I just took these Long Legs for a short and sweet visit to the west coast where I was able to do and see so much. The west coast is a place I always enjoy visiting. So when a friend posted on Facebook that she had heard that Harry Connick Jr. was going to be playing a summer concert at a winery north of Seattle, I thought why not. I’ve never done something like that. I love Harry Connick Jr. and definitely love wine, so how could I go wrong.
It’s amazing that in a short Thursday to Tuesday trip, I was able to enjoy so much including many great meals in YVR, the concert in the US and a first trip to Vancouver Island to visit some wonderful old friends.
Since all the work was done with the transit in Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Games, it’s just so easy to get from YVR into the city on the Canada Line rapid transit. I love how it simplifies life for residents and visitors to this fine city. Luckily when I’m in Vancouver I have wonderful friends who put up with me and also live right near a Canada Line station and walking distance to one of my favourite places in Canada, Granville Island!
While in Vancouver there were many great meals enjoyed, but let’s save that for the end. First there was the Harry Connick Jr. concert road trip. A few of us enjoyed a fun road trip down to our destination of Chateau Ste. Michelle near Seattle. With some stops for some outlet shopping at the Tulalip Premium Outlets and a few other places, we checked into our hotel and got ready to head out to our concert. With much excitement and a bit of picnic packed we made our way to the winery. With 100s, if not 1000s of others we made our wine purchases (2 bottles for 2 of us should do) and found our seats. Amazing the spread some of the general admission people had. They were definitely professional picnic’ers. Wanted to join them. But my actual seat called my name.
As we sat and enjoyed our wine and mini-picnic, Harry Connick Jr. took the stage, on time, like professional entertainers do and continued to entertain us with his humour, talent and great voice for the next 2.5 hours. I don’t know that I’ve enjoyed a concert more. The weather, the location, the atmosphere and Harry! Awesome!
Back in Vancouver the next day and then it was off to Vancouver Island on the Sunday morning for the first time. A beautiful and relaxing ferry takes you on a quick trip over to the island (less than 2 hours). Once on the island, it’s just a different world. Most people who head to the island make their way to Victoria, but I was there to visit some friends of my dad who had retired to the sleepy town of Sidney.
This little town is home to many retirees, gorgeous views and is just so relaxing. Easy to get around by just walking the few streets that they have that all lead off the main strip. My reason for Sidney was to visit friends, as I mentioned. These friends are the most well traveled people I know. They have traveled to over 140 countries and have had the most amazing experiences. I can only dream to follow in their footsteps.
With only one night in Sidney, it was back to Vancouver for one more lovely meal and then back to the real world.
While in Vancouver I got to enjoy wonderful meals at Edible Canada and Salmon n’Bannock. Both focused on local/Canadian ingredients for their menus. I would recommend and go back to both restaurants when out in Vancouver. But I must say that the meal I had a Salmon n’Bannock, an Aboriginal restaurant, was incredible. From my bannock with Saskatoon berry jam, followed by the incredible elk stew with more bannock on the side and some Nk Mip Pinot Noir to compliment it all, this meal and the incredible service was unforgettable. Can’t wait to visit them again!
Looking back I love how much I was able to do and see in this short and sweet trip. I think I’m going to try doing some more of these. Where should I take these Long Legs next? Maybe the other coast?
(Taken near Sidney, BC)
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