Sporting pink, blue and grey in Golden, BC

Outfit details

C. 1980s does 1940s/1950s blue and pink patterned scarf: Unknown, had for years (probably thrifted)
Vintage style creamy white plastic rose stud earrings: Claire's
Grey thin knit sweater: RW&Co.
C. 1950s/60s pink enamel leaf brooch: Thrifted (Value Village)
Vintage plastic bangle bracelets: Assorted sources (probably all thrifted over the years)
C. 1950s deadstock heather blue trousers: Used House of Vintage
Blue faux leather skinny belt: eBay
Pink "Kelly bag" style purse: Mexx
1940s style black oxfords: Thrifted (Salvation Army)
Lip colour: MAC Partyline
Nail colour: Essie Muchi, Muchi

Photography by Tony Cangiano  





























(IMO, this particular pose did wildly unflattering things to my left forearm and hand, but I otherwise really liked the snap, so opted to include it here.)




 

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The temperature was brisk, the wind was out in full force, and the light was that sort of early-in-the-day overcast-ness that makes one squint like the dickens. Sleep hadn't been abundant and I was feeling the physical impact of having prepped and packed for several days before hand (all while recovering from the small hospital procedure I had in mid-August), but my (our) spirits were as high the lofty, evergreen studded hills that surrounded us on that crisp early September morning in Golden, BC.

En route to our week and a half long trip to Edmonton, Tony (who was still very much in the throes of a bad head + chest cold at the time) and I opted to break up the roughly 12 hour long journey by overnighting in the charming little town of Golden.

Though we'd both been through it before, neither had spent the night there and we really enjoyed getting to savour several hours in this lovely mountain community. It's located in the Columbia Valley part of the province, which has a rich history pertaining to both the logging and railway industries (and Golden was also the birthplace of vintage actress Patricia Owens).

Comfort is the name of game when one is dressing for a good sized trip (be it by car - as we were travelling, plane, train, boat, or any other mode of transportation), but that doesn't mean that one need throw style to the wind in the slightest.

I often opt for trousers or jeans when we travel. Aside from the comfort element (and, frequently, the presence of pocket - always extra useful on a trip), there's a very practical factor involved as well. If, goodness forbid, an emergency situation should ever arise and I'm (we're) forced to either get out our vehicle and walk or stay in the car and try to keep warm, pants could be an invaluable garment choice in either unwanted scenario.

Thankfully, absolutely nothing of that nature arose for us on this trip, which was smooth sailing (err, driving) all the way both coming and going to Edmonton.

It was on the morning that we set off for Alberta's capital city that we quickly grabbed these (squinting filled, I know) snaps alongside the majestic Kicking Horse River (you've got to love that name and the vision of early settlers to the area that it invokes) in Golden.

Aiming, again, to be cozy and at ease in my outfit, I reached for one of an uber tiny number of genuine mid-century vintage pants that I own (most of my trousers and jeans - of which I really don't have many to begin with - are repro).

I bought these c. 1950s deadstock heather blue trousers last year while in Vancouver and just love them to bits! Yes, they're a tad roomy in the lower abdomen and crotch area, but that's okay, especially when travelling - who wants to wear uber constricting pants while sitting in the car with a seat belt on for hours?

I felt like a calm, sweet colour palette was in order to compliment the serene landscape, which teems with earthy shades of soft slate, deep green, aged brown, and dusty yellow.

As such, I partnered these elegant mid-century slacks with a vintage appropriate thin knit sweater, a 1980s does 40s/50s scarf, a blue faux leather skinny belt, a classic Hermès Kelly bag inspired pink handbag from Mexx, a pretty pink mid-century enamel leaf brooch (a node to the stunning nature that abounds in that area, as well as fall's impending return at the time), a wee bit of other jewelry, and a sensible pair of 1940s style black oxford shoes.

It was a fun (and definitely very comfortable) outfit and one that I sense I may wear again when travelling (as well as around town). The star of the show here, to my mind at least, really is the setting through, which had the most pristinely clean, beautiful mountain air one could ever hope to encounter.

We were both really happy that we decided to stay overnight in Golden and break up the drive between Penticton and Edmonton, and did so on the way back, too, opting then for Calgary (which is more like 1/4th of the way between the two destinations).

I adored getting to know this peaceful community better and will not soon forget posing in such an awe inspiring setting before zipping off to explore and enjoy Edmonton for several days.

If you ever get the chance to visit Golden, I definitely recommend it and hope to overnight there again in the future.

Returning home today

A few days ago, in my last post before we zipped off on holiday, I mentioned that we'd be returning home on September 11th, however, having so enjoyed overnighting part of the way through our journey to Edmonton, we decided while there to do the same on the way home.

Though not technically the halfway mark - or even really that close to it - between Edmonton and Penticton, we settled on a city that I love with every fiber of my being, Calgary, for a quick pit stop last night before heading back out on the road this morning.

Getting to see my favourite Canadian city (okay, technically it shares that spot with Victoria, BC, which I adore equally so, though often for different reasons) , even just for a few hours, is always A-okay with me and I'm grateful for the opportunity to do so on this final leg of our trip.

A little later in the morning today, we'll be packing up our car once and for all on this holiday and settling in for the eight (plus a bit more with the occasion rest stop) hour drive from Calgary to Penticton.



{The start of fall's changing landscape and many a long stretch of open road await Tony and I as we head home from Alberta today. I really enjoy lengthy drives, so am quite looking forward to this one - especially with the first jewel toned autumn leaves starting to appear around us. Vintage image source.}


We'll get into Penticton this evening after twelve wonderful days of travelling. Though the weather wasn't always ideal (the first few days in Alberta were unseasonably cold and rainy), we managed to get in numerous outfit shots and I'll be sharing each of those with you in the coming weeks and months.

I know that many of the details of my first ever trip to Edmonton will unfold organically in those posts, so I don't want to recap too much right now, but I will say that we had a really lovely time on our trip.

Edmonton is a fascinating and beautiful city of over a million people. Within hours of being inside of its farmland flanked borders, I was struck by how much it made me think of what a place might be like, were it possible for Vancouver (minus the Pacific Ocean) and Calgary had a child, with elements of Toronto swirled into the mix, too.

