Millie's 1st Vaca

Halfway between Whistler, BC and Washington State's San Juan Islands lies another of our favorite places on Earth, The Sunshine Coast. No place we have found better exemplifies the best of what the NW has to offer - from the stunning mountaintops of Vancouver Island to the impressive deep Pacific channels. On the Sunshine Coast, it seems a breathtaking view is always close at hand, even when the fog rolls in.

Nearly 4 years ago, a co-worker of mine suggested we stay at an oceanside rental property in the town of Sechelt, and ever since, it has become our favorite sanctuary within an hour's travel from home (30 minute drive and 30 minute ferry ride...to paradise).

For Julie and I, its a chance to live simply, something akin to my youth spending months on the sailboat. You appreciate the little things that much more - lighting a fire, reading a book, grilling a piece of fish, sipping a glass of wine, throwing a ball into the water, and going on miniature adventures in small towns that seem like they were designed for your personal exploration. From the hippy coffee shop baristas to the gruffest of '79 F150 Diesel driving loggers, the locals of Sechelt seem to 'take pleasure in other people's leisure.'

As for Millie, this trip represented her first multi-night stay away from home. And fortunately, she proved to be a little champion, adapting well to new sights, sounds, smells, and sleeping quarters. But most of all, she seemed to enjoy our hikes on the beach - and playing with her favorite toys that we brought from home (which may, atleast in her eyes, include Walter).

Walter thought he had been taken to his own personal doggy camp. He went swimming a bunch (something he hasn't been as prone to doing in the frigid NW waters after his years in Caribbean seas), made friends with the neighbor's golden-mix, Jesse, and even did some off-road freestyle trail running on some rigorous native-built fishing paths. He had so much fun, in fact, that its likely he believed the bald eagles we saw battling in the backyard of the house were brought in ostensibly for his own personal entertainment.

The weather was amazing - sunny every day and 10-15 celsius, or nearly 70 (for our pals stateside who we haven't taught the metric system yet :) We took full advantage cruising up and down the coast, hiking and exploring. We even imposed a strict happy hour policy of 3pm each day.

Of course, it was necessary to take a break from all the hard-working adventures and primitive living tasks to watch Sunday football. While I told Julie that I could take a day off, it was Millie who intervened, saying she wouldn't know how to spend a Sunday if it wasn't on Dad's lap next to his can of beer and nachos, and waking her up from naps when yelling "Wes Welker - yesssss" (or at times more selfishly, for one of his own Fantasy Football stars - sometimes even a Bronco like Jay Cutler when circumstance dictates).

The other amazing thing about the Sunshine Coast is that cell phone service can be quite spotty. So rather than experience any frustration over the matter, its best to simply shut the old Blackberry off. This helps one to focus on taking better photos of his/her most favorite people.

Hopefully these photos belie what we clearly looked like with me toting around a dated 35mm Minolta, our digital Lumix, and a Canon HD handicam: we were clearly tourists. But if you don't have the proper camera EQT on the Sunshine Coast, you blew it!

(Above photo was on the ferry boat - Millie is not learning to drive yet, although she was suspiciously more jubilant up in the driver's seat)

The end of the journey is always a bittersweet pill to swallow. You know you will always cherish the memories created, but for the time being, its "baaaack to reality!" Walter crammed into a 2x2 cubic foot cargo area in the car seems a befitting photo on this topic.

Good-bye, Sunshine Coast, and stay epic. We will miss you until next time....xo the Keegans