We're just back tonight from 6 days in BC - our first trip to the west coast, and it was awesome! From the moment we left the airport, until the plane took off this morning, I was in love with the place! Everything is so green and fresh - as dh said, it would be hard to keep the plants from taking over your house! I see there's lots of other people on here lately with questions on trips to this area, and all I can say is BEWARE! you will not want to go home once you get there!

We stayed 2 days in Vancouver at the Quality Hotel - Inn at False Creek on Howe St. Very near the seawall and Granville Island, and convenient to walk to Robson as well. $99 per night, which includes a huge breakfast and a handy 2-for-1 coupon book for almost every attraction in Vancouver. We explored Robson St the first evening. It was great that everything was open til about 8 or 9 pm. The next day we spent in Stanley Park and at the Aquarium, and had a late afternoon coffee at Starbucks (where else? in Gastown. That night was the U2 concert at GM Place, and as anyone who has seen this tour can attest, this band ROCKS! It was so awesome.

On Saturday morning we took the water taxi over to Granville Island and wandered around the market and the shops. I was amazed at the amount of fresh food, flowers, etc that was available. If I lived in Vancouver I would be there every Saturday AM! We headed to Vancouver Island via Pacific Coach Lines bus that afternoon. The crossing is gorgeous, all those islands.

We stayed at Marketa's B&B on Superior St in Victoria. I think that either she's expanding, or the B&B is very new, as there was a feeling of the place being under construction. Lovely breakfast and room, although not luxurious. $85 per night.

We drove up the west coast on Sunday afternoon, exploring French Beach and China Beach. Again, beautiful. The huge trees are amazing.

Monday we took the ferry to Salt Spring Island. I think it was about $30 or less for 2 adults and a car, round trip. We spent some time in Ruckle Provincial Park, and intend to go back and camp there in the future. Then explored the charming town of Ganges, drove around the upper tip of the island, and took the ferry at Vesuvius back to Vancouver Island. If we'd known how quick and easy it is to get to Salt Spring, we would have planned to spend a night there. The trip back to Victoria is about 60 km, and again, if I'd known Goldstream Prov. Park was on the way, we'd have made plans to explore there, because it looked really attractive.

We spent Tuesday morning at the BC Museum, again, very impressed and entertained for about 3 hours (and we kind of rushed through the last bit).

Headed back to Vancouver yesterday afternoon, and took off (sniff!) this morning at 9 AM. Now we're back in the dreary brown of Alberta. I have one sad daffodil coming up!

To all who are heading that way, enjoy!