Day Two..Whistler and more

Our first night in Vancouver found us experiencing the first stages of the sun doesn't set very early. It is almost 10 p.m. before it starts getting dark. Suffice it to say the boys did not get to sleep too early, but Dad and Janie crashed around 10:30.

The next morning Dad and Janie hit the gym and watched the Swiss team beat the favored Spaniards in the World Cup match. Then we rousted the boys around 9 a.m. (Drake was a half hour slower) for breakfast Hampton style. After breakfast all showered and we packed up the Dodge Van (we were the first renters, so the engine still smelled like it was burning off rubber, steal, etc.) to head out for the Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler. This is the ski resort where all the Olympic downhill races were conducted. The scenery is something that words and even pictures do little justice. We noted several potential stopping points for the trip back and after a little more than 1.5 hours (100 Kilometers) we were pulling into the Whistler Village. In many ways like any ski resort, however the valley is dense with trees and you really see very little of the buildings and the moutain still covered in snow at the top was really something. The resort has two mountains with a gondola that crosses between the peaks.

After a quick drive around the village getting our bearings we headed back down the road a few Kilometers (talking Canadian terms here) to the Boston Pizza place Drake spotted. Lunch was gourmet pizza at it's best, yum!! However for the hungry bears it turned out to not be enough, so a decision to search out Ice Cream was made for later in the day.

After lunch we leveraged a village map we picked up at the Pizza joint to find the Olympic Tube Park where the Luge and Bobsled events events were held. The facility was closed, but that did not keep us from walking around the area and getting a feel for the area. Without any snow what so ever the place looks quite different. Amazing what the snow covers that shows in the summer. In the picture of the boys you see an exact replica of what the course is made of and the size. Starting in late June, the facility will be open for tours, bummer!!

We then started our trek back towards Vancouver. We of course started stopping at the places we noted starting with the Whistler Sign Janie had to have a picture of with the mountain in the background. There were quite a few picture spots along the road to take in the mountains and valley that as you head to Vancouver slowly slopes to the inlet water. Breath taking!! Along the way we also stopped at Shannon Falls where we took a nice hike to an amazing waterfall. The scenery was beautiful as you can image. Jaine loves the various formations you see from the uprooted trees and those that grow at angles searching out the sun light. Logan is standing next to one of the beautiful pines in the area with some deformaty. After hiking into the woods, we came to a spot where we could feel the mist coming off the waterfall and a great place for pictures.

We stopped at a few more places and took pictures of the great views of the mountains. We also went to a Fish Hatchery, but it was closed by the time we arrived. We made our final stop of the day at Horseshoe Bay where BC Ferries run daily. We were promised by Janie that we would have ice cream in the afternoon and we finally spotted a Baskin Robbins. We all enjoyed our ice cream cones and watched a couple of ferries come in and out of port. The boys were amazed at all of the vehicles that came off the ferry including Semis.

We hit the hotel and the boys and Dad had a few friendly games of ping pong and fooseball. Logan and Janie played also and Logan beat her, but just by a little. Then on to dinner right across the street at an English style pub. Unfortunately, when Drake's meal was served, the dip was spilled all over him including top and shorts. The waitress claimed that had never happened before, but we all suspect it happens often. Oh well, Janie is planning on doing laundry before we hit the cruise ship and we got Drake's meal half price.

Now we are getting ready to head out to pick up Sara from the airport. Her flight arrives at 11:15 p.m., so a late night for all. Can't wait for tomorrow which will be filled with new adventures. Maybe even Janie can get her street vendor Hot Dog.