Sidney by the Sea on the Saanich Penninsula

Many moons ago, we bought a sailboat and used Sidney, British Columbia as our staging grounds for a 5-year world sailing cruise with our young family. We spent many weeks in Westport marina, just north of Sidney, getting ready to head out. Tioga was in a slip to the left in the picture. Where have the years gone?

Westport Marina

First thing in the morning we head to Oceanside RV resort to get a site for the next two nights.

Oceanside RV Resort - just south of Sidney, BC

Very nice site - #36

Then we head into Sidney, unload the bikes and have a poke around to see some of the old sites and the old marine supply stores where BOAT took on the meaning Bring Out Another Thousand! 

Years ago, we also spent a short time on our boat Tioga in the Sidney marina right in the downtown. It was very nice, but we needed a working marina with boat lifts and haul out options, thus Westport marina became home. 

Sidney Marina

We bike all along the Sidney waterfront and eventually end up out at Allbay Viewpoint. 

Allbay Viewpoint

Back when we owned Tioga out here, Jacque and Bea, of  Bea's Canvas and Tartarooga Jacque Dodgers did a lot of work for us building a hard dodger for Tioga. We had heard sadly Jacque passed away, but Bea is still doing canvas work. We search her out but sadly the shop is already closed by the time we work our way there. 

We had a great day exploring around on our bikes.

Heading to the Tsawwassen Ferry and on to Vancouver Island

Today we have about 4 hours of travel to land us at the ferry terminal in Tsawwassen to catch our 7pm ferry reservation. It was almost half price to take an evening sailing.

Nice picture as we leave Monck Lake

This section of the TransCanada highway is so rugged and wild. I feel it is similar to what Alaska would be like?

One-eyed barn at our lunch rest stop.

They are already cutting crops here!! 

We had planned to arrive before rush hour at Centennial Beach, which is a stones throw from the ferry terminal. The tide is out so we are able to walk way out on the beach and enjoy the wonderful fresh smells of the ocean. 

Vancouver in the distance.

Looking out on the Strait of Georgia.

At 6pm we drive to the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal

Sun is setting as we enter Active Pass

Once on Vancouver Island, we drive 5 minutes to West Port Marina. This is the marina we stored our boat Tioga at prior to our sailing trip. We know there is lots of parking and it's a great place to spend the night. We catch the end of the Oilers/LA game. Oilers win again!!!  We are now up 3 games to 2 of the best of 7 series. :)

Revelstoke to Monck Lake Provincial Park near Merritt, BC

Our plan is to have shorter driving days and enjoy time where we land. Chris found Monck Lake provincial park as a free place to stay until May 1st so that is today's destination. 

Beautiful lake front campsite. 

Nice lake side trail.

Looking forward to this combo - given to us by special friends in Arizona :)

Pizza is a favorite while travelling. Oven nicely heats the trailer :)

CANADA - COAST to COAST - a long time dream is finally coming true

We have long been planning a trip across Canada and it finally has come to fruition. In order to make it a full coast to coast trip, we have to get to the west coast of BC first to officially kick off our trip.

Finally everything loaded and ready to roll.

Sheila and Chris with our truck, Glennifer and Trailer, Homer

It's such a beautiful drive west. Still lots of snow in the mountains.

Rogers Pass - 1330 m - pass along the TransCanada highway.

Bridge over the Columbia River in Revelstoke.

We arrive in Revelstoke, BC in time to catch game 5 of the hockey series Edmonton Oilers vs Los Angeles Kings. 

Heart stopping overtime win for Oilers!!!