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Goodbye Vancouver. Hello Calgary
Goodbye Vancouver. I’ll be sad to see you go.
I’ve experienced so much in the 9 years I’ve lived here. I’ve taken courses and tried new activities, met a host of interesting people and made new friends, watched my nieces grow up and my parents grow older.
But it’s time to leave.
Calgary beckons – not that you’ll ever win an award as a pretty city – although I’ve heard you have a sunnier disposition. I’m following my husband and his job; our house is not a home without him in it.
Here’s the best of what Vancouver has offered me and what I’m going to miss.
- I’ve been lucky – I know, but every morning I wake up to views from Bowen Island to UBC. I’m going to miss those.
Early morning view to Bowen Island after a rare snowstorm
- One of my all time favourite treats is a trip to Thomas Haas, the well known artisan choclate maker. I can pass on the chocolate but the croissants are reminiscent of France and his lattes are wonderful.
Double almond croissant from Thomas Haas
- Three years on the Seventh Wave Dragonboat team was a highlight of my time here; great camaraderie, ripped arms and training in picturesque Deep Cove twice a week was a treat for the senses.
My Seventh Wave Dragonboat team at a regatta in Kelowna
- I’m going to miss my walks and bike rides around Stanley Park – one of the world’s great urban parks.
Walking the seawall around Stanley Park on a spring day
- Just a few months ago I finally made it to Princess Louisa Inlet - and loved the world-class scenery, only a day trip away from Vancouver.
View of Chatterbox Falls at the end of the inlet
- I have a love-hate thing going with North Vancouver’s Grouse Grind. I hate climbing this giant stair stepper but love how I feel on top. I’m going to miss the intense workout.
The start of the Grouse Grind
- There’s a local walk – right out my back door – that takes me to Whyte Lake in West Vancouver. It makes you feel a million miles away from a big city. The dog will be especially sorry to see it go.
Whyte Lake in West Vancouver as dusk
- Biking the Sea to Sky Highway – when it’s not to busy – has been a new found pleasure, now that the highway has been widened. Especially with the Galileo Cafe in Britannia Beach as a latte worthy destination.
The view to Eagle Island and beyond
- Sea kayaking has been a huge pleasure – from the local waters to the Johnson Strait, to the waters off of Vancouver Island to Desolation Sound. That is a huge loss.
Kayaking to beautiful Rum Island - one of the Gulf Islands
I haven’t even touched on all the people that have made my time in Vancouver great. I’ll save that for the final goodbye.
Hello Calgary. I’m going full circle – since that’s where I started.
Leigh McAdam
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20 Responses to Goodbye Vancouver. Hello Calgary
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About
I’ve been all over the world – to all continents but Antarctica and to a grand total of 53 countries. I’ve always got some sort of an adventure planned – even if it’s only a weekend. I thrive on change and travel provides that.
Feel free to email me at
leighmcadamtravels@gmail.com
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Looks like you’ll be missing Vancouver really bad. Seeing these pictures make me symphathise with you. But surely, Calgary will have its own charms.
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Aw, so sad. Vancouver really is an amazing place to live and as I recall you were in West Van which is the best! But you are right, a house isn’t a home without family. I am sure that you are going to love Calgary and will spend many a weekend in Banff or Lake Louise. All the best and enjoy!
I can definitely relate to leaving the beautiful west coast behind, but Calgary and the Rocky Mountains will welcome you with open arms. We’ll definitely hook up when you get here:)
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@Michael – There’s a ton I’ll miss about Vancouver and originally I was leaving kicking and screaming. Now I’ve got the glass half full attitude and look at all the great things Calgary has to offer. I expect I’ll have a lot more play time in the mountains and there’s lots of new territory to explore and write about.
@Dave & Deb- I’ve had a hard time letting go of my house – partially because we built it and the views have been superb – but once I got past that I’ve enthusiastically embraced Calgary and am ready to put my energy into a new city. There’s plenty of new country to see- and for whatever reason I feel closer to the north – so there may be extra time spent there. Lots of new blog material no matter what.
