Planning a holiday during a recession, when many of us are watching every dollar we spend, seems a bit decadent and in many cases simply impossible. Is this summer really the best time to take a holiday?
Taking inspiration from local B.C. authors Alisa Smith and J.B. MacKinnon and their successful 100 Mile Diet and book chronicling their one-year experiment in local eating, we choose to think outside the box on what a holiday can be this summer.
I propose the 100 Mile Holiday. A modest answer to our current economic challenges and to our emotional and physical needs to take a break and rejuvenate ourselves and our families.
This idea can be applied for one or several day-trip(s) or a one-week holiday. It simply involves thinking about your local town, city and environment and checking out all of the recreational and holiday opportunities within a 100 mile radius of where you live. Cheap options are great; free destinations and activities are even better. The key to a successful 100 Mile Holiday recipe is to mix your creativity with the reality of what is in your wallet, adding large dashes of your family's desire for fun.
As the map shows, the 100 Mile radius from our home in Vancouver offers a huge variety of holiday options and opportunities.
Here are our family's Top 5 100 Mile Holiday spots.
Galiano Island. One of the Southern Gulf Islands, Galiano is accessible by a one-hour ferry ride from the Tsawwassen ferry terminal. This Island is blessed with warm and dry summers and temperate weather year-round, making it a very popular destination for hiking, kayaking, boating and beachcombing. There are several large provincial parks on the Island, including Montague Harbour Marine and Dionisio Point, the former of which accommodates camping. As with many of the Gulf Islands, the pace of life on Galiano is more relaxed and accommodating to its visitors taking the time to discover the Island's natural beauty.
Hornby Island. A Central Gulf Island summer paradise; well worth the five-hour, three-ferry trip from Vancouver. This idyllic Island offers natural beauty, wonderful sand beaches (Tribune Bay is a favourite), hiking and biking trails, weekly farmer's market, a summer music festival, and a warm and relaxing atmosphere in which you cannot help but chill out and enjoy the slower pace of Island life. We choose to camp at Bradsdadsland when visiting Hornby, but there are many choices of rental cottages, campsites and other resorts that are family-friendly.
Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park. One of our favourite holiday destinations. Located on the east coast of Vancouver Island and easily accessible from Vancouver via a 1.5 hour ferry crossing from the Lower Mainland to Vancouver Island. The Park and large campground within it are surrounded by forest, meadows and beaches. There are ocean-front trails for walking, jogging or biking, and pathways through the meadows, which were once farmers' fields. The ocean tide of the Georgia Straight goes far out twice a day, allowing for hours of beach-combing, long walks, lazing in the sun, and discovering all kinds of sea creatures hidden under rocks. There are many family-friendly accommodation options available near the Park and in the nearby town of Parksville. This small, sea-side town has fantastic beaches, and an oceanfront that offers a large waterpark, green space and playground, as well as a skate park, mini-golf, and mountain-biking trails.
Skagit Valley. We can't ignore our neighbours to the south in Washington State! There is much to see and do in this beautiful part of the Pacific Northwest. After crossing the border, (TTM tip; Every member of the family now needs a passport to cross into the United States), we like to take the scenic route and head south from Bellingham along the historic Chuckanut Drive. Gorgeous views of the San Juan Islands and the curving coastal road beat the interstate highway any day. Once in the Valley, your family can pick a home base in Anacortes, Burlington, or LaConner and travel to a new and different destination each day of your holiday. There is a great children's museum in Burlington, the famous Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in LaConner, the impressive Deception Pass, and Whidbey Island to enjoy. You may also wish to access the San Juan Islands by ferry from Anacortes.
Whistler. The #1 Ski Resort in North America is a true four-season recreational destination that does indeed offer something for everyone. Skiing and boarding in winter, golfing and mountain-biking in summer. Restaurants, spas, loads of festivals and other activities keep Whistler hopping all year long. There are too many accommodation options to count, and you can book some great 'value deals' through the Whistler Blackcomb website. For the frugal family, camping (in the summer months) is always a top choice. We pick Alice Lake Provincial Park to pitch our tent, just 30 miles (50 kms) south of Whistler. From your campsite you can choose to visit Whistler for the day, and also spend time exploring Alice Lake's extensive hiking and biking trails.