West of the west coast

Before this trip, the furthest west I had gone in Canada was Victoria when I was younger. I can't say I knew too much about Tofino before we went, and it was definitely one of those places that are a pleasant surprise.





We took the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo and then drove via BC-4 through Port Alberni to Ucluelet, and finally landing in Tofino.

This is probably one drive that is sure to keep you awake - there are so many twists and turns there is almost no stretch of road that keeps straight for more than a few hundred metres. Definitely not a drive I would recommend at night as it is nestled away in the foliage.

First of all, the home we stayed in was absolutely gorgeous. The cabin I used to dream of as a child,  tucked away at the top of the hill, came to life in this place.

Beautiful British Columbia

Nine years after my last trip to Vancouver, I found myself back on the west coast to celebrate a family wedding. From September 2015 to September 2016, I found myself back there three times - even more often than some of my friends who originally came from BC.

I honestly don't remember too much about my previous trips there, but I always had a fondness for it and wished I could live there - that is, until one of my classmates informed me it was an earthquake haven.

This trip only served to remind me how beautiful the west coast is, with its temperate climate and plentiful mountain and ocean views. I couldn't help but draw similarities to what I experienced during my trip to Hong Kong - both places that have a special place in my heart.

I honestly didn't know what was on the table during this trip; I woke up one morning and found myself climbing the Grouse Grind (a.k.a. nature's stairmaster) in my knit sweater and fall jacket.

National parks and heading home

The last day of our west coast adventure had arrived; we woke up early and packed up for the road ahead.

In the noggan

Our friend picked us up in a monstrous car (that would later proceed to require three tanks of gas a day) and we headed out of the city. The original plan was to hike the Chief, but the rainy, foggy weather coupled with the fact that we all were wearing beat-up runners cancelled that idea. We stopped by MEC in the search for waterproof gear before stopping by a few scenic points. We attempted to hike but were stuck in fog that left visibility of only a few metres, so we headed back to the city.

Seattle's best

This was our last day with our Jeep Cherokee - we dropped off one of our quartet at the airport in Portland and drove up to Seattle. We dropped off the car at the airport and took the train to the city.

After being in so many hot places (with the exception of SF), the gloomy, chilly weather that greeted us in Seattle was a bit of shock. Apparently just before we arrived, the weather had been warm and sunny, but the true climate of Seattle was what had greeted us.

16 hours in a car

The drive from Yosemite to Portland is about 12 hours, no stopping, no traffic. We got up early and made ourselves some breakfast at our inn in Mammoth Lakes; I had frozen blueberry waffles with peanut butter, jam, and syrup, yogurt, orange juice and some herbal tea. We all grabbed a banana for the road, I signed the wall, and we loaded the car and got ready for our long journey northwest.

At long last, Yosemite

We left behind the chilly Bay Area for the warm valley early in the morning; after a stop for coffee, we arrived in Yosemite Valley. After $30 USD, we were in and cruising along the national park of my dreams.

City of lost angels

I know that's not what L.A. means but there is something about that phrase that I love.

Our west coast adventure began with a flight to LAX in the early morning. We stopped by In-N-Out as our first stop and I sorry to say I still don't understand the hype...

Afterwards, we headed to Santa Monica for the some gnarly waves.