Like most locations that one has long wanted to visit, it was both very similar and somewhat different from how I'd imagined it to be - and that's a good thing, if you ask me. I love it when a town or city surprises and delights me - and perhaps most of all, when it leaves me wanting to return again, which Edmonton most certainly did.

Over all we had a great, fun filled time in Edmonton that included multiple meetups with fellow vintage folks (some of whom will appear in the aforementioned future outfit posts), lots of sightseeing, some shopping (vintage and otherwise), exciting rural countryside exploring, peaceful walks, and plenty of fun photo opps along the way.

I wholeheartedly want to thank all of you who have left blog comments on recent posts during my absence, very much including those on the three fantastic guest posts from Nicole, Elizabeth, and Tanith, respectively, that appeared here last week. I know that each of those talented ladies appreciates your kind comments a great deal and I can't thank them enough as well for helping to keep things buzzing here while we were on holiday.

Aside from starting to unpack, it will be back to life and work from tomorrow onwards, very much including on the blogging front. There will be new posts coming down the pipeline this week (and of course, beyond then, too) and I fully expect to be back to my regular online ways in full force this week.

To give you a taste of what's to come here on Chronically Vintage in the near future, I'll be blogging about topics as diverse as my time spent with The Travelling Dress, shining the spotlight on dozens (seriously!) of recipes for one of fall's most classic and beloved ingredients, telling you about my all-time favourite fictional couple, and starting to write up a storm on all things Halloween related, while also sharing plenty of outfit posts and the latest entries in the fun ongoing Meet a Fellow Vintage Blogger series, amongst lots of other exciting topics.

No time of the year speaks to my soul as much as autumn, nor does any season light my blogging fires quite as much, so you can bank on an action packed, engaging, informative, and just plain cheerful slew of posts here on Chronically Vintage this autumn (coupled with, I hope/plan, a bevy of recently acquired new vintage and antique items appearing on the shelves of my Etsy shop).

A point that will be bolstered along all the more by the recharging of my batteries and clarity of mind that came with our lovely trip to Edmonton this month.

Travel, as I've talked about before (in posts such as this), always houses many wonderful blessings and surprises, and having a chance to unwind and, at the same time, plan for the future while away is most definitely one of the very best of these.

Five of My Top Tips for Packing When Travelling (Plus a Tiny Change to Our Own Vacation Plans)

Truth be told, I didn't know, given all that has been transpiring on this end throughout August, if I'd get time to post more than one this week before we left for our exciting upcoming trip to Edmonton. Luckily however, I was able to carve out time to pen three fun new posts for you, of which this is the second (watch for a yummy - and very classic - autumn recipe post here on the weekend).
 
Next week, while we're away, I have the honour of presenting you with guest posts from three different fellow vintage bloggers (one each from Canada, the UK, and Australia, respectively), and I hope that you'll shower them and their awesome posts with the same sort of kindness and love that you so sweetly bestow upon mine here each week.
 
As blogged about in the announcement post about our trip, we'd initially planned to leave for Alberta on August 31st, however my dear husband got back from a six-day business trip (to Toronto) last Saturday afternoon and the poor thing was beginning to fight the first stages of a rather powerful head and chest cold.
 
We wondered, a bit earlier on in the week, if we'd have to reschedule our trip entirely, but thankfully, Tony is feeling well enough to embark on our trip later today, so that is exactly what we'll be doing.
 
Now, instead of being gone from August 31st - September 10th as initially planned, we've simply moved things up by a day and will be gone from Sept. 1 - 11th.
 
The only other change to our plans is that we're now overnighting in Golden, BC this evening, to help break up the long drive between Penticton and Edmonton for Tony (we'd previously been thinking of staying overnight in Calgary, but now with Tony sick, will be dividing the trip into roughly two equal length drives of some 5.5 - 6 hours apiece between today and tomorrow), while he's still fighting this cold (which - knock every piece of wood in the universe - hasn't jumped ship to me yet).
 
There's almost never a good time to get a cold, but it was especially rotten timing for one to befall Tony so close to our vacation this year. Thankfully though, admirable trooper that he is, Tony is game to carry on and we'll soon be visiting Edmonton, as planned, in no time. I can hardly wait!
 
Over the past few days, I've been packing up a storm for our trip. When traveling by car - especially since we got our first ever SUV last winter and thus have worlds more trunk space than we had in our previous vehicle, which was a sedan - I wouldn't say that I'm the world's lightest packer, but I'm not the most OTT either.
 
Given everything that many of us like to have on hand in to successfully put together dynamic, attractive vintage (or repro, rockabilly, pinup fashion, etc) outfits, it can be hard to condense our closets and dresser drawer contents down into just a suitcase or two (or three!).
 
I enjoy the challenge though and always set aside at least one full day to compose a mini wardrobe on the go.
 
I've been blogging for over seven years now and have had the pleasure of taking a few trips of various durations throughout that time, yet it struck me recently that to date, best I can recall, I haven't shared too many of my tips on packing for when you travel with you guys yet.
 
I'm quite literally gazing across the room at my suitcases, travel makeup case and jewelry roll as we speak, so now seems like the ideal time to do just that.

As such, I'm delighted to present you with a selection of five of my all-time favourite tips for vacation packing (as seen through the eyes of a vintage fashion blogger).





1. Create a mini capsule wardrobe: While this may mean slightly different things for different folks, to me it is the concept of creating a tiny version of my everyday wardrobe and making sure that the vast majority of pieces are colour coordinated/go nicely together.

Whenever I travel, I select a general colour palette for each given trip and then try to focus on packing as many pieces in those hues (and/or ones that will play really, really nicely with them) as possible. This time around, as our trip is happening at the very tail of summer, just as autumn weather and sunlight alike are rounding the bend once more, I opted to focus on a a fall colour palette and primarily packed pieces in shades of medium to dark green, mustard and golden yellows, dark oranges, brown, burgundy, navy blue and dark denim.

