Campbell River, BC

A nice, easy morning, spent sitting in the coolish outside dining area of the hotel's restaurant, where we ate breakfast just enjoying a summer where we can be outside, and not hiding from the oppressive Charlotte heat.  Just a typical bacon, eggs & toast breakfast.  Nothing special, but enough to get us through most of today's adventure.

We have a helicopter tour booked with 49North Helicopters.  It is their West Coast Glacier Tour.  We drive out to the Campbell River Airport, where we are greeted by out pilot, Lionel.  Lionel is a Swiss search and rescue pilot during the winters at home, and comes to Vancouver Island in the summers to help fight fires.  Pretty much the person you want piloting you into the remoteness for the next couple of hours.  What a trip!  We cruise out above Vancouver Island, and head north-east.  Over Quadra and some of the smaller islands and through Bute Inlet.  You can see trees forever, but also where logging has happened, and where regeneration has taken place.  Pristine clear waters are beneath us, as rarely a boat is in this area.  

B Leaving Campbell River, BC

View From Helicopter Tour, BC

View From Helicopter Tour, BC

We then started the climb into the ranges, and it's not long before snow and ice dominate the landscape.  Not a building in sight, just nature as far as the eye can see.  We flew for about an hour before Lionel picked a spot to land on a glacier at an elevation of 6000 feet.  He did a couple of swooping circles looking at the landing sight before touching down.  Shittily enough, I froze, and couldn't get away from the helicopter.  I saw where we landed was a wide open space, but once on the ground, rolling snow drifts looked like major cliffs and I literally couldn't let go of the chopper.  Lionel, A & the boys wandered around for 20 minutes.  I was awed by what I could see.  Just from inside the helicopter.  It was 59 degrees up there (it was 73 back at sea level), so pleasant enough to be outside for the others.  When we took off again, we continued to climb to about 8000 feet.  Glaciers, frozen lakes formed between mountains, mile high waterfalls and white was everywhere.  We also saw a lake that had been dammed by beavers.  So much wood stopping water leaving the lake to form another waterfall.  Again it was an hour back, and the view was just spectacular.  So different to previous trips we'd done in helicopters out from Vegas tot the Grand Canyon.  The natural beauty, the steady water below and the isolation was just awe inspiring.  Once we got closer to civilization it was neat to see the golf course on Quadra Island, and how the sprawl of Campbell River extended along the coastline.  I hope the boys, at 15, understand the experience they just had, because I was still taking deep breaths thinking about it for the rest of the day.

Into the Pacific Ranges, BC

Lionel,M, L & B at 6000 feet, Pacific Ranges, BC

L, B & D, Helicopter Tour

Frozen Lake, Pacific Ranges, BC

Campbell River From The Air, BC

L, M, D & B, Campbell River Airport, BC

Lunch was had at Healthyway Natural Foods.  Amy shopped through their groceries, while the boys and I had delicious sandwiches and smoothies from their deli out the back.  The food was taken back to the hotel, and again we sat on the patio and looked east to where we had just been earlier in the morning.

We still had all afternoon, so we took a 15 minute drive out to Elk Falls Provincial Park.  There is another suspension bridge here, but maps took us to a parking lot by the John Hart substation, where we found a trail head that went up to the suspension bridge.  Early on we walked next to the Campbell River, but we then moved away for a while and started an uphill plough to Elk Falls.  It was a strenuous but enjoyable a walk trough the woods for about 2 miles.  When we finally made it to the bridge, it looked worse to me than Capilano.  The bridge looked like a long steel grate, and while a third of the length it just went to a small fenced area, not much bigger than out kitchen, that had s single small bench.  It looked like a prison.  Again, not for me.  The downhill walk back tot he car was a lot easier, and therefore more enjoyable for everyone else, as whining dad was at a minimum.

