After some discusion wwith Tina and Ken we were of to the mountains. How far we would get we didnt know. I was hoping to make it to Whistler Vill;age. The highway was a beautiful driving experience, along the lake with mountains coming down to the foreshore. The highway had been improved for the recent Winter Olympics and it was obvious that it would be a very busy road during the winter season.

Just out of the town of Squamish (about an hour from Vancouver) we came upoin the newly opened "Sea to Sky" Gondola. Of course this was hard to resist, so we boarded not really knowing where it went to or what we would see. Well it was a great decision. The four of use were in one gondola and, we were off! With a vertical rise of 850 metres and nearly 2 kilometres in length the ten minute ride was exhilerating. Overlooking Howe Sound with snowed capped mountains all around. At the top there is a viewing area with ships and a restuarant. Our first experience at the top was to cross the suspension bridge - no means feat, especialy for Joanne, who just loves these things! After crosing the bridge we walked around one of the nature trails before heading for the restuarant. We had lunch taking in the marvellous vista all around. It is easy to get lost in the beauty of this part of BC and imagine further how it must look in winter time.

Time to take the almost breathtaking ride down the mountain. This time we were in the gondola with an Australian couple. It was good to get to the base station - for more than one reason!

A short drive on to the town of Squamish, reminiscant of an old western town. We briefly visited an old hotel which Ken had remembered visitng in the past - The Hotel Chieftain.

We had noticed wind surfers and could see then operating from a point in Howe Sound. After much searching we found their location and enjoyed see them moving swiftly across the water in a very strong wind.

We lefrt Squamish, and after deciding that Whistler was beyond us today, we returned to Vancouver. We stopped at Shannon Falls which is a lovely Provincial Park. Lovely trees, low lying bushes and a meandering path with at times a tropical feel. The falls were quite spctacular and this stop waas an enjoyable break on the journey back to Vancouver.

It had been a great day and we both remarked how pleased we were to actually get out and about and see some of the country side. Ken and Tina had been very good tour hosts.

Time to consider going home....