Sea to Sky Highway

I had to tear myself away from the west coast. It was blissful being there because of the scenery, the weather, the people. But I had to get away eventually, I've got a big country to cross, so last Thursday seemed like a good day.

On Wednesday (July 22), Tara arrived at Vancouver airport. I drove up to the arrival pick up zone at the airport and saw her laughing at the sight of me driving up in the van. That's how she and Carolynn met each other, and we proceeded to spend our last night out for dinner, too much wine, watching round one of the Vancouver fireworks on English Bay, and staying one last night chez Carolynn.

We woke up the next morning and packed our stuff, including delicious vegetables like zuccini and summer squash from the Bowen Island Beaty garden and ourselves with hangovers into the van to take us slowly and windingly away from the coast.

Highway 99, better known as the Sea to Sky Highway, will be marvelous once its finished being under construction in Vancouver-Whistler's attempt to show the world in February just how awesome they are. We stopped a few times along the winding road to admire the coast mountains, small towns and lingering sea views.

It was a hot day, and at one point, once we were definitely beyond the sea and well on our way into the mountains, we came upon a clear little lake that appeared to have a day picnic spot attached and children swimming in. Tara said “Oh! I'd love to swiiiim!” and I said, “well, we can, do you want to?” and she said “umm” and I said “tell me now” and she said “Yes!” just as we were coming up to the turn off so I indicated, slowed down, and turned. How great it is when you can pull into a parking lot, jump into the back of your house, change into your bathing suit, go for a swim in a stupendously clear and green and midly cool mountain lake, jump back into the home, dry off, change, have a quick snack, refresh the water bottle, and then pull back out onto the highway for the remainder of the journey. Refreshed and feeling a bit more alive than you did before you stopped. Sure, you could do the stop and swim part in any old car, but when you are driving your home, it just seems better. Like you are at your cottage. Like you are on holiday, and still moving to the next holiday. Which is, after all, what I am doing.