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Adventure Loaded in Vancouver

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Jun 13, 2019 Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Adventure Loaded in Vancouver

Exquisite meals, fabulous public transit, and outdoor adventure galore make Vancouver a fabulous long-weekend getaway.

Somewhere between getting impatient with waiting at the U.S./Canada border and having children we stopped visiting Vancouver. It wasn’t a conscious decision, but something just that happened, so when we first heard about Kenmore Air adding Vancouver as a flight destination my husband and I were ecstatic. Vancouver has always been one of our favorite places to visit. It is a world-class city filled with notable restaurants, endless shopping and the perfect blend of both city and mountain getaway. There is more than enough to keep you occupied for a long weekend. And given the current exchange rate, now is the perfect time to book your next Canadian adventure.

As we boarded our early morning flight the prospect of being in another country by brunch posed such a thrill. As the city came into view and we dropped down into the harbour, I was reminded how much I have missed Vancouver.

Home at The Douglas

The Douglas

Our home for the weekend was one of Marriott’s new Autograph Collection hotels called The Douglas. The Douglas is part of a larger complex called The Parq Vancouver, an entertainment destination featuring Vancouver’s only casino and eight distinct restaurants and lounges. The Douglas is located next to BC Place Stadium and a stone’s throw from False Creek.

Water Taxi

With the constant buzz of passenger ferries along False Creek, it is effortless to access the other side. We enjoyed an afternoon of wandering around the Public Market on Granville Island and found no shortage of delicious, locally made treats to sample. As a mother of two boys, it has been a downright thrill to shop for our little girl on the way. We found some Vancouver made items from Parade Organics and Redfish clothing that will look so cute on our baby.

Extraordinary Dinner at The Victor

As a wonderful commencement to our trip in town, we enjoyed a leisurely and memorable meal at The Victor, one of the many restaurants located in the Parq Vancouver. Our meal at The Victor was a constant string of culinary punctuation marks. From their crab cakes and milk bread to their waffle macaroni and cheese and grilled branzino, each and every bite we sampled tasted like the best version we had ever had.

The Victor

A meal like that needed to end on a high, sweet note. So, we ordered the cotton candy atop a bed of donuts. Clearly, we had started something. Every table surrounding us noticed and followed suit.

Exploring Stanley Park

On Saturday, we took a carriage ride through Stanley Park during which we learned about both the park’s history and the surrounding area. As we skirted along Stanley Park’s famous seawall we caught glimpses of the water, mountains, sky and all the majestic trees planted in the park.

If you want to cover a large area of Stanley Park in less time and from a different vantage point than being on foot a carriage ride was a great way to see the park. Some highlights of the park included the totem poles, the rose garden and learning about a little train you can ride.

Carriage Ride in Stanley Park

After our tour, we spent an afternoon exploring the Vancouver Aquarium. Although we enjoyed the exhibits and sea life shows, we were most struck by the thought-provoking art installation entitled Vortex by Douglas Coupland. Vortex highlights how single-use plastic waste is harming ocean life. Our family has been pretty good about avoiding these types of plastics. Still, it was a valuable reminder of how we want to make beach cleanup a bigger part of our ongoing community service.

Visual & Culinary Feast at Hawksworth

Hawksworth Vancouver

Having walked the better part of the day and logging almost 11 miles, we were more than ready and prepared for our meal at Hawksworth. After a couple years of following David Hawksworth’s career we were ecstatic to finally dine at his restaurant. Our experience at Hawksworth turned out to be both a visual and culinary feast for the senses.

Our meal inspired us to ponder how thoughtful presentation can really set the stage for our everyday meals at home. After dinner, we visited the Vancouver Lookout just in time for the sunset and to see a 360-degree view of the city at night. The Vancouver Lookout allows you to come up twice on one ticket; once during the day and then once again at night. How amazing is that! It is a fun way to cap off a fun-filled day in the city.

