Sunday, July 02, 2006

Canada Day
Happy Birthday Canada and Happy Anniversary to Linda and I (12 years married !!). We spent the morning with my folks in North Van and watched the parade on Lonsdale. The kids loved it – especially the part where people threw candies at them. We thought the parade was on the lame side as they didn’t have their little mini cars doing stunts nor did they have the RCMP Motorcycle troupe doing their show. This is usually my highlight. To get into this parade you need to tape a flag to your window and have a balloon blowing in the wind.


Kids slept at mom and dads and Linda and I headed for Whistler for the day/night. The weather was perfect and the drive was very scenic with lots of traffic but few delays. We got a cheap room off of expedia, Coast Hotel in the main village. Basic room with fridge and 2 double beds. I would recommend it. Covered pool and hot tub which we didn’t use looked good.

We headed straight for the Longhorn Saloon and sat in the sun and enjoyed a few drinks while we watched a mountain bike competition take place. I have never seen so many people in the area. All enjoying the shows these riders put on. They would fly through the air off jumps doing 360’s and complete flips and landing !!!

We walked around and explored the shops and stopped by a few more places for drinks. We went up to Merlins in the upper village and watched a couple of guys sing some tunes, that was good. I ticked the waitress off though by buying my drinks from the bar. She wasn’t happy she lost a sale. When I go for drinks, I want service or someone to walk by within 5-10 minutes or I’m serving myself, no biggie. Went to another restaurant later and after sitting for 10-15 minutes, I got my own drinks again. Waitress didn’t come by to say she was busy so I got my own from the bar and that really ticked her off. La Bosca ? right in the heart of the village. We enjoyed our overpriced French onion soup though, just not the service.


We didn’t know where to go next – Buffalo Bills wanted $14 cover charge but we found a 2 for 1 for Tommy Africas for $5 each so we went there. We had fun there and enjoyed the music. It was retro night so they played the same tunes Linda and I were listening to years ago. The young folk were dancing up a storm to it all. Way better than all the hip hop or techno they play in bars today. Just fun tunes like “I’m too sexy” and “Billie Jean”.

Linda pooped out and at 12:30 dropped her off at the room while I went back out to check out the nightlife some more. The crowds died down and were pretty mellow at night. No Canada Day fireworks due to the extreme fire hazard they have right now.

Loved Whistler, a little pricey for stuff (add 25% to whatever you normally pay for something) but the whole area and vibe and stuff to do make it a great place to spend a weekend. On Sunday we went to the upper village and checked out their Sunday market. Interesting array of crafts and local stuff and produce. I was surprised to see the Adventure area for kids. They had a whole area of luge, bungee, mini golf and other stuff for the family and kids.

Went home and got the kids and went to Ambleside beach in West Van. Just ejoyed kicking back there and watching the kids play in the sand. Oh what a boring life they lead.

Monday I took Haley to White Pine beach but it was full at 11:00am and I couldn’t get in. We went to another beach instead and then just went home to play in our backyard with the tunes playing. Our small pool was so relaxing to hang out in. I came up with an ingenious MacGyver moment and rigged up our kitchen tap to hang out the window where the hot water would go through a hose into the pool. Brilliant.

Took Carter later to the dirt track – he likes it but gets frustrated when he falls.


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