Road Trips in the Pacific Northwest

We road-tripped up the coast of California, Oregon and Washington in June after school ended for the kids. We've been in Vancouver, Victoria, Penticton and about to head to Saltspring Island.  I do love to write glowing reviews of our family travels but this one is peppered with some trials. It's been a LOT of driving and frankly the kids dislike (actually hate) it and we're not big fans of sitting down in the car either. We have all agreed we are all happier flying and then maximizing our time on arrival with lots of very active stuff. Now we know, we'll definitely not plan further long road trips.

We have been outside a lot and doing the best with inclement coastal weather. I always warn Californains heading up here in Summer to pack some warm socks as well as full rain gear. But did I remember to do that? Hah! It is really cold compared to pretty much anywhere. We're talking an average temp of 65 where we currently are in Sooke BC and while this is the "dry" season we've had rain seven days in 2 1/2 weeks so far! We grew up here so we remember the drizzle but we've gone wimpy after all the sunshine we've had for the last 12 years. It's not an unwelcome break if one needs to escape steamy temps for a few weeks. I will admit to now being ready to defrost a bit somewhere a lot warmer. Ah well.

A tourist in Vancouver

It's been seven years since our departure from Vancouver and here I am, standing in a hotel lobby with the concierge asking where the nearest playground is. I honestly have no idea and frankly, neither does she. We google, and try to recall from memory... there must be something. I'm vaguely aware of a park near the Roundhouse community centre down in Yaletown and she's sure there's a small waterpark in Coal Harbour. Neither are right near the hotel which is in the very heart of downtown but we're up for the walk. As I meandered through the streets I realized the downtown is very adult oriented. I saw many tourists with toddlers in strollers but no locals. We did finally find a park with slides where I'd remembered it. Austen played with kids from all over the world. Kids who, like us, were trying to find something to do in the downtown.

Later I searched for kid-friendly restaurants for lunch and Yelp was pretty vague. A big hole in the map version of the search was right over the downtown area. Hmmm, I crammed myself and the stroller into a lunch place while other patrons eyed us with some distain. To get to a truly kid-friendly place we needed to walk back downtown and take a few buses to get out to Kits or Mt Pleasant.

I searched online for indoor play gyms because I was sure that the maze of downtown malls must have them in every food court. THIS IS RAINCITY -- COME ON!!! But no. Not a single one.

The verdict: if you travel with wee ones it's a much better idea to just stay in the West End so Stanley Park is right outside the door or get a BnB in Kitsilano or near Main south of 25th.  Last night we went back to our old Mt Pleasant hood for fabulous family dining at Rocky Mountain Flatbreads which has a play area and a great menu AND serves beer and wine!

The awesome play kitchen at Rocky Mountain Flatbreads

 

Top things we miss

Vancouver, BC

1. Solly's Bagels and cinnamon buns

2 Great coffee shops for cozy winter gatherings with friends (and macbook huddles)

3 As many skating rinks as Starbucks locations

4 Long Summer nights (even though they were cold) those long pink sunsets were amazing

5 The weird and wonderful Commercial Drive and our little organic food haunts along there

6 Main St boutiques with local designers and Vintage clothing stores. Gravity Pope. Nuff said.

Vancouver in the snow

We spent a night at the old Sylvia hotel while visiting friends in Vancouver. It's been snowing a lot this month and a dusting overnight transformed much of the west end into a dream-like quiet place.