Hiking with Outdoor Explore

Vancouver Hiking

Sunday morning we hopped on the SeaBus and met up with John Gill from Outdoor Explore for a heart pumping and jaw-dropping hike along Howe Sound. The SeaBus is a passenger-only ferry that crosses the Burrad Inlet. By connecting Downtown Vancouver with the North Shore, this fun water ride makes it a breeze to travel between the two sections of the city.

Outdoor Explore is a Vancouver-based company most known for its thoughtfully procured hiking and canoeing trips in British Columbia, the Yukon, and the Himalayas. If you’re looking to plan a trip to remember, John and his co-founder, Drew Copeland, will create a trip you will talk about for the rest of your lives.

John took us on a trail we would have never found on our own. It was a busy, beautiful weekend for hiking, but far enough off the beaten path that we only encountered one other group on our way down. If seeing British Columbia in all its beauty away from the crowds speaks to you, Outdoor Explore knows the area well and will make it happen.

Car-Free Exploring

Monday morning, we headed to the waterfront and hopped on the free shuttle bus to Grouse Mountain. Although we missed the peak snow season we encountered snow and saw one of the resident bears. Between all the public transit options there really is no need to bring your car to Vancouver for the weekend. Why pay for it to sit in a parking garage while you have fun? My suggestion: take the money and buy a ticket on Kenmore Air. You will not regret a car-free weekend where you can enjoy a lively city with a gorgeous natural backdrop.

Vancouver Downtown

Monday afternoon, we boarded our plane and headed back to Seattle. On board, we had a couple first timers who were wide-eyed and eager throughout the flight.

Once we landed they remarked to each other it was the “best flight of their lives.” If you are a long-time resident, a new transplant or just looking for a different way to travel than battling traffic or long airport security, then Kenmore Air will help you create the seamless trip of your dreams. As we caught sight of the Space Needle I was reminded of how lucky Seattleites are to call this beautiful place home. Seattle is the perfect hub for adventuring and I cannot wait to discover more destinations just a short seaplane ride away.

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If the rugged mountainside and modern technology had a love child – Vancouver would be the result. Fondly nicknamed ‘The City of Glass,’ this British Columbia metropolis sports a plethora of outdoor parks; a love for local, sustainable cuisine; and a passion for protecting Mother Nature. Literally – the Vancouver Sun recently published a veritable ode to a 600-year-old tree.

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Public Art on Granville Island

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Jun 6, 2019
Public Art on Granville Island

PC: Tourism Vancouver & Nelson Mouellic

Despite the roughly 300 businesses, studios and facilities that call Granville Island home, the small peninsula has an old-world feel. Remnants of its industrial past linger in the cranes and rail tracks that have yet to be removed. Originally one of Vancouver’s main hubs for sawmills, iron works and slaughterhouses, the tourist destination is now a hotbed for artists.

From potters and painters to jewelry makers and blacksmith artisans, the creative community thrives. While the Public Market, water-side restaurants, and extensive arts galleries typically get most of the attention, Granville Island is also home to two major arts installations.

The first was installed in 2014 by the famous street artists OSGEMEOS — two Brazilian twin brothers Gustavo and Otávio Pandolfo, who specialize in transforming buildings into colorful artwork.

The pair turned six industrial concrete silos into a vibrant mural (1415 Johnston St.). Standing 70-feet tall and spanning 23,500-square-feet, the silos have been fondly dubbed Granville Island’s ‘Giants’.

In 2018, Granville Island expanded its public arts display yet again. With the help of local and international artists, large murals were added around The Chain & Forge, located beneath the Granville Street Bridge (1404 Anderson St.).

Participating muralists included Spain’s Ruben Sanchez, First Nation Musqueam artist Debra Sparrow, Lauren Brevner, Kelsey Hall (KC Hall), James Harry, Sandeep Johal, Kari Kristensen, Eric Louie, Victoria Sieczka and Jeremy Wong (JNASTY).

Installations at the outdoor gallery cover the legs of the bridge and the sides of walls. They feature an eclectic mix of themes ranging from First Peoples inspired images and abstract to symbolism and pop art.

Chain & Forge is often the site of public gatherings and local festivals, where you might find everything from live music and pop-up markets to workshops.