D, L, M & B, Elk Falls, BC

We went back to the hotel to clean up before heading back into town to eat dinner at Riptide Marine Pub.  Just regular pub fare here, and a great meal, but it also had access to World Cup (essential for B&L as everywhere we've stayed do not have the station that has coverage) and a view of the river, where A & I marveled a the massive cruise ships heading back into Vancouver after their journeys up to Alaska.  

After dinner we just drove south down the coastal highway to see some more of the town.  I specifically wanted to see the humpback whale sculpture, Drift, that lies by the water that is made entirely of driftwood.  It definitely did not disappoint.

Drift by Alex Witcombe, Campbell River, BC

Campbell River, BC

Big day yesterday, so no one was in a hurry to get out this morning.  And our ferry to Vancouver Island doesn't leave until 1pm, so we slid around the corner again and got some pastries from Breaka Cafe for our morning meal. 

We had to be out of the Airbnb by 11am, so we caught an Uber down to the harbor and sat by the water's edge and waited.  The boys and I wandered through some of the same area we had been in a couple of days ago, and they picked up some food for lunch.  

B&L on Digital Orca by Douglas Coupland, Vancouver Habour, BC

Goodbye Vancouver (for now)

The ferry was a bit late, but our reserved seats on the top deck, and a calm days weather, ensured a smooth, uneventful hour and a half sail across to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.  

Once we disembarked, Budget picked us up and drove us the 5 minutes to their office, and we were on our way up to Campbell Riverin a Toyota Rav 4.  The 2 hour drive north is a pleasant one.  The freeway is only 2 lanes each way, but traffic is barely minimal.   You don't see towns on the way up, as the road is lined with forestry, but you know there are places there, as the freeway has traffic lights to get people on and off.

A month ago I had never even heard of Campbell River, but a chance ad on my Facebook feed, lead me to believe this would be a good, new (I'd been to Victoria before) spot to investigate.  

It was not long after 5 when we arrived at the small marina where our Airbnb is docked.  The boat itself sits at the end of the marina, and moves too much for us city folk when the large Quadra Island Ferry comes into port.  Not long after our host left, A started feeling unwell, and vertigo and claustrophobia started to kick in.  We got off the boat and walked for a minute, before getting into the car and heading to Moxie's for dinner.  The meal was good, but I was so hungry I'd have eaten anything.  At dinner we decided we would not be able to stay on the boat, and looked for alternative accommodations.  We found the Painted Lodge just north of town.  We drove up there to take a look at it, and they had a great loft style room for us.  The property is right on the river, very quiet, so we booked in for 3 nights (we were originally going to stay 4 - and we may still) but it's all good.  The boys and I went back to the boat and collected all of our luggage and contacted our host.  It's a real shame because it would have been an adventure, but like my heights problem, A's claustrophobia has to be take seriously.

A long days travel earnt a good night's rest.

Australia v Turkiye @ BC Place

 It's only day 3, and I'm exhausted.  Another huge day in Vancouver.

The day started at Yolks, right next to the Airbnb, where the first of many Aussie fans were spotted leading up to tonight's big game.  A hearty breakfast before we jump in an Uber out to the University of British Columbia, where we are going to spend the morning at the Museum of Anthropology.  I had caught the bus out here in 2000, and I remember it being a blast.  A friend had also mentioned it to A, so it was a no brainer.  And it was as good as I remembered.  The Pacific Northwest Native Art is all over this place.  Totems, sculptures, paintings, I can't get enough of it.  The Museum definitely scratched an itch.

After spending a couple of hours inside, we waled around outside and found a trail which lead to some stairs down to the beach.  It's a long way down (460 steps we counted on the way back), but we thought we'd go and have a look.  The weather was good, not too hot, and we're out to explore things so we made the trek down.  Then, only 10 steps off the beach is a sign telling us that the beach is clothing optional.  Great!  We've just dragged 2 x 15 year old boys to a nude beach.  Parenting 101! I was surprised about the variety of people, and available clothing, but it was a learning experience for everyone, topped off by 2 boys squirming when we wanted to talk about it more later that day.