@Audrey It was so great to meet you at TBEX. Fellow travel bloggers will end up being a big help when I move and once I’m there I would like to get into the monthly tweetups. Thanks for your kind words. I look forward to seeing you & your hubby again.
Wow, why didn’t I know about all these places in Vancouver when I was there? THIS is the side of Vancouver I wanted to see. All the outdoor stuff aside, that almond croissant looks delicious (and I don’t even care that much about food)!
Even though you are leaving, I am inspired to go back! Best of luck in Calgary!
By the way, when did you find this out? Did you share this news with people at TBEX or is this the big announcement for everyone?
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Dear Leigh, this is such a beautiful tribute to a place I know you loved deeply – I sure did in my visit with you and John. But, alas, I know the importance of being together with our partners in life, and it doesn’t work very well at a distance. Great luck with your move and keep me posted on your new location. Love, Sandy
@Jeremy Sounds like you missed the whole outdoors side of Vancouver – and I certainly didn’t even capture all of it in the blog. My husband has been working in Calgary for 15 months and the weekly back and forth became too much in the spring. That’s when the house went up for sale & it sold yesterday with a close at the end of August. So I have 5 weeks left in Vancouver – with the rest of the time away hiking & kayaking. Calgary will also be one big outdoor adventure with the beautiful Rocky Mountains to explore in depth.
Thanks for your lovely comment Sandy. I would rather share my life with my husband by my side than 500 miles away – its hard to leave Vancouver – but also exciting – and new doors will open in Calgary. Hope to see you still in July.
Welcome to Calgary.
This post reminded me of my three years in Vancouver before moving to Calgary in the mid 1980s. I have never regretted the move. Both cities have substantial appeal. They are very different in many ways. You are going to love it here. It is not that far to get to Vancouver for a visit.
Notes for Calgary. You will need a lot of Vaseline Intensive Care. It is very dry here and all your skin will fall off until you acclimatize. You should lose the webs between your fingers and toes within a couple of months.
Bring a picture of your gardens and hang it on the wall. It is a humbling experience to actually try to grow anything here. All my plants are in the mountains and they are well cared for. I visit them regularly.
In Calgary, the weather can be more volatile. We have all four seasons but they are often on the same day. If you don’t like the weather, you just wait for 15 minutes.
Calgary is surrounded by mountain and prairie. There are amazing adventures waiting for you.
Barry – Thank you so much for your lovely comments. I look forward to meeting you & hopefully hiking someday soon. I’ll be in Calgary permanently at the end of August with several trips in between. I still have a few summer adventures before I get there but the house is sold & the movers are being interviewed.
I will bring pictures of my gardens – something I’m proud of and have put hundreds of hours into – and one of the hardest things to leave. I will buy Vaseline Intensive Care at the BC-Alberta border. I’ll be looking for long down coats come the fall to get me through the winter. I do look forward to winter sunshine and thunderstorms. I’ve missed those here.
Beautiful photos! I don’t think I saw so much nature when I was in Vancouver as we didn’t have a lot of time and mostly stayed in the city. Looks like we need to go back!
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I think many of the TBEXers took advantage of Tourism Vancouver’s offerings but there really wasn’t enough time to see the other side of Vancouver – and that’s the side I like best.
I take it you sold the house, then?
I can totally feel your homesickness in this, my heart aches! I fell in love with Vancouver in less than a week…can’t imagine how you feel!
Candice Walsh recently posted..Photo Opp: Bow Lake, Alberta
We did last week – and just bought one in Calgary – so I’ll be there come the beginning of September. Haven’t you been the busy person lately!!
I wish you well in your move to Calgary. I sympathize with your sadness in leaving beautiful Vancouver but Calgary will hold some unexpected surprises. You have a great attitude. Kim & I will be sure to connect with you when you get here. Have a great summer Leigh!
Look forward to catching up in September. Bought a house last week so have a move in date for the first week of September. have fun in Nova Scotia. Congrats on your blog baby!
Now that I’m committed to going to Calgary I’m actually keen to get there and to finally be settled.