Both Chain & Forge and the ‘Giants’ are well within walking distance of the Public Market — allowing you to grab a bite before you go explore the island’s public arts scene.

Book Your Vancouver Trip

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Vancouver Power Lunches

Power lunching in Vancouver has its perks. The City of Glass has taken often underwhelming mid-day hotel fare to a whole new level. Seafood and farm-to-table cuisine rule. Price points range from impress foreign executives to indulge in down-home comfort. And, those with special dietary needs are warmly accommodated.

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Vancouver Power Lunches

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May 5, 2019
Vancouver Power Lunches

Power lunching in Vancouver has its perks. The City of Glass has taken often underwhelming mid-day hotel fare to a whole new level. Seafood and farm-to-table cuisine rule. Price points range from impress foreign executives to indulge in down-home comfort. And, those with special dietary needs are warmly accommodated.

Because whether big deals are being made or you’re getting to know your long-distance colleagues, a reliably great meal always makes things go a bit more smoothly. The following nine Vancouver power lunch destinations are all within a 16-minute or less walk from the Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre Seaplane Terminal.

So, don’t skip lunch. Make sure to savor a bite, even if you’re only visiting for the day.

Heritage Asian Eatery

Pork Belly Bao

This Financial District hot spot isn’t fancy. It’s an order-at-the-counter kind of joint, complete with communal tables and a billboard menu. But whatever Heritage Asian Eatery lacks in tableside service, it more than makes up for in flavor-packed comfort food that’ll make even the most estranged of colleagues bond.

What to Get: Pork belly bao topped with kimchi daikon and crispy onions. Duck rice bowl with Peking sauce, crispy onions, and a slow-cooked marinated egg.

Walk Time: 4 Minutes

Cactus Club Café

Modern Bowl at Cactus Club

Located directly above the terminal, the Cactus Club Café offers a great vantage point for watching seaplanes come and go. On a sunny day, snag a seat on their breezy patio. With an extensive menu, they offer something for everyone. But, it’s their tasty selection of health-conscious choices that particularly shine.

What to Get: Modern Bowl. With a hearty mix of tabbouleh, pineapple salsa, roasted veggies, fresh greens, and jasmine rice, it comes topped with miso carrot ginger sauce and your choice of protein.

Walk Time: 1 Minute

Gringo

Gringo Tacos

With its back-alley vibe, Gringo is the kind of place you take a colleague or client who’s not afraid to get their fingers dirty. Prices won’t wow, but the ultra-tender smoked pork butt is the kind of satisfying taco filling that’ll make anyone feel like they’re on vacation – if only for a quick lunch break.

What to Get: Tacos. All the tacos. Wilbur (smoked pork but with pickled onions) is a consistent favorite.

Walk Time: 16 Minutes

Miku

When the food’s as good as the view, you know you’re in for a treat. Miku overlooks Coal Harbour and the North Shore Mountains beyond. It sports an open kitchen where blowtorch-wielding chefs expertly finish the restaurant’s famed aburi (flame-seared) sushi with a bit of charcoal smoke.

What to Get: Miku Zen – a selection of four chef-selected seasonal items, five pieces of Aburi sushi and miso soup.

Walk Time: 8 Minutes

Botanist

Halibut

Modern elegance inspired by nature is paired with exceptionally attentive service. The Fairmont Pacific Rim’s Botanist features a light and airy dining room, open kitchen, and food worthy of a lingering lunch. Beautiful plating is almost too pretty to eat, while an extensive wine menu won’t disappoint those interested in a mid-day cocktail.

What to Get: Halibut with cauliflower and spring peas.

Walk Time: 2 Minutes

Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House

Salmon Salad

Old-school white linens with top-notch service don’t keep this downtown seafood and chop house from being warm and inviting. Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House makes fine dining unpretentious, right down to their blue plate lunch special ($11.95).

What to Get: Joe’s Seafood Caesar, loaded with marinated mussels and clams, grilled salmon and prawns, and a generous sprinkling of parmesan.

