Five day round trip drive to Vancouver...

[Mr. Ski]

Hey there fellow CP'ers,

The background: My wife and I are driving to Vancouver to see U2 in April and are going the 'roughing-it' route including full-on SUV camping (sleeping on an air matress in the back!); we're tenters in the summer so this isn't exactly viewed as a hardship -- more an adventure.

The challenge: We've got about five days booked off from work (April 26 to 30, including the weekend). We'll be in Vancouver for at least one of them (April 27) the day of the concert. . Add to that a good day of driving each way, but other than that the itinerary is 100% open. Any ideas on what to do there, or along the way appreciated!

Only idea so far is to maybe go whale watching... anyone tried that?

Thanks,

[Agamemnon]

My family did whale watching at Tofino and it was amazing.

You could always spend the time driving around looking for a marijuana field, pack your spare tire compartment, and drive to Van w/ an easy $50,000 retail in illicit narcotics to sell at U2. Though, your wife may not be up for it... and if you're not into selling it, thats a lot of bud to smoke yourself

U2 sounds like an awsome concert, should be amazing.

[nfotiu]

Originally posted by Mr. Ski@Mar 28 2005, 11:12 PM
Hey there fellow CP'ers,

The background: My wife and I are driving to Vancouver to see U2 in April and are going the 'roughing-it' route including full-on SUV camping (sleeping on an air matress in the back!); we're tenters in the summer so this isn't exactly viewed as a hardship -- more an adventure.

The challenge: We've got about five days booked off from work (April 26 to 30, including the weekend). We'll be in Vancouver for at least one of them (April 27) the day of the concert. . Add to that a good day of driving each way, but other than that the itinerary is 100% open. Any ideas on what to do there, or along the way appreciated!

Only idea so far is to maybe go whale watching... anyone tried that?

Thanks,

If you are taking your time, take the Okanagan route and not the Coquihalla. Much more interesting and more things to see. But it is in between seasons, so not a lot of activity in the summer places. Lots of good skiing though.

In Vancouver, the market at Granville island is pretty cool. Gastown has some good pubs, Robson street is good for shopping and eating, Stanley park is a cool park.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

There's some good bouldering up at Squamish!

[the_only_turek_fan]

The solution to your problem!

[red '00]

Originally posted by the_only_turek_fan@Mar 28 2005, 04:44 PM
The solution to your problem!

I went there once about eleven years ago, nice place.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Well, you gotta drive through the Kootenays!!

Problem with this time of year is you're kind of in between seasons. Lots of great golf courses along the way, if you're into that. Raduim Hot Springs is a good suggestion as well.

BTW, you may want to check your schedule, the concert is on the 28th, not the 27th...........unless you're just a massive fan and just want to get there early!

I'm going too......maybe I'll see you there. Should be a great concert.

[Winsor_Pilates]

There's a little place on the way called the Enchanted Forest. Go there for the time of your life. Also make sure you have lots of good tunes for the drive.

[Resolute 14]

Retrace the mythical path of the Canucks Stanley Cup Parade?

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally posted by Snakeeye@Mar 28 2005, 09:03 PM
Retrace the mythical path of the Canucks Stanley Cup Parade?

There should be a number of ummm men sitting on the street in preperation for the parade... in order to get by the need to inject themselves with drugs though... sad truth behind being a canucks fan....

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally posted by Mean Mr. Mustard+Mar 29 2005, 04:11 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Mean Mr. Mustard @ Mar 29 2005, 04:11 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Snakeeye@Mar 28 2005, 09:03 PM
Retrace the mythical path of the Canucks Stanley Cup Parade?

There should be a number of ummm men sitting on the street in preperation for the parade... in order to get by the need to inject themselves with drugs though... sad truth behind being a canucks fan.... [/b][/quote]
Have you ever been to Vancouver......Open your little mind and realize thats not what Vancouver is all about. Thats the second time I have you seen you post something bashing Vancouver like that. Open your mind, come to Vancouver and see how beautiful it really is.

Yes, there are some real bad areas, but what major cities doesnt have problem areas that you would want to stay away from. That last post makes you look as bad as the people in Vancouver responsible for having the safe injection sites.

Give your head a shake

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

I am from Vancouver that is why I mock the place. There are a huge number of homeless downtown, if you don't think that is the case then you are being blind to the facts.

