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crazybatlady
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« on: May 28, 2008, 11:35:26 PM » |
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The batfamily and I are going to be spending about 10 days in BC this summer, and I would love to hear about the must-see places to visit. We are considering renting an RV* and driving around, but we can't decide where to go and need input.
Any suggestions? Thanks!
cbl
*Please don't mention gas prices. We've calculated it out and it's actually cheaper for our family to travel in an RV than to stay at even cheap hotels. And it's more fun 'cause we get to see more stuff that way.
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As always, CBL rules! All hail the CBL!
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notaprof
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Posts: 11,084
This space for rent
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« Reply #1 on: May 28, 2008, 11:45:14 PM » |
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No suggestions, just have a great trip. You have it all, mountains, forests, oceans, rivers so I don't think there is a wrong place to go.
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"That's a great deal to make one word mean," Alice said in a thoughtful tone.
"When I make a word do a lot of work like that," said Humpty Dumpty, "I always pay it extra."
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minnesotan
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Posts: 249
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« Reply #2 on: May 30, 2008, 07:20:34 AM » |
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Kayaking out to the island is a must, but watch out for bear and cougar (not the old ladies who try to pick up the young studs so much as the big, mean kitty-cats). Salmon fishing is great, and tasty (and probably a lot healthier than the farm-raised type).
Really, if you are outdoorspeople, you should have a blast!
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englitprof
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« Reply #3 on: May 30, 2008, 08:01:32 AM » |
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Oh, man oh man, cbl. I love BC, and I'm terribly jealous. If you can, take the ferry over to Vancouver Island (the youngest bat will dig the ferry, and dogs are allowed if they stay in the vehicle). Victoria is very cute and fun to walk around, and you can go on Orca-watching tours. Up island is fantastic hiking, camping, etc.
On the mainland, in the Okanagan valley, great wine.
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"Saving just one dog won't change the world, but surely the world will change for that one dog." --unknown
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canadatourismguy
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« Reply #4 on: May 30, 2008, 09:31:51 AM » |
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Whistler is a must! With all the Olympic building going on there now it is interesting to see. The town has so much energy in it right now. The Sea to Sky highway is one of the most beautiful drives on the planet (though the construction does take away from some of it right now)!
BC is so large it is hard to give more specifics unless you can specify what part of it you want to go to.
Southern BC - Day 1 - 2 - Banff/ Lake Louise (I know technically in ALTA but worth the drive and is great for kids)
Day 3 - 4 - Okanagan Valley (wineries and pure beauty)
Day 5 -6 - Whistler (great for kids!)
Day 7 - Vancouver (Roller blading around Stanley Park is a must)
Day 8 - 9 Victoria and the Island (go for afternoon tea (though depending on age of kids that may not be appropriate). The Kayaking idea is brilliant.
Hope this helps.
CTG
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On preview: Candadiantourismguy is a subversive of the first order.
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crazybatlady
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« Reply #5 on: May 30, 2008, 09:44:32 PM » |
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Thank you, everyone! I can't tell you how excited we are, and it's so much fun to plan!
cbl
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As always, CBL rules! All hail the CBL!
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fiona
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« Reply #6 on: May 31, 2008, 01:52:38 AM » |
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Victoria is gorgeous.
The Fiona
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The Fiona or perhaps La Fiona
Professor of Thread Killing, Fiork University
The Right Reverend Fiona, PhD, Bishop of the Fora
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spitfire
Junior member
Posts: 61
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« Reply #7 on: May 31, 2008, 09:23:44 PM » |
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Vancouver Island is not to be missed. I loved the (car) ferry ride from Vancouver to Nanaimo and, from there, I drove across the island to Tofino. The drive is short and beautiful, incredible stands of old growth forest and Tofino is a very pretty but low key resort town. Victoria is cute if you are into things British.
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wild_rose
Uncharacteristically optimistic
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Posts: 9,738
The thrill of modern postism!
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« Reply #8 on: May 31, 2008, 09:53:25 PM » |
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And do check out the Royal British Columbia Museum. The masks exhibit is very, very cool. |
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"[M]y toast just landed jelly side up so I think that bodes well for averting world-ending disasters. I have faith in bread although the toasted aspect may mean you're going to have withstand some heat for a brief time and some aloe jelly will come in handy." --Notaprof, the Great Seer
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msparticularity
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« Reply #9 on: June 01, 2008, 12:35:05 AM » |
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In the Victoria area - high tea at one of the excellent hotels, and (I can't believe no one has said this) - Burchart Gardens http://www.butchartgardens.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1 |
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"Once admit that the sole verifiable or fruitful object of knowledge is the particular set of changes that generate the object of study...and no intelligible question can be asked about what, by assumption, lies outside." John Dewey
"Be particular." Jill Conner Browne
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anon99
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« Reply #10 on: June 01, 2008, 03:48:09 PM » |
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If you like the outdoors, I'd suggest driving from Vancouver to the Okanagan, go through Revelstoke to Banff, up to Jasper and loop back through Prince George and the Fraser Canyon. Okay technically that takes you into Alberta, but... You'd see a lot of different landscapes and the mountains are really pretty.
Two days for Vancouver Island isn't a lot, but you can take the ferry from Tswassen to Victoria and return via Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay in West Van. The Okanagan is really nice, but in the summer it can be extremely crowded with tourists.
If you like museums and cities, Vancouver and Victoria are your best bet. If you are on Vancouver Island, I'd suggest going north to the Comox Valley as there are some really nice shops. The Museum of Anthropology at UBC is worth the trip.
Tofino and Ucluelet on the west coast are really nice. Leave a full day for travel as the road from Port Alberni to the west coast is windy and narrow.
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marzipants
Junior member
Posts: 92
amandine delight
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« Reply #11 on: June 04, 2008, 11:36:00 AM » |
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Great suggestions above, and I'll put in a plug for the Gulf Islands as an alternative or addendum to Vancouver Island. Saltspring is the largest and most developed of these, has an artsy-organic vibe and nice beaches. There are BC ferries to all the Gulf Islands, accessible from both mainland terminals and Vancouver Island ones.
Near Vancouver, Harrison Hot Springs -- easy day trip. Also, the Sunshine Coast just north of Vancouver -- Halfmoon Bay, Sechelt.
The interior of BC is just gorgeous to drive through, esp. where mountain ranges meet lakes. I highly recommend that whole stretch near Revelstoke and Salmon Arm on the Transcanada Hwy.
PS Do NOT attempt to go salmon-fishing without a licence. Salmon runs are protected.
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Hansel, where are the crumbs?
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minnesotan
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« Reply #12 on: June 04, 2008, 11:48:53 AM » |
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The Museum of Anthropology at UBC is worth the trip.
Unfortunately, not quite as worthwhile anymore. |
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minnesotan
Still just a
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Posts: 249
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« Reply #13 on: June 04, 2008, 05:24:11 PM » |
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I've seen this link before. Bot? |
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grasshopper
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« Reply #14 on: June 05, 2008, 06:28:50 PM » |
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Vancouver is a great city for tourists - the locals are friendly, and if you don't know where to start, just ask a city bus driver. They'll practically get off the bus to make sure you get a good table at their favourite restaurants.
Some places to check out:
- Open-air street market on weekend evenings in Chinatown
- Stanley Park (there's an aquarium there that any batlet would love)
- Wreck Beach
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