In Calgary

We left the Seniors' place this morning  and headed towards Calgary. We stopped at Golden to buy food for a picnic but both food stores in town were included in a power blackout so we bought some junk food elsewhere and carried on.

In Yoho National Park we went to Emerald Lake where we proceeded to hike around the lake (a distance of 5 km.). After that we fought the hoards of  bussed in Japanese tourists to get a view of Natural Bridge waterfall. Both the lake and the falls are nice and it is the first time we had been there.

We arrived in Calgary about 7 PM.After a quick meal at Sunridge Mall food court we went to our hotel, checked in, spent some time in the hot tub then came up to the room.

And ANOTHER change of plans

We were awake this morning and were enjoying our breakfast when Caro phoned our friends Jim and Glenda Senior in Sicamous to see if they were home. They were, and invited us over so we headed east instead of north,intending to have a short visit then carry on home. However, soon after arrival we  were invited to spend the day and evening with them so plans got changed again!

The  afternoon was spent on the Shuswap Lake in their boat.OMG...

A photo below is of a native pictogram located on the lake.

After a evening BBQ and adult beverages we shut it down at midnight. A wonderful day with great people.

Another change in plans

We left Cowichan Bay this morning and caught the 11 AM ferry at Victoria for Vancouver. The ferry takes the same route as our zodiac whale watching tour on Sunday but we didn't see any Orcas this time.

We landed at Tsawwassen and drove to White Rock anticipating an overnighter there, While we enjoyed the boardwalk and walking the main street there just wasn't enough to keep us there so we decided to head home.

Tonight we are in Kamloops  after another gorgeous day drving. Love the Coquihalla at 120 K/hr!

A bowl of chowder at Joey's Only and that is it for tonight. A long day tomorrow.

A extra night in Cowichan

We got up this morning anticating leaving but couldn't bring ourselves to actually pull the trigger!  It was too beautiful as we sat out on our veranda looking out over the water. We booked another night here (different room) and then left for the day.

We stopped in Duncan to shop and fill up the vehicle then proceeded to Chemainus to see the murals on the buildings. We then carried on to the Cowichan Provincial Park to eat a picnic meal followed by hiking. We got the meal finished but very little hiking done as a tremendous lightening rain storm hit the area. We tried waiting  it out but it kept raining so we went back to the coast.

After a look-see trip to Mill Bay we came back to Cowichan for some hiking at the river estuary (photos below).

Finally we had a late supper at our favourite pub; The CowCafe.. Fabulous food and service. Our waitress, Ali, was always great.

Tonight we are sitting outside looking out over a sun drenched bay, oh so nice!  Hate to leave but Calgary awaits!

More photos

Orcas!!

Well today we hit the jackpot!

Susan took us for a walk in the morning through the private school grounds near her house. Wow!

At 11:30 we were at the whale tour location and by noon we were outfitted in survival gear and in a zodiac skimming across the ocean. We wound our way through the gulf islands and ended up across from Point Roberts Washington state where the "J" pod of resident Orcas were feeding. Oh WOW.We spent about 90 minutes following some of the pod members feed,jump and flip over. Oh boy talk about great!

I got some good photos and the zodiac captain was taking  professional photos which will be available to us in a few days.

After spending all afternoon on the water we came back to town about  5 and were soon at the same pub as yesterday enjoying beers snd great pub food.

Later Murray and Susan came to meet us and we went back the same pub for a drink. Great conversation with great people!

Good Day,Bad mistake,change of plans

We left Nanaimo at about 9:30 heading to cousin Susan's place in Shawnigan Lake. After arriving there I went on line to get tonight's place in Victoria. I went to Trivago, put in todays date, found a good looking deal so clicked through to Expedia to book it (which I did). Only after completing the process did I realize Expedia had a default date of Aug 7th in their website. Sigh...non refundable... I tried to get it reversed but the hotel in Victoria refused so I will eat that cost (or get someone else to use it).DAMNNN. no more Comfort Inns in my future : (     BASTARDS

Susan, Isaac, Caro and I went hiking at the Kinsol Trestle, a nice hike to a nice location.

We decided to spend the night at Susan's and we left in early afternoon as she had plans for the day. Caro and I went to Cowichan to enjoy the town and discuss what our upcoming plans are.

We had beer and starters at a beautiful pub overlooking the bay and as we walked up the street we noticed a tour company having a whale watching tour tomorrow at noon ( they are seeing Orcas everyday).  Well that changes plans entirely!! We are booked for noon tomorrow,  will eat supper at the pub and we have booked a room for a hotel in Cowichan for the night. On Monday morning we are catching the ferry at Victoria to Vancouver where we will spending the day in and around White Rock . No Seattle in this trip.

We were back to Susan's for supper , this time including Ben (Murray is out of town this weekend so too bad)