The Sunshine Coast- Part Two

On the swings at Stanley Park

English Bay at Sunset

Ferry Ride to Vancouver


Graham and Heather

Graham and Aunt Lynne

So on Monday the 25th, we had a three hour drive from Comox to Victoria. I was planning on spending the night at my Aunt Lynne's place in the Victoria area, then heading to Vancouver the next day on the ferry. So here's how the car journey played out:

10 am: We drove Sue to Uncle Jim's office in Comox to pick up his vehicle,as I was using hers for the week. We basically got five minutes down the road when Graham started screaming for food.

10:10 am: Pull into a nearby McDonald's and feed him his lunch.

10:30 am: Out on the highway onto Victoria.

11:00 am: Semi trailer of LIVE FISH has overturned on island highway. Highway is closed for a portion of our trip. Detour onto "scenic" Oceanside highway.

12:00 pm: Stuck on scenic highway behind some "pleasure drivers" wondering when I can get back onto main highway.

12:40 pm: Car is getting very warm inside. Decide to chance it and detour back on at Parksville. Never mind everyone else I was following has long deserted me and gotten back onto 4 lane highway again.

1:45 pm: Graham is having a meltdown again. Decide he may be too hot in the car. Pull into Tim Hortons in Ladysmith and strip him down to a onesie. Try to go to the bathroom while holding Graham.

2:00 pm: Back on the road again after a unintentional scenic tour of Ladysmith due to a wrong tour out of Tim Horton's.

2:15 pm: Graham is now screaming at the top of his lungs and wants out of his car seat. Detour into Mill Bay for a breather. Take Graham out and walk him in the stroller, get ice cream-ANYTHING to settle him down. Have to use bathroom in supermarket to change Graham's diaper as there are no public washrooms anywhere.

2:50 pm. Call Aunt Lynne and explain we will be arriving later than I thought. She informs me I could save time and take the Brentwood bay ferry from Mill Bay. Great Idea I say. She is checking ferry schedule. Ferry leaves at 3 pm. No chance we are making that one.

4:30 pm. We finally arrive at Aunt Lynne's place. Uncle Jim calls as we walk in the door, as I promised to call him when we arrive. He is concerned because he has not heard from us yet. All thanks to the fish truck, Graham now hates his car seat and cries whenever I put him in.

Once we got to Victoria all was good. We had a great visit with Aunt Lynne and Janie, and they were so good with Graham. I only wished Scottie could have met them, and we had a little more time to visit. Heather came up to see us, and she looks awesome!!! She's lost 40 pounds or so, and is quite the hottie now!!!

Tuesday we took the 1 pm ferry to Vancouver. It was my first time ever driving on a ferry and I was a bit nervous, but it was super easy. The crossing was great, and the trip into Vancouver was fine. There is so much construction happening in Vancouver due to the upcoming Olympics its a total nightmare. I was glad we only spent three days there. Mom and I stayed at the Best Western Sands on Davie street just off of English Bay. It was a great location. A bit noisy, but we could walk by the beach every night and morning. I love that part of town. Bonus: Tim Hortons was right across the street!

The main reason for our visit to Vancouver was to see family. My cousin Darren, and his wife Maria had a baby boy Leo in March. I wanted them to see Graham, and for Graham to meet all his cousins. So Auntie Jean had a family BBQ on the Thursday night for all of us. It was good to see everyone, and I found it really cool that myself and my cousins, whom I used to see over many summers when I was younger, now all have kids. I am hoping we keep the kids in touch so they can continue the tradition. Before the BBQ, I drove out to Darren and Maria's place in New Westminister to visit. Graham tried to crawl onto Leo as he sat in his baby chair. We are working on the concept of "gentle" still. I think D and M were surprised at how messy a baby can make a floor when it eats. Unfortunately, I had to feed Graham his lunch while I was there. I also had a chance to meet up for an "adult" dinner with my good Friend Jen at the Four Seasons at a restaurant called "Yew". It was awesome, in a big plate, small portion kind of way. Thanks to grandma who babysat!!! We also went to Stanley Park and Graham went on the baby swings. He loved it!! we wandered down Robson street, ate at White spot, and generally had a great time. Everytime I visit Vancouver, I wish I lived there. Everyone is so fit, healthy and generally are outdoors more.Then I remember how expensive it is, and that idea slowly deflates.

After three days in Vancouver, mom and I were heading back over to the island via the ferry to Naniamo. Our plan was to take the 3 pm ferry on the Friday afternoon. But sometimes, the best laid plans don't always work out it seems.....