Museum of Anthropology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver

Bill Reid's "The Raven & First Men", 

Museum of Anthropology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver

DMB&L, Museum of Anthropology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver

We caught an Uber straight back to lunch.  The boys and I had spotted a pie shop, so Peaked Pies supplied all the Australian favorites for lunch, including a lamington.  Good food, hopefully we'll get another chance to eat here the day we come back to Vancouver.

After lunch it was a couple of blocks to be down on the water at English Bay, so we followed the path all the way along the seawall until we got to the Burrard Bridge, where we cut up to the Airbnb.  We hung there and relaxed for a while before making our walk over to BC Place for the World Cup match of Australia v Turkey (the reason we're in Vancouver)  I wanted to take one of the little ferries down to the stadium, but L was insistent that we walk.  And I'm glad he won that argument.  The city , from Granville Street onwards was jumping.  And chock full of Aussies!  There is a much larger contingent of my countrymen than I thought.

We reached BC Place near 6.30pm - kick off is not until 9 - but we just soaked it all in.  There are a ton of Turkish fans here as well, and the atmosphere is electric.  There is is positive energy coming from both fans.  We lined up for some merchandise for the boys, each one of them got a either a home and away Aussie shirt, and B took a half and half scarf as well.  Overpriced, but delicious, meals were bought before we walked down to our seats.  Wow!.  We are 6 rows from the field and sitting in line with the 18 yard box.  I was like a kid in a candy store.  My American family decked out in Aussie gear (though it may not go that way next week).  The Aussies warming up right in front of us.  At the same end, but the opposite side as the official Australian Supporters Group, whose yellow wall dominated the landscape of the crowd.  The crowd built and built, and BC Place was packed at kick off.

BLM&D inside BC Place, Vancouver

DBL&M, BC Place, Vancouver

I was surprised Mat Ryan had been dropped.  The captain left out for a young Patrick Beach.  Not sure what that was about, but not the start I thought  Turkey attacked our end of the field in the first half.  Not that the Aussies were walk overs, but the Turks dominated possession - yet.  Especially Baris Yilmaz, playing on the left wing in front of us.  He was a constant threat.  Italiano worked hard to keep him under wraps.  Then a hydration break changed the whole game.  Turkiye had a cross they volleyed, and new Aussie keeper Patrick Beach made a good save.  15 seconds later a long ball put Irankunda through on goal.  Two touches from him, and he slotted the ball past the Turkish keeper.  The Aussies are up 1-0 in the 27th minute, almost against the run of play.   The Turkish fans, while outnumbered 60/40, had been loud up until this point.  Whistling and booing every time we had the ball, and chanting every time the Turks pushed forward.  They remained relentless all through the first half, even after going down.  3 minutes after our goal, Turkiye's Bardakci blasted a left footed shot from outside the box, only for Beach to push it on to the woodwork and keep us in front.  Phew!  Irankunda had another chance just before the break, but his shot was straight at the Turkish keeper.  It would've been amazing to be up 2-0 at the half, but it wasn't to be.  We seemed to pick up steam after the break.  Harry Souttar dominated in the air and almost had a goal from a corner early in the 2nd half.   Turkiye's Gular was a problem for Australia.  He was everywhere and a handful for the defenders.  It was a huge relief when Beach pushed away his good free kick in the 58th minute.  Another near post save from Beach from Celik, in the 72nd minute, saw the now quietening Turkish fans start to get nervous.  Not 3 minutes later they were silenced when Connor Metcalfe picked up the ball in the Turkish half, turned, ran at the goal , and slotted in a 25 yard, left footed belter.  2-0 The Socceroos.  We were going mental!  Not to mention Metcalfe's knee slide was right in front of us.  Beach made another vital save Akturkoglu from 6 yards.  And after that, the Turkish fans were leaving quietly.  The noise at the fulltime whistle was just as loud, and we stuck around until the Socceroos did a victory lap as we all sang Down Under.  They stopped at the next section over from us.  It must have been where their families were.