These are all colours that I turn to during the fall when at home, and as I know that most (if not all) of the outfit photos we'll take while on our travels will appear on my blog during the autumn months, it makes all the more sense to opt for a seasonal palette that will continue to look right at home clear on through the return of winter weather.

As well, don't be afraid of colour! Travelling is often exciting, upbeat and joyful - why not tuck along a wardrobe that keeps pace with those feelings and that helps to celebrate this special break from the daily grind that you've been able to carve out for yourself!





2. Separates are your friends: Though I always bring at least a couple of dresses with me when we travel (often solid coloured shirtwaist dresses that make for great canvasses to create multiple looks against throughout the duration of a trip), I find that I really, really tend to favour separates.

By ensuring that all - or nearly so - of my garments are colour coordinated (see tip #1 above), this gives me a great deal of flexibility in terms of the number of outfits I can put together and the variety of activities that such can see me through.

For me, separates generally include skirts, pants and/or jeans, tops, blouses, cardigans and/or sweaters, and blazers. I don't wear shorts, but I do sport capris, so if the weather permits, you'll likely find a pair of those thrown into the mix as well.

Even if you don't have every last element of your trip planned out before you leave, chances are you know what your destination(s) will be, the season(s), and can look up the local weather before you arrive, if need be.

Think about these things as you're packing and select items - be their separates or one piece items (dresses, jumpsuits, playsuits, etc) that stand to work really well for the destination(s) you're headed to.

If you're going to be hiking and camping in the Rockies for a week, that's probably not the time for your newly acquired, and very delicate, 1940s rayon swing dress. If, however, you're headed off for ten days of sightseeing and shopping in Paris, France, then you probably don't need to pack your most rugged of clothes and items like true vintage pieces may be even more at home.




3. Lean generously on accessories: This is something I always do when I travel, but all the more so if space is at a premium. Cast your net far and wide when gathering up accessories to bring with you on your travels. I rarely leave home without a selection of handbags, snoods, hats and hair accessories, and always bring jewelry, scarves and (fashion) gloves with me.

Shoes - even fancy ones - are more utilitarian in nature, but there, too, you can sometimes find room for multiple pairs (try placing smaller, such as socks or scarves, items inside of clean shoes to maximize storage space).

I suggest that you try to avoid breaking in any new shoes for the first time on your trip (save perhaps for super comfy sandals, flats or sneakers - but even then, proceed with caution – and some moleskin!) and instead bring a selection of shoes that you not only love and find comfortable, but which coordinate as well as possible with the garments that you've packed (so that, again, you can get as much mileage as possible out of what you've travelling with).

If you're concerned about loss, theft or breakable, opt for cute, fun accessories that you wouldn't be utterly gutted if something were - goodness forbid! - to happen to them.

Such examples might include inexpensive novelty brooches (modern or vintage), strands of plastic or inexpensive cultured pearls, basic hoop in earrings in silver, gold, and/or rose gold; plastic (but not necessarily Bakelite or celluloid) bangle bracelets, inexpensive handbags (straw, raffia, pleather and denim can all be good choices there), and small, understated vintage hats that don't break the bank.

I also like to personally try to coordinate at least a couple (more if possible) of my accessories with my destination. For example, if I'm going to be near the ocean, nautical and marine life related jewelry and accessories are a must. If I'm headed into the mountains, I reach for pieces with pine cones, woodland critters, and faux bois elements - as well as real wood pieces themselves. If you're trucking out to the desert, what about cactus, Wild West, and Southwestern related accessories?

Almost regardless of where you're going on holiday, you can hit upon at least one or two fun accessories that tie into your destination and which can even serve as the jumping off point for a whole outfit - be it likewise themed or not - as well. 



{Please note: The Image source for this vintage photo is a lovely Tumblr blog that may not be safe for work due to the inclusion of some artistic nudity.}


4. Plan at least some of your outfits (from top to bottom) out before you leave: This is one of my favourite elements of getting ready for any trip. I really make a day out of playing dress up in my own closet. I usually crank up some great vintage tunes, light a scent candle, have a tasty snack to hand (to help keep my energy levels up while trying on scads of looks), and make sure that my full length mirror has been freshly Windexed.

If you're creating a mini capsule wardrobe, you don't necessarily need to plan out every last outfit - especially since itinerary plans can change, just as the weather can, too - but it never hurts to have at least some ensembles generally mapped out before you arrive.

If you think you might forget or be too busy in the moment to create a dazzling look on the fly, take cell phone or tablet photos of each outfit that you've mapped out while you're still at home and then just refer back to them once you've reached your destination.

There's nothing wrong, I should mention, of course with bringing along one or more outfits - if space (and weight limits, if that’s a factor) permits - that are standout ensembles, meaning that they may, intentionally, only be worn once. If, for example, you're headed to a formal wedding out of town and have opted to spend another five days there and make a trip of things, you might only need to wear your 1940s suit or 1950s cocktail dress for the wedding itself.

Plus, by planning out some (or all) of your outfits - including outerwear and accessories, if applicable - before you leave, you greatly cut down on the risk of forgetting something important that you'll likely need at your destination.




5. Pack clothes you know and love: Ideally, you want to pack clothing, shoes and accessories, that fit well, are comfortable, that you've worn before (potentially less of an issue with jewelry), and that you genuinely love - or at least really like - and hopefully won't feel self-conscious when wearing.

As well, try to look over each garment you want to bring before you pack it into a suitcase or overnight bag, and make any repairs (such as fallen hems or loose buttons) before you leave. Bring along a small travel sewing kit, too, in case you need to do any mending jobs to your garments while you're on the road.

I strongly believe that the happier you are with your travel wardrobe, the more enjoyable and relaxed just about any trip stands to be.


{To learn more about a specific image used in today's post, please click on it to be taken to its respective online source.}

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This list is by no means exhaustive. I could - and very well may - write more on the subject as time goes on. These five tips, however, are ones that I put into action each time we travel, be it for just a short jaunt or a longer stay. At a week and a half, I'd call our upcoming journey to Alberta a nice middle ground on the summer vacation timeline scale.
 
