VICTORIA, B.C. — Only a few passengers ventured on to the deck of the Port Angeles-based ferry M.V. Coho, their heads bent and feet firmly planted against wind gusts and light rain, as we entered Victoria's Inner Harbor. The warm-weather parade of float planes, sailboats and small harbor ferries had disappeared — the harbor's waters the same color as the concrete walks surrounding it.
By Barbara Kinney | January 11, 2007
Let me count the ways my family was injured during our ski vacation.
By Kristin Jackson | November 16, 2006
Short Trips
This town on the west coast of Vancouver Island is literally at the end of the road.
By Jeff Larsen | April 20, 2006
Short Trips
Sometimes a delayed Valentine's Day gift can be even more special than getting a gift on the real day -- especially when a spa is involved.
Young Simon Carrier, who waits tables at the Bearfoot Bistro in Whistler, B.C., worked Valentine's Day this year. So, for a delayed celebration, he and his Chilean girlfriend, Fernanda Icaran, decided to spend a night at the Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort in Parksville on Vancouver Island for what Simon called "a little spa action." Overnight was all the young couple could afford.
By Jeff Larsen | March 9, 2006
Short Trips
Northwest weather sometimes can ruin even the best-laid plans. The almost daily deluges lately can wash away travel plans faster than you can shout "Please stop raining!" A couple of weeks ago my plans were swept downstream -- literally.
The day started gloriously for this time of year -- partly sunny, broken, white puffy clouds, with the temperature hovering in the mid 40s. Rain, however, was in the forecast. How far out wasn't clear.
By Jeff Larsen | February 9, 2006
My husband has become an obsessive golfer, but the kids and I still love to ski and snowboard. With these irreconcilable differences, how can we have a successful winter family vacation?
Fortunately, we can head to the Comox Valley, about three hours north of Victoria on Vancouver Island. There, thanks to two starkly different climate zones in one geographic location, he can hit the green fairways of some top-notch golf courses and we can frolic in the snow -- all on the same winter's day.
By Anne Mullens | January 19, 2006
PROTECTION ISLAND, British Columbia — "Would you like to borrow a wheelbarrow?" Catherine Hebb asked as we finished the last of our French toast.
We had spent a relaxing two nights at her B&B. Now our bags were parked near her front door. It was time to catch the ferry and head home.
By Carol Pucci | July 29, 2005
Short Trips
VANCOUVER, B.C. -- The smells early in the morning in Vancouverýs Chinatown were intoxicating. Different, exotic Chinese melodies emanated from practically every storefront. Merchants shuffled heaping boxes of produce out to the sidewalk. Family members sliced, trimmed and configured each piece just so for maximum display effectiveness.
By Jeff Larsen | May 19, 2005
Take a Walk
Location: Vancouver, B.C.
Length: Miles of trails within park.
Level of difficulty: Park trails vary; look for nesting areas in trees above level, paved parking lot; accessible.
By Cathy McDonald | May 12, 2005
VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Avid hikers who visit Vancouver just may want to stick to the city, taking in the attractions and absorbing the energy of a very diverse metropolis.
Shop until you can't stop along fashionable Robson Street, or find a desperately hip place to dine along West Pender.
Visit the phenomenal First Nations Collection at the University of British Columbia's Museum of Anthropology.
Stroll the famous Seawall at Stanley Park if you must.
By Greg Johnston | April 7, 2005
