Here are some highlights from our seventh day on the trip. We drove from Squamish to Chilliwack.
Squamish is an affordable alternative to Whistler
We had a fabulous visit to the tony ski town of Whistler, but Squamish, just an hour south, is much more our speed. We stayed overnight at the Best Western Mountain Retreat, where you can get a room for about $100. Hotels in Whistler cost more than two to three times as much.
We wanted to take the Sea-to-Sky Gondola but it was too cloudy
The Sea-to-Sky Gondola opened in Squamish in May 2014. The 10-minute ride whisks you up over 885 meters, offering breathtaking views of the coastal mountains and Howe Sound fjord. We had planned to ride to the top and go for a hike, but we woke up to cloudy skies and rain and decided it wasn't worth spending the money when we wouldn't be able to enjoy the vistas.
My daughter was terrified of bears on the Lion's Bay Hike
As we drove toward Vancouver, the clouds started to lift and we stopped at a small town called Lion's Bay that overlooks Howe Sound.
From the Lion's Bay General Store and Cafe, we picked up the Centennial Trail that weaves through a lush forest of trees and ferns and has a few viewpoints along the way where you can look across the sound over to snow-capped mountains.
About 10 minutes into the hike, a huge sign warned of us of Black Bears. The warning suggested making loud sounds to keep the bears away and my daughter sang at the top of her lungs throughout the rest of the hike, driving her brother crazy. Kids!
Birchwood Dairy is a kids' dream with ice cream, a petting zoo and a slide!
From Lion's Bay we drove through Vancouver and into the Frazier Valley and quickly the urban sprawl turned into rural farm country dotted with red barns and herds of grazing cows.
On the highway we saw a sign for the Birchwood Dairy with a giant ice cream cone.
"Let's stop there!" my daughter hollered from the backseat.
"I think this is a real dairy with cows," I explained. "I don't think you've ever seen a working dairy before. This will be fun!"
"Mom, I've been to Dairy Queen."
The Birchwood Dairy turned out to be a hidden gem, serving fresh, creamy ice cream made on site. The ice cream is richer than most, containing 16 percent butterfat, and comes in 50 flavors, from field of berries to coffee crunch.
Outside kids can run around on a grassy field and have fun on a play structure. My baby loved the swing.
Kids can also play around on antique farm equipment.
Baby Julia fell in love with a miniature pony at the petting zoo. Little hands can also pet goats, sheep and cows.
Fun photo opportunity!
My son thought this was funny!
Bridal Veil Falls is the sixth-largest waterfall in Canada
Everywhere you look in Canada you see waterfalls streaming down mountains. Bridal Veil Falls just east of downtown Chilliwack is one of the more spectacular falls, dropping 144 feet to the floor of the Fraser Valley in Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park.
Many of the falls you spot from the road are hard to access but this one is only a short 10-minute hike from a parking lot. A dirt path passes through a lush forest of trees covered in moss.
Dining out at the Little Yellow Deli in Chilliwack is like eating at the home of the Hobbit
The Little Yellow Deli is the type of place you'd expect to stumble upon on a hike through the forest. Maybe you'd meet a friendly garden gnome on the trail or a Hobbit-like creature and he'd direct you through an opening in a giant tree trunk that leads you into a warm, cozy home.
The interior of the restaurant is best described as woodsy, with the tables and chairs and ceiling beams all being constructed of raw, unfinished wood.
The food is healthful and wholesome. We ordered a curried yam soup, vegetarian chili and a fruit salad that was served with yogurt, coconut, chopped nuts and local honey.
The Best Western Rainbow Inn in Chilliwack welcomes guests with friendly smiles
The friendly service shines at this hotel. When my children and I checked in, the woman at the front desk gave us a warm welcome. She smiled at Baby Julia and said, "She's cute!" My two older kids always appreciate it when someone pays attention to their sister. She also recognized that we were a big group and upgraded us to a suite.
The Rainbow Inn is conveniently located off the Trans-Canada Highway just minutes from downtown Chilliwack. On the evening we arrived the hotel was buzzing with activity. JD's Lounge, was packed with people noshing on burgers and drinking locals beers. On Friday and Saturday nights, the pub hosts live music. There's even salsa dancing on Thursday nights.
The hotel rooms circle a light and airy atrium that's filled with lush green plants. A pretty swimming pool and hot tub are set amid the jungle and our room had a balcony hanging over the pool.
A buffet breakfast is included with the room and served in the Atrium Restaurant, that also offers dinner and brunch on weekends. At breakfast, we again encountered the same warm service. Kayla, a member of the waitstaff, noticed that our baby had a runny nose. She went looking for a box of Kleenex because she said the napkins weren't soft enough for tiny, sensitive noses.
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