A WINTER WEEKEND IN WHISTLER

I am so very fortunate to have generous, longtime (we all went to school together!) friends that reside in Whistler. They insist that they love to have visitors so I try to make it there as often as possible, just to please them doncha know.
Whistler is beautiful even though this January temperatures are well above freezing and it often is raining. In spite of that there is still a good amount of the snow that fell a couple of weeks ago.

I love how easy it is for me to get to Swartz Bay by transit. I merely walk 10 minutes to the Legislature and catch the #70. I enjoy the ride and it goes quickly as I read a book. I chose to use my packsack instead of a suitcase. I really miss the feel of it on my back every day when I was walking in Spain and so enjoyed the comforting feel of it on my back this trip.

An interesting cloud formation from the ferry.

More relaxing ... listening to my Spotify music and stitching together hexagons... not sure what for yet.

Transit is also agreeable easy on the other side, 620 bus to Skytrain, to Waterfront Station, to The Seabus where Laurie met me. 

Laurie and Len had wisely invested in a condo close to Lonsdale Quai, that works very well for me (but I doubt that is why they own it!)

We treated ourselves to dinner at a Greek Restaurant in West Vancouver and then drove to the concert venue.

Laurie plays oboe with The Ambleside Orchestra.

We timed my visit so I could attend a concert. The music was all new to me, perhaps because it was all Russian composers. I enjoyed every bit and was thrilled to watch Laurie participating in one of her passions. She is under the conductor's elbow.

The next morning we got away early and enjoyed a pleasant 1.5 hour drive to Whistler. Laurie and Len live within walking distance of the village BUT we really needed to tread carefully due to the ice on the trail at the shady bits.

Whistler Village was very lively, in spite of the light rain. Children were having a blast playing on this mound of snow in the middle of the square.

We enjoyed a delicious and guilt free vegan dinner of Curry Cauliflower Quinoa made by Laurie. The evening was spent watching Renee Zellewegger amazingly transform into Judy Garland, a very sad but poignant telling. 

On day 2 we put on our ice claws and walked down to the Lost Lake Trail. The sun came out for a few minutes. Many happy folks and even more very happy dogs were enjoying the area.

Menacing clouds in the horizon but fortunately bad weather did not come out way.

Laurie, my dear friend since grade 5 when I moved to Coquitlam.

That evening we walked into the village to watch the movie Little Women. I found it an enjoyable version that expressed LM Alcott's interest in women's rights.

The village was beautifully lit.

We ended the evening by letting me my hosts thoroughly beat me at Scrabble.

Day 3 the 3 of us drove to Callaghan Country where Len skate skied and Laurie and I enjoyed a couple of hours of snowshoeing.

The Olympic venue for Ski Jumping.

I love the trails through the woods!

We are using very different muscles from our normal activities. Both uphill and downhill require "toes down" in order to grab a foothold with the claws on the bottom of the snowshoes. Not only did L&L happily feed and provide me with a comfortable bed but they also provided me with snowshoes and poles! I did mention that they are generous!

Dear Laurie

Perfect temperature right around zero and the sun came out. What a glorious day.

Break time, Laurie enticing me with an apple.

Len timed his journey so to meet up with us at the hut.

Can you tell just how steep it is?!

How lucky am I!?

Love this shot.

We finished our Day with delicious soup, this is taken from the Callaghan cafeteria.

The van Ls later served my favorite meal: barbecue salmon on salad. Len braved the -2 temps to cook the fish for us. He is very talented with the barbecue.

Len had also baked a healthy and delicious carrot cake which we have been working on for the duration of my stay.

I had a thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing stay following Laurie's example of having a daily afternoon lay down which often became a nap.

Now it is back to Victoria, husband and schnauzer.

Another beautiful January afternoon to travel.

I am so very grateful.