Walk Time: 10 Minutes

Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar

Seafood Tower

Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar’s inventive twists on west coast seafood features bright and fresh combinations. Particularly delightful and impressive are the seafood towers (for two or four). A substantial mix of shrimp, tuna, mussels, Dungeness crab, snow crab, and oysters – are sure to satisfy any seafood lover.

What to Get: Seafood towers, for those with an appetite who are willing to share. Albacore tuna, loaded with avocado, sesame sriracha mayo, and Asian slaw.

Walk Time: 14 Minutes

Hawksworth Restaurant

Hawksworth Scallops

While this Vancouver gem may be frequented by Vancouver’s fashion, PR, and media elite, don’t expect a fussy collection of trendy ingredients. Hawksworth Restaurant delivers a seasonally inspired menu you can pronounce. The staff is professional. The three distinct dining areas are elegant. And, the chef is happy to accommodate dietary restrictions with advance notice.

What to Get: Scallops in parsnip risotto with maitake mushrooms and pearl onions.

Walk Time: 13 Minutes

YEW seafood + bar

Scallops at YEW

In a refined sliver of Pacific Northwest elegance, the Four Seasons’ YEW seafood + bar features soaring ceilings, rough wood beams, and a tall stone fireplace. To balance the woodsy interior, its menu showcases the best in sustainable seafood.

What to Get: Lobster salad sandwich, topped with crispy bacon, tomato wasabi mayo, and a fried egg. Roasted scallops with asparagus and morels.

Walk Time: 13 Minutes

Plan Your Vancouver Trip

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If the rugged mountainside and modern technology had a love child – Vancouver would be the result. Fondly nicknamed ‘The City of Glass’ this British Columbia metropolis sports a plethora of outdoor parks; a love for local, sustainable cuisine; and a passion for protecting Mother Nature. Literally – the Vancouver Sun recently published a veritable ode to a 600-year-old tree.

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Raincoat Free Rainy Day Activities in Seattle

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Apr 18, 2019
Raincoat Free Rainy Day Activities in Seattle

Seattle, the city where nature thrives and green prevails. Here, the air is clean and crisp. The trees stand tall and full year round. And, the mountains turn the skyline into jaw-dropping vistas.

But, our Pacific Northwest wonderland also happens to be one of the wettest cities in the United States. Seattle receives roughly 38 annual inches of rain! Fortunately, it rarely comes down in massive storms. The days are often a simple gray drizzle, offering visitors and Seattleites the kind of wet that makes a raincoat and sturdy shoes perfect exploring.

While raincoats are nice, one can only be expected to wear one for so long. Luckily, there are a plethora of dry, indoor activities that inspire and delight.

5 Fabulous Rainy Day Activities in Seattle

Seattle’s Museum of Flight

This all-ages museum has something for everyone. With more than 150 real aircraft on display, including jetliners, an Apollo 17 lunar module, and WWII helicopters, the rich history of aviation spans decades. Featuring six unique exhibits (five indoor and one fully covered), you can explore at your own pace.

Museum of Flight Red Barn

But don’t expect to see it all in a single day. The Museum of Flight spans more than 3.3 acres and include a 3 million-cubic-foot, six-story, glass-and-steel exhibit hall. This is perhaps the exhibit for which the museum is most well-known. And on rainy days, it’s the perfect way to enjoy some natural daylight, without the hassle of an umbrella.

with some 150 aircraft on display—from simple gliders all the way up to an Apollo 17 lunar module.

Chihuly Garden and Glass

Massive chandeliers hang from ceilings. A dramatic seafloor-inspired installation stretches the length of a ballroom. At the Chihuly Garden and Glass, colors pop in expertly placed lighting. Even if you’re familiar with the stunning work of renowned Northwest glass artist Daley Chihuly, you haven’t seen his pieces displayed like this.

The grounds span 45,000 square feet and most of the exhibits are indoors. The exhibits range in size, with the one of the smallest – the Persian Ceiling – being one of the most surprising. Initially, this small, brightly lit room is in such contrast to the darker visitor-designated walkways that it’s shocking. The unadorned walls and lone bench feel a bit like you’ve left the grand displays of earlier. And then you look up and discover ceiling – an intricately arranged collection of delicate glass pieces. The light behind them catches their edges.