Do you have any great travel packing tips that weren't mentioned here that you'd like to share? I'm all ears, if you do! :)
 
Again, my dears, there will be another post coming down the pipeline from me later this week, followed three really delightful guest posts from fellow vintage blogger, and then I'll be back here in no time at all with plenty of fun new posts of my own in just a few days time (spoiler alert, they're going to heavily feature fall + Halloween related topics).
 
In a largely unrelated (to this post) note, I just wanted to mention, for those who may have been following along, that despite the recent return of a very real looming threat, it would appear as of the latest news releases, that Canada Post is not going to be striking this week and that, happily for all involved, a tentative negations have been reached.

I'm thrilled about this, as it means there won't currently be any strike related disruptions to my Etsy shop (which will remain open while we're on holiday; all orders received while we're away will promptly be shipped out within 48 hours of our return).
 
And last, but certainly not least, I wanted to take a moment to thank you all for your fantastic, caring, sweet, and enjoyable blog comments this summer.

I treasure each of you and your visits to my blog, and can hardly wait to chat about our travels (which I'll be posting plenty of snaps of while they're in progress on my Instagram) and to celebrate my absolute favourite season with you again this autumn.

It took 32 to years to happen, but at long last…

I am finally going to visit Edmonton, Alberta for the first time ever!!!

Must remember to breath...so incredibly happy + excited...

Okay, as you guys know, I'm over-the-moon wild about our whole stunning country of Canada and love few things more in this life than getting to explore it.

As such, it has long irked me that I'd not yet had a chance to visit Alberta's capital city of Edmonton, despite that fact that I've resided in BC (Alberta and BC share are neighbouring provinces, sharing the Rocky Mountains along their breathtaking border) for much of my life and even lived in Calgary, Alberta for over two years in my late teens.

Always, Edmonton - so close, and yet so far off in the middle of the province - had eluded me. Soon though, much to my unending delight, I will no longer be able to say as much and I genuinely giddy beyond measure about that the fact.

As many of you may recall, earlier this year, back in April, Tony and I were able to get away for a super fun "homemade long weekend" to the Kootenay region of British Columbia.

On the heels of that adventure, we'd been thinking about taking two small road trips at different points in the summer, however, ultimately we decided that for various reasons, it would most likely be smarter to combine the days involved with two getaways into one and have a proper length summer holiday.

We gave a lot of thought to where in Western Canada or the closest US states we might want to go and kept coming back, in the course of our discussions on such, to Edmonton. As, again, I'd long wanted - but had never been - to that city and Tony had only been there once very briefly for work a couple of years ago.




{Located approximately 10.5 hours, by car, from our home in Penticton, Edmonton is a bustling city of some 1.33 million people located in the heart of Alberta. 

It is famous for many things, spanning oil to hockey (legendary Canadian hockey player Wayne Gretzky was on the Edmonton Oilers during some of the best years of his career), West Edmonton Mall to its stunning river valley park system, and so much more. It's going to be amazing to finally get to experience much of that in person come the start of September. Vintage decal image source.}


The destination having been greed upon, we next looked at our schedules and quickly realized that, for various reasons (including the fact that today, as mentioned in my previous post, I'm having a routine medical procedure done at the hospital), we wouldn't be able to take a chunk of consecutive days off until late in the summer.

Thus, we decided that early September, to tie into the Labour Day long weekend, would be an awesome time and booked our hotel right away.

We'll be leaving bright and early on the morning of August 31st and returning on the evening of September 10th, which gives us about 1.5 weeks of holiday time (my sweet mom will be very kindly house and pet sitting for us while we’re away).

We're both elated about this upcoming trip and hope it will be one of the best and most enjoyable we have ever taken together.

Interestingly, unlike the other places we've gone on holiday over the course of my blog's life, as this is my first time visiting Edmonton, everything there will be new to me and I don't have any past memories of it to weave into today's post.

Part of me really loves that fact, and I know that I'll soon be making oodles of such to share with you here in future posts.

I'll have my cell phone and laptop both with me while we're gone and am sure I'll be online periodically throughout our trip. Not as much as when we're at home though of course, so during that time the blog will be filled with a blend of my own posts (that I'll pen and schedule in advance) as well as some really exciting guest posts from fellow vintage bloggers.

Then, if all goes to plan, I'll pick up as usual from September 12th onward (and have scores of fun filled fall related posts in the works to share with all of you).

If you should happen to live in/around Edmonton and/or have spent time there before and have any vintage/antique related shops, museums (we’re definitely going to try to make it to nearby Drumheller and the world famous Royal Tyrrell Dinosaur Museum), sites or other cool places you think we'd enjoy seeing - or if you might like to try and meet up with us - please don't hesitate to let me know in the comments below or privately by email, if you prefer.

Naturally, as usual when we travel, you can bank on a slew of Instagram photos, and multiple blog posts pertaining to our journey to follow once we're back home.

There's just over two weeks to go until we embark for Edmonton and I honestly think I'm going to have a hard time sleeping between then and now, because I'm as hopped up on excitement as a hummingbird at a candy factory!

It will have taken more than three decades to happen, but at long last, we’re headed to Edmonton and I cannot wait to finally see this dynamic city and all the history, natural beauty and vintage fun that it holds in store for us with my own two eyes!

Come along on a virtual road trip through beautiful British Columbia

As mentioned in Friday's post, this weekend is a long one here in Canada, thanks to Victoria Day tomorrow. For many the nation over, that means the first road trip of the year (or at least the summertime season) and while we're staying put this time around, my mind is definitely on the open road and the many exciting places in this province, both big and small alike, that one could easily reach in less than one day's time (for those inquiring minds, BC is 944,735 km² in total size).

Growing up, with just one exception, my family never went on a vacation outside of Canada, and almost all that were embarked upon took place within the boundaries of our own province.

Far from being ho-hum, the prospect of a seeing a good deal of this large, diverse, absolutely gorgeous province was thrilling and entertaining at the same time, and it instilled a love of trips involving lengthy drives in me at a very early age.

