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General Category => Discover Seattle! => Topic started by: Sportsdude on Jun 19 07 04:35

Title: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Sportsdude on Jun 19 07 04:35
Where's the really cool places to visit. I need some places to explore. lol
Right now I've got Whistler, Tofino, Okanagan Valley.

 
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: P.C. on Jun 19 07 04:50
If you're going to Whistler.....bring lots of money.

  You'll find so many places to explore within a couple hours of where you'll be living.  Are you driving here.....as in bringing your vehicle?  It's not the best situation to be in here without one.
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Sportsdude on Jun 19 07 04:53
I don't know yet. Should I? Thinking the whole metric thing might mess me up.  
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: P.C. on Jun 19 07 04:57
Very small learning curve on going metric.  

  I've been without a vehicle here, and I never want to be in that position ever again.  If you don't plan on leaving Nanaimo, you'll be fine.  But with everything spread out just far enough to not be walkable......public transportation is minimal in meeting this issue.  

  If it were me ?  I would definitely bring my wheels.
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Sportsdude on Jun 19 07 05:03
I'm starting to see your point. I wouldn't need the car for in Nanaimo stuff but if I wanted to go camping or something I'd have to get a ride. Plus I like to wander the countryside er mountain side. hmmmm
I looked on the list of cars Canada accepts I can bring my car, sweet.
hmmm
 
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Lil Me on Jun 19 07 05:10
Spuzzum :)  
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Schadenfreude on Jun 19 07 05:16
Spuzzum?

  The ferry over to the mainland is very expensive, in my eyes, especially if you're driving, but if you're looking for an interior place, New Denver, Nakusp, Kaslo.

I am not familiar with BC and even less with the Island though the Island is a place where I'd love to check out if I had the time.

  Tofino on the west coast of the Island.

The West Coast Trail if you have 3 weeks to hike the shoreline.
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Lil Me on Jun 19 07 05:16
 SD- if you're only using the car for vacations, it might be cheaper and easier to take Greyhound.
 
 I like the Kootenays.  Bit of a drive, but it feels like a world away.  Small towns (very friendly!), natural hot springs, great camping.  You'd like it, cuz there are German people there! Kimberly is a Bavarian-style town, New Denver is a former WWII Japanese Internment camp, Nelson, Fernie, Cranbrook, nice lake in Invermere...
 
 [a href="http://www.kootenays-bc.com/"]http://www.kootenays-bc.com/[/a]
   
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Lil Me on Jun 19 07 05:18
Schady- great minds think alike!
 
 SD- the ferry only costs about $7 without the car.  So travel isn't too bad if you take the Greyhound.
   
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Lil Me on Jun 19 07 05:18
Besides, didn't you say the car was going to be your sister's next year?  
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Schadenfreude on Jun 19 07 05:37
Lil Me wrote:
Schady- great minds think alike!

SD- the ferry only costs about $7 without the car.  So travel isn't too bad if you take the Greyhound.


 My mind gets better after two high octane beers. Woohoo. Try to keep up.

 $7 for what? A student? I just checked. Students under 18 get a discount. SDude I think said he was older than 18, therefore $11.95, one way. To me that is too costly for what you get, but the CEOs need their bonuses.
   


 
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Lil Me on Jun 19 07 05:39
I'm sharpest after a couple espresso.
 
   
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: P.C. on Jun 19 07 05:41
Ferry fares with a vehicle are so beyond ridiculous.  I think Island residents should get some kind of break after we've lived here for 5 years.  It is a part of the highway that connects us with the rest of our province.
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Schadenfreude on Jun 19 07 05:46
[FONT size=6]Let's start a petition to build a bridge! [/FONT]

It's only 25 - 30 km to Nanimo.
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: P.C. on Jun 19 07 06:05
[FONT size=7]NO !  Let's NOT ![/FONT]  
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Sportsdude on Jun 19 07 06:34
holy cow if we built a bridge we'd get laughed at when it falls into the strait because the island moves.

thanks for the info guys. I also didn't make this thread just for me. Other people might like to have a BC vacation too sometime.
I'm doing the Okanagan winery thing when my parents come up, dad's a huge wine drinker.
Well definately do the 3 week trail thing, I mean come on, college students have nothing to do during the summers. lol
 
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Schadenfreude on Jun 19 07 06:38
Look at what a bridge did for the potato farmers in the Maritimes.

