A Sea to Sky Treat!

Thursday, 14 October 2021

A Sea to Sky Treat!

"Darn it!" we exclaimed in unison, when we realized that the GPS had taken us to the wrong place!

"I'm not sure I trust that thing," Mark complained, pointing to the cell phone, where Google Maps was happily continuing to direct us to God knows where!!

"I'm sure I put the right info in," I said, with little confidence. "Anyway, let's tell a different story!"

"OK. Everything always works out for us - it always does!"

(Courtesy of: https://quotesgram.com/go-with-the-flow-quotes/ )

That felt better, and we entered in our desired destination, and proceeded to follow the new route, which seemed to be on track. With 2o minutes added to our journey, we finally arrived where we wanted to be - only to find that the early morning mist and low clouds, had mainly disbursed leaving a clearer field of vision, which pleased us immensely.

We had planned to visit the Sea to Sky Gondola, in Squamish, B.C., just one hour south of where we are staying in Whistler. Of all the days we were going to be here, Wednesday seemed to be the best day, weather-wise. So, in spite of the foreboding skies and low clouds when we left, we took off for the adventure - and we realized that - because we were delayed - our timing was perfect. The entire time we were on the mountain, the clouds separated allowing the sun to peek through and bring forth the best views we could hope for. In fact, one person told us that this day was the best day it had been for quite a long time! (In fact, the skies began to become overcast and the clouds moved in just as we were leaving the area!)

Whenever we are in the mountains, we take advantage of gondolas, chairlifts, or any other ways to go as high as we can, as we know that the views from the top are always magnificent. This day was no different, as the previous night's snowfall turned the area into an early Winter's Wonderland affording great glimpses of Howe Sound in the valley below us. The quiet and smooth ride to the top was gently exhilarating!

Arriving at the viewing platform, we immediately made our way to the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge, which is shorter than the Capilano version, but no less spectacular.

Although the bridge was snow covered, it was not slippery, but we were glad we had had the forethought to wear our Lemigo boots.

Across the gorge, there was a cantilevered viewing platform from which could be seen expansive views around the horizon.

A few minutes (and photos) later, we walked the Spirit Trail - a short, 400m loop pathway that gave us even more panoramas to appreciate.

Snow was gently falling from the trees as it melted... often dumping right on our hats!

Making our way back across the bridge, we grabbed a coffee and went outside to watch the gondolas bringing people up and down the mountainside. There were many which were empty, as the main season had passed, following the recent Thanksgiving holidays.

We remarked upon how silent they were as they glided above the snow-kissed treetops.

We took this just as we were about to return to base - the clouds had started to move in - as you can see from the background!

It was also briefly mentioned how tragic it must have been, in both 2019 and 2020, when vandals severed the cables, causing dozens of the gondola cars to crash below onto the forest-covered mountain slopes. Costing millions of dollars, and closing the attraction for the second time in two years, it took months to repair, and affected the livelihood of so many of those who worked there. It also made us think of the sheer bravery of those who worked so hard to bring it back to its present excellent condition.

Returning our thoughts to better things, after two hours of breath-taking enjoyment, we began our descent on the gondola, once again taking in the scenery through the freshly-wiped windows.