Such jaunts included all corners of the Okanagan Valley and most spots on the Lower Mainland (including Vancouver Island), as well as various locations in the Kootaneys, Shuswap, Thompson Okanagan, Central/Interior, and Cariboo regions.

These days, road trips make a lot of sense for Tony and I as well, especially because they allow me to take certain comforts of home, as well as my own food (an absolute necessity given my extremely strict medical diet), with me when we travel, which isn't always as possible when air, boat, or train trips are in the equation.

We also both really enjoy the act of hanging out in the car when we drive and completely agree that the journey can be every inch as much fun as the destination itself (a point that I touched on in last year's post, 7 Important Things That Travel Teaches Us).

So on this lusciously pretty, wonderfully warm Sunday morning in late May, in the spirit of the season, Victoria Day, and fellow wanderlust filled souls everywhere, I thought it would be a blast to take all of you on a virtual road trip through various parts of British Columbia.



{Summer's (almost) here and the living is easy - so too should your holidays, be - road trips very much included. Now is the ideal time for such, so why not try to squeeze at least one into your plans this season. Extra bonus points if you blouse matches your car and picnic dishware in the process. :)}

Hundreds of towns, cities, municipalities, and small communities call this province home and it would take an encyclopedic sized post, or more realistically a very hefty sized book, to cover them all (if such were even possible). Thus - much like with a real road trip - we aren't going to see every last corner, but I will strive to provide you with a lovely assortment of diverse spots from north to south and east to west.

I've tried to keep these destinations arranged in loose geographical orders, starting with those at the most southerly tip of the province (Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland/Fraser Valley), but simply due to how BC is laid out and the need to jump, in the course of this make-believe road trip, from one part to the next, do bear in mind that this isn't a precise representation of how British Columbia would actually appear on a map.

Pack a weekend bag or two, my dears, toss an extra bottle of sunscreen in your purse, slip on some comfy walking (or driving!) shoes, pack a hearty lunch, and get your camera ready, because this promises to be on thoroughly enjoyable virtual vacay! :)

Objectively, there's really no where on Vancouver Island that isn't a.) breath-taking, b.) either in or surrounded by gorgeous natural settings, and  c.) worth seeing, but if you can only visit one or two spots, beeline it to the stunning little community of Tofino. Famous the world over for having some of the best surfing waters anywhere, as well as plenty of amazing thunder storms, fantastic bird watching, awesome whale spotting (including an annual grey whale migration), and endlessly lovely views of the Pacific Ocean, Torfino is a must-see for anyone hightailing to the Island.



While on the Island, a stop in the provincial capital of Victoria is well worth devoting at least a couple of days to. Victoria is a lively, beautiful city that's rich in old world charm, scores of historic homes and buildings, a terrific cultural scene, world class dining, wonderful museums and galleries, tons of outdoor fun, numerous vintage and antique shops, and even the ability to feed super cute harbour seals. Not to mention the fact that it's my favourite city in the whole province.



And before you jump on a ferry or plane and touch down on mainland, BC, while not put some more miles on the odometer and venture up island to the lovely little town of Campbell River. Also known as the Salmon Capital of the World, here you can fish, hike, explore the rich First Nations history of the area, see where (at least some parts of) a number of Hollywood blockbusters including Seven Years in Tibet and The Scarlet Letter where filmed, and say you've been to one of the spots that famed explorer Captain George Vancouver landed at way back in 1792.



Vancouver, sweet Vancouver, oh I adore you! Born a stone's throw away from your bustling urban streets and jaw droppingly incredible natural settings, you will always have a special place in my heart and are truly a world class tourist destination if ever there was one! You name it, chances are - from whale watching to amazing sushi, huge malls to tiny indie boutiques, opera to ocean side walking paths, Vancouver has it all!



Most of my memories of our next stop took place when I was a small girl (I haven't had a chance to get back very often since then), and you know, just about all of them are lovely. From sun drenched days to awesome frozen yogurt to watching seals frolicking in the waters of the Pacific, New Westminster was lively, urban, fun and beautiful - plus, it was also where, at age four or five, I witnesses a smartly dressed woman walking a mink on a thin little leash and saw with my own eyes for the first time that there more types of pets in this world than just cats, dogs, hamsters and goldfish (and thus a perpetual love of unique critters was born).

If you can make it New West, as this historically rich city (it was the first capital of the newely formed Colony of British Columbia back in the mid-1800s) is affectionately called, be sure to try and visit The Royal City Musical Theatre, the New Westminster Museum and Archives, and the marvelous New Westminster Quay down at the waterfront.



If you love historic towns (and chances are, if you're reading this blog, you do! :)), then the immensely quaint little vcommunity of Fort Langley in BC's Lower Mainland area is for you! It's home to the Fort Langley National Historic Site, as well as many wonderful old homes and buildings, including a great, tree lined blast-from-the-past looking downtown core.



Rather surprisingly, given what a well known tourist destination it is, I've never been to our utterly gorgeous next stop: Whistler, BC. One of the country's - if not the world's - premier ski and snowboarding destinations, Whistler is also a thriving upscale vacation spot that has earned itself the unofficial nickname "Aspen of Canada".



A part of the province that I know quite well from having lived there for about seven years when I was a very young child, the lively city of Abbotsford on the Lower Mainland is actually the third largest (by population) in the province. It blends modern city living with a classic farming community, all set against the backdrop of a stunning mountain range, and boosting a fab annual berry festival each summer that pays homage to the the abundance of strawberries, raspberries and blackberries that are grown in the area.



There is absolutely no shortage of lakes - big, small, in between, and downright massive - in BC, but by far one of my favourite is Cultus Lake near the city of Chilliwack. Clear blue waters, stunning evergreen tree lined hills, a really cool water slide park, and ample spots in which to camp are just the few of the reasons why many road trippers include this beautiful lake on their journeys through British Columbia.



Not epicly far from Cultus Lake, one is apt to run into the lovely community of Harrison Hot Springs, which as the name implies, is home to a fantastic natural hot springs that has been drawing in tourists for many decades now. I've not yet been myself, but I wholeheartedly want to, particularly during the winter months so that I can experience that unmistakable feeling of icy air on my face and warm water everywhere else! :)



With one of the loveliest and most inviting names on today's imaginary road trip, The Sunshine Coast region - on the southern mainland coast of the province - is a beautiful area that certainly earns its moniker. Numerous towns and small communities call this region home, including (but not limited to) Powell River, Lund, Gibsons, and Sechelt.

