ellen griswold

Can somehow help me plan this part of our itinerary?<BR><BR>We have ressies at the Lodge in Olympic National Park, and plan on spending a couple days there. We will be coming from Canada's Glacier NP. We hope to also explore Vancouver AND take a whale watching tour.<BR><BR>Can someone tell me in what order we should do all that? And the traveling time, logistics etc? We're trying to maximize our exploring time while minimizing travel time, obviously! )<BR><BR>Thanks so much!!!

gary

You didn't indicate how much time you have between Glacier Park and the Olympic Peninsula. It appears that Vancouver will be your only urban destination and is that something you want to make a part of this vacation or something you're generally trying to avoid? An overview of Vancouver can be done in a day - especially if the weather is good - but would need 3 or 4 days to truly experiance. Whale watching can be done out of Victoria or the West Coast of Vancouver Island. So obviously your trip from the Rockies should go first to Vancouver, then to Vancouver Island, then via the Ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles on the Olympic Peninsula. How much time you spend in each locale depends first on how much you have and second on your priorities.

ellen g

Thanks for the reply, Gary! We have ressies in Glacier for two nights, and the next two nights in Olympic NP. I'm willing to change those if need be, to faciliate less travel time. I agree that a day in Vancouver city will be enough ~ we'd just like a 'taste' of it, but would rather spend our time whale watching and exploring the parks.<BR><BR>So then where should we place N. Cascades? Is it better after Glacier before Vancouver, or after everything as we head back to the US Midwest?<BR><BR>Thanks again so very much for your reply!!!

gary

To make your plans at all possible you'll have to put 3 and preferably 4 nights between Glacier and the Olympics. One full day for travel to Vancouver, One Day for Vancouver then on to Vancouver Island, one day for whale watching if you do it out of Victoria - 2 if you go to the West Coast and then on to the Olympic Peninsula. <BR><BR>The cascades are pretty but except for the Volcanic cones, (Mt Baker, Mt Ranier, etc.), are pretty tame after the Rockies. I wouldn't bother spending anything but drive through time on them.

ellen g

Yikes! I realize now how right you are, Gary! Thanks ~ I don't know WHAT I was thinking! I'm going to do some shuffling and I'll be back ~ PLEASE check in here often, ok? I really appreciate it!!!!!!

g mitchell

You don't have to go to Vancouver Island to do Whale Watching. You can go right out of Vancouver ( Steveston ) Pods J,K,l are resident to the area and are the same whales ( Orca ) that are seen out of Victoria. Yesterday all 80 whales in the pods were sighted.<BR>see http://www.vancouverwhalewatch.com/<BR><BR>Also, there are some lovely hikes right in Vancouver ( Lyn Canyon Park ) and a couple of hours away is Garibaldi and Whistler. I think you will find one day in Vancouver far too short.<BR><BR>good luck with the whale sighting.

ellen

Can you give me more info about Steveston? Where is that exactly, and from where do you actually see them? <BR><BR>Are you saying you don't need to go on a boat, but they're visible from somewhere else? Details, please!! I would appreciate it VERY much!!! I've seen the website you listed, but that is also for an outfitter. <BR><BR>Thanks so much in advance!

g mitchell

There is a map to on the site I gave you and just about all the other information you will need. Don't exactly know what you mean that the site "is also for an outfitter" -- The site I gave you is a whale watching company.You almost always have to go out in a boat to see whales -- very rare to see them from shore.