A Day in the Life

 After a great continental breakfast at the Riverside Inn, Kamloops, and packing up the van, I was intending on enjoying the rest of my coffee in a lounge chair here before driving to Vancouver . . .  the boys had cooperated in helping to load the van and Jackson tried to hand me my coffee cup.  Unfortunately, it slipped and the lid came off and spilled all over the table and Xavier's journal.  Oops.  So we cleaned up and headed off with the journal on top of the luggage and the back windows open to dry the pages. 

 We (again!) had chosen the scenic route instead of the the toll highway down to Vancouver.  We anticipated about 6.5 hours on the road, plus stops.  We were intending on stopping in Whistler for lunch and then the Capilano Suspension Bridge on our way into Vancouver.  We found the "highway" we were looking for was filled with one lane bridges, construction, and a deep canyon next to the road with hairpin corners and 30kph and lots of signs saying appropriately  "SLOW".  Dave took over the driving near Lillooet.  Quite entertaining with a heavily loaded mini-van and a cargo carrier on the roof!  At least you felt like you were driving in the mountains. 

We pulled off at a scenic lookout here at Duffy Lake and I was ready to abandon the rest of our trip and build a log cabin right here.   I think it was reserve land though as there were no homes in the area at all.  

 A provincial park nearby had an equally enchanting view just a few minutes from the parking lot.  And in another "a day in the life of . . ." moment, just after this great photo was taken, Jack and I stood up, but Jack's foot slipped and he fell backwards, sitting down in the lake and knocking Xavier off his rocky perch as well!  So, Jack had wet shorts and Xavier had wet socks & shoes!  I hauled them out too quickly for Dave to refocus for a photo (he had been zooming in on the glacier) . . . but as you can see below, no one could agree on who's fault the accident was!  Again, no fear of any bears coming too close, the boys' argument echoed off the hillside.

Back in the car we go after changing into dry clothes.  Next stop was Whistler, about an hour away.  The boys were playing their DS games and didn't want to get out.  I pulled a Mommy's the boss card and we headed to Starbuck's for a strawberries and creme frappachino to share while the boys played in the playground.  We found the Olympic Rings photo spot and I requested that J & X go and SIT in the bottom 2 rings, one in each.  See how well they follow instructions????  Xavier insisted that he wanted to be in the top centre ring . . .  LIttle personalities shining through! 

We finally made it to North Vancouver and the Capillano Suspension Bridge.  Our boys had absolutely no fear.  Dave enjoyed walking "just so" with his feet spread wide so that the bridge wobbled and swung gently from side to side.  He tells me it's all about the rhythm . . .  The park has a great Nature Board walk area, Treetop walkway, Cliff Walk and the suspension bridge of course!

Many of the trees were too big for the boys to hug - they just managed this one!

Mom, this photo's for you!  Toes under the fence and over the edge . . .

Xavier was just running through, so I had to slow him down and help him enjoy the view!

Who's kids are these???  I asked if it felt like they were standing on nothing when they were on the glass panels.  "No, there are little squares all over it!"  This was their solution to get a more authentic experience.   Good thing we made it there for 5pm (it was closing at 6).   We saved 30% and didn't disturb too many other guests as we were some of the only people left!   The boys pretty much ran the trails entirely.  

It took another hour to drive through downtown Vancouver and make it to our hotel in Richmond, but we had a treat waiting for us - Grandma & Grandpa had arrived earlier and helped us unload the van.  We had reached the Pacific ocean and the end of the first stage of our adventure - driving out west!  It was a nice reunion . . . and the hotel had free cookies for the boys.  We made tuna and ham sandwiches in the hotel room for dinner and went to sleeeeeeep.