MBD&L, Pretty Good Seats, BC Place, Vancouver

BC Place was rocking as we left, and the walk back to Granville Street was electric.  Aussies everywhere, singing and chanting.  But that was nothing compared to Granville Street itself.  It was a zoo.  Yellow shirts everywhere, and party mode had been hit by a boost of Aussie steroids.  What an amazing night.  I hope that is something we will never forget.

Australia 2 (N. Irankunda 27th, C. Metcalfe 75) defeated Turkiye 0

Crowd: 52,479

Socceroos 2 - Turkiye 0, BC Place, Vancouver

Vancouver, BC

Around the corner from the Airbnb is The Breaka Cafe.  A 24 hour bakery serving all the treats you could want for breakfast.  We picked up some items for a to go breakfast, including a much desired sausage roll, on our way to our walk a mile down the road to the Hyatt.

Here, we caught the free shuttle up to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.  I have been here before and successfully crossed the bridge in 2007, but my fear of heights wouldn't allow me to do it today.  Yet I watched the rest of the family cross with no problems whatsoever.  The park itself is beautiful.  The canyon is so green with trees and the Capilano River flows freely underneath.  On the other side of the bridge are elevated walkways through the forest.  I know this from the last trip here.  But today I got about 15 feet onto the bridge and turned back.  I really hate this fear of heights.  It's so irrational, and once I'm away from it, I can normalize everything that should and does happen.  But then there is a part of my brain that will physically stop me moving.  I literally cannot move forward any further.  While I wanted to push through, my immediate thought was what if I made it to the other side, but couldn't get back.  So I stayed while the other 3 spent their time on the other side.  The park has World Cup fever with soccer themed photo ops and flags of all the countries playing in Vancouver.  When they returned they did help me do the Cliffside Walk.  This was not here last time and harrowing 10 minute experience which I enjoyed only in hindsight.

DLB&M, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, Vancouver, BC

A quick Uber down the hill got us to The Shipyards in North Vancouver.  A had read there was a World Cup watch party there, and with Canada playing in Toronto today, we thought it would be a good spot to watch the hosts play Bosnia and Herzegovina.  We were right!  Under the cover of a large roof, the giant outdoor screen area was packed with Canadians, and the atmosphere was electric.  You couldn't help but want them to win.  While Bosnia went ahead early, Canada did come back to draw the match at 1-1.  By the time the game was ending, it was well past lunch time, so we went and ate at Nook, right behind the big screen.  Pasta, pizza, a salad and a sandwich was well enjoyed by the family.

A 5 minute walk takes us to the ferry terminal, and we arrived only moments before the next one left, so we jumped aboard and enjoyed the 20 minute ride across the harbour.  The boys and I walked the couple of blocks to Harbour Tower, while A went for a quick walk on her own.  The boys rode the glass elevator to the observation deck, while I relaxed outside.  When the came back from their adventures, A was already back, and I was given my early Father's Day gift.  A had found an Aussie jersey in a sports store and bought it for me to wear tomorrow night.  Obviously I love it and can't wait to be one of the many tomorrow night to be cheering on the Soccerooos.

The Shipyards Crowd for Canada v Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Vancouver, BC

We went into Gastown, to see the clock.  I also picked up a Vancouver shirt for myself at a tourist shop.  Afterwards we headed back towards the Airbnb, via Granville Street again.  Now the Aussies are out in force.  They are everywhere!  This is going to be a big turnout tomorrow.  Every minute closer gets better and better.  We stop at the FIFA store (or was it basically a Ronaldo shirt store) and L picked himself up a bucket hat.

