Visiting Vancouver and other cities

[marsbound2024]

Hello everyone, I thought I'd give my Canadian friends a heads up that I will be traveling up to British Columbia and Alberta over the next couple of weeks from the 6th through the 19th. I'll be in Vancouver on the 6th and part of the 7th and will be back in Vancouver on the 15th through the 19th.

I've been talking to InflatableBuddha about it and would enjoy meeting up with any ATers if you guys have the time or want to.

Some other cities I'll visit: Whistler, Kamloops, Jasper, Banff and Vernon. Not sure how much free time I'll have in those cities, though.

Feel free to PM me if you want and we'll have a few beers or something. Also, if anyone has suggestions for some places to visit or things to do along the way, I'd be very appreciative for the tips. Have a good day and look forward to seeing any of you who are able and have the time.

 

[iGas]

Whistler is okay in the summer, but not anywhere as fun as the Winter. There isn't much to do in Kamloops & Vernon, Pentiction annual Peach Festival run between Aug 4~8 will be awesome (I have been to Peachfest twice). Vancouver is good at anytime in the summer, so as Banff. Jasper is great in the winter, but relatively quiet in the Summer.

PS. Stay away from Vancouver Island, we don't need no more stinkin tourists

 

[silverpig]

I'm up for a Vancouver meet. Buddha, locut0s, KT and I are usually pretty good at meeting up semi-regularly. There's a few others who show up from time to time as well.

If your schedule isn't set in stone, I'd suggest skipping Kamloops and instead heading to Kelowna. There's not much in Kamloops and it's not a really nice town esthetically. Kelowna on the other hand is right by the beautiful Okanagan lake and is in the middle of wine country.

If you were just going to stop in Kamloops for the evening to sleep, then it's okay. You will get some of the wine country in Vernon, but wine country is definitely nicer the farther south you go.

 

[skyking]

I second Kelowna over most any other spot in the Okanogan, and I live south of the border
PM me if you have time on the way through Seattle/Tacoma, if that is your route.

 

[marsbound2024]

Thanks for the comments guys. Unfortunately my schedule IS set in stone and the destinations weren't completely my choice. However, I will be driving through Kelowna and see Okanagan Lake, but it doesn't appear that I'll stop there (this is a Contiki tour; Buddha gave me the idea that I should consider one so I did).

As far as Seattle/Tacoma, I won't be in that area sadly, but I have that in mind for a vacation next year.

I'll get in Vancouver by early afternoon this Friday so my evening is fairly open except for this 7PM meet at the hotel. Once I return to Vancouver, I'll have most if not all of the day free on the 16th and the all of the 17th and 18th. My flight leaves before noon on the 19th, so I'd only be able to have breakfast that day.

 

[silverpig]

Well Friday would probably work for most of us I'd think. What hotel are you staying at? We can find a bar near there.

 

[marsbound2024]

Hmm, Sandman Inn Downtown? I can take a taxi anywhere though, but walking distance is always nice, too. West Georgia St and Cambie looks like. And Friday works for me. I should extend my vacation a couple of days to allow for another weekend in Vancouver, but I think it might be a tad late for that now.

 

[Riceninja]

there isnt shit in kamloops, jasper or vernon. once you've seen vancouver, banff and whistler there's nothing west of toronto worth visiting.

its a good thing you're skipping seattle too; i went last week and its basically vancouver with crappy ass roads but minus the hot girls

 

[InflatableBuddha]

I was away this weekend in Sooke and I just got back tonight to see this thread.

I'm definitely up for hanging out for beers and maybe playing tourist around Vancouver too. This Friday works for me.

I agree with the others that Kelowna is the more beautiful spot (including the girls ), but at least you'll get to see the Okanagan.

Your hotel is right at the Shark Club, but I'm sure we can find a classier spot.

 

[Firebot]

If you do pass by Calgary you can always hit me up. It's an hour drive away from Banff and worth at least a visit if you are from out of the country. Canmore is a great place with some really good pubs too, a mountain town between Banff and Calgary without all the commercial overhype that Banff gets.

Be sure to at least get an easy hike or two in and don't simply do some sightseeing. Roadtrips in the mountains are nothing compared to being on the top of the world like this.

* I just took a look a the Conkiti tour. Seems quite expensive but it looks like you end up seeing quite a lot. Take in as many hikes as they will allow you.

