Mar 092013
Feb 062013
If you are a regular reader of J5MM you may have heard me mention that wintertime is my ♥ favorite time to be with my Airstream. Spending our days outdoors in the snow to retreat into our warm and cozy trailer at the end of the day is something hubby, B and I enjoy. Once we get settled in, the boys either read or play games while I’m whipping up our apres-ski dinner menu. Then after dinner we typically pull down the shades and watch a movie together. This time it was especially enjoyable since we had our little pup Oliver with us. He fits into our “wolf pack” Airstreaming family just perfectly!
Jan 152013
“Mommy, I think we should put some of those snowflakes on the top of the Airstreams.” B tells me as we complete our edible diorama over the weekend.
Dec 062012
The Whistler Sliding Centre is one of the legacies left behind by the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Here is where you will find the 1,450 metre long ice track with a 152-metre vertical drop over 16 corners where the World Cup Skeleton, Luge and Bobsleigh athletes compete and train regularly. Want to feel just like one of the athletes racing here? You’re in luck as the center offers visitors a chance to try their skill at these sports. I wasn’t too sure how I felt about that since speeds range around 140 KM (almost 90 miles per hour!) but more importantly the disclaimer from the Sliding Center handout read: “Participants should use the washroom before the start of the run (due to gravitational pressure on bladder during runs)” which definitely reinforced my decision.
I think I’ll stick to the sport of skiing (for now, at least).
Today at the Sliding Center, it was the second day of the 2012 IBSF (International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation) World Cup. We heard from locals and friends alike that this was an event that we absolutely had to see.
“Monica, you can be right there and practically feel the wind that comes off the racers as they swoosh by you at amazing speeds,” my friend Todd tells me with great enthusiasm.
Paying the $10.00 entrance fee we walked into the center and immediately felt the excitement in the air ring straight down to our bones. People were everywhere, cowbells were ringing in the anticipation of the upcoming races and in general the feeling here was one of complete, pure excitement.
Before we knew it the announcer comes across on the loud speaker and alerts us to the start of the Skeleton races and everyone gathers close to the track.
The races were breathtaking with the Canadians earning four medals in all between the Friday and Saturday races. Luckily for the spectators there were outdoor heating posts, hot chocolate, chili and the can’t-be-missed beer garden to keep everyone warm and comfortable while enjoying the races.
Soon enough it was time to head back down to the village. We downloaded from the Blackcomb gondola and began our walk through the village making our way back to our Airstream which was waiting for us at the Riverside RV Resort.
“Mommy, that was so awesome!” B tells me as we are strolling through the village.
I had to agree with him 100%.
Whistler is such a fun place to come and visit be it with your travel trailer, RV or opting to stay in the lodging within the village. There is so much to do here and explore that you will want to come back again and again. This was our first time coming here with our Airstream and to be honest, I wouldn’t travel any other way. Our home away from home is my favorite place on earth.
Dec 032012
Photo Credit Randy Lincks
{Written By Hubby}
Having visited Whistler and Blackcomb for decades, traditions amongst friends and family at this ultimate recreation resort have become firmly rooted. From the Peak to Valley and Sudan Coular Extreme Races, summer backpacking in Whistler’s back country and of course celebrating the American Thanksgiving holiday at North Americas top rated ski resort have been nothing short of amazing.
Whistler is always the first ski operation to open and has the most and best quality snow in the early season. On Thanksgiving morning we knew we were going to have a lot to be thankful for. Awoken by the thunder of avalanche control explosive detonations alerted us to an over night accumulation of 22 cm of new fluff and it was opening day for Blackcomb Mountain. Had I died and gone to heaven? Nope — I just woke up at Whistler Resort.
I met up with a couple visitors from Silver Star and Revelstoke (or “Revy” as some like to call it). We skied the seemingly bottomless powder until our legs turned to jello. Throughout the weekend, other families and friends from the Seattle area joined us and the kids had a blast! They loved the Jersey Cream chair the best. Last Chair ride was Crystal lift. The four of them raced down Zig Zag Run to the bottom of Excalibur.
The kids downloaded on the Blackcomb Gondola to the village where nachos and hot chocolate awaited them. After that they enjoyed a playful swim in the Pan Pacific pool.
What more could you ask for (except to do it again tomorrow)?
Photo Credit Randy Lincks
Photo Credit Justa Jeskova
Photo Credit Bruce Rowles
Nov 232012
Here we are at the Riverside RV Resort in Whistler, British Columbia. This post is coming to you via the Whistler Public Library (a fateful glass of water ended the life of my laptop) and for that I am forever grateful as I have been eager to share with you where we are, what we have been doing and what we will be up to.
We left Seattle around 2 pm and arrived in Whistler around 8 pm a couple days ago. We made our way straight to Riverside RV Resort where we had reservations waiting for us. It was completely, absolutely pitch black outside and we could hardly see a thing but luckily the resort is well marked and the sites are easy to find. Other than that, we had no idea what was around us until the next morning.
When we awoke we opened the curtains and we were welcomed with a beautiful setting. Our site is directly across from the Riverside Green Putting Course and our view was nothing short of peaceful and very beautiful. On our first day the resort and village were snowless; however, fast forward to day two and it literally dumped. It was soooooo beautiful with all of the snow and everyone was out hitting the slopes of Whistler and Blackcomb.
Riverside RV resort is honestly such a wonderful place to stay be it with your RV or in one of their cozy cabins Not only does Riverside offer up free wifi, free showers, dvd rentals and dining, they also have a shuttle service to and from Whistler village. Don’t feel like shuttling it? No worries, I was happy to hear that the village was a pleasant 20 minute walk away. And I did I mention that everyone here is incredibly helpful and sooooo nice??
