Virtual Travel – British Columbia

Our last province, British Columbia. As the saying goes, we saved the best for last!

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We start out in far southeastern BC at the town of Sparwood. Named for the lumber that went into making spars (poles) for ships, Sparwood is a mining town. As you enter town you can’t miss Terex Titan, one of the largest trucks in the world, now retired in front of the visitor center.

 

 

Eastern BC has a number of great waterfalls including those below: Helmcken, Dawson and Rearguard Falls.

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The town of Lake Country BC is home to a Kangaroo Farm! It was very cool, especially holding a baby kangaroo.

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High above the town of Kamloops is the Myrna Canyon Trestle Trail. Once a railway, now one of the best bike paths anywhere.

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In Hope BC there is another path, much lower that goes through the Othello Tunnels. Nearby is the Bridal Veil Falls.

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The Vancouver suburb of Burnaby has a great park with these native statues. The persistent rain and fog added to the atmosphere.

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Capilano Park in North Vancouver has an amazing bridge (that bounces!) and a forest canopy walk, along with more totem poles.

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Vancouver is one of the world’s great cities. Situated on a bay, with islands and the mountains, the views are fantastic. They have height limits on the buildings so that they don’t block the views.

 

 

The Museum of Anthropology has the largest native sculpture collection anywhere.

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Vancouver is even better from the ‘Lookout’, especially after a nice walk along the harbour.

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Vancouver has character!

 

 

 

Our final stop is Victoria, on Vancouver Island (which Vancouver is not). BC Ferries will get you there.

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The city is the capital of the province, and has a great history.

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It is also home to numerous gardens, including Hartley Castle and Gardens.

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Our virtual trips across North America has come to an end, but there is more coming – up next Chicago – History through Maps and Photos…. stay tuned.

 

 

Victoria, BC – September 2017 – Views of the City

A day and night in Victoria, British Columbia.

BC Parliament Building

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Totem Poles at the BC Museum

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Yachts and water taxis in Victoria Harbor

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The coastline along the Strait of Juan De Fuca.

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A cricket game in Beacon Hill Park

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More Canadian palm trees in the same park.

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More harbor action.

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On our way to Port Angeles, Washington and Olympic National Park – which we could easily see from Victoria almost 50 miles away.

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A perfect ending to a week in Canada.

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Victoria, British Columbia – September 2017 – Hatley Gardens

Hatley Gardens and Castle in Victoria, British Columbia is a beautiful setting for spending an afternoon. Just as we arrived a pipe band came by for a special event (other than us arriving!)

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The Italian Gardens were the first stop.

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Situated on the Royal Roads College, a military school, there are some patriotic symbols.

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The Japanese Gardens

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Hatley Gardens is one of the best we have seen.

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Vancouver – September 2017 – Views of the City

Vancouver is Canada’s 3rd largest city, and with height limits on skyscrapers has numerous fairly tall ones, without the massively tall buildings blocking views of the mountains.

In addition it is a center for cruise ships heading to Alaska. Personally I have no desire to be on a boat with 3000 other people.

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The harbor has steady seaplane traffic

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The harbor front area is lined with condo buildings.

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The Olympic Cauldron

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8 Bit Orca

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One of the cruise ships going under the Lions Gate Bridge.

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An evening view from the ‘Vancouver Lookout’ observation deck.

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Vancouver – September 2017 – Museum of Anthropology

The University of British Columbia in Vancouver is the home of the Museum of Anthropology. This museum is known for it’s extensive collection of world arts and cultures, but mostly for it’s First Nation (Native Canadian) collection.

Words don’t do justice to how impressive they are.

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Vancouver – September 2017 – False Creek and Granville Island

One of the inlets in the Vancouver area is known as False Creek. In the middle of this waterway is Granville Island, a man made island that was originally used for industry but most have left, as restaurants, housing and parks have taken over.

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The views across the waterway to downtown are great.

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The one remaining industrial business, Ocean Concrete, has gotten into the artistic spirit.

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There are numerous houses build on the piers.

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As well as many high end boats docked alongside.

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Another view downtown.

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Palm trees in Canada?

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Vancouver – September 2017 – Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

Capilano Park is a natural area in North Vancouver that has a deep gorge running through it. Since the 1800s a private park, close but not included in the main park, has featured a suspension bridge across the ravine.

Today the park has a number of other attractions, and as a ‘tourist spot’ is well done.

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The park features a nice display of replica Native Totem Poles.

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The ‘Cliffwalk’ is hanging along the side of the cliff on a narrow walkway.

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The “Treetop Adventure” is suspended high above the ground giving interesting views of the canopy

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As well as the activities below.

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The the main attraction is the bouncing, swinging bridge.

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Kelowna, BC – September 2017 – Myra Valley Trestles

High above Kelowna, British Columbia is the Myra Valley Trestles, a former rail line that has become a ‘rails to trails’. What makes this one special is it runs across 18 trestles and two tunnels in the 11 kilometer route.

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The trestles have had decking added for easier riding.

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The trestles are marked with both a sequential number and the distance from Midway BC, reminding riders of their previous use.

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The air was hazy from the numerous forest fires throughout BC. There were a couple very long, curved trestles made out of steel.

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The tunnels were short enough you didn’t need lights to see.

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The Myra Valley Trail is easily the best bike trail I have ever seen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lake Country, BC – September 2017 – Kangaroos in Canada

In the town of Lake Country, British Columbia there is a Kangaroo Farm. The people there seem very caring about the Kangaroos, and are welcoming. They have an area where you can hold baby kangaroos (they take them from the mothers early as the environment with so many mothers in a small space causes issues).

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The rest are roaming around, and you are free to interact and feed them.

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In addition to the Kangaroos they have other animals including goats.

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Birds

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Small horses

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The World’s Largest Rodent – Capybara (they were very friendly)

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But mostly – Kangaroos

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Waterfalls Day, Alberta and British Columbia – September 2017

A drive through Alberta and BC turned out to be ‘Waterfalls Day’, but not before meeting some locals along the road.

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First stop was Maligne Canyon, Alberta. This very narrow canyon featured a nice waterfalls with numerous erosion ‘pots’ along the river.

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After crossing into British Columbia, we found Rearguard Falls. It is noted as the furthest into the mountains that salmon make it from the Pacific Ocean to spawn. Unfortunately we saw none, even though this is the time of year they migrate.

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In Wells Gray Provincial Park we found Spahats Falls, taller than Niagara. We thought that was amazing until we continued on to….

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Helmcken Falls – 420′ high, nearly 3 times the height of Niagara, with great volume as well.

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The water rushing over provided excellent visuals providing a great ending to Waterfalls Day.

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