- Home
- About
- Hike
- Bike
- Guides
- Canada
- A Guide to Biking From Banff to Jasper, Alberta
- A Guide to Biking the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia
- A Biking Guide for Quebec’s Eastern Townships
- A Guide to Biking British Columbia’s Gulf Islands
- Niagara Area Bike and Wine Tour Guide
- A Guide to Visiting and Biking the Okanagan Valley in BC
- A Guide to Biking Prince Edward County, Ontario
- Vancouver Airport Layover Guide
- A Bike and Wine Tour Guide for Victoria to the Cowichan Valley
- US
- Europe
- South America
- Canada
- Adventures
- Destinations
- Travel Resources
- Advertising
- Contact
What I’m Going to Miss When I Leave Vancouver
I’m a week away from leaving Vancouver – in a state of total discombobulation with a house torn apart – and a long to do list that’s full of fun jobs like calling ICBC (Insurance Corporation of BC), where I know I’ll be put on hold for 30 minutes.
A summer sunset from our deck
So I procrastinate. I can think of plenty of great things to do while it’s still summer in Vancouver, especially since winter comes quickly to Calgary.
There’s much I’ll miss when I leave Vancouver – though to embrace Calgary I’ve had to think of what I hate about Vancouver to make the leaving easier.
But as to what I’ll miss.
- People come first – my brother and his family, friends and neighbours. I’ll miss the ability to drop in and have a quick chat with my brother and sister-in-law plus all the easy dinners we’ve had over nine years. I’ve loved watching my nieces grow up even though my soon to be 16 year old niece finds it difficult to be in the same room as her old aunt these days. To Donna, my hiking partner in England and Scotland last year, I’ll miss all the ways you make me laugh. And to my next door neighbours who have fallen in love with my dog, I’ll miss the fact my dog gets wildly excited everyday she sees you in anticipation of a walk. You’ve also made my life so easy when I’ve gone off traveling.
My friend Donna and I at the West Highland Way finish
My youngest niece
- Vancouver’s summer weather is just the way I like it – not too hot and rarely humid. Plus it’s not often you see a mosquito on a summer evening either – and it rarely rains, believe it or not.
- The ocean. Right now I’m an eight minute walk from a beach where no one visits. I can walk down there and pause to reflect. Calgary’s Glenmore Reservoir and Bow River will never be an ocean substitute.
- Stanley Park. Yes it’s wildly popular but for good reason. Walking the 10 kilometer seawall in all sorts of weather still ranks as one of my all-time favourite Vancouver activities.
- Vancouver is a gorgeous city – one of the prettiest in the world. It’s hard to leave pretty for dull, but I’m hoping Calgary’s personality will win me over.
A view to Vancouver's northshore
- One of my first purchases in Vancouver was of a sea kayak. And boy will I miss the ease of putting my boat in the water and discovering a pocket of heaven.
Our campsite on Blackberry Point, Valdes Island - less than 4 hours from my house including ferry and paddling time
- Fresh wild salmon. I have become a fish snob and though you can fly the stuff quickly all over the world, there’s nothing like the super fresh fish we enjoy in Vancouver.
- Thomas Haas - the chocolate man. I’m really not that into chocolate but if I want a treat – then one of his double almond croissants and a latte sends me to a very happy place. I wish he could be cloned.
A double almond croissant from Thomas Haas
- The view from my house. I can see the ocean from almost every room. Yes, I’ve been spoiled and I’m sure going to miss it.
- Biking the Sea to Sky Highway. Since they’ve fixed the highway and safely made rooms for cyclists I’ve come to love the scenic ride – even if I don’t usually go past Britannia Beach.
One of the views from the Sea to Sky Highway
The list goes on but I think you can see that leaving Vancouver will be difficult. But with a husband working in Calgary on a Monday to Friday basis it doesn’t take long to sort out your priorities – and that priority is being with him – in Calgary.
What do you miss when you leave a favourite place??