  [img id=img style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: black 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 1px solid" alt="TinyPic image" src="http://i14.tinypic.com/4mklnc0.gif" border=0]
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: P.C. on Jun 19 07 08:16
holy cow if we built a bridge we'd get laughed at when it falls into the strait because the island moves.


We?

I think laughing at (whoever 'we' are) would not be the reaction if a bridge fell down.

  As much as the fare is a hit and an concert or event in Van is about a $500 bill (at least), I would not want to see a bridge here.  I would worry that it would take something away from the island life.    
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Schadenfreude on Jun 19 07 09:00
P.C. wrote:
 holy cow if we built a bridge we'd get laughed at when it falls into the strait because the island moves.


We?

I think laughing at (whoever 'we' are) would not be the reaction if a bridge fell down.

  As much as the fare is a hit and an concert or event in Van is about a $500 bill (at least), I would not want to see a bridge here.  I would worry that it would take something away from the island life.    Yeah, yeah, I was only joking. Careful you might start sounding like stretchedout.
 
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Sportsdude on Jun 19 07 09:09
we- canadians, bc'ers who would have most likely voted on the issue.
the people laughing- the world
 
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: P.C. on Jun 19 07 09:10
Yipes.

  That's the cruelest thing you've ever said to me Schad. [img style="CURSOR: pointer" onclick=url(this.src); src="http://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/more/bigs/c020.gif" border=0]  
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Lil Me on Jun 19 07 09:12
 Schadenfreude wrote:
[div style="font-style: italic;"]Look at what a bridge did for the potato farmers in the Maritimes.[/div]  --
 So just think what a bridge can do for the potato farmers in Ladner!
 
 
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Schadenfreude on Jun 19 07 09:13
P.C. wrote:
 Yipes.

  That's the cruelest thing you've ever said to me Schad. [img style="CURSOR: pointer" onclick=url(this.src); src="http://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/more/bigs/c020.gif" border=0]


 

 [img id=img style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: black 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 1px solid" alt="TinyPic image" src="http://i14.tinypic.com/4mklnc0.gif" border=0]

  I'm just a happy drunk. [/DIV]
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Sportsdude on Jun 19 07 09:15
why do they need a bridge? They've got the tunnel.  
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: kitten on Jun 19 07 09:42
A bridge between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.  The tunnel just takes you from New Westminster to Surrey.
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Sportsdude on Jun 19 07 09:57
oh well, its not going to happen. Pt. Roberts has a better chance of leaving the US for Canada then a fix link to Van Isle.  
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Devil on Jun 20 07 08:40
I think I would need to know what activities you want to do and what time of year.

  BC has a ton of options. For good powder skiing and not a gong show like Whistler, try Red Mountain in the West Kootenays. The Coast Mountains kick ass! there is so much man!
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Schadenfreude on Jun 20 07 08:42
P.C. wrote:
Yipes.



That's the cruelest thing you've ever said to me Schad. [img style="CURSOR: pointer" onclick=url(this.src); src="http://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/more/bigs/c020.gif" border=0]

    I'm sorry. [img title=mzmztgxnykdwjbmjozom.gif alt=mzmztgxnykdwjbmjozom.gif src="http://www.tinypic.ca/files/mzmztgxnykdwjbmjozom.gif"]

 
 It was not funny.
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: purelife on Jun 20 07 10:19
Does anyone know how long is the drive to Kamloops?

  Sports, you could also rent a car.  You could drive along the TransCanada Highway and it'll lead you to all sorts of wonderful vacation spots like Harrison Hot Springs, the National Parks, Banff, Kelowna, Calgary, etc.

  Whistler-Blackcomb, yep, you are going to need tons of money if you're planning to ski and/or go tubing.  

  You could always hike the Chief up in Squamish if you want a better challenge than what Grouse Grind offers.      
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Lise on Jun 20 07 10:24
Love that Gandalf gif! Big fan of LOTR so you get a bless point from me.

  I nominate Tofino. What else. Great spot, truly one of BC's hidden treasure. It's not as touristy as say, Whistler, though it's getting there. Very quaint. Problem is getting there if you haven't got a car.

