Our Favourite Places: Kootenay Lake Ferry

Three summers ago, Greg and I crossed Kootenay Lake on a ferry. The mountains, the water, the shore side properties... stunning. I look forward to taking Thomas on a roadtrip in BC and taking that very ferry ride with him some day. Images by Kevin Cappis and Dean Forbes.

Our Favourite Places: Cook St. Helena

A friend recently asked for advice on vacationing in the Napa Valley, which got me thinking about our honeymoon and the many delicious meals we enjoyed during that time. I found myself recalling the most casual and affordable lunch we enjoyed on those first blissful days of marriage - sharing a platter of antipasti at Cook St. Helena complete with salumi, roasted garlic, percorino, olives and crostini. Sometimes it's these simple meals that leave a lasting impression. Images via Magourty and Wander and Whimsy.

California

I'm daydreaming about a trip to Manhattan Beach, California in the 1950s. Via Like Cool.

Ace

As Igor rages, I'm dreaming of a vacation at The Ace Hotel in Palm Springs (or a February interlude in Tulum, Mexico). Keep safe friends and loved ones!

Hotels

One of my favourite things to do when staying in hotels is to sit in the big windows and drink in the city skyline. Greg's in Ottawa for business this week, and I know that if I was accompanying him, I'd be doing that right now. Images via Noukka Signe and Alice.

Speaking of things people do in hotels, my brother-in-law, Chris, started this website a few years back - cool idea huh? Legend has it, the idea to compile photos of people jumping on hotel beds came from noticing how many photos people upload those sorts of photos on Flickr. Do jump on beds in hotels?

Diner

I have a penchant for diners. I love French fries and milkshakes, and I'm slowly learning to enjoy burgers. Every time Greg and I visit Vancouver, we stop at the fantastic Moderne Burger on West Broadway with family and friends. We always have such fun! St. John's desperately needs a 50s Diner and Malt Shop. To make a diner-worthy, vanilla milkshake - I recommend this recipe.

Port Rexton

We've booked a mini-vacation for late August to the homeland of my paternal family - the Bonavista Peninsula in Trinity Bay. Traveling with my brother and his lovely girlfriend, we'll spend an overnight in Devil's Cove, Port Rexton and will take mini road trips to Trinity and Bonavista. The only decision that remains is whether we want to try a seasonal, local, fixed menu at The Fisher's Loft or at The Twine Loft at Artisan Inn. With a constitutional expert for a husband, Greg will be no doubt excited to see the first court house in North America in Trinity while I love having a mini-holiday to look forward to.

Napa

I was super excited to find this guide to Napa Valley today. What perfect timing for our honeymoon planning! Image via Julia Rothman via Design*Sponge.

Valley

Design Sponge has just posted a Comox Valley City Guide - home of our first painting! We'll be sure to reference the guide on our next trip to Vancouver Island. The snap above was taken on nearby Qualicum Beach in a rainstorm last July.

Haven

Now these apartment rentals have serious honeymoon potential...

Greg's currently pushing for Croatia.

P.S. If curious, photos from our champagne social can be found here.

Tropical

Now this is what I call a room with a view! 

The tail end of tropical storm Danny yesterday, combined with this blog on Desire to Inspire, make me think a tropical getaway this winter may need to be arranged. True story: Neither Greg or I have ever been on a real tropical (read: Caribbean) vacation (though Greg did travel to Hawaii as a child and I sunned on the beaches of the South of France as an undergraduate).  A week in St. Marteen or the Turks and Cacos sounds like the perfect prescription for winters like this. 

Bed

Forging back into my regular work week after a two week hiatus has left me with (a) a string of meetings and training sessions this week, and (b) longing to rest my head on a pillow well before my typically mandated bed-time (10:30 pm). Image via Design Sponge. 

Dress

If this blog were a wedding dress, it would look like this Ouma confection.

Attached is a song for your listening pleasure that combines the whimsy of this dress' skirt with the southern Alberta country roots that Greg and I soaked up on the bookends of our road trip (I would like to take this opportunity to note I am not normally a fan of modern country, but living in Edmonton is bound to rub off on a girl). Please expect a full road trip update, complete with tonnes of neon photos, later in the week.

Guten Tag Edmonton. Wie geht's? Your rain showers have kept you lush in our absence. This fact is appreciated.

Wardrobe

Tonight I've got a date with my suitcase to pack for our two week road trip across Alberta and British Columbia. These snaps are my travel inspiration:

Images via Garance Dore and The Sartorialist.

Vancouver

Last weekend, Greg and I, along with our mothers, explored Vancouver. We soaked up  the sunny days by strolling the Sea Wall, munching on a yummy breakfasts at the hotel, browsing Granville Island, hiking in Lynn Canyon, and strolling the pier in Steveston. Everyone had a wonderful time. We also enjoyed getting caught up with my aunts and cousin. They had some interesting tidbits on what impact the Olympics is going to have on daily living in the city and in Whistler. All in all, it was a truly delightful way to kick off summer with some of my favourite people. I think I speak for everyone in saying that. 

Road Trip

This week Greg and I have decided to plunge head first into planning our summer vacation. Our plan is to take a road trip from Edmonton to Vancouver Island. Greg grew up in Qualicum Beach and Victoria, so I am looking forward to checking out the places where he spent his early years.

As for specifics, we know the dates (June 26-July 12), definite pit stops (Calgary, Radium Hot Springs, Vancouver) and must-have meal locations (Shima on Denman in Vancouver for sushi and Bibo in Nelson to check out Culina's BC sister). We're mixing camping with hotels like the Empress in Victoria and on-the-beach hospitality suites like The Captain's Inn in Qualicum. I'm hoping to take in some hiking and campfires, the Calgary Stampede and Canada Day in Vancouver with the Robson Street festival and fireworks in Burrard Inlet. I'd also like to head to Seattle for a day trip if possible. Beyond these broad strokes, we're still in the planning phase.

Image via Sasuke GR.