Leigh McAdam
You might also like:
16 Responses to What I’m Going to Miss When I Leave Vancouver
Leave a Reply
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
STAY CONNECTED
Book Reviews
Book Review: Leading at the Edge
Tweet Though it’s been almost 100 years since Shackleton’s ill-fated voyage, his leadership style and lessons in the face of adversity still ring true. Those lessons are used as a backdrop for Dennis N.T. Perkin’s book, Leading at the Edge. Dennis brings his considerable talent as the CEO of The Syncretics Group, a company that specializes in [...]
I’ve never visited Vancouver but the way you describe it looks like a wonderful place and I can easily understand that you’ll miss it.
If I get the chance to come some day, maybe it will be a nice opportunity for you to go back and show me a little of its beauty!
I’m leaving in two weeks and I know I’ll miss Vancouverites’ kindness as weel as the vibrant Kits Beach and the colorful Commercial Drive.
Now you’ve gone and made me miss my old home town…and I’m still in the honeymoon phase here in Kelowna! I do miss it, but like me, you’ll soon find just as many things to love about your new home town.
@Valerie – When you leave a city you love you definitely have to go to the next place with the glass half full attitude – which is what I have embraced. Thanks for commenting.
@Jane – I don’t get over to the Kits Beach often enough but if you live in that area it will be a terrible loss. I love Commercial Drive too – and will miss the local coffee shops where I’ve enjoyed some of the best coffee in Vancouver.
I love to show off the city – and I’ll have plenty of reasons to come back – with family and friends I’ll want to stay in touch with. I’ll need my dose of the Vancouver salt air and a walk around Stanley Park at least a few times a year.
You certainly will have a lot to miss about Vancouver, but I’m sure you’ll find many positives about Calgary, too. Changes can be such great adventures. That said, I’ve always been very nostalgic about places I’ve lived. So I try to visit those places as often as possible. Keep us posted, Leigh!
Such a beautiful place. You’re right to miss it, and so many good reasons why are posted here. I want you to know that, though I’ve not commented much, I do like to keep up with your doings on my feedreader. You go to so many beautiful places and are such a treasure trove of wonderful information about where we all might go next! As for what I miss when I leave a favorite place, we came back recently from a 4th trip to Maine (this time the midcoast, where we’ve not been before), and I miss the changing light on the water, the doings of the waterbirds at the changing of the tides, and, of course, the Maine blueberries and the lobster taco stand I found! Many thanks for your wonderful blog. Many riches to mine here.
Don’t worry… Vancouver’s not going anywhere. She’ll still be hear when you come back! Good luck in Calgary
Wow you should write travel brochures. You do an EXCELLENT job of selling Vancouver!
You will grow to like Calgary. It has its share of rednecks and cowboys with money, but the people are pretty down to earth. And it’s a LOT cheaper than Vancouver.
Makes me definitely want to visit (or move to Vancouver) sometime.
@Raymond There is plenty to miss about Vancouver but I thrive on change so I’m now excited to head to Calgary – and I’m ready to go right now. I’m hearing more good than bad and I figure I’ll just have to embrace winter the way I did as a kid growing up in Ottawa.
@Cam I have a trip booked back to Vancouver in December already – and I suspect with family and friends plus the ocean calling me ‘ll be back many times a year.
@Dan If you like the outdoors and especially the ocean you’ll love Vancouver.
@Susan You write so beautifully and thank you for taking the time to write such a long comment. I agree with you about the changing light. My husband and I were saying this morning how we’ll miss the sound of the oystercatcher but as one of life’s chapters closes another one begins and there’ll be plenty to keep me excited once I get settled in Calgary.
I love the sound of lobster tacos. Yum!!
I’m from Calgary and can see why you would miss Vancouver, I absolutely love Vancouver and was just there last week. It really is a beautiful city. The one thing Calgary does have over Vancouver though is the sun, much sunnier in Calgary than in Vancouver.