  Whistler. Whistler... hmmm... I'm not sure what to make of this. On one hand, it's truly beautiful. Awesome in winter (more so) and in summer. Prices are ridiculous considering what we paid for hotel accommodations like one year ago. It just keeps going up and up. Try it once if you haven't been there but I'm not sure if I would go back there year after year after year.

  Victoria. Wonderful city. There's so much beauty there and the folks are so nice. Seriously. It's not like in Vancouver where it's rush, rush, rush. People are more laid-back for some reason. It's a nice pace. You can always go visit Seattle or Las Angelas from the port there. Definite must-see.  
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Sportsdude on Jun 20 07 10:57
 purelife wrote:
Does anyone know how long is the drive to Kamloops?
 [/div][div]  [a href="http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?go=1&do=nw&rmm=1&un=m&cl=EN&qq=hltF3hzNT9tNhURP0HLlhh9UYBmHRqyBceg4Gkon14D8uewLk7pjHQ%253d%253d&ct=NA&rsres=1&1y=US&1ffi=&1l=&1g=&1pl=&1v=&1n=&1pn=&1a=&1c=New+Westminster&1s=BC&1z=&2y=US&2ffi=&2l=&2g=&2pl=&2v=&2n=&2pn=&2a=&2c=Kamloops&2s=BC&2z=&r=f"]http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?go=1&do=nw&rmm=1&un=m&cl=EN&qq=hltF3hzNT9tNhURP0HLlhh9UYBmHRqyBceg4Gkon14D8uewLk7pjHQ%253d%253d&ct=NA&rsres=1&1y=US&1ffi=&1l=&1g=&1pl=&1v=&1n=&1pn=&1a=&1c=New+Westminster&1s=BC&1z=&2y=US&2ffi=&2l=&2g=&2pl=&2v=&2n=&2pn=&2a=&2c=Kamloops&2s=BC&2z=&r=f[/a][span style="text-decoration: underline;"]

[/span]3 and a half hours[span style="text-decoration: underline;"]
[/span]
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: purelife on Jun 20 07 10:59
Yes, I could've googled mapquest but I wanted to know from someone who actually drove there because mapquest is not always that reliable.  Sorry, should've clarified.
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Schadenfreude on Jun 20 07 11:02
I've done it. 3 1/2 hours taking the Coquihalla.
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: purelife on Jun 20 07 11:10
Ok, cool.  Thanks SD and Shadey.  
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Sportsdude on Jun 20 07 11:15
no probs.
Thanks for the idea of renting a car. d'oh.
Don't they have student rates for skiing? I remember reading somewhere they do.
I want to surf in Tofino first though, but I need a wet suit. lol
 
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Sportsdude on Jun 20 07 11:17
(http://chowtimes.com/photos/2006/11/_MG_8865_edited-1-thumb.jpg)

big fishy
 
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Schadenfreude on Jun 20 07 12:14
One day I'm going to drive out to Harrison and check out the world class sand sculptures.
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: purelife on Jun 20 07 12:16
Oh you'll like that Schadey!  They are truly amazing!  
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Sportsdude on Jun 20 07 12:17
Kamloops looks awesome.

 
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Schadenfreude on Jun 20 07 12:21
Sportsdude wrote:
Kamloops looks awesome.


 What part are you looking at?

 I find it rather ugly.

 


   
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Sportsdude on Jun 20 07 12:30
or am I getting confused with Kelowna. Which ever one has all the wineries.  
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Schadenfreude on Jun 20 07 01:00
Kelowna!

  North of Kelowna on Hwy 97 is Kalamalka Lake. I have never seen water so turquoise.

The picture below is quite accurate in colour except in person the water is more spectacular.

  (http://www.ourbc.com/photos/travel_bc/kalamalka_lake_03_640.jpg)
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Schadenfreude on Jun 20 07 01:09
I was driving south on 97 just leaving Vernon. The highway is quite high above the lake and you come around a curve and wow, there it was. It was difficult to drive and stare at the lake at the same time.
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Schadenfreude on Jun 20 07 01:11
[FONT color=#0000ff size=4]P.C. I hope you saw this:[/FONT]

 

 Schadenfreude wrote:
P.C. wrote:


 Yipes.