I know it is a beautiful city, but every city has it's flaws, the lower mainlands just seem to involve drugs, gangs, and street racing so they get mocked for those three.... much like people from Vancouver call Calgary a hick-town.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally posted by Winsor_Pilates@Mar 28 2005, 08:28 PM
There's a little place on the way called the Enchanted Forest. Go there for the time of your life. Also make sure you have lots of good tunes for the drive.

Wow. This is a fantastic suggestion. My family used to stop there every year on our way to Penticton. Haven't thought of it years. Definately worth the stop.

[Deelow]

Originally posted by JiriHrdina+Mar 29 2005, 06:59 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (JiriHrdina @ Mar 29 2005, 06:59 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Winsor_Pilates@Mar 28 2005, 08:28 PM
There's a little place on the way called the Enchanted Forest. Go there for the time of your life. Also make sure you have lots of good tunes for the drive.

Wow. This is a fantastic suggestion. My family used to stop there every year on our way to Penticton. Haven't thought of it years. Definately worth the stop. [/b][/quote]
Everytime I drive by that place I laugh.
It looks so run down now. I remember going there and also this now closed down Flinstones theme park in Kelowna when I was a kid.

[Mr. Ski]

Originally posted by KootenayFlamesFan@Mar 29 2005, 01:37 AM
BTW, you may want to check your schedule, the concert is on the 28th, not the 27th...........unless you're just a massive fan and just want to get there early!

You're correct it's on the 28th. Bad typing on my part.

---

What exactly is the Enchanted Forrest? Theme park?

Had another thought: Has anyone gone on one of the wine tours? We're not super big wine drinkers, but it might be fun none the less? Thoughts? Experiences?

Also: Any good places along the way where anyone's gone whitewater rafting? Looks like a lot of fun.

[Tron_fdc]

Originally posted by Deelow+Mar 29 2005, 07:22 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Deelow @ Mar 29 2005, 07:22 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

Wow. This is a fantastic suggestion. My family used to stop there every year on our way to Penticton. Haven't thought of it years. Definately worth the stop.

Everytime I drive by that place I laugh.
It looks so run down now. I remember going there and also this now closed down Flinstones theme park in Kelowna when I was a kid. [/b][/quote]
Okay, someone tell me what this place is all about. Every time I drive past it (5 or 6 times a year) my girlfriend BEGS me to take her there. Same with "Miniatureland" which is next door to it.

I have visions of midgets pretending to be farmers while turning fields with miniature donkeys, whilst fending off wizards and elves hiding in the bushes......which is why I hammer the accelerator every time I go through there.

Is it worth stopping?

[Tron_fdc]

Originally posted by Mr Ski
Had another thought: Has anyone gone on one of the wine tours? We're not super big wine drinkers, but it might be fun none the less? Thoughts? Experiences?

Also: Any good places along the way where anyone's gone whitewater rafting? Looks like a lot of fun.

Wine ours in the Okananagan are FANTASTIC. There are so many vineyards out there all you need to do is follow random signs to random shops, sample wines, buy wines, and get pretty much blitzed the whole while. The tricky part is convincing someone to stay sober as the roads out are pretty hairy (windy and tight). most places sell food as well, so you can sit back, relax, eat and drink all kinds of different wine.

White water rafting in Golden is top notch as well....I've done it a few times and it is highly recommended. There's no shortage of tours going out of there, so you shouldn't have much of a problem getting on one if you boook a few weeks in advance (although I don't know when they start running them).

[Eagle Eye]

Originally posted by Tron_fdc@Mar 29 2005, 12:09 PM

White water rafting in Golden is top notch as well....I've done it a few times and it is highly recommended. There's no shortage of tours going out of there, so you shouldn't have much of a problem getting on one if you boook a few weeks in advance (although I don't know when they start running them).

I would agree on the white water rafting in Golden, it is a ton of fun

[RougeUnderoos]

http://www.enchantedforestbc.com/

If you like kitschy/cutesy stuff then I think the Enchanted Forest is for you.

http://www.beardaleminiatureland.com/

That's the miniatureland site. If you like your kitschy/cutesy stuff shrunken down to a tiny size and with a model train driving around it, this is a better fit.

[Cheese]

A real nice tour is to take a Ferry from N Van up to the Sunshine coast...where they filmed the Beachcombers...Gibsons Cove. Drive along the coast then take another Ferry up towards Powell River....then hop on another across to the east coast of Van Island in Comox Courtney. Drive down the isle to Victoria and back to tthe mainland...then drive the #3 thru Osoyoos back to Cowtown.
The Sunshine Coast is one of the most spectacular areas to visit in Canada.