Here are some highlights and thoughts from the sixth day of our British Columbia family vacation. Today, we drove from Sooke to Whistler.
The ferry from Nanaimo to West Vancouver is spectacular
I feel as if everywhere I turn in Canada, I'm surrounded by spectacular scenery, the kind that's big and vast and practically swallows you up with its beauty. This happened again on the ferry ride from Nanaimo on Vancouver Island across the Juan de Fuca Strait to West Vancouver. My jaw kept dropping.
Our plan was to travel from Sooke to Whistler and we had two options for returning to the mainland: 1) the Sidney Ferry just outside Victoria or 2) the Departure Bay Ferry in Nanaimo.
Google Maps will tell you that the Sidney Ferry is a faster option, but we'd traveled that route a few days earlier and I wanted to see something new. Plus, locals told us that both options took about the same amount of time.
The drive from West Vancouver to Whistler was even more spectacular
The Sea-to-Sky corridor (Highway 99) is a smooth, winding highway that's squeezed between soaring mountains and the Howe Sound, a deepwater fjord. Waterfalls pour from the mountains and glaciers spread across the tallest peaks. Fox gloves in bright pinks and purples grow along the roadside in early summer. The scenery is simply breathtaking. Vista points where you can pull over to snap photos are few so I've inserted an image from BC Tourism site above.
Whistler is a year-round hot spot for travelers
Whistler is the largest ski resort in North America and this steep mountain valley attracts people from all over the world. I figured the resort would be sleepy in summer since it's mainly known as a ski destination but on the Tuesday afternoon we visited, the village was bustling. We circled a couple times before finding a parking space. The village is densely packed with trendy restaurants and high-end shops and while the construction is all new, the cluster of buildings has the feeling of a European mountain town.
At the center of it all you'll find Olympic Plaza, constructed for the 2010 Winter Games.
We had to wait in line to get photos in front of the rings.
I forced my kids to eat Buddha Bowls at the Green Mustache
My kids were so mad at me for making them eat Buddha Bowls at the Green Moustache. But after several days of hamburgers and fried chicken strips, it was time for a veggie detox.
The Green Mustache is a vegetarian raw food restaurant with an adorable logo in the Whistler Village. Their specialty? Buddha Bowls, a pile of shredded carrots and beets, sprouts, lettuce, nuts, raisins and kale chips topped with a Goddess Dressing. The kids' menu features mini Buddha Bowls. In the end, my kids ended up liking their food. "But Mom, I don't want to eat this again tomorrow," they said.
Looking for a scenic family hike in Whistler? Walk around Lost Lake
We stopped in the Visitor Center in the Whistler Village and asked for a hiking trail recommendation. The helpful lady directed us to Lost Lake. You can walk to the lake directly from the village and access a network of trails that circle the lake and travel deeper into the woods.
Sun bathers were relaxing in a grassy lawn area that fronts a swimming beach. My kids were disappointed that we didn't bring our suits!
We walked around the lake in about an hour—perfect family hike.
The Zephyr Cafe is a rock-climbers hang-out and dishes up tasty veggie chili
A sheer granite mountain known as the Stawmus Chief (or just chief to locals) rises above the town of Squamish, an hour south of Whistler. Visible from anywhere you go in town, the Chief is massive and impressive and looks a lot like Yosemite's Half Dome. And also like Half Dome, the Chief attracts rock climbers from all over the world.
The cafe on Squamish's main drag where we had dinner seemed to be the rock-climber hang-out. All the 20- and 30-something sitting around drinking lattes had sinewy bodies. The menu features healthful eats: homemade soups, chili and big salads. I tried a vegetable salad that seemed especially healthy with a pile of shredded beets and kale chips. My kids were happy with their wholesome veggie chili.
The Best Western Mountain Retreat in Squamish has an indoor water slide
My oldest daughter was the first to notice the huge sign on the outside of the hotel. "Look! Look! The Best Western has an indoor waterslide."
My daughter and her brother started squealing with delight as if they'd received a litter of puppies for Christmas. Our baby joined in with cheers even though she had no clue what all the excitement was about.
The excitement was elevated to an even higher level after we checked in and the kids took a look at the pool. "Wow! That's a real waterslide, like the kind you find at a waterpark."
And my kids are right. The Best Western Mountain Retreat has a full-blown giant yellow water slide with hair pin turns and rushing water leading into its swimming pool. This isn't a backyard slide. This is the real deal and my kids quickly changed into their suits and spent a good hour before bed time going up and down the slide.
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