To Whistler

On Thursday, February 24th, I headed off to Whistler, BC to collect Keiran and Natalie and return home by Friday evening. Making this a 2 day trip avoided the problem of hitting Vancouver, and the US border crossing at "rush hour" on a Friday afternoon.

I left home a little after 9AM, avoiding Seattle's rush hour traffic, although I was also heading in the opposite direction. Crossing into Canada was quite painless, and for once I picked the faster of the two lines at the border! Miracles do sometimes happen.

The GPS guided me through some parts of Vancouver that I have not seen before. And I only took two wrong turns - the first by being in a "left turn only" lane, so left it was, then a quick U turn and left at the traffic lights of error and I was back on course. Second wrong turn was when entering the Trans Canada Highway. Exactly the same problem, except it was a "right turn only" lane this time. After a little more shuffling around, it turned out to be quite easy to enter the highway going the correct direction! GPS again to the rescue.

The highway travels along Vancouver's north side, heading towards Horseshoe Bay, where ferries continue the highway to Vancouver Island. At this point, BC Highway 99 starts, and heads towards Whistler, a ski resort. This would be a great motorcycle road, but is being "improved" to handle the traffic anticipated for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Another good road bites the dust.

For a while the road travels along Howe Sound, and then heads into the mountains towards Whistler. The first major settlement out of Vancouver is Squamish, and a little after there is a viewpoint.

BC Hwy 99, north of Squamish, looking roughly South

Looking south down the Lillooet River, complete with an aircraft vapour trail.

BC Hwy 99, north of Squamish, wide angle view

A wide angle view of the mountains opposite.

There was nothing too spectacular beyond this point, and nowhere much to stop anyway, before reaching Whistler. The GPS receiver directed me to Keiran's address, and there was no trouble finding my passengers.

Whistler

Whistler was a bit of a sad scene. Although late February, we've had little snow, and indeed warm and sunny weather. Ski resorts are having a hard time, or are not even open. Driving in to Whistler, the ground was clear and dry - not a snow flake to be seen. And there were skiers and snowboarders walking along the street in sunshine.

Frozen lake at northern end of Whistler, BC

After Keir and Nat were on board, we headed north east on Highway 99 towards Lillooet and then onto Hope where we had reservations for the night. At the northern end of Whistler is a frozen lake! So we had to stop and take photos. I don't think I have seen one before.

Keiran at frozen lake at northern end of Whistler, BC

Keiran busy with photographic duties.

Walking on water (frozen) at northern end of Whistler, BC

Yes, the ice is thick enough for at least somebody to walk on.

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My car parked at the viewpoint overlooking the lake.

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