In contrast to the Persian Ceiling, the soaring ceilings of the Glasshouse exhibit is illuminated by Mother Nature. Cathedral-esc in nature, the soaring rafters are adorned by a 100-foot long glass sculpture. Like an exotic patch of wildflowers floating overhead, the red, orange, yellow and amber piece features an ever-changing backdrop of the clouds, Space Needle and whatever birds or planes can be seen flying by.

Queen Anne Beerhall

More than just a spot for a pint, the Queen Anne Beerhall is a community waterhole. Housed in a 7,000 square-foot former industrial building, it features long communal tables and a lively atmosphere. (Parent’s rejoice. Kids are even welcome!)

Queen Anne Beer Hall in Seattle

Though it only opened in 2015, it has the worn-in look of a bar that’s been well-loved for generations. There are stained tiles, foggy windows, and scuffed antiques. The bar rail, a thick slab of wood, is standing only (and the only place kids aren’t welcome). It stretches from one end of the hall to the kitchen – a large, bustling destination which frequently wafts the smell of grilled brats and sauerkraut throughout the space.

While selections change, you’ll find 25 premium beers from Germany, Belgium, and Austria on tap. Live music often takes center stage at the front of the hall. And, if you’re looking for a spot to watch the Sounders game, this is it. Games are projected on a large screen.

Museum of Pop Culture

For decades, Seattle’s been a hotbed for great rock bands. Here, legends like Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain were able to give their sound a spin all their own. Today, this relatively small city remains a hotbed for up and coming artists. Their contribution continues a history that’s rich with personal expression and often that’s a tad bit alternative. It’s this one-two punch combination that the Museum of Pop Culture (formerly known as the Experience Music Project or EMP) captures.

Raincoat Free Rainy Day Activities in Seattle by Kenmore Air

The 140,000-square-foot museum is as attention-grabbing outside as it is in. Some call the large, multi-colored exterior Seattle’s biggest eyesore. Regardless of your impression, it’s hard to contest that makes you do a double-take.

However, it’s inside that the museum really shines. There are the typically educational exhibits where old artifacts are labeled and described. But as the name would suggest, this “museum” is focused on experience – hands-on experience to be precise. It features 12 mini-studio rooms where you’re invited to jam with your friends. There’s an interactive drum set, a live stage for impromptu performances and more.

Seattle Aquarium

At the Seattle Aquarium, a glimpse under the sea is a no-splash-required event. Tucked against Seattle’s waterfront, it features a variety of exhibits, including a mammoth, 120,000-gallon exhibit. Filled with more than 800 native fish and invertebrates, the main viewing window at “Window on Washington Waters” is a breathtaking 20×40 feet. It’s like stepping beneath the surface of Puget Sound.

And why leave when it’s so beautiful? At the “Underwater Dome” exhibit, you’ll stay under the sea with a 360-degree ever-changing view. But perhaps the favorite exhibits of all are the marine animals. The Seattle Aquarium is home to a delightful assortment of otters and seals. Daily talks and feedings happen at 11:30 AM and 2:00 PM, meaning these little guys are regularly active and playful.

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Experience a Luxury Fishing Vacation at Sund’s Lodge

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Apr 11, 2019 Mikaela Judd
Experience a Luxury Fishing Vacation at Sund’s Lodge

Don’t assume fishing for King Salmon demands braving the rough seas. British Columbia’s Inside Passage is a breathtaking checkerboard of remote islands and protected waterways. At Sund’s Lodge, a fishing getaway is about a lot more than just fishing.

Located beneath the northern tip of Vancouver Island and tucked between two archipelago reserves, rests Sund’s Lodge. This luxury fishing destination is a getaway both the passionate angler and refined vacationer will love.

Owned and operated by husband-wife duo, Bruce and Lisa Barlean, the lodge is only accessible by boat or plane. Opened in 1984, the 38-acre spread on Malcolm Island is just across the water from Cormorant Island.

