Flight Memory

From the website www.flightmemory.com

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Let us know if this works

Tsawassen-Schwartz Bay Ferry Crossing

Since I was just on the mainland having travelled round trip on BC Ferries, paid my $142 Canadian for a car and two people, battled the summer crowds and tourists from all over that I was thinking alot of these travellers have never been on a boat before. Perhaps I should take a moment on the verge of the Labor Day long weekend to chat about this. If you are going to be heading out for a cruise across the Juan De Fuca for the first time, regardless of your departure point, read on.

The biggest single mistake people make when integrating BC Ferries into their travel plans is they don't plan. It's not just a matter of showing up, paying your fare and going for a ride. Plan ahead! Know when you are travelling, the time in which you are hoping to depart and check the web site for BC Ferries. You are going to find a wealth of information. Just don't assume that because you want to take the 8am departure out of Tsawassen that you are going to get on that boat. There are times that I just refuse to sail, if I can help it. Peak times, which includes the early early sailings and later afternoon. Try to make your plans, if you can, to include a mid-week, mid-day departure. Less traffic, more room to move and shorter line-ups in the buffett line. Also, if your lucky a bit cheaper. for example, BC Ferries has a cost saver special on right now until the 10th of September if you choose to sail in off-peak times like 10am or 1pm. Although this is rare, and you really do have to watch their web site for when these deals are in effect. Because we are talking about travelling over the Labor Day weekend, of course none of this applies.

Tip #1. If you know when you want to travel, try and take advantage of their "Reservations" option. Contrary to what some people may have informed you, the cost of the reservation is above and beyond the actual cost of the fair. So, yes! It's in addition.

Tip #2 To skirt the issue of having to wait in line for 45 minutes (half the time it takes to make the crossing) to get your burger, either take your own lunch or eat before you go. Than you can sit out on the deck and not miss any fabulous photo opportunities.

While you are waiting in the que, at either Tsawassen or Schwartz Bay, there is plenty to do if you don't want to be sitting in your car on a nice day. Tsawassen Ferry Terminal has recently gone through an extensive upgrade which now offers gift shops, several food selections, coffee and clean washrooms. There are even spots for the kids to play. Schwartz Bay, is similar, with less of the botique style shops. However, you can browse the tents, buy your Pacific Smoked Salmon, Kettle Corn and locally hand crafted jewellry.



Let's cut to the chase here. You are going to be in for huge line-ups. It's part of life on the West Coast. Sometimes these can be 3 and 4 sailing waits. Translated, half your day sitting idle in a huge parking lot. Take a book, take a deep breath, visit BC Ferries on the web before you go and enjoy the holiday.

West Shore Galleries on Schmap.com

West Shore Galleries had a picture selected for Schmap.com and their new directory for 2009-2010. We're very excited. Check it out on the page of where to stay and what to do in Las Vegas.

Camping at Monck Park British Columbia

Monck Provincial Park located a short 10-15 drive north of Merritt BC played host to a recent weekend away with friends. Driving up from Victoria, it was a pleasant drive. Leaving Early Friday morning and catching the 8 o'clock sailing out of Schwartz Bay, it was a pleasant drive through the Fraser Valley. The timing was perfect, which allowed us to miss most of the early weekend traffic out of Vancouver. My preferred route is taking Highway 99 south towards White Rock and then Highway 10 through South Surrey and Langley to Glover Road. From there, north back towards Highway 1. Although you still have the sometimes heavy traffic to contend with in Abbotsford, it usually gives you a good jump start to the day when your looking to get out of town.

It had been about 6 months since my last drive up Highway 5 (Coquihalla Highway) so I was curious how things have come along since the removal of the Toll Booth at the summit. It was looking great. There is clearly two lanes both directions. Road crews have replaced the green space between north and south bound traffic. Despite some repainting of the lines and continued restoration of the summit, traffic was moving rather smoothly. But do watch for the odd lane closure.

Once we arrived in Merritt, I made one of my usual stops at the Husky Station truck stop just off of where Highway 5 splits into 5A. If your looking for Pizza there's a Boston Pizza on the corner and of course the usual truck stop fare at Husky. Big parking lot for over sized vehicles and trailers, clean washrooms and a snack counter to satisfy almost any temptation. The drive to Monck was only 15 minutes up the road from here.

