Thursday, September 12, 2013

On To Whistler


While researching the "must see" things to do while we were in Vancouver a drive along the Sea to Sky Highway seemed like a "must do" so off we went happily munching on the hazelnuts we had purchased at the local farmer's market.

 The weather was picture perfect and the sights were... well, beautiful.


 Not long after arriving in Whistler, we enjoyed a delicious vegetable pizza while watching the cable cars make their steady ascent up the mountain.  I knew getting to the top of the mountains was the "must see" way for fully experiencing the beauty of the area.  However, I wondered whether the height would be an issue for me.  It's been a long, long time since I've been on any type of cable car or ski lift.  I decided to throw caution to the wind and go for it.

After lunch we purchased our tickets for the Peak to Peak Gondola and with slightly sweaty palms I hopped in and off we went.





 Stepping out of the cable car at the first summit, we were in awe of the natural beauty to be found in every direction.  The air was so fresh and clear.  I felt like I had just stepped into a postcard.

We were interested to learn about the small animal who was instrumental in the naming of Whistler Mountain:


We then boarded the 2nd gondola to continue our trek up the mountain.

 
By now I was a seasoned gondola traveler and quite enjoyed the gentle glide through the treetops.

  Soon it was time to exit the gondola.
Right away we saw a large group of people squatting down with cameras poised.  We were soon pointing the camera at this:


 The Whistling Marmot!
He wasn't whistling, but he sure was attracting a lot of attention.

We enjoyed a cup of coffee while overlooking this amazing sight.
Oh how I wanted this day to never end :).
But, all too soon, it was time to board the gondola and return to reality.

I'd like to extend a special thank you to the British Columbia gals for your comments on my previous post.  I nearly cried when I found out about your upcoming book signing at the Granville Island Ten Thousand Villages.  Oh how I would have LOVED to be there for that.  The hardest part of this trip has been being so close and not having the opportunity to meet you.  Through the years of reading your blogs and following your Mennonite Girls Can Cook story I have been completely enthralled with your beautiful province.  The chance to experience it has been more wonderful than I can begin to convey. 
Anneliese, to answer your question in comments,

 Yes, I have noticed the logo on your license plates.
In fact this is one of my over 500 photos.
I now know, without a doubt, that it is indeed a beautiful, beautiful place.

16 comments:

  1. Kim,
    I enjoyed browsing through your pictures of Vancouver. I've never been there before, and it was fun seeing it through your lens. The Marmot is such a unique and interesting animal.

    Enjoy your day.

    Love,
    ~Sheri

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  2. Amazing! That view from the top that is. Well, all of it is so good. I even enjoyed the whistling marmot. Now if we can just get you two cuties in the same picture!

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  3. Wow!! What beautiful scenery. Awesome! I don't think there are any words really to describe it.
    And I know pictures never due it justice.
    You look so nice and thin!

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  4. So gorgeous. You know, I've been to Whistler a number of times, but have never ridden the Peak to Peak Gondola. I need to remedy that next time we go. It's so fun to see our part of the world featured on your blog.

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  5. I have never been to British Colombia, your photos are beautiful. I think I lost track, I thought you were attending a wedding, was that a different trip? xo

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  6. Looks like beautiful country. I have never been to Canada.

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  7. I don't think I've ever seen that animal and I've never been to Canada either. It is magnificent! It looks like you were there at a great time.

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  8. Fantastic views! What a fun trip you had. I don't like gondolas. I'm glad you braved the heights!

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  9. Such beautiful scenery and wonderful pictures! You are braver than I am, I don't think I could ride a cable car.

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  10. How wonderful that you are in BC! I can't wait to see pics of the rest of your trip! (I lived in Vancouver when I was a girl.)

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  11. I am so glad you were able to come and see it for yourself...our beautiful British Columbia. And Whistler has to be one of my favorite spots. I've been there twice this year...but both times it was too cloudy to do the gondola. We saw bear beneath us the last time we rode up. No whistling marmots though!

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  12. Glorious scenery. I can imagine not wanting the day to end.

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  13. Wow Kim! You did it! You road the Peak to Peak! I kind of wish we had done it when we were there in July. Now that I see your pictures of the views from the top I realize we really missed out. My hubby really wanted to but with my fear of heights I declined. Next time! Thanks for sharing your photos of Whistler. Pam

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  14. Looks like a wonderful trip. There's nothing better than mountains and beautiful scenery and fresh, crisp, cool air. We were able to experience that this summer in Colorado where we dropped our oldest off for college. We'll be gondola riding next month in Malaysia. :) Best wishes, Tammy

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  15. I'm so glad you enjoyed the gondola trips up the mountain and across...
    we took a blogging friend there last year, so I can just imagine being there and seeing it through new eyes with you. I did not know the mountain was named after an animal. Learned something new.

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  16. Nice place of Canada, my country.

    Anne
    Ville de Québec

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