Throughout the Sunshine Coast, one finds gorgeous, dense Pacific woodland, many exciting outdoor hiking and walking trails, assorted rives and lakes, amazing flora and fauna, and plenty of great places in which to go kayaking and/or whale watching. A popular spot with tourists and retirees alike, the Sunshine Coast is a great destination all year round, even if the sun isn't actually out when you get there. :)



I debated whether or not to include this next town in our journey, as Tony and I like to jokingly refer to it as our road trip "nemesis" (due to the fact that for reasons unknown our GPS unit always seems to be thrown for a loop here and we end up on a back roads journey, often under the cover of darkness, having no idea if we're getting terribly lost or just taking a very scenic route!).

That said though, I have happy memories of Hope from when I was little and in general, it is too key a stop on the Trans-Canada Highway to overlook, especially since its the last place to fuel up, get some grub, and/or spend the night, for many a mile, no matter if one is taking the Coquihalla or the Trans-Canada Highway (the two key overland routes to and from the Coast to many places elsewhere in the province).

Situated along the Fraser River, Hope is a small, quaint town on the outer edge of the Lower Mainland, right before it turns into the Interior of BC. With European history stretching back to at least 1808 and First Nations history for centuries before that point, Hope has old roots and a lively soul that is used to seeing folks come and go as they venture on to elsewhere. Its air is clean, its trees tall and abundant, its people friendly, and its restaurants and fishing spots alike both plentiful.



My whole life (I like to chalk it up to the fact that some of my ancestors took part in the Klondike gold rush) I've been drawn to mining towns and of those of I've visited so far, the wee community of Hedley in Similkameen Valley is definitely one of my favourites. A mere blip on the highway to most coming and going elsewhere in BC, Hedley is definitely worth pulling into and checking out, especially when the Mascot Mine Museum and Hedley Heritage Museum are each open.



Well, you guys had to know that there was no way I was going to leave Penticton off of this list! :) Aside from the fact that this is where Tony and I live, Penticton (and the neighbouring community of Naramata) more than merits inclusion for many reasons.

From both of its fantastic lakes (with ample sized beaches, as well as marinas, at each) to its world renowned wine industry to the fact that it's home to the legendary Ogopogo lake monster, multiple gold courses, incredible summer produce (cherries, peaches, apricots, nectarines, apples, plums, and pears, to name but some of the fruit grown here) and a terrific ski hill called Apex Mountain, Penticton makes for a great road trip destination the whole year 'round.



Naturally, I'd be just as remiss if I were to leave Kelowna off of this list. The largest city in the Okanagan, Kelowna is home to about 180,000 people and the hub of the Okanagan Valley in many respects. A vacationer's dream, it has many of the same highlights as Penticton, plus ample shopping, a busier night life, wonderful golf courses, great cultural events, a rich history, and plenty of excellent places to eat while you're in town.



Fast becoming one of my favourite towns in this province, Vernon is located a little over 1.5 hours north of Penticton and seems to be thriving and expanding at a pace far exceeding that seen lower in the Valley these days. Shopping, outdoor activities aplenty, lovely lakes, numerous antique shops, a really lovely historical building filled downtown core, Polson Park, and an annual winter carnival are just some of the perks of this terrific slice of the Okanagan.



Before hopping out of this neck of the sage brush filled woods entirely, let's stop in and visit the second largest city in the area: Kamloops (which is technically part of the Thompson Okanagan). An old (by BC standards) town situated on the mighty North Thompson River, Kamloops now houses a wonderful university, a number of wood industry related companies, a beautiful downtown core, plenty of fun outdoor activities, a symphony, a really nice central library, and lots of other engaging things to see and do.



A bit to the northwest of Kamloops, one encounters that charming town of Lillooet, located on the powerful Fraser River. Once an important center during the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush of the late 1850s, the area had already been inhabited by First Nations peoples for centuries, who today comprise just over half of the town's modern population.

Lillooet is a sweet, fun town that charmingly bills itself as BC's Little Nugget, in a direct nod to its gold rush past. Visitors to Lillooet will delight in learning about the local mining history, exploring its marvelous natural settings, and visiting the Lillooet Museum.



Three Valley Gap, situated on Three Valley Lake, is a small unincorporated village on the Trans-Canada Highway just a stone's throw away from Eagle Pass. Rich in the natural beauty of the stunning Shuswap area that surrounds it, this enchanting corner of the province is famous for its stunning and very grand Three Valley Chateau (pictured above) as well as for being quite the heritage ghost town area. If you're ever in the vacinity (or want to take a trip just to visit that area), I can't recommend stopping by Three Valley Gap highly enough.



One of the most beloved tourist destinations in all of BC, generously sized Shuswap Lake and the lovely assortment of towns and small communities that surround it make for an awesome getaway, especially in the summertime, with the area being well known for the large number of houseboats that take to its waters. Perfect for swimming, boating, water sports, fishing, bird watching, and simply catching some rays, Shuswap Lake is a must-visit if you're in this interior corner of the province.



The rather uniquely named city of Salmon Arm is a gem in the heart of the Shuswap area that lies at the midway point between Vancouver and Calgary, two of the biggest cities in Western Canada. Founded largely as a bustling orchard town around the turn of the last century, Salmon Arm has continued to thrive over the years and as is still experiencing growth and a healthy business sector to this day.

Between the fine weather, charms of the town itself, and various annual events (including the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues festival on the third weekend in August and the Salmon Arm Agricultural Fair in early September), Salmon Arm is well worth including on your "to stop" list, if you're venturing though this beautiful, sunshine filled part of the province.



Located in Southeastern British Columbia, the town of Revelstoke has long been a crossroads point of sorts for those coming north from Vancouver, as well as west from Alberta, in addition to south and east from locations throughout the province, too. Rich in history, very much including that of the Canadian Pacific Railway, today Revelstoke makes for a lovely little getaway or quick stop en route else where on your journey through BC (especially if you enjoy outdoor activities such as mountain climbing, skiing, and boating).