That's the cruelest thing you've ever said to me Schad. [img style="CURSOR: pointer" onclick=url(this.src); src="http://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/more/bigs/c020.gif" border=0]

    I'm sorry. [img title=mzmztgxnykdwjbmjozom.gif alt=mzmztgxnykdwjbmjozom.gif src="http://www.tinypic.ca/files/mzmztgxnykdwjbmjozom.gif"]

 
 It was not funny.
 
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Devil on Jun 20 07 01:20
Vernon is cool. Not as plastic and jammed full of tourists in comparison to Kelowna. Kelowna is know for prairie folks puking off the back of houseboats. Mind you, Kelowna can be cool too. I am just bias to Kalamalka Lake since my homies and I have a cabin there.

  Kamloops is a good place to gas up and fill up a coffee mug, then keep going.

  Some other cool place to check out:

Nelson, Rossland, Kootenay Lake, Kimberley, Christina Lake, Salmon Arm and the Shuswap area, Yoho Park, Well's Gray, Revelstoke and the Arrow Lakes, Ainsworth, Kokanee Glacier Park, White Swan area, anywhere up the Coast, of course, Tofino and the Island.

I think the Coast Mountains kick ars on the Rockies in the summer, but that is just me.

  try to avoid Cranbrook! You will probably get stabbed with a broken whiskey bottle if you stay in that burned out town too long.

Avoid Trail, there is a smelter in the middle of the town that used to poison the valley with lead.

Merrit is a country music town, I try to drive fast through there.    
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: P.C. on Jun 20 07 02:10
 I'm sorry. [img title=mzmztgxnykdwjbmjozom.gif alt=mzmztgxnykdwjbmjozom.gif src="http://www.tinypic.ca/files/mzmztgxnykdwjbmjozom.gif"]

[/DIV]
 It was not funny.

  Awww....thanks Schad    [img style="CURSOR: pointer" onclick=url(this.src); src="http://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/smilie/liebe/d074.gif" border=0]  

       [img style="CURSOR: pointer" onclick=url(this.src); src="http://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/smilie/haushalt/f026.gif" border=0][/DIV]
Title: US Changes passport restrictions
Post by: Hobbit on Jun 20 07 02:56
There's news that the [A href="http://www.virtualvancouver.com/news/USpassportrequirementsdelayed.html"]US delays Canadian passport requirements[/A] for Canadians crossing the border. It will be at least another 6 months before Canadians crossing the border will require a passport. Anyone going to change their vacation plans as a result of this and go across the border instead of staying in BC?

  I wanted to go the States, but I don't have my passport yet. Now I guess that I won't need it. Are there still super long waits at the passport office to apply for a passport?

  As for BC vacation spots - I recommend Vancouver Island. Take a week or longer and drive all across the island and discover the beauty of BC. Ok, that's my promo for Tourism Vancouver.
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: fletcher on Jun 21 07 04:14
Sportsdude,  the Okanagan Lake area is so beautiful.  Sure hope you intend to visit there in the summer.  My particular favorite lake is Skaha Lake and its beach in Penticton on the far left side not in front of the camp ground that is there.  The far left side is still crowded but with not as many tourists.  It can be very hot in Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon.  Penticton is not my favorite town but I should think it will start to grow and upgrade like Kelowna over the next 5 years.  Kelowna has grown so much over the last 20 years it is like that computer game Sim City.  If you bring a car with you there will also be monthly parking fees, gas, insurance etc.  I am not sure what you meant by you checked to see what cars are allowed in Canada - or it was something like that.  Renting a car for trips around Van Island is doable and then taking the ferry as a foot passenger to the mainland (you need to be able to get to the ferry and to downtown Vancouver tho but perhaps that is all covered by a bus ticket, then maybe renting a car when there if you plan to travel to some of the places people have mentioned.  Hope you enjoy your time on Canada's West Coast.      
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Devil on Jun 22 07 08:37
If you make it to Kootenay Lake in early summer, just find a quiet spot by a lake somewhere and take a breath. I don't know if you will find a fresher breath of air? There may be some residue in the air from the locals, but its all good!
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Sportsdude on Jun 22 07 10:06
wow, awesome lake.  
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Devil on Jun 22 07 10:24
While there, you can check out Nelson, probably one of the most unique towns in BC...or Canada for that matter. Ainsworth Hot Springs has cool little caves too.
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Sportsdude on Jun 22 07 10:26
oh I love little mountain towns.  
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Devil on Jun 22 07 10:29
Nelson is cool. It is kind of an anti-establishment kind of town. The residents are always in the news, trying to keep chain stores and crap out of their town. I respect that a TON!

