Tic tock--The countdown begins

[Ellentob]

At the end of this month we will be heading out from Virginia on the long road to Chilliwack. This will be the trip of a lifetime and we are very excited.

A great deal of planning has gone into this trip. With the aid of roadtrippers.com we have planned all the stops. It's a week to get out there. We will be staying at La Quintas all the way as they don't charge extra for the dog. We are especially looking forward to the final two nights at the Riverside B&B in Chilliwack.

Once we take possession of our new 19, we will slow down and explore the great northwest. We'll poke around Washington State for a few days then ferry to Vancouver Island and explore Victoria and as far north to Nanaimo. After that, the trip really begins. We've chosen a route from the coast to Kelowna to Castlegar (anyone know this area?) and then a slow meander south and east through Idaho and Montana through Utah and Colorado. We are keeping the schedule loose in case we want to spend extra time somewhere. We expect the whole trip to take six weeks. We are meeting friends in Colorado then we'll head for home.

We weren't including Banff in the itinerary and are wondering if that is a mistake. We expect to be surrounded by breathtaking scenery as we wend our way through the west. There's so much to see. Such a big, beautiful continent. Too much for one trip.

[gbaglo]

I'd bypass Nanaimo and head on up to Parksville, Qualicum, Courtenay/Comox.
Have fish and chips at the Ship and Shore in Deep Bay ( between Qualicum and Courtenay ).
I call Nanaimo the "City of Lights" ( as in stop lights ). It's basically one long strip mall.
The drive from Nanaimo to Comox would take another hour and a half, if you don't stop at the Combs market ( goats on the roof ).
I'm sure Catchlight can add to this post.

[Rossue]

Totally agree....if you're a golfer and play at Glacier Greens in Comox you're likely to see bald eagles, even if you don't card one! Courtenay is very cool, and Campbell River is just up the road.

[J Mac]

Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park and Camp Grounds is a very nice spot if you're heading up to the Parksville area.

[Chris R]

Or you could take another couple of days and turn left (west) at Parksville and go to Pacfic Rim Park and Tofino.

[gbaglo]

Long Beach, near Tofino

[tractors1]

Buchart Gardens on Victoria Island is a flower lovers stop........ The Butchart Gardens | Over 100 Years in Bloom

Might cross paths at ETI - we pick up our 21 on Sept 4th.

[Loren & Cathy]

Originally Posted by tractors1

Buchart Gardens on Victoria Island is a flower lovers stop........ The Butchart Gardens | Over 100 Years in Bloom

Might cross paths at ETI - we pick up our 21 on Sept 4th.

We plan to roll in on the 5th to see all that Escape has to offer. Bringing the check book. Loren

[JohnB]

Another option to get up island to Nanaimo area is to take the Juan de Fuca route north west from Victoria to Sooke, Port Renfrew, Lake Cowichan then back to the Island Highway at Duncan. Very nice Provincial Park campgrounds at French Beach and China Beach. Longer route but nicer than driving the Island Highway. Nice Provincial Park camping area between Lake Cowichan and Duncan as well along the Cowichan River.

[Seef]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

The drive from Nanaimo to Comox would take another hour and a half, if you don't stop at the Combs market ( goats on the roof ).

If you're in the neighberhood, stop over there, great for coffee and just to stroll around through the shop.

Picked up some nice BBQ sauce overthere when we visited in 2008. Ooops make that 2012....

Have fun!

Severinus and Yvonne

[Seef]

Ahh Tofino, with your friendly neigbour.

And strange trees on your way to Long Beach!