Zoom, Zoom!

My amazing (<- yes that’s me sucking up) parents just recently visited me in Vancouver!

They drove the 6,400km from coast to coast to bring my car to me. I’m so thankful and very appreciative that they took the time to travel this far just to bring me my car. I made the decision last year when I have to Vancouver to leave it behind in Halifax, and now after 15 months of being car-less, I finally feel like I’m back to my old independent self again!

Can you say unstoppable?

Since we now have my car here – I took the time to drive them through the neighbourhoods of Vancouver, seeing the city from the South, West, East and eventually the North!  We made our way to Coal Harbour after the city tour (I’m an excellent tour guide) to have dinner at Mill Marine Bistro on the waterfront. This is one of my favourite restaurants, great service, food, drinks and incredible view! If you haven’t been there yet, it’s a must < -tell the managers the PR life sent you :)

The next day we visited Stanley Park and my old office at the Park Board before getting on the Sea to Sky and heading to Squamish! We had to stop at the Howe Sound Brewery for lunch and enjoy a lovely view of the chief while trying to pick up the climbers.

The next day was forecast to be sunny so we rushed to make the 8:30am ferry and headed from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.

My parents enjoyed the ferry just as much as I did – it was a beautiful day for it. We even got to pet some horses down below before pulling into the dock!

We head North along the coast from Nanaimio to Port Alberni to visit Cathedral Grove – but on the way we had to stop at Goats on the Roof Old Country Market in Coombs! It was one of the cutest market I’ve ever been to (and I am a frequent market stopper). Great products, lots of homemade treasures and how could you not enjoy the baby goats on the roof? I didn’t get any photos of them because when I went back to the part of the roof I saw them on… they were gone :( I guess you’ll have to go see them yourself!

The next stop was Cathedral Grove – where some of the oldest and largest trees on the West Coast reside. It was breath taking and definitely one of those instances where photos don’t really do it justice.

After we took in the sights we drove all the way down to Victoria so my parents could see the city before we hopped back on the ferry from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen to catch the sunset back home.

It was a lovely day and I was so fortunate to have been able to share it with my parents. It was so great to have them here in Vancouver to see what I do, where I work and where I live. It was slightly weird being here as a family in my Vancouver home and not in our Upper Sackville home. None the less, it was so great to see them… even though I talk to them almost every day :)

The next morning I went for a run along the False Creek seawall... God I LOVE this city.

(False Creek near Olympic Village and Science World)

Where are you planning on visiting this summer?

Back at It!

What an AMAZING weekend!

I have been so on the go that I haven’t even had the chance to tell you all about it! My 23rd birthday was on Saturday, and honestly it was a champagne birthday I will never forget! It started out very early when Faith, Ambrose (awesome british roommate who has a car and loves road trips just as much as we do!), and I hopped in the car and headed towards the Sea to Sky Highway!

The sun was shining, the car was ready and after we made a pit stop at Elysian coffee (for me of course!) we were on our way!

We drove through Stanley Park, over the Lion’s Gate Bridge and through West Vancouver past Horseshoe Bay and then we hit the amazing section of the Sea to Sky! If that wasn’t beautiful enough the view only got more beautiful from there!

Words cannot express the view and feeling of driving amongst the snow-peaked mountains with the clear blue ocean on our left. I couldn’t stop smiling the entire drive! We decided to go past Squamish (we’d already been here!), past Whistler and hit Pemberton! Once we got to the small town we drove through the little downtown and were heading into farm land when we decided to turn around. It was hilarious because we heard that Pemberton was beautiful but so far we saw nothing overly impressive – until we turned around! Unknowingly, the incredible Mt. Currie was behind us the whole time!

It was after noon now, so what better time than now to enjoy a wonderful craft brew and sit on the patio! It was around 18 degrees and sunny!

After a quick lunch we headed back towards Whistler and made a quick pit stop at the Nairn Falls!

For some odd reason I thought it would be fun to run the 1.5k trail in my boots… it ended very sweaty and with achy feet – but it was worth it! Supposedly when the snow really starts to melt – the water flow is really powerful and amazing.

Onward to Whistler!

Once we arrived we realized that it was very,very busy! I guess there were some big events going on for the weekend and with the beautiful weather – every.one. was there. It was great to finally see the mountains and the village even though we weren’t there to ski. After a quick beverage we were off again!

The drive home was just as, if not more impressive. The ocean mixed with the islands and the Sunshine coast in the distance was stunning.

Once we finally returned home it was already 6pm and we were exhausted! After a quick rest we got ready to head out for dinner with a few friends. We decided to check out a local place called Joey Broadway and it was wonderful. The 5 of us had a few drinks, some munchies and celebrated the true champagne birthday style: With CHAMPAGNE!

(I have to admit I’m not a fan of champagne but I did enjoy a small taste in celebration!)

The night ended off with us heading to catch a few local bands play downtown. I had an absolutely wonderful day and honestly it could not have gotten much better. Sunshine + driving + coffee + good people + celebratory drinks = storybook birthday.

Thank you all for your lovely birthday wishes – you are all far too kind! :)

Time to get back at it! I’m through month 1 of Insanity! This week is now the Recovery Week before I hit the intense month 2! Ahhhh! I’m pumped!

Check back later tonight for the Easter Dinner Recap!