to the warmer climes of the pacific northwest for 10 days.

It has been two years to the month, October 2006, since I have been to Vancouver Island and on that trip I drove, a lovely fall drive though changing colors of Jasper, Kamloops and over the Cochahalla to Vancouver, BUT at least a 15 hrs. drive.  Both trips triggered by family visiting, the daughter at UBC or occasions, last one a death of an older aunt and this one the remarriage of a younger sister. As much as I contemplated driving again and bringing the dogs ( visions of romping along the ocean shoreline), also considered price of gas which hit a high of $1.38/liter in Edmonton  but is now at about $1.19, and time time and stress of driving alone, decided to fly and really glad I did!!! Both West Jet and Air Canada had seat sales, and although one pays for many of the little extras such as seat selection,  meals etc...it was well worth it to have a clear flight Sunday of seeing the patch work  green and yellow quilt of prairie farms at harvest, snow covered tips of the Rockies and Bow Glacier, Kamloops,  stretched out at the beginning of the network of winding, sun reflecting BC lakes, rail lines and highways, green forest though some older clear cuts and now patch works, and finally the Gulf Islands and Mt. Baker.... all in 90 minutes!