Whistler and more...

Brandon's cousin, Jon and his girlfriend Nina arrived on July 9th for a 10pm dinner. Brandon made all of us curry chicken (at Aunt Sheri's suggestion) which was really yummy. The boys stayed up and Nina and I went to bed.

Friday we took Jon and Nina to the Othello Tunnels where Brandon and I had visited before. They too thought it was really cool. When we were walking through the tunnels we saw a path going down the bank into the gorge so we four walked down and went swimming for an hour or so.

Othello Tunnels


Swimming Hole


Saturday we went camping just up the way from Chilliwack at Riverside Campground which was very small with only about 10 sites. Knowing ahead of time how busy the road up to Chilliwack lake and campground is, we were sure that it would be really difficult to find a campsite. We were so lucky though to pull into the Riverside place and find 1 SPOT left!! We set up our two tents and then drove up the road to Chilliwack lake where we hung out until the sun went down. We went back to the campsite and had snacks and LOTS of WINE and BEER. CRAZY night - end of story.

Monday morning we headed out to Vancouver area where we stopped at Mountain Equipment Co-Op *the greatest outdoors store ever* and then went to Lynn Canyon. There we went over a suspension bridge and walked around the forest around the canyon. Jon decided to go beyond the safe fence and pick up coins people had thrown down the canyon. It was funny to see peoples reaction and looks of disgust as he cleaned up.

Suspension Bridge at Lynn Canyon


Jon stealing the litter


After hiking around we got on the road and headed north to Squamish. We made it into town around 3pm and found Alice Lake where we were lucky to get one of the few free campsites. We set up and then I drove us all into town where we stopped at an Info Center. There we were told that a 3 hour hike up Stawamus Chief would be a great way to end the day. OH MY GOSH! At the start of the trail there was a sign to the left that read CAUTION: This is not a walk in the park...NO IT WAS NOT. This was 2hours nearly 90degrees straight up! It was like a violent stair master. There were stairs out of wood, stairs out of rocks, chains, and even a ladder. It was an amazing hike with an even better view of the inlet at the top. There was a hole in the cloud cover that let a mass of sun rays through that shone on the town below. We all could have stayed up there for hours. We made it down just as the sun set and headed back to camp. We ate our dehydrated meals that Brandon bought which included Beef Stew and mashed potatoes and then Apple crisp for dessert! It was pretty good for a meal in a bag. Not like the MRE's dad! haha.

View from Peak 2 of Stawamus Chief


Photographer Brandon's Picture of the climbers


Tuesday early we headed up to Whistler where Jon went mountain biking (b/c Whistler is the mecca of mountain biking). Nina, Brandon, and I walked around Whistler village going into many of their neat shops. Then Brandon and I wanted to go up the mountain so he got us tickets to take the Gondola up. At the first stop on the mountain we got off and took the new gondola from Whistler peak all the way over to Blackcomb peak. It was amazing. A first of its kind it stretches for nearly 2.7 miles across!!!

Nina and Me on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola


Brandon on top of Whistler


Mountains for Miles


Inukshuk - 2010 Olympic/Canadian Symbol


We said goodbye to Jon and Nina and Brandon and I headed home. We stopped at a neat restaurant where we had a nice meal together and then got on the road. We parked at a Provincial Marine Park and took pictures by the ocean and FINALLY put our feet in the Pacific. Unbelievably beautiful, the mountains shoot right into the ocean.

Sea to Sky highway view


Stop at the Marine Park


Brandon and I went to a Youth Employment Centre today for some help. Crossing my fingers for something.

We'll keep updating when stuff goes on. Hi to Stan, Carl, Mike D, Emily, Karen, Khoi, Nanz, Sandy and Victor, Stafford Ladies, Mr.Stafford, Sar, Uncle J and Aunt Sheri/Connor and Jenn(Bahaha), Grandma and Grandpa, and Mum and Dad, Moshy and Summs, Aunt GARNIE and UNCLE DAN and whoever else is keeping track. Love to all.

Amy and Brandon