On our second day, Hubby and friend Todd (who is an amazing ski photographer), took B skiing on Blackcomb Mountain and they were all very excited to get going. For me I decided to head into Whistler Village and get a sense of how things are here in Whistler. Twenty minutes later and here I was . . .
The village was alive with people everywhere. Shops and art galleries GALORE. Restaurants beyond your imagination. I was overwhelmed yet so excited to be here . . .
I was also excited to be here because this afternoon is when we are going to watch the World Cup Bobsleigh and Skeleton races at the Sliding Center here in Whistler. I spied a few of the particpants from Russia taking a walk through the village. I was tempted to ask them for a photograph but I was too shy (need to work on that).
Fall colors are everywhere here in Whistler Village and it was a beautiful sight. It was the long Thanksgiving weekend holiday afterall and I was thankful to be here with hubby and B. We celebrated Thanksgiving in the Airstream, just the three of us. I went grocery shopping at the local market and it was obvious we were not the only Americans celebrating the holiday here in Whistler. I was perplexed however as so many skiers people were buying huge turkeys and it was already 6 pm. As for me I picked up two turkey breasts and cooked them up in the cast iron skillet with some stuffing in the Airstream. It was cozy and peaceful and a tradition we are getting used to.
Stay tuned for more Whistler stories coming soon!
Nov 212012
Last year you may recall our Airstream ski trip to beautiful Rossland in British Columbia. Home to Red Mountain Resort and Big Red Cats we spent our days cat skiing and in the evenings we indulged in some of the finest cuisine that Red Mountain had to offer.
This season we are looking forward to taking our Airstream Mobile Ski Lodge with us to a few more ski resorts. I have come to realize that the winter ski season is a great time to Airstream. You have your home with you. You can wake up early (or not), step out your front door and there you are right at the mountain ready for a day of skiing.
This Thanksgiving weekend we begin the ski season with a trip to none other than Whistler Blackcomb and we couldn’t be more excited. If you have never been to Whistler Blackcomb we are excited to share with you our story. Please tune in and watch how our trip unfolds!
In the meantime, we are wishing all of our American readers a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Jeff, Monica & B
Aug 152012
One thing that we have come to learn while spending time here in the San Juan Islands is that people take things pretty slow. No one is really ever in a rush and for us, that is very comforting.
We’ve spied these cute little candy apple red mopeds and scoot coupes all over San Juan Island and often wondered to ourselves what it would be like to have a ride in one of them. Taking life slow and really exploring the island is how I always perceived the experience to be. Of course B was always chiming in with his opinions.
“Oh mommy, it would be so fun!”
Could you guess how happy he was when hubby and I told him that today would be the day we would go and take a scoot coupe out for spin?
Pretty happy indeed. Continue reading »
Aug 092012
Today we are on the West Side of San Juan Island specifically at Lime Kiln State Park. Comprised of 36 acres, Lime Kiln is considered one of the best places in the world to view whales from land. I will tell you that it is spectacularly beautiful here. Sweeping views of Haro Strait with the whale’s swimming gracefully through the waters will definitely take your breath away if not put a tear or two of emotional happiness in your eyes.
The lighthouse and park are both run on a voluntary basis thanks to the “Friends of Lime Kiln Society.” Thanks to the society, the park and light house have remained in excellent condition. It’s a wonderful thing don’t you think to see people volunteering their time, for free, to help preserve history?
Jul 272012
I am guessing that you probably have a dream for someone to take you out on their luxury yacht, cook a delicious evening meal and allow you to do absolutely nothing but relax and enjoy the views. Am I right?
Well, on this night I can say that dream came true for me. Thank goodness for Captain Robin of Cruise Control who offers this incredible journey! Our destination was Sucia Island and with that simple fact, my dream come true was made even better :) Sucia Island is not serviced by the Washington State Ferries. It is only accessible via pleasure boat or I would imagine a sea plane. There are no roads here, only beautiful paths that lead you around the island so having the chance to come here and enjoy this island was a treat in and of itself. Here is nature untouched and at its best.
Here is Captain Robin’s yacht named Capricorn tied up to the dock on Sucia Island.
Kids love this adventure and Captain Robin loves teaching them how to navigate. Bradley could not stop talking about the fact that he steered this big yacht all on his own.
Here is a heron that was fishing off the shore of Sucia Island . . .
That is Olivia, Captain Robin’s crewmate. Oliva is wonderful, that is all I can say. She cooks amazing recipes for dinner guests of Cruise Control and makes everyone feel comfortable. When I asked her who her favorite chef was, guess what her answer was?
“My mom,” and she said it with a big smile.
She. Is. The. Best. !!
These incredible rock formations were formed by geological folding as evidenced by the many beautiful colored layers you see.
I will let the pictures speak the words as to how spacious and comfortable the inside of Capricorn is. Here are even more pictures of her on Captain Robin’s website.
“So there are no cars here on Sucia Island mommy?”
“Nope.”
“So that means, there are no roads too? Only trails for people?”
“That’s right.”
“Wow, that is sooooo cool! It’s like we are on a deserted island.”
It was an evening to remember forever from the hike on Sucia Island to the fine dining we had anchored out in the bay complete with sweeping views of the Salish Sea. The San Juan Islands are a true paradise and seeing them in this way in such a relaxing environment was something I will never forget. Neither will B.
“When can we come back and see Captain Robin mommy?”
Thank you Captain Robin!!!
If you have the Google Earth Plugin installed, you can take a virtual tour of Sucia Island :)