Next up in our travels (is everyone having fun?), we're going to veer significantly to the left (and further north than we've yet explored) again and pop on over to the utterly breathtaking little community of Bella Coola on the Pacific Coast. A lush, verdant area with a wonderful First Nations history and countless spots to explore and simply appreciate the great outdoors and the stunningly majestic ocean, Bella Coola is a great place to visit if you're in the mood to relax and soak up the beauty of Mother Nature.



Okay, guys, everyone back in the car because we're going to put add quite a few clicks to the count as we head way back down south in the province to visit the historically rich, wonderfully pretty region that is the Kootenays.

This mountainous slice of the province provides many towns and villages to explore, but first up, we'll pop into the rather prettily named Cranbrook. Situated on the west side of the Kootenay River, Cranbrook is one of the larger communities in the area and is home to Canadian Museum of Rail Travel, as well as a slew of historic homes and buildings, plus more breathtaking natural scenery than you shake a trekking pole at!



Perhaps the best known destination in the Kootenays, the picturesque town of Nelson is located in a valley alongside the lofty Selkirk Mountains, with a mighty lake at its heart. Famous for a myriad of things, including its rich abundance of old-fashioned homes and buildings, Nelson (which we visited just last month, as you may recall from this recent post) is especially renowned for having a rich cultural spirit, as well as for being an open-minded, tolerant community. (Plus, movie buffs might enjoy visiting the town where Steve Martin's classic 1980s film Roxanne was shot.)



Venturing north from the Kootenays and along the stunning Rocky Mountains, on the boarder with Alberta, one discovers the heart of the Columbia Valley in beautiful Invermere, BC (home to my talented friend, author Elinor Florence).

For those wishing to explore the area more thoroughly, Invermere makes a good home base or jumping off point if you're hankering to see other spots in this part of British Columbia, including Radium, Kootenay National Park (a mere 17.5 km away), Golden, the Fairmont Hot Springs, Fort Steele, and Kimberly.



Before we wave goodbye to this sublimely pretty part of BC, let's spend some time exploring Yoho National Park, whose name is a Cree word meaning "awe and wonder", which is exactly what this stunning 1,312 km² chunk of the province will inspire in all who see it. Together with a handful of other marvelous wilderness locations in the area (including the Banff National Parks), Yoho helps to comprise the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site and it is truly worth venturing off the beaten path to enjoy some of the finest outdoor views Canada has to offer.



Buckle in, gang, because we're leaving the splendor of the Rockies and heading to another section of the province that is every bit as beautiful in its own right: the incredibly tree dense region of the Cariboo (that's not a typo; it's spelled differently than the name of the animal). A rugged, exciting area with no shortage of colourful history and magnificent scenery, the Cariboo is home to numerous towns, cities, and teeny communities alike, many of which are rich with a wild west-esque spirit thanks to many decades of cattle ranching in the area.

For our first stop in the Cariboo (which, I should mention, is a part of the province I both have strong family ties to and that I love something fierce), we're going to wave hello to 100 Mile House (or as it was originally known, Bridge Creek House). With a history predating the famous Cariboo Gold Rush of the 1860s, 100 Mile House is a quaint, fun little town that now enjoys the title of "The Handcrafted Log Home Capital of North America", while also bustling with wonderful outdoor activities spanning bird watching to cross country skiing to rodeos.



If you're a longtime follower of this blog, you might recall me having mentioned the (off-the-charts awesome) historical living ghost town that is Barkerville, BC a time or two here before (it was, after all, where I had my first real job, as a waitress, when I was a teenager).

While, officially, virtually no one actually resides in Barkerville all year round (most who work there live in the tiny neighbouring community of Wells), it comes alive with actors, employees and throngs of tourists alike throughout the sunny months and at select times (such as Christmas) throughout the year. If, like me, you go wild for gold rush related tales and historical reenactments (not to mention the chance to pan for gold yourself), then this is a must-see on your BC road trip itinerary.



As you make your way back down the long road that leads from Barkerville and into the delightful little town of Quesnel (itself well worth spending some time in), you'll head back out onto the main highway and begin the trek up to the Cariboo's largest city, Prince George. In fact, Prince George is the largest city in all of northern British Columbia and as such is a major hub of industry, economy, tourism, culture, education (it boasts a terrific university), and recreation.

I love Prince George, flat out love it. If I was given the chance to move there, I'd do so in a heartbeat. There's just something about the incredible natural scenery - packed to the gills with evergreen trees and crystal clear waters - interspersed with a teeming city that appeals to me on so many levels.

Prince George is around nine hours away from both Vancouver and Calgary, so if you're planning to spend time in either and want to take a very worthwhile mini trip into the heart of BC, I truly suggest checking this beautiful city out.



Continuing our journey north(west) we come to the lovely little town of Houston, BC (named after a pioneer era newspaperman, John Houston), which is well known for its steelhead fishing and being home to the largest fly fishing rod in the world, as well as for its mining and logging industries, and for having an abundance of gorgeous natural settings.



As we venture ever further north, the air becomes all the more fresh and pure, with notes of the acrctic wind never far from sight, and your chance of spotting big game (very much including moose and bears) is upped substantially. As our car clocks the miles in these more remote parts of British Columbia, we find ourselves in the town of Terrace, on the Skeena River. One of the larger locations in the area, Terrace is home to about 12,000 people and countless times that many stately evergreen trees.

With a wonderful and very long stretching First Nations history, the area that is today Terrace has been inhabited for thousands of years (in fact, it has supported one of the longest standing Aboriginal Peoples communities in North America for many centuries now) and it is well worth taking the time to study and appreciate the richness that this past bestows on the town.

In addition, Terrace provides visitors with a slew of outdoor pastimes, from fishing to kiting, snowmobiling to mushroom and berry picking, plus plenty more - and no doubt wilderness photographers will instantly be taken in by its beauty and allure, too.