 

[eldorado99]

Vernon is a bit of a shit-hole and Kamloops isn't all that great. Like others have said Van/Kel/Whistler are good.

 

[marsbound2024]

There was an option to visit Calgary but I didn't choose it sadly! I probably should have, but it would've made the vacation even longer and I am already using up most of my vacation time for the year.

Since people seem to think Friday is a good date, then I am up for that. I am thinking maybe 8 or 8:30PM local time, but I am free from around 2PMish to 7PM and have some sort of meeting that I have no idea how long it lasts. Then I gotta meet up with the group at 10AM in the morning the next day.

Depending how much I like my trip, I may consider visiting Vancouver more often... I've already experienced how cool some of the people are, and from what I've read/seen, the area looks pretty awesome overall.

Anyway, so who all is up for Friday for sure? Looks like silverpig and Buddha for sure. Anyone else?


Buddha: You guys can pick the place, being locals and all. I can walk or take a cab if necessary. I am sure that'll be no problem for me.

 

[marsbound2024]

If you do pass by Calgary you can always hit me up. It's an hour drive away from Banff and worth at least a visit if you are from out of the country. Canmore is a great place with some really good pubs too, a mountain town between Banff and Calgary without all the commercial overhype that Banff gets.

Be sure to at least get an easy hike or two in and don't simply do some sightseeing. Roadtrips in the mountains are nothing compared to being on the top of the world like this.

* I just took a look a the Conkiti tour. Seems quite expensive but it looks like you end up seeing quite a lot. Take in as many hikes as they will allow you.

Definitely plan on doing that. Looking at canoeing and maybe even white-water rafting. I didn't spend the money to sit around and do nothing. I thought about a helicopter ride over the Rockies, but that turns out to be over a hundred something USD for half an hour. Not really persuading me to try that one out.

 

[KeithTalent]

I was away this weekend in Sooke and I just got back tonight to see this thread.

I'm definitely up for hanging out for beers and maybe playing tourist around Vancouver too. This Friday works for me.

I agree with the others that Kelowna is the more beautiful spot (including the girls ), but at least you'll get to see the Okanagan.

Your hotel is right at the Shark Club, but I'm sure we can find a classier spot.

That's unpossible!

I should be free on Friday, but if you are only free until 7 that could be tight. :hmm: Also, just to warn you, I'm a very angry drunk.

KT

 

[marsbound2024]

That's unpossible!

I should be free on Friday, but if you are only free until 7 that could be tight. :hmm: Also, just to warn you, I'm a very angry drunk.

KT

I am free after that time as well, sir. I have no idea why there is some stupid pre-trip meeting. I figure I can take a look to see what it's about and cut out early if need be. Besides, after that meeting is over, I am all free.

As far as being an angry drunk... no problem with me. I've seen my fair share of angry drunks, sir.

edit: I wonder if I could simply talk to one of the tour managers before 7 that way I can get the info I need and have the evening free.

 

[marsbound2024]

Alright so it looks like I do need to be at that meeting at 7PM. Apparently it will take 30 minutes to an hour. Not sure how we want to plan to accommodate this since I know you guys will want to be going home at some point if I am not going to be around. Unless you wanted to shoot the sh*t--as they say--with each other while I am gone temporarily. Whatever works for you all.

Personally I am liking the idea of going somewhere within walking distance even more now, but again, if you guys know of a great place to go that is further away, then I'll gladly do that as well. I'll speak with Buddha on it more.

 

[silverpig]

Dude, there's gonna be tons of places within a 5-10 minute walk of that place. We'll figure something out and go with it.

I'm a fan of Steamworks... Oh, and I'll be there for a work function from 4:30-7 anyways, so that's super easy for me. And we can entertain ourselves until you arrive. It's not like 8 pm on a Friday night is late for us or anything.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Also, just to warn you, I'm a very angry drunk.
KT

This I HAVE to see.

To OP: Don't skip the meeting dude. There will be some useful information and you may have to fill in forms or check documentation. I agree with silverpig: 8:00 to 8:30 is pretty early for a Friday night, so no worries there.

Why don't we all just meet at Shark Club between 8:00-8:30 and decide on a place to go from there? Lots of stuff within walking distance.

 

[silverpig]

Why don't we all just meet at Shark Club between 8:00-8:30 and decide on a place to go from there? Lots of stuff within walking distance.

Works for me.

 

[marsbound2024]

Works for me.

Sounds like a great plan to me also.