Their main street has a lot of art galleries, indy coffee shops, hemp shops, etc.

That being said, there is a Sprawl Mart at the local mall.
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Sportsdude on Jun 22 07 10:33
cool! my kind of place.
I'm all about local businesses then regional and national stores.
That's my 'canadian nationalism' coming out. lol
 
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Sawdust on Jun 23 07 04:07
I can't believe nobody has Spuzzum on their list.

  edit. And let's not forget Yak! (http://discoverseattle.net/forums/richedit/smileys/Other/8.gif)  
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Sportsdude on Jun 23 07 09:04
 Sawdust wrote:
I can't believe nobody has Spuzzum on their list.
 
edit. And let's not forget Yak! (http://discoverseattle.net/forums/richedit/smileys/Other/8.gif)

[hr style="width: 100%; height: 2px;"]
LOL!!! I just wiki'd Spuzzum. Got to stop there now.

Spuzzum
is a tiny speck of a town in [a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Columbia" title="British Columbia"]British Columbia[/a], [a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada" title="Canada"]Canada[/a] on the [a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans-Canada_Highway" title="Trans-Canada Highway"]Trans-Canada Highway[/a], approximately 50 km (31 mi) north of the community of [a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hope%2C_British_Columbia" title="Hope, British Columbia"]Hope[/a], thus is often referred to as being "beyond Hope". Immortalized in the early [a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980s" title="1980s"]1980s[/a] by the band "[a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Six_Cylinder&action=edit" class="new" title="Six Cylinder"]Six Cylinder[/a]" in a song with the refrain "If you haven't been to Spuzzum, you ain't been anywhere."

LOL!

can't find any info on "Yak" though. bummer
 
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: BC Tourism on Jun 25 07 07:19
Correct spelling is Yahk.

You can go to the local gas station and get a T-Shirt that says "I've Been to Yahk and Back".

Between Creston and Cranbrook.
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Sportsdude on Jun 25 07 01:53
[a href="http://www.hellobc.com/en-CA/default.htm"]http://www.hellobc.com/en-CA/default.htm[/a]  
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Lise on Jun 25 07 04:41
Throwing in Harrison Hot Springs since I just went there. Festival of the Arts coming in July is you're heading there next month.

  [A href="http://www.harrison.ca/harrison/"]http://www.harrison.ca/harrison/[/A]
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Hobbit on Jun 27 07 12:09
 


 Lise wrote:


 Throwing in Harrison Hot Springs since I just went there. Festival of the Arts coming in July is you're heading there next month.

  [A href="http://www.harrison.ca/harrison/"]http://www.harrison.ca/harrison/[/A]
Maybe you can add some reviews to the [A href="http://www.virtualvancouver.com/businesses/Harrison_Hot_Springs/"]Harrison Hot Springs listings[/A].
 
Title: BC Ferries
Post by: Brent_Spiner on Jun 27 07 12:12
If you're going to Vancouver Island then be sure to check out [A href="http://www.virtualvancouver.com/news/bcferriesschedule.html"]BC Ferries[/A] new schedules. Some of the sailings are ten minutes earlier, and they've added more summer sailings. The new schedules should be posted at [A href="http://www.bcferries.com/schedules/"]BC Ferries[/A].  
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Gopher on Jun 27 07 12:14
Sure thing, Data
Title: Re: BC Vacation hot spots
Post by: Devil on Jun 28 07 12:17
Another cool place is Kicking Horse Ski Hill after a big snow in Golden. This hill is sweet, and is not too busy. I think its because the road to it is a death trap in winter, but hey, you only live once.

Amazing country in the summer too. White water rafting, hiking, and wicked mountain biking.

  [A href="http://www.kickinghorseresort.com/"]http://www.kickinghorseresort.com/[/A]