In 2001, the Rye family headed west. Our first stop was in Calgary where we went to the Calgary stampede and visited Calgary Zoo. We then went into the Rockies with a hike above Canmore. Traveling down the Fraser canyon brought us to Vancouver.
In Vancouver, we went bird watching with the group from A rocha, rode the tram to Granville Island and visited the maritime museum and the science centre. Traveling north along the sunshine coast, we stayed at Mermaid Cove, which was teaming with starfish.
At Alder Bay, which is just across from Alert Bay, at the Northern end of Vancouver Island we had deer, mink and seals. Best of all were the antics of three bald eagles. On Cormorant Island, there were totem poles and the masks once used in Potlatch celebrations. The Canfor railway was on shutdown so Michel and John were able to see the locomotives.
On Thetis island , we visited the pioneer pacific camp and learnt about licking slugs, saw the murals of Chemanius and stayed in Goldstream Provincial Park. This was so dry that we could only have fires for six hours a day. In Victoria, we toured the naval base and the miniatures museum.
We said goodbye to the island with a good fish and chips meal and stayed at Porteau Cove, with a beautifully located campsite between the fjord and the BC Rail line. The children made a raft from floating wood, and we toured the railway museum in Squamish.
On our way home, we camped in Mount Robson and Deborah earned her Jerry’s Ranger badge. In Edmonton, John rode the tram on the High Level Bridge and we ate at the Olive Garden. The fireworks for the end of Klondyke days were overshadowed by the biggest storm of the holiday.
See pictures of the Calgary stampede.
See pictures of Northern Vancouver Island.
See pictures of tramcar travel with John.