Our eight week journey in a small camper van requires simplicity and thrift. It does not, however, require us to be miserly or uncomfortable. We are also loath to give us some of the elements of our lives in an electronic age. So our baggage includes cell phones, GPS, computer, I-pods and other electrically powered […]
It’s time to leave the Hamilton’s and head to the Black Ball Ferry, stopping at Discovery Coffee in Oak Bay at the recommendation of Allan Thimot, a former fan of Credo coffee in Edmonton. He’s right – it’s very close to the latte served at Credo and that makes me very happy! We arrive at […]
Bill drives us downtown and we tour the Royal BC Museum, taking in the Emily Carr exhibit (which focuses on her youth) and visit the history of BC (one of my favourite features of this museum, showing things like the history of the salmon canning industry). We grab a bite at Sam’s Deli (owned by […]
Enforced Simplicity Gail and I have embarked on an eight week journey without a schedule or an agenda. We will be living out of a 15 foot camperized vehicle with no fixed address. We each have a small bin for clothes and a bag of shoes. Our food fits in a refrigerator smaller than a […]
We drive down island and stop at Averill winery in Cowichin. A lovely stop; owned by Andy and Wendy Johnson (former Edmontons who owned the Medi-Centres). We have a wine tasting and fall in love with their blackberry dessert wine. Bottle in hand, we continue on and arrive in Oak Bay to the home of […]
We leave Osoyoos and head to two wineries Crowsnest and Forbidden Fruit. I purchase Sauvignon Blanc, a Cabernet Merlot and an award winning Iced Apple wine. We arrive in Burnaby BC to Adam and Thomas’s – friends from Edmonton who moved to Saskatoon and then Burnaby a few years ago. Adam, a former Gourmet Goodies […]
Osoyoos at the south end of the Okanagan is the warmest place in the valley. It attracts a year-round vacation crowd who enjoy the sights, recreation and wineries in the area. For a destination resort town it is lacking in fine dining. The Watermark is attempting to fill the void and there are remarkable restaurants […]
We leave Nelson, but stop first at Au Soleil Levant, a French Canadian bakery in the alley off Baker Street behind the BMO. They’ve been in Nelson for 10 years and word has it that they make the best challah (only available on Fridays). I buy a brioche with cranberries, raisins and walnuts and a […]
Now, Nelson has a population of 10,000 and I’m sure they have more independent coffee shops and restaurants than most cities that size. There are some hidden gems to satisfy hunger and soul. We had breakfast at the Full Circle Café. I go for the healthy choice, granola with yogurt finished with mango puree. Shannon’s […]
April 6, 2011 We leave Edmonton at 4 pm and head to Calgary to stay with friends Vic and Cathy Close. The van sputters a bit, so our aim is to get to Calgary and get it checked out in the morning. We are still in urban, working mode but as we head down the […]
