A Multimodal Day from Gibsons to Abbotsford

We left Gibsons today in the pouring rain. But the experts say sun is on its way! Before catching the ferry, Norm wanted to check out Camp Elphinstone where he was a camp counsellor almost 48 years ago.





It's still there! We had barely set foot in the camp when we asked what our business was by "security" people. A quick look about and off we headed to the ferry.
Caught the ferry from Langdale to Horseshoe Bay, then biked Marine Drive to West Vancouver. What a beautiful drive! Marine Drive twists up and down through rain forests and to the sea. Narrow roads and no bike lanes made it a little difficult at times but drivers are mostly polite. Once we got to the commercial district of West Van it was hectic. Fortunately Norm found a bike path along Ambleside park, Hollyburn Sailing Club and under the Lions Gate Bridge. What a relief from the busy highway. In the picture below, you can see the bridge beyond the trees, and the Capilano River that runs through the Musqueam reserve, and divides West from North Vancouver.




We stopped for lunch at the Daisy Cafe in a business district in North Van. What a treat. Yummy home made soup and panini. Got directions to the Seabus terminal for the next mode of transportation. We arrived via the Seabus at the Vancouver Waterfront Station. Used the elevator to get to the main floor. Then not wanting to bike through the city and out the traffic-clogged Lougheed Highway, we took the train out the valley to Mission on the West Coast Express.







It's wonderful being able to put your bikes on the train and relax on a really smooth ride for just over an hour. It was all we could do not to fall asleep. Mission is where I was born. And where I left the day after I graduated at age 17. So deciding to get back on our bikes and head to Abbotsford was a great idea. The sun came out and the wind almost pushed us across the Mission bridge. Biking on flat roads with wide shoulders made the trip easy until the last long steep hill heading to our accommodations for the night. There is such a feeling of accomplishment when you think you won't make it and then you're there! Yeah! Today 28 1/2 miles.
So we went by bike, ferry, Seabus, elevator, train, and foot to get to Abbotsford today. Tomorrow USA.

Location:Abbotsford