Vancouver to Port Alberni to Ucluelet September 20, 2016

A year ago I went to a Room to Read fundraiser and actually won two nights at Whiskey Landing Lodge in Ucluelet.  

I had been in Ucluelet in June and had stayed at Water's Edge where my timeshare has units.  

But Ucluelet is a place that I always enjoy visiting.

It was a beautiful day as you can see above by the sunrise about 7 am.

It was a perfect day for a ferry ride.

Our first real stop was at my friends since high school, Art and Jenny who have a hobby farm just outside of Port Alberni.  Above those are actually buzzards.

As you can see there is lots of not so wild life here as well!

After lunch and a tour, we went on another adventure to McLean Mill.

It was not really open officially

but he had fun wandering around...

looking at what was once a thriving lumber mill and has now been made into a community based attraction.

We saw where the McLean family once lived

Below is what was once the office...

We really enjoyed our visit. And then we were off to Ucluelet. My first visit to Ucluelet was in 1980 and Art and Jenny and their children were living there as Art taught high school French there for five years before they moved to Port Alberni.

Whiskey Landing is right on the waterfront in Ucluelet

and our lovely suite had an amazing view

as you can see!

We were quite content to just watch the world go by

and enjoy!!!

Stay tuned for Day 2!!!

Whistler to Vancouver, September 12, 2016

It was quiet when I awoke Monday morning

not in Vancouver but in Whistler

Above was my view...

When I left my first stop was Portobello's for a latte

and I was off for a morning walk

It was just lovely and just a bit crispy but honestly it had been colder in the morning in June when I was up there!

When I was walking I noticed a sculpture that I hadn't noticed before part of a program of public art in Whistler

You can read more about Jeri here.https://www.whistler.ca/culture-recreation/arts-music-and-culture/public-art-program

As I turned on to a trail that was quite deserted, I began thinking that there was a possibility of a bear encounter.  Just then I heard a bell worn by a young dog, quite a good idea I thought...

As I walked through the grounds of the Four Seasons hotel the bear possibilities were definitely reduced!

After breakfast, I attempted another swim but the pool was being cleaned so only the hot tub for me and then I packed up but went over to Lost Lake

for another walk

and then i did a stop in the Lower Village

And then I was Vancouver bound

The drive couldn't have been more beautiful.  It is easy to see why the Sea to Sky Highway is often called one of the world's most beautiful drives, of course in this direction you are going Sky to Sea...

You are beginning to see signs of fall...

I was able to get back home by 3:20 (the trick is getting over the Lion's Gate Bridge by 3:00 before rush hour or just waiting until rush hour has passed...

That evening it was time to celebrate a friend's birthday 

so we went to Jericho Sailing Club where the view is lovely and then a bit of a walk at Locarno Beach below.

I couldn't help but think what a beautiful day it was...

I hope you enjoyed

the getaway!