We flew into Alert Bay airport (CYAL) on Cormorant Island, British Columbia, in early September, experiencing low stratus fractus and bouts of heavy rain along the way--quintessential coastal BC flying.
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He's tall, dark, and silent, his parents selected for their superior traits. No, he's not Prince William, nor the Count of Monaco. He's Bob, Bob of Nanaimo.
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One of the fellowship will greet you.
It sounded as if we were to be met by a wizard or elf, which seemed fitting, surrounded as we were by stately cedars and hemlocks, on a secluded, sparsely populated island.
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Located about 2 hours drive from Vancouver, the Sandpiper golf course is a beautiful little fly in destination, with the magnificent Harrison River lapping upon the shores of the immaculate fairway.
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With over 150,000 lights sparkling among cedar & fir trees, glittering upon fountains and ponds, and peeping out between snow-dusted shrubs, Park & Tilford Gardens Hi-Light Festival is a lovely little holiday season spectacle.
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On a short, wintry, cloud-scudded day, we hopped in our plane and flew to Nanaimo airport (CYCD) for a quick, scenic flight across the Georgia Straight, followed by a yummy lunch at the Cottonwood Golf course Restaurant.
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A plethora of rocky beaches and sun-dappled forest trails near a strip of upbeat art galleries, quirky shops, ocean-view bistros, and a local craft brewery: Willingdon Beach is a traveller's gem.
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Through the site of a historic lumber mill, along leafy trails and quiet residential lanes, and beside seawalls offering splendid views of Burrard Inlet and downtown Vancouver, the Spirit Trail traverses most of North Vancouver and some of West Van ... for directions, just follow the white bubbles painted on the pathways.
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It's a faerie wonderland of huge cedars rubbing shoulders with old hemlocks, picturesque creeks fit for water sprites, and sandbar beaches where ocean nymphs might be swimming offshore, among rare Jurassic glass-sponges.
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What is truly special about this regional park is the plethora of wild caves to crawl and scramble around in, all rife with glittering limestone stalactites, crystals, and cave dew.
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While recently rambling along the short, pretty forest trail that circumnavigates Parkgate Park at the bottom of Seymour Mountain, an unusual picture artfully decorating a large metal electrical box caught our eye: a sepia photograph of what looked like a dirigible, hovering over the stumps and felled trees of a swatch of logging forest.
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Located on the east coast of Vancouver Island, in a picturesque harbour surrounded by hills of Douglas Fir and Western Cedars, Transfer Beach Park is a lovely spot for a ramble, a picnic, a dog-romp, a dip in the ocean, or a serene bit of paddling with a kayak or paddleboard.
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Situated on the North Shore of Vancouver, MacKay Creek is the perfect spot for a short, lovely ramble amongst big leaf maple trees, cottonwoods, and alders, all of which are a buffet for resident beavers.
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On a sizzling summer day at the end of August, against a backdrop of rustling cornfields and the towering Cascade Mountains, we cycled this lovely path along the meandering Alouette River.
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On a bright blue summer day, we flew from our home airport of CYPK (Pitt Meadows, BC), up the pretty ocean passage of Howe Sound, and through the Cheakamus River valley to Pemberton Airport (CYPS), elevation 670ft, Traffic 123.20, Right hand circuits for 24.
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One of our favourite flying destinations is Qualicum airport. It's a very pretty flight through the Strait of Georgia, over jewel-green islands such as Texada and Lasqueti, and the white-beach sands of Buccaneer Bay, all of it under the austere gaze of the towering snow-capped peaks of the coastal mountain range.
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Held in the re-purposed historic shipyards of North Vancouver, a stone's throw from Lonsdale Quay, The Shipyard Pals tour is a fun way to spend 45 minutes on a sunny weekend on the North Shore ...
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Dog & bicycle friendly, Colony Farm Regional Park is a lacework of flat, easy paths wending along the picturesque Coquitlam River, ringed by the majestic Cascade mountains in the background ...
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Pitt Meadows offers a plethora of flat, picturesque, dog-friendly trails along the dykes bordering the Fraser River, Pitt River, and Alouette River, all of the trails perfect for cycling, strolling, or jogging ...
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Going at an easy stroll with plenty of stops to snap photos, the round trip from airport to lake is approximately 2.5 hours. An energetic individual who doesn't have to constantly backtrack after an errant canine companion could easily do the walk in under two hours ...
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A flat gravel path perfect for a short stroll, this dog-friendly route offers unique views of North Vancouver, and reveals a section of Lynn Creek that most tourists who visit Lynn Canyon never glimpse ...
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Tucked discreetly away in a residential neighborhood, Hastings Creek Park is a little-known local gem. A delightful, shaded route following a meandering creek, it is a dog friendly, off-leash trail with few people on it. It undergoes elevation changes up sloped terrain and then down again to creek-level several times, facilitated by wooden stairs ...
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Ringed by the distant snowy peaks of the Cascade mountains to the north and a patchwork of lush lowland marshes to the southeast, Pitt Lake is an idyllic spot burgeoning with spectacular views, glimpses of wildlife, and a deep, serene silence that is all too hard to find these days ...
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