Okay, we survived the big cities. Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver back-to-back-to-back was very tiring. Now we head out into the wilderness! Well, maybe just more rural areas and national parks.
From Vancouver, it is a 45-minute drive to Whistler on the Sea-to-Sky Highway. Easy, but not as beautiful as I was expecting, but it got us there.
Whistler
Whistler is a resort town. It started its development in the 1960's with the intent of someday hosting the Winter Olympics. Well, in 2010, it succeeded. While Vancouver was the official host city, Whistler was the site for the skiing, sledding, and all the other mountain events.
While Whistler is a big resort for winter skiing, it is also a resort during the off-season for mountain biking, hiking, and tourism. We didn't mountain bike or do much hiking, so I guess we were there for the tourism part. We can now check that off our list.
 This was the local stage in Whistler for the 2010 Olympics. Okay, not very impressive, however I am sure the medal winners were very excited. |
 Whistler is very proud of their part in the 2010 Winter Olympics and they have the rings to prove it. |
 So this is how they work. We took the Whistler Village Gondola to the top of Whistler Mountain. |
 Bikers take the ski lifts up and mountain bike down the ski trails. This is a huge attraction during the off season. Oh, what's that? Bears out on the track! |
 A mother bear and her two cubs out causing a sight for us tourists. We had the aerial view from the gondola. |
 We were greeted with a spectacular view from the top of the mountain. Too bad the hiking trails were still closed. |
 The terminus of the Whistler Village Gondola. Now what to do? |
 Well, now we take the Peak 2 Peak Gondola from Whistler Mountain to Blackcomb Mountain. |
 The Peak 2 Peak Gondola (the red and blue, not the chairs) connects the two mountains. |
 While sightseeing from our gondola traveling to Blackcomb, we have a passing view of a gondola going the other direction and Whistler down in the valley. |
 There is not much to see in the off season on Backcomb Mountain except this marmot hanging out. |
 Back on Whistler Mountain, an Inukshuk majestically looks down on Whistler, and keeps an eye out for those bears! |
 After finising sightseeing and lunch, we head back down the mountain to Whistler. |
Clearwater, BC and Wells Gray Park
The first half of the drive from Whistler to Clearwater was a bit challenging via highway 99. I used to think 6% grade was slow climbing, but there were several 10-12% grades that slowed us down to 22 mph. And then there was this less-than-2-car-wide underpass that made a sharp right turn after going through (with cars waiting to get through the other way) that I still don't know how the 40-foot motorhome towing a Jeep bent around that corner! Okay, I am not taking that route again.
Clearwater is the gateway to Wells Gray Provincial Park. We spent two nights in Clearwater and went into the park on the middle day.
 A funny thing happened on the way to our RV Park in Clearwater. We came across downed electric lines (see above the truck). We were not allowed to pass (too tall) until they cut them down. |
 We relaxed and waited 30+ minutes for a truck to cut them down before we were on our way on a very backcountry road to our RV park. (This was the good part of the road!) |
 While the road to the RV park was very backcountry, the RV park was very nice with only one other RV there. |
 Wells Gray Provincial Park, with over 40 named waterfalls, is a huge park and provided an unexpected great day of sightseeing. |
 Becky is off to find Spahats Falls. JUST FOLLOW THE ROARING SOUND! |
 "There it is! I told you it was this way. Beautiful." |
 Purple Lupines are seen growing along much of the roadside. Watch out, they are poisonous! |
 Yes, there are also bees in British Columbia pollinating the plants. |
 Helmcken Falls, one of the most beautiful falls in Canada (so the brochure says), is 462 ft tall (well over a football field high). |
 Helmcken Falls is LOUD, POWERFUL, and SPECTACULAR! |
 Mush Bowl, where the turbulent river mushes altogether over the rocks. |
 The Mush Bowl from above. |
 Dawson Falls. Supposedly a smaller version of Niagara Falls. Actually, Niagara Falls is more horseshoe shaped. While not as big, these are still beautiful. |
 The tower to the sky - Green Mountain Lookout provides a panoramic view of the park. Becky is ready for the view. |
 Beautiful view across the valley and to the snowcapped mountains. |
 Tall, snowcapped mountains are always a great view. |
 Oh, and more roadside flowers. These are RED! |
Now on to Jasper!