BC Vacation – Random Thoughts

Here is a collection of my thoughts, jumbling through my wee little brain, about our glorious British Columbia vacation (in random order).

• There is such a thing as a sunny day in British Columbia.

• Luggage is heavy.

• My road-traveling stamina leaves a lot to be desired.

• When I am in a turning and rocking boat, it is especially challenging to take good pictures with a telephoto lens.

• The beauty of digital photography is that you don’t spend money on film and processing anymore.

• Bears could care less about people when they are busy fishing.

• Natural Habitat Adventures is a great nature tour company.

• I know where my delete button is on my camera and also know how to use it.

• After spending quality time immerse in natural beauty, the big, impersonal city of Vancouver was a letdown.

• I love riding in a helicopter.

• When the helicopter pilot flat-out zips through a mountain canyon like a Star Wars fighter pilot, I love it even more.

• I enjoyed being with my sweetie and making memories.

• A postcard stamp in Canada costs $1 and 12 cents tax.

• I missed blogging and I didn’t miss blogging.

• Vancouver is a very expensive place to live.

• Traveling is lot more fun with a Kindle.

• It is nice to be able to take electronic gadgets with you on vacation, but packing all the power cords puts a twist in your knickers.

• Each bear looks surprisingly different.

• We over-packed, again.

• Never underestimate the small and quiet moments, particularly while you are sipping hot coffee on your cabin porch and watching the changing sunrise light on the mountains.

• We said “thank you” prayers for our great travel guide.

• Adjusting to unexpected events provides welcomed opportunities for adventure.

• We are too tightwad to pay Westin’s outrageous charges for internet access.

• The Tweedsmuir Lodge staff was terrific.

• I ate too much.

• Canadian beer is quite tasty and refreshing.

• It will take me a long time to go through 30 gigabytes worth of photos.

• A trip out to Stanley Park in Vancouver is worth it to see the totem poles.

• Small group tours are much better than large group tours.

• We now know about a (secret) shuttle between O’Hare airport terminals.

• Bears are very nimble and fast.

• We made new friends.

• The Fairmont at the Vancouver airport was gorgeous and quiet as a mouse.

• My bionic knee held up quite well.

• Canadian Mounties are quite charming, handsome, and friendly, regardless of whether they are rescuing folks from a wayward flight or standing guard over a male bear that just had a fight with a momma bear.

• Drift boat guides work very hard for the money.

• “The Hill” gravel road between Anahim Lake and Tweedsmuir Lodge (Heckman Pass) is guaranteed to wake you up.

• With an 18 percent grade, “the Hill” is not really a hill, by any stretch of the imagination.

• I really need to have a small point-and-shoot camera for those times that I don’t want to lug around a big camera and lens.

• There was a really snotty United gate worker at O’Hare airport that didn’t give a flip that our arrival flight was delayed and we only had 10 minutes to catch our next flight.

• Eagles are quite majestic.

• It was a special treat to visit with a talented Nuxalk wood carver in Bella Coola.

• Breakfast and dinner guests facing the window at the lodge always let you know when a bear has wandered into view.

• It is a lot easier to laugh when you are on vacation.

• A picnic lunch is very welcomed after a long ride in a drift boat.

• Unpacking is tedious but should be done as soon as possible after a trip.

• As soon as one journey ends, you look forward to the next.