view of the side of the Chateau Whistler and the Upper Village




You can see Blackcomb Mountain here from the Upper Village.  Whistler has not one but two amazing ski hills!




It is a very pretty walk into the village.  It looked very different than when I was here in the fall!



In the Lower Village now...





A favourite place for all is Cows, originated in Prince Edward Island, it has fabulous ice cream and some rather nifty gift ideas as well!







The flowers are lovely in Whistler







Memories of the 2012 Olympics







After a little shopping and lunch we headed back towards Vancouver.








And someone was waiting when I got home!


I hope you enjoyed your visit!