Between picking mattresses for their newly refurbished cabins and deciding between salmon or halibut for dinner, Bruce and Lisa shared some of their favorite bits about the lodge with me:

Kenmore Otter at Sund's Lodge

MC: Bruce, fishing’s not something new to you, right? You’ve been fishing for quite some time?

Bruce: Yes. My dad was a commercial fisherman. He founded Barlean’s Fishery in 1972. I first went out on the water for a few days when I was seven. But I started fishing full time when I was eight. We’d go out on the boats starting around the 4th of July. Then once school would start in September, I’d just go out on the weekends.

Bruce and Lisa Barlean

KA: What drew you two to Sund’s Lodge?

Bruce: I always dreamed of having a house on the water. Lisa always dreamed of having a home in the mountains. Sund’s Lodge gave us both the home we always dreamed of. We love living on a dead-end road with only four neighbors. You can sit here and watch the whales and seals go by. And of course, I have a passion for fishing.

Lisa: I have to second Bruce. The scenery here is just incredible. When we bring friends and family up, they have trouble wrapping their heads around what the experience is going to be like until they get here. Because it’s so much more than just fishing. Being here is breathtaking. We regularly hear visitors say this is one of the most incredible, surreal experiences they’ve ever had.

Stunning Landscape Picture Captured by Lisa Barlean

MC: Speaking of scenery Lisa, it seems you’ve really taken advantage of the setting with your photography.

Lisa: You could say photography is my very serious hobby. It’s extended into the lodge as we’ve needed images for building the website and on social media. Whenever I’m walking around the lodge or out fishing, I just can’t put my camera down. It’s that beautiful.

Fishing at Sund's Lodge

MC: Can you share a little about what fishing at Sund’s is like?

Bruce: We’re an all-inclusive lodge. The food. The alcohol. The guides. The boats. That’s just part of the deal. We even provide raincoats and boots. We just make it easy.

We have ACB boats (Aluminum Chamber Boats), which makes being out on the water significantly more enjoyable. Not only are the boats incredibly safe, they cut through the water really well, so it’s a much calmer ride. Plus, each boat has a cabin with a bathroom, so you can get out of the elements and be comfortable.

Lisa: I like to call it ‘princess fishing.’ You can do all the work if you want. Or you can stand on the boat, enjoy the scenery and wildlife, and let the guide do all the work. The guide gets the fish on the hook. Then they hand you the rod and you reel it in so that you get all the glory.

Symphony

Bruce: Yeah. That’s one of the things guys often say to me. They say, “I could bring my wife to this lodge.”

The food here is top notch. The accommodations are good. There are a lot of people who think a fishing lodge is just where a bunch of guys go drink and fish. Here, it’s something the wives like too.

Sund's Lodge

MC: So if it’s ‘princess fishing’, what’s staying at the lodge like.

Lisa: The lodge was built in the early 1900s by Finish settlers. We have 38-acres, which is also home to a herd of alpacas and wild deer. So, there’s always plenty of wildlife around.

We can accommodate up to 18 guests at a time. Our 12 guest rooms are being updated this year with new mattresses, fresh linens, and new furniture. We also focus on bringing in highly skilled chefs who serve superb 5-course dinners, tasty breakfasts, and really great lunch

Book Your Trip to Sund’s Lodge

Photos by Lisa Barlean

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12 Facts You Probably Don’t Know About Vancouver

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Apr 3, 2019
12 Facts You Probably Don’t Know About Vancouver

Vancouver’s one of the most beautiful cities in the world. And as is the case with most beautiful destinations, the city’s not without its quirks and recognition.

1. Vancouver is also called “Hollywood of the North.” It was recently ranked the 14th most popular city in the world for TV production by TheTravel.com.

2. From 1947 to 1986, it was illegal to sell stoves on a Wednesday within city limits.

3. The Port of Vancouver is the largest port in Canada and the third largest in North America in terms of total tonnage moved in and out of the port.

Sushi

4. Though the name would suggest otherwise, it’s widely believed that ‘The California Roll’ was actually created by Japanese-born Vancouver chef Hidekazu Tojo.

