Good things come to those who wait. And what a wait it has been! It's June, and just as winter loosens it's grip on the Coast Mountains and spring turns to summer, travel restriction are also loosening. After a two year hiatus from welcoming international visitors, it sure felt good to be connecting people with some of the most iconic destinations in Canada again! Through Road Scholar's Adventures In Life Long Learning I shared seven incredible days along the Sea-to-Sky with nineteen amazing guests from across the United States.
Day 1
Arrival
Fresh off the boat! While nobody actually arrived by boat, our arrival evening delivered an unexpected magnificent sunset in the harbour.
Long range forecasts for the week had predicted copious grey skies and precipitation, so every ray of sunlight was a very welcome sight.
Sun kissed seas, a good omen for the week ahead!
Like peaking under the wrapping of presents before it's time to open them... With our hotel being a stone's throw from the Sea Wall and Stanley Park myself and several guests took full advantage of the easy access for morning, afternoon, and evening strolls.
Serene moments in Canada's third largest metropolitan area.
Evening light on the Sylvia.
Day 2
Stanley Park and Granville Island
With a significant population of Great Blue Heron nesting in Stanley Park, this one took some time out of its busy day to strike a pose.
Adventure into the urban jungle.
A few steps into the park and the hum of the city fades away.
A male Wood Duck looking quite handsome.
There are some seniors in the park... some of them more than six hundred years old!
Sun highlighting the forest.
Taking a moment to stop and listen.
The rather pretty but nonetheless invasive waterlily.
With the morning's activities behind us we used a free afternoon for independent exploration of Granville Island. Just typing the name I can hear Arkwright bellowing "Granville, fetch your cloth".
View of the Granville Street Bridge from a planter.
Fish out of water. The Relief was built in 1929 and served as a fishing boat and rumrunner over its long career on both of Canada’s coasts.
The photogenic Art Deco Burrard Street Bridge built from 1930 through 1932.
The barge "SMT-5000" ran aground on Sunset Beach, November 15, 2021, due to strong winds.
Beached barge.
Inukshuk at English Bay.
Another sunset stroll from the hotel to close out another fantastic day.
Day 3
Sea to Sky Gondola
The Early Bird gets the worm. With everyone on the bus well ahead of schedule there was more than enough time to go for a bonus morning walk at Shannon Falls ahead of the planned day's adventures at the Sea to Sky Gondola.
The more you know...
Wonder Lake offering its own perspective on the world.
The Sea to Sky, where the forecast always calls for a 100% chance of weather.
After the Wonder Lake Loop there was still some gas in the tank to take on the more rugged Highline Trail.
Nothing to see here.
A glimpse of Howe Sound.
Sometimes it was best to stare at our shoes instead of the views.
Do something that scares you every day!
Day 4
Rainbow and Nairn Falls
Rainbow Falls.
Gentle cascades below Rainbow Falls.
The price to pay for the views was just a tricky move or two.
Making our way through the forest to Nairn Falls.
Nairn Falls.
Day 5
Whistler Blackcomb
Because the marketing folks thought that "Part way up the mountain to part way up the other mountain" didn't really roll off the tongue.
The effort put in to opening up trails and lifts for the summer season is nothing short of extraordinary. Hiking down to the base of the Peak Express.
With the solstice now in the rear view mirror, it's official summer!
Evidence of the long cold spring lingers everywhere.
Arriving at the top of the Peak Express 7,160ft above sea level.
If there's one image to tell the story of our adventures, this is it. Over seven days we traveled from the sea to the sky, and my goodness it was something worth smiling about!
Day 6
Lost Lake
Photographs are my way of holding on to life's fleeting moments. But not every moment is meant to be photographed. Sometimes one just needs to live in the moment. On day six we walked from the hotel, through the village, and into the temperate rain forest, where the energy of Whistler gave way to the quiet of nature, emerging at Lost Lake on a beautiful blue sky day. Those were some good moments!
Day 7
Home
Cotton candy sky from home on Vancouver Island.
What a week! As I've only been in a helicopter a few times in my life, I was so excited about my helicopter flight from Vancouver to Victoria to get home. But I fell asleep as soon as the helicopter took off and I didn't wake up until I felt the landing. I suppose it's time for some rest.
Grateful to share these amazing experiences with wonderful people in such breathtaking places!
A full library, containing more than two hundred images from this journey, is available here.
Comments
Eileen & Michael McGill said:
We’ve never had a professional photographer for a guide before, so your photos were really outstanding. Thank you so much for taking the time to share them with us!
July 21, 2022
Helen and John Carlson said:
Thank you, Jake, for sharing your photographs, for bringing your skills and leadership to our group, for thoughtfully managing our diversity and for making it a very fun trip.
July 21, 2022
Helen and John Carlson said:
Thank you, Jake, for sharing your wonderful photographs, for your thoughtful skills leading our group, for your appreciation of our diversity and your
July 21, 2022
Miguel Wlasiuk said:
I t was an interesting hike from Sea to Sky with Road Scholars. My son Chris and I enjoyed the pleasant camaraderie and our outstanding group leader Jake who organized a “smooth sailing” during our hiking tour. Thank you. Looking forward for our next adventure with Road Scholars.
Miguel Wlasiuk
July 21, 2022
Linda Bjork said:
Jake – you amaze me! These pictures are so beautiful. Thank you for capturing an amazing week in photos.
July 21, 2022