From Terrace, we are going to veer to the left and hop on a ferry boat (or airplane) and spend a spot of time on the Pacific Ocean before we reach our next travel point: the sublimely gorgeous Queen Charlotte Islands (today officially known as Haida Gwaii).

Rugged, wind swept, densely forested and not yet heavily populated by humans, this enchanting part of British Columbia is famous for its attractiveness, abundance of outdoor activities (including sailing and bird watching, where during either you may spot some of the area's adorable Tufted Puffins), rich First Nations heritage, and for first being explored by Europeans (including Captain James Cook) in the 1770s. If you feel drawn to off-the-beaten path locations with incredible natural views, you are bound to fall forever in love with Haida Gwaii.



Back on the mainland, we're going to going to head towards the (northern) center of the province and land in the lovely little community of Mackenzie, which lies at the shores of Williston Lake (the largest man-made lake in the province). Though Mackenzie might not be the biggest tourist draw in the world, those who do take the time to travel that far afield in the province will be richly rewarded, for the town is an outdoor sports and recreation enthusiast's paradise, where everything from dog sledding to cross country skiing to swimming and fishing are on offer, and it is sure to keep you busy any time of the year.



As we climb ever closer to the top of the province, we encounter a town that shares an almost identical name with a popular 1990s TV show, though (as local residents are no doubt quite tired of pointing out, the two are not related): Dawson Creek (which was named for a Mr. George Mercer Dawson who surveyed the area in the summer of 1879).

With roots in the farming industry, Dawson Creek later became an active railway line town in the 1930s and played an important part in transporting military shipments during WW2. Though population growth has slowed since the sixties, Dawson Creek, which is situated in the dry prairie lands of the Peace River Country, is still home to close to 12,000 people and offers an assortment of things to do for those visiting its northerly soil.

Some such highlights include a heritage interpretation village, a museum, an art gallery, an annual fall fair, and the chance to have your picture taken with the famous Mile "0" post that marks the beginning of the Alaska Highway.



Heading on upwards from Dawson Creek, about an hour away, we'll encounter another of the north's larger cities, Fort St. John, which houses nearly 20,000 residents. A beautiful mix of urban living and pristine wilderness, Fort St. John is a land beneath a wide open sky, with vast expanses of Mother Nature's riches on every side and air so bracingly fresh, it must surely have secret healing properties. A transportation hub for the region, Fort St. John is a bustling town with an array of cultural events, annual festivities (including a Winter Carnival), lovely places to stay, and gorgeous wildflowers.



Our next destination has the word word "Fort" in its name, too, which is speaks volumes to the early fur trapping and trading posts that were set up by Europeans in the area in centuries past. With about 1/4th the population of Fort St. John, the smaller community of Fort Nelson, some four hours away, is still "big" by the population standards of the area and has traditionally drawn on the local natural resources, very much including timber and energy, for its economic backbone.

Named after the famous British naval hero, Horatio Nelson, this northern town is home to a wonderful abundance of wildlife, including (but certainly not limited to), moose, bison, wolves, elk, mountain goats, grizzly bears, deer, caribou, black bears, bald eagles, and great horned owls, making it an absolute dream destination for wildlife photographers and bird watches from around the world.



Our final destination takes us very nearly to the border with the Yukon and like many locations in the north, it is a small, close knit community of just a few hundred residents: Atlin, BC.

Located on the shores of Atlin Lake, this small town is home to less than 500 people, yet that hasn't stopped it from being a popular spot for those looking to fish, ski (including helliski), hunt, camp, hike, and otherwise explore this pristine, deeply lovely area at the very tippy-top of British Columbia (which is home to a popular annual music festival, as seen in the photo above).

I haven't made it anywhere near this far north yet myself, but I truly hope to one day - camera firmly in hand every step, or should I say, kilometer, of the way.

{To learn more about a specific image in today's post, please click on it to be taken to its respective source.}

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Have you ever been to any of these places? Which ones would you most like to see if you were taking a road trip through British Columbia?

This might go without saying, but please note that if a location didn't appear here, it most certainly doesn't mean that it isn't worth visiting (because I can all but guarantee you that it is!).

Again, it's simply that BC is so large, so diverse, and so teaming with stunning locations (including many in the Lower Mainland area), that it simply isn't possible to share more than a tiny fraction of all its various destinations with you in the scope of just one blog post.

I fully realize that a lot, if not most, of you will never get the chance to visit British Columbia (or at least not many places in it, especially outside of the Vancouver area), but I hope that such doesn't impede your ability to be an avid armchair traveller through this breathtaking westerly part of Canada.

The passion that lives in my heart for my home province is scarcely a secret (in fact, I delved right into it in last summer's look at 25 Reasons Why British Columbia is Awesome) and I love knowing that there will always be new places for us to visit, no matter how long we live here.

In addition, much as when I was a youngster, certain favourites (*Hi, Victoria!*) will be returned to time after glorious time, lapped up and explored, enjoyed and marveled at as the years roll on and such destinations continue to evolve into slightly different versions of themselves.

Summertime travel, be it a road trip or otherwise, is one of life's great pleasures. There's something, I find so incredibly fun about watching hundreds (or even thousands) of miles of pavement roll along under your wheels, gas station snack breaks, discovering tiny little spots you'd never heard of before, memories created by the suitcase full, and the unmistakable siren's song of one more destination before turning the car around and heading back home.




{Sadly that gorgeous row of trees - which provided so much needed shades during the dog days of summer - were removed in recent years, however the gorgeous beaches and stunning weather of Penticton, seen here in this c. 1960 postcard, remain and are well worth checking out if you happen to be visiting BC.}


And should you ever find yourself swinging through the Okanagan on a car trip of your own through the province, please don't hesitate to look me. Much like a great roadside attraction, I'm rather hard to miss as the only auburn haired, mid-century wearing vintage blogger in Penticton. :)

Thank you very much for coming along with me on this virtual vacation. I hope that you each had an excellent time and learned oodles more about BC in the process.

Happy Victoria Day wishes to my fellow canucks who are celebrating tomorrow and a fantastic week to one and all the world over!