Still here! Inching our way closer and closer to our delivery date now and the hospital appointments are ramping up. It's all getting really real. I wonder how much time I'll get to finish off these blog posts once she's here?! Had a bit of a struggle over the last week with general preggo pains and so I've been taking it easy in the run up to D-day.
That being said, I still have so much I want to share with you and so many Canadian flavoured tips before I'm done with this road trip. I've been getting some really kind feedback on these posts and so I hope the rest of you have been enjoying them. For those that are bored of Canadian overload, I'll be getting to some UK adventures in due course - promise!
I'm also starting to think about the bigger picture with my photography hobby. I've been looking at some courses (a new year's resolution I am yet to begin) and working on a little 'summin summin' in the background. You might see a project arriving in the near future if I'm brave enough. Mr B is trying desperately to encourage me to pursue my dreams, my self doubt seems to get the better of me sometimes.
But maybe, just maybe with little ones arrival imminent - I might be swayed to begin on a new journey that can make her proud. Watch this space. I'll let you know a bit more if I progress x
Next up on the road was a scenic drive like no other (didn't quite take my fave spot for drives in Canada though, stay tuned for The Icefields Parkway, but it was a close race!). As recommended in Lonely Planet's 'Epic Drives of the World' book, the Sea to Sky Highway is an absolute stunner.
We spent the night in Nanaimo (fab airbnb and can recommend it's really worth a stay - would even work for longer stays), having driven from Tofino in the evening, to depart on the early morning ferry off of Vancouver Island to Horseshoe Bay. Again, another stunning performance from BC ferries, though I can't deny a short nap on the journey. I recommend being Nanaimo based for a morning ferry to ensure you get maximum time to drive this beautiful route up to Whistler. It allows you to take in the scenery at a much more relaxed and enjoyable pace.
Laden with caffeine and buns to cure our early awakening, we waited in line for the ferry.
We departed horseshoe bay and were back on the mainland after an hour and a half on the water. Joining the famous highway 99, renowned for the sea to sky highway, it wasn't long before we understood where it got its name.
A fab stop along the route is a small pull-in called the Tantalus lookout. And tantalising it was. There are plenty of pull-ins (pull-outs if you're Canadian) and lay-bys on the way to Whistler so feel free to stop at any that tickle your taste buds.
I recommend downloading the gypsy guide app. A brilliant sidekick filled with recommendations and also tips for food stops. Genuinely, like your own private guide for a fiver or so.
Tantalus is incredibly high for a roadside pull-in and you feel like you're up in the clouds.
Our first snowy peaks came in to view with trees until forever on the horizon. Glistening streams and rivers carving their way through the vast expanse.
The views are breathtaking.
In true Canadian fashion, as you take in your surroundings, you are frequently passed by huge logger trucks. This gave me the proper road trip vibes.
Back on the road, through forest, past ocean and along rivers we travelled.
Stopping at each point that looked exciting to us. That's the best thing about a road trip on a route like this. You can stop when you want, where you want. I can't recommend enough doing this journey yourself and NOT going on an organised trip. You need to see it all at your own pace and stop as many times as you feel like.
Further on our journey, we stopped in at the famous Brandywine falls. Possibly my favourite bit of the sea to sky drive. Free to access, there is a beautiful woodland walk from the car park to the view point.
We wandered through the trees breathing in the fresh mountain air.
We even got to cross some train tracks. This got me far too excited.
The views from the look-out are immense and resemble those of Tantalus but with one exception...
...the incredible waterfall!
Rainbow coloured mist fills the canyon of these gigantic, thunderous falls.
The water below capturing the sun, crystal clear and stunning turquoise.
There's a fab little viewing platform built into the cliffside too.
Look at these colours.
We didn't hesitate to pop out the drone for an aerial view.
On returning to our woodland walk, we got to see a real Canadian train on its travels. You would not believe how immense they are. They go on for miles and miles! I thought it was never going to end.
After a fair bit of time and an ear popping horn blow or two, the train eventually passed us by. It was like something out of a great western train robbery movie.
Of course I took the opportunity to have a play. I am not condoning dangerous behaviour or encouraging you to do the same :P - don't try this at home.
Back through the canopy and wheels on the tarmac, we continued on. Another recommended stop, Shannon falls. Also a spectacular waterfall, very different to the grandness of Brandywine.
These falls are stunning in their own way and totally worth an additional stop. They continue high up above the mountain, the third highest in the region, and release the finest stream of misty swirling water intertwining the jagged rock face as it descends.
A bubbling, misty veil - they are so different to the falls before.
Our standard 'been there, got the tshirt' sorta memory file photo. Cheeeese!
Something worth noting about this coastline, the weather changes dramatically and can do in an instant. We headed into some grizzly rain, providing a different but still beautiful perspective on our surroundings.
And just like that, you can turn a bend a drive straight into sunlight!
The closer to Whistler you get, the more impressive the mountains become. Silhouetted against the fluffy cloud, they sit high above the treeline.
Whistler is a pretty skiing village that is famous for its winter sports and offers brilliant mountain bike trails and scenic gondolas in the summer months.
It's exactly what you'd expect from a ski resort. Trendy wooden chalets and well manicured greenery populate the area.
We checked into our hotel, the first of our trip!
The atrium was filled with cosy log fires and plush sofas. They have comfort down to a fine art in Whistler.
Our hotel room was actually ridiculous. It was humongous. An entire lodge in a hotel room. A full kitchen, beautiful bathroom, massive lounge with its very own log fire - we squealed like children.
Difficult as it was, we peeled ourselves away from the plush to go explore.
This is where I let you down. We spent our evening in Whistler shopping, eating and a fair bit of drinking.
They have some very cool shops, overpriced but expected and a great selection of restaurants.
We washed down the day with a mojito or two or three... all finished off with a merry hottub with a view of the mountains.
Booze, hot tubs and cameras - priceless photos.
I think it's really important on trips like this to have down time to eliminate that travel fatigue. Canada is so unbelievably beautiful that it becomes exhausting being on a continuous journey constantly in awe of your surroundings.
One night in Whistler was enough for us and exactly what we needed. But if skiing is your thing, apparently the winter is superb for a longer trip. There is much to do in Whistler from biking to gondola rides and nature excursions if you're keen on resting there a while.
It's worth an overnight stay after the stunning sea to sky drive to slow down the pace. These are just snippets of what the sea to sky highway offers and it's worth researching other stops for your travels if you go! I can confirm that the promise of a mountain hot tub at the end of the drive is lush.
After a merry paddle, we snuggled into our fluffy duvet, log fire crackling and rested our achy travelled bodies until the adventure continued in the morning.
- MTWP xxx