Me & A, Outside Vancouver Art Museum, Vancouver, BC

It was important for the family to watch the USA tonight (obviously), so went looking for somewhere to watch it.  Unable to stay at the The Fountainhead because the boys are too young, we stopped and sat outside at Cazba, an awesome Persian restaurant that had a tv out on its patio.  The food here was amazing.  we shared a hummus to start that was to die for, and I ate the best steak sandwich I'd had for a long time.  The boys both had chicken dishes and stews, which were just as good, and A's salad with shrimp was a hit.  We sat here, on a beautiful night and watched the US cruise to a 4-1 win over Paraguay.  Day 2 was possibly bigger than day 1.

Vancouver, BC

The year's summer trip sees the family head out to British Columbia, with the driving force being the World Cup match between Australia and Turkey on Friday. Obviously there are many other things to do and see, so the net 12 days should be fun.

We arrived at our Airbnb late last night, but got up early for a long day's touristing.  We want to get as accustomed to the time change as soon as possible for the 9pm (12am our time) game on Saturday.  It started with a walk over to Granville Street to have breakfast at The Templeton, a classic old school diner.  The perfect start to a vacation.  

We walked south over the Granville Bridge to Granville Island.  Here we wandered the shops, stalls and food halls, and of course stumbled across a World Cup watch party.  The Island and the Brewery have an outdoor area where you can watch World Cup games on the big screen, in a family friendly atmosphere.  we got a spot to watch the first half of Mexico (very well represented in the crowd) and South Africa, as it was important for the boys to the see the kick off for the first game.  The atmosphere here was fun and while the Mexicans and Canadians dominated the crowd, there was barely a country not represented in the crowd.  Every other person had their country's gear on and were having a great time.

Granville Island World Cup Watch Party, Vancouver, BC

We all got something from a different place in the food hall and sat outside, by False Creek, to eat lunch.  I got a meat and potato pie.  It's so good to be back in a place that has some Aussie food.  I will make the most of that.  

From Granville Island we caught the Aquabus over to Hornby Street and then walked along the seawall all the way around to English Bay.  This vibrant part of town has people everywhere, with Canadians enjoying the "beach" (says the snobby Aussie), and Denham Road leading north to Vancouver Harbour filled with retail and restaurants.  We walked all the way to Yes Bike Rentals, where we picked up bikes to make the ride around Stanley Park.  A & I did this last time we were here (19 years ago - gulp!), but this time it was a little warmer (and of course I'm a lot older).  The boys enjoyed the ride as we stopped at a few places along the way of the 6.5 mile ride around the edge of the park.  An absolute must-do in Vancouver.

B&D, Inukshuk, Vancouver, BC

Vancouver, BC from Stanley Park

DML&B, Stanley Park, Vancouver, BC

We zig-zagged our way through the West End and Davie Village neighborhoods on the way back to the apartment.  It is so nice to see so many people out walking, riding bikes and just generally enjoying a city.  I am really pumped to be here and hope the others enjoying the rest of the trip as much as I have today.

Dinner was only a few blocks away at The Banana Leaf.   This Malaysian restaurant was recommended to A and we went in spite of not actually ever been to a Malaysian restaurant before.  The food was excellent.  I had a red curry chicken, and everyone was impressed with how good this place was.  After dinner we headed back to where the day started.  Granville Street.  The city has made the street a pedestrian only walkway during the World Cup, and it is party central here.  There are so many people around (for a Thursday night), and everyone has World Cup fever.  Bars and restaurants have extra outdoor seating for all to watch games, there's a FIFA store on the street (that closed at 7pm - WTF?), and the vibe is just upbeat.  Vancouver could prove to be a very wise choice as a World Cup host city.

Sunset here doesn't happen until after 10.15pm, so even though were back (exhausted) home at a decent hour, it still looks like the middle of the day.  After a 22,000 step, 9.6 mile walking day, on top of the 6.5 mile bike ride, that didn't stop any of us getting a great night's sleep.