BC trip

This summer we decided to take a few shorter trips to enjoy some of the sites near home. After our camping trip our next stop was a quick trip to Canada to visit White Rock and Vancouver.

White Rock is a cute little beach town just past the border into Canada. We planned on spending the day at the beach and then heading into Vancouver in the evening. As usual for the Northwest the weather does not always cooperate with your outdoor plans even in the middle of July, so when we arrived in White Rock we were greeted with pouring rain. We thought maybe we would just get the typical coastal drizzle but it was heavy rain and COLD! We did a driving tour of the town hoping the rain would let up and finally decided to get out anyway to let the kids stretch their legs.

Can't you see the joy on our faces!

The White Rock

After about an hour the rain did taper off. By lunchtime we were all soaked and cold we decided to head to a little fish and chip shop for some clam chowder and fish. It was a great break and while we were there the sun finally came out so we headed out for a longer stroll afterwards. It really was a cute little town and, had the weather been warmer, we could have spent some time playing in the sand and water.

After lunch with a little sun and everyone is a bit happier!

The White Rock take 2 with a little sun.

Some little vermin that Ethan wanted to bring home.

After White Rock we drove into Vancouver where we got a great deal on a hotel in North Vancouver. I’ve been to Vancouver a few times and I think this was my favorite place to stay because you get the beautiful view of the city from across the water and you can catch a quick and cheap water taxi that runs every 15 minutes to get into the city. Plus the north side offers a bit more peaceful surroundings with nice walks, parks and shops nearby and a great famers market near the water taxi terminal.

Vancouver sky line from our hotel room

Waking up to another rainy morning :(

Luckily there was an indoor play area below our hotel in the farmers' market so the kids could play on the rainy day.

The rain let up so we took the water taxi into Vancouver.

Back to North Vancouver at a park near our hotel.

The next morning we did take the water taxi into the city and walked around and hit a few sites. Afterwards we returned to North Vancouver and played at a nearby park and then took a short drive over to the Capilano Suspension Bridge. The bridge is part of a mini outdoor amusement park, which included a fun walk through the forest from atop several small suspension bridges, a boardwalk through the giant red woods, and then a cliff walk with glass floors on some parts so you can look directly down. I would say I’m pretty comfortable with heights, but there were times where I gripped the railing a bit more. Despite Ethan being a bit sleep deprived from the trip he did think the park was a pretty fun adventure. Ava slept through most of it in the baby carrier.

While I would have liked to have sunny warm weather (it was the middle of July for Pete’s sake!) we did have a fun trip and enjoyed exploring some of the sites closer to home.