From the Husky station, you pull back out onto Highway 5A and head north about 5 minutes until you reach Monck Park Road. Take note, when you make your left had turn here (travelling North) take note of the incredible Osprey nest to your immediate left. You can't miss it with it brightly decorated red streamers. There's plenty of room to pull off to the side of the road and take a picture or two. If your lucky, like we were, there was somebody home in the nest which offered up some great pictures.

Following along Monck Lake Road you will eventually pull off when you reach the campground about 7 minutes North. Park is situated on the west side of Nicola Lake. A campground that is very dry, (typical for this arid climate), dusty and very windy. We were told the wind is usual for the area because of the wind tunnel effect through the valley between the hills. This was bit of a concern as one of the campers in our party had his awning snapped right out of its mounts. Tents also had to be tied down sufficiently to keep the wind from blowing the camp site away. Aside from that the weather was great which made for an enjoyable weekend. Monck Park offers a great spot for water sports. There were many boats on the lake towing the kids behind on water boards, canoeing and of course swimming. Although some of us found the water to be a little chilly, it didn't seem to keep people from getting in and having fun. The park also comes with a huge, nicely manicured lawn next to the beach, clean well kept picnic tables, washrooms and plenty of room for the dogs to run and the children to play.

The only complaint I had, was that park staff, seemed to be a little over attentive. Stopping by each of the sites frequently while making their rounds. Probably just a part of their routine for park maintenance. Two nights was enough for me, and I probably wouldn't go back just because of the wind and dust, but if you are looking for a quick overnighter on the way to other destinations either north or south, it is highly recommended.

Trans Canada Highway - Great Food

As we get ready for the big road trip this weekend, I started thinking about some of the stops along the highway that have become as much a part of my travels as getting to your destination. Anyone that drives the Trans Canada Highway between either Princeton and Hope or from the Okanagan south on Highway 5 has to do themselves a favor and make a stop at the Blue Moose Cafe. No longer does a small town have to mean "crappy food" and service. I was first introduced to the Blue Moose Cafe in my days as a Motor Coach Operator. This was a scheduled first stop for most international tour companies like Trafalgar, Jetsave, Cosmo's etc. For tourists out on their own, or part of an organized tour, The Blue Moose, situated in the heart of this quaint little town across from city hall, boasts some of the best baked goods, home made sandwhiches, soups, special coffees and more. My favorite has always been the pizza. Bite size, hot and served just right. I tend to wash it down with one of their slushy smoothies. A flavor of your choice of course. Banana Strawberry? The best way to describe the Blue Moose is sort of a cross between The Bread Garden with a pub like atmosphere. (they do hold a liquor license too for the thirsty traveler). Because this is a very popular stop for the Motor Coach tour traffic, there can be some line-ups. if you do run into a line-up, be patient it's worth the wait. If you are planning a trip, maybe time your stop after lunch or before 10:30 or 11:00 in the morning, this is when the buses start rolling in. They do tend to move people through pretty quick. On your trip through the Rockies, make the Blue Moose a stop for sure. Have some lunch, meet some friends, or even check up on some emails from back home. http://www.bluemoosecafe.com/index.php

Does it really snow in the desert?

I was speaking with someone the other day about a recent trip (December 2008) to Las Vegas and they were standing there looking at me like I had three heads. Yes Virginia, it really did snow in the desert. Although it wasn't the kind of snow you would typically expect in say, Edmonton in the winter, it was still snow.

When word broke in the MGM Grand Casino that it indeed was snowing the comments were fast and furious. One couple standing next to us in the parking lot were from Chicago. And they were pissed! "We come down here from Chicago each year to get away from this s%#&t!" While they were running for the cover of the MGM lobby, tourists from Japan and Australia were out having a snowball fight and soaking the whol experience in. Me? Well, I just felt like I was back at the airport in Vancouver where we started. Snow, -10, rain and light winds. Ah, Vegas in the wintertime. Anyways, here's the picture to prove it. Check out more pictures of Vegas, the same trip, without the show at www.westshoregalleries.ifp3.com

New Foto Expidition

Getting set for a great trip this weekend to the Nicola Valley. While camping isn't really my thing, I'm sure there will be lots to photograph in and around the Merritt area. Last big weekend of the summer. Keep checking back for new posts.

New Pictures Posted

New pics posted under Industry and CityScape. More to come almost daily.

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URL of new site

www.westshoregalleries.ifp3.com

My new site...

Any thoughts or comments you might have regarding my site let me know. Looking for new ways of marketing my images and reaching out to a new customer base.

Friday

It's the weekend, and we all made it. This is a test of my new blog. Hope it works.