Whistler, BC to Vancouver, BC
Merlin and I left Vancouver Airport with pits in our stomachs. We were sad, super sad. Desperate to shake the feeling, we made a stop at Queen Elizabeth Dog Park. Jovial dogs, sunny blue skies and 50 degree temps were still no help. Merl kept looking for Liz, and I kept eyeing all the mud. We left for Whistler on the gorgeous Sea-to-Sky highway, spirits slowly lifting with the elevation.
We rented a cabin at the Riverside Camping and RV Resort. Liz and I stayed here a couple years ago and found it to be a great value relative to the master-planned village. Whistler’s large trail system runs along the campground, so a moderate but scenic trek will take you to fine dining or 1000 year old cedars.
I skied the next two days. Hanging out with just Merl made me very chatty on the chair lifts. I really embraced my budding Canadian accent and tolerance for extreme cold. Empty mornings would give way to crowded afternoons, and I’d make my exit.
Two quick tips:
- Park in Lot 7. It’s free and has immediate access to the Blackcomb Gondola mid-station.
- The birds at Seventh Heaven Lift will land on your hand or ski pole, but it makes people from California upset.
Returning from my first day of skiing, I told Merlin about a restaurant at the base of the Wizard Express Lift that shared his name. We spent the afternoon hiking there, showing up with frozen beards and a bit wild-eyed. We weren’t allowed in but Merl held court outside and enjoyed acting like he owned the place.
After 3 nights in the cabin we headed back to Vancouver to post up and wait for Liz. Our new home for the next few days would be the Sylvia Hotel. The historic hotel sits right on the English Bay in Vancouver’s West End neighborhood. The prewar building and surrounding neighborhood reminded me of my old apartment on the Upper West Side of New York City.
It snowed six inches the day we checked in. This is rare in Vancouver and everyone was out talking about how gorgeous it was. Merlin got his first look at the sea and made doggie snow angels like there was no tomorrow.
The Sylvia Hotel is also just a quick walk to Vancouver’s expansive Stanley Park. Merlin and I went on an epic march through the snow around the entire park. We can both vouch that this is (as advertised) the best way to see the city. Stanley Park also has a par 3 golf course, beaches, waterparks, totem poles, restaurants and even a small electric train. You could easily spend a long weekend just exploring the park.
On our last full day we visited some of Vancouver’s great antique shops. Baker’s Dozen is my favorite and it’s always exciting to see what Heather has in stock. She has a great collection of ‘real deal’ folk art, old toys, and general oddities. I bought an old bear from a carnival game that I can only hope survives the trip back.
The next morning we hit the road for Seattle to pick up Lizzie at the airport. Crossing the boarder went smoothly until Merlin rolled down his own window. The guard got spooked and vengefully stole our apples!
