Week 12

Week 12:

Day 78:
Packed up and continued on way; destination: Kamloops. I took the scenic route, up to Salmon Arm then across to Kamloops. I arrived in town and hit the mall - window shopping for Boxing Day. I called and got some very good directions to my cousin's place, Shari & Doug's, and arrived in time for dinner. Afterward, we headed over to another cousin's place, Angela's, to visit with my Aunt Linda and Uncle Tom. Shari was just starting her weekend, so we went out for a few drinks and some music trivia before getting back to her place.

Day 79:
Another day, another ski hill. Today's destination, Sun Peaks resort on Tod Mountain, just north of Kamloops. This stop was a bit foggy, but I could still see a good distance down the slopes (unlike some others...). I enjoyed a nice variety of runs then headed back to my hosts.
Played a bit on their Playstation, then headedto the theatres to catch the movie The Siege.

Day 80:
Back to Tod Mountain for some more vertical. I really enjoyed the fresh powder, although it seems to take a bit more out of you on each turn. I was able to get in 17 runs before heading back to town.
I met with my Aunt and Uncle for a bit then had a great moose steak dinner, although the mealtime conversation would have been more lively had Shari shot a deer that afternoon like she hoped.

Day 81:
After saying good-bye to my hosts, I head off for the coast - Vancouver. Not wanting to tempt the road gods yet, I took the scenic route, and less snowy route, along the Thompson and Fraser Rivers. Before I left the Kamloops area, I did take the time to drive up to my Aunt and

Uncle's place up in the rolling hills nearby. The road was nice and twisty but I made sure to keep under control since there was no guardrail between me and a series of nice deep chasms.
I arrived in Vancouver and decided to take a trek up the 'Sea to Sky Highway' to Squamish. It wasn't as treacherous as I had expected. Unfortunately, the hotel I wanted to stay at was full - due to the change in the World Cup schedule. I also had little luck in securing a spot to camp, so I headed back to Vancouver. I was planning on skiing Whistler/Blackcomb, but with the World Cup race being held, I figured it would be too busy.
I settled in at the Sleepy Lodge in Coquitlam for the night and caught er and the last part of Forrest Gump.

Day 82:
Got up ready to experience the tourist sites of Vancouver. I started with Stanley Park and went on a hike out to Siwash Rock. I then hit the Aquarium to see at least one Killer Whale and then to Brockton Point to look at some totem poles.
My next stop was Lynn Canyon. It's right beside a quaint suburb but is quite lush and rugged. It has a suspension bridge going over a series of waterfalls with a series of trails going along the banks. After a stop at the hotel, I headed out to see two IMAX movies; one on Egypt and the other on Whales.

Day 83:
Slept in a bit then headed out to the UBC campus. Although I didn't stop in at the Faculty of Pharmacy, I did visit to Museum of Anthropology to view some artifacts anf totem poles from the area. From there, I headed over to a park near the airport and then to a mall downtown.
I continued tradition with dinner at the Keg and then caught A Bug's Life at the theatre.

Day 84:
Dawn broke on a sunny day - I think that may be a first for Vancouver. With such nice weather, I figured I couldn't waste it, so I headed off to the slopes at Cypress Bowl. There was onlyu a few runs to choose from and the lines were the longest I've seen yet, but I still got in some good runs and enjoyed the view - while it lasted. I took a break for some hot chocolate and when I got back to the chair the clouds had moved in. I was hoping the hill would quiet down after 3pm, but it was still busy, so I headed back to the hotel.
I took a relaxing dip in their 'hot pool' then headed out for more entertainment. This time, I when to the science centre to see Everest and Special Effects at their Omnimax theatre. The rest of the evening I spent typing some of this and planning my week on Vancouver Island.