i went west

 it's been a year and a bit since our eldest moved out west, and it finally worked to make the journey to her.  this was big for me.  a huge gift of resources of time and energy were pooled together to help make this happen.  thanks to all who helped me get away with a peace about leaving.  i also had dear Jeffrey fully on board and supportive of this grand adventure i was committed to undertaking.  thanks to grandparents and friends who came alongside.  

so, off i went.  the opposite of a seasoned traveler, but eager nonetheless.  so happy to fly again, and to have my dear daughter there at the end of the flight was a huge gift.  she was a rockstar hostess.  i had literally not even considered how we'd pass the days.  i really didn't care.  all i knew was that BC would be beautiful and the company would be adventurous and fun.  all of that was more than accurate.  so, really, i was kind of just along for the ride (quite literally), in awe of my daughter's tech savvy ability to navigate all things "big city" and my utter ineptness to do the same.  

still, i soaked up every bit of it.  i stood in awe of God's creation.  i had a million questions.  i so enjoyed seeing BC through Joelle's lens too. we ate like we meant business.  we walked 10 km a day.  we rode ebikes at night along the waterfront, we had a crazy high gondola ride leading to views that were utterly breathtaking.  we hiked, we rode a seabus and i took my first Uber.  we swam (me very briefly, but i did it) in a clear and frigid natural pool at the base of a waterfall that took my breath away.  Joelle made it look easy, no surprise.  

off i go.  all by myself.  unheard of.

who knew the fog would roll in heavy, as we circled in the sky hoping it would clear...

she found me in Vancouver instead of Abbotsford and just rolled with it, like she does

Lynn Canyon suspension bridge

the most adorable floating houses, North Vancouver

the view from the pier, North Vancouver

Sea to Sky Gondola, Squamish

the most idyllic little spot i've possibly ever seen.  Lake Alta, Rainbow Park.

Joelle working the neutrals in her parking garage.  she's hilarious.

souvlaki bliss at the most charming Greek restaurant ever...so fresh and flavourful...mouthwatering now even.  

Joelle and I with rented bikes~ touring Stanley Park.  totally refreshing, and again, she navigated even when i almost led her astray.  

the entire time i was there was warm and sunny.  beautiful blue skies and everywhere you turned people were out enjoying the last bursts of summer.

a place i wanted to eat breakfast at for fourteen days straight just to explore the menu.  it was top notch. fresh squeezed OJ and crepes, dreamy. 

Lebanese scrumptiousness.  and the coolest feel to this charming basement restaurant.  

oh, the ebikes.  such a blast, especially when i wasn't nearly colliding with the pole. 

one last picture of the mountains, which only begins to capture the beauty of them.  so vast and so magnificent.  so thankful the whirlwind weekend happened.  

we made memories.  and i sure do love you, Joelle!  thanks for being a "tour guide extraordinaire" and for welcoming me so warmly.  this one will be unforgettable! ❤