5. Stanley Park spans 400-hectares (1,000-acres), making it 10 percent larger than New York’s Central Park. One of the most popular ways to explore it is biking or walking along the famous Seawall.

6. Stanley Park’s grey squirrels aren’t indigenous. Rumors of how this invasive species came to Vancouver range from a 1909 gift from New York’s Central Park to a city acquisition from Pennsylvania. Regardless of their origin, the fact remains these bushy-tailed critters are adorable.

7. In 2018, Vancouver was ranked the third most ‘livable city in the world’ by The Economist.

8. It is home to Canada’s longest pool — Kits Pool. Located in the Kitsilano neighborhood, it is the city’s only saltwater pool. The lanes stretch 137 meters, which is almost 3 times as long as an Olympic pool.

9. The Marine Building, located at 355 Burrard Street in Downtown Vancouver, was once the tallest building in the British Empire at 321 feet.

10. The Lions Gate Bridge was built by the Guinness Beer Company in 1937 to provide easy access to the British Properties.

Vancouver

11. Nearly the entire city burnt down in 1886 during the Great Vancouver Fire. It started as a controlled burn, intended to clear land. Unfortunately, the winds shifted suddenly and the small crew of Canadian Pacific Railway men were unable to contain it as it consumed roughly 1,000 wooden buildings in less than 45 minutes.

12. Vancouver is the home of Green Peace, which was started by a group of activists in 1971. The group came together to try and stop nuclear bomb testing in Alaska.

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Caffeine Loaded in Vancouver

Whether you simply need a change of scenery or you’re taking advantage of the mobile office while traveling — the coffee shop office is a classic. Throughout Vancouver cafes offer a down-to-earth vibe and espresso-pulling expertise.

Vancouver Power Lunches

Power lunching in Vancouver has its perks. The City of Glass has taken often underwhelming mid-day hotel fare to a whole new level. Seafood and farm-to-table cuisine rule. Price points range from impress foreign executives to indulge in down-home comfort. And, those with special dietary needs are warmly accommodated.

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Old Partners, New Possibilities

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Mar 21, 2019 Mark Fox
Old Partners, New Possibilities

How an iconic seaplane and observation tower came to define the Pacific Northwest experience.

It was 1960, and the morning mist was still rising off of Lake Washington as Howard H. Wright climbed into the yellow and white Cessna 180 seaplane patiently bobbing alongside the wooden dock with pilot Bob Munro. The short flight to the San Juan Islands, about 60 nautical miles northwest of Kenmore’s Air Harbor, was the first intersection of two Seattle families that would go on to shape, and sometimes define the Pacific Northwest experience.

In fact, flying above the Puget Sound today in a Kenmore Air seaplane is still the best vantage to understand how these two families, the Wrights and the Munros, influenced the Pacific Northwest — and how their descendants are still doing it today.

Laying the Foundation

Howard Wright owned a construction company that helped build the Grand Coulee Dam on the eastern side of the state in the years before World War II. Industry and population growth in the region was fueled by its construction, as were the wartime industries located in the Northwest.

The seaplane company, whose services Wright hired on his inaugural 1960 flight, was started by three friends who reunited after World War II to put their flying and mechanical engineering skills to new use.

Wright played his own part in the fate of the region when he and a group of men thought that visitors of the soon-to-be-held 1962 World’s Fair needed something remarkable to remember their visit to Seattle. His company would build one of the country’s most iconic structures: the Space Needle — a symbol for the Century 21 Exposition and America’s commitment to the space race.

Getting Started in Seattle

Four generations of Wrights have left their mark on the Pacific Northwest since the family arrived in Seattle. Howard H. Wright, whose weekly flights with Kenmore Air brought him to the beautiful San Juan Islands, was from the second generation. In the Great Depression, the family had moved to Seattle and built an apartment building on Capitol Hill, a central neighborhood now frequented for its buzzy bars and highly rated restaurants. It was one of the first projects that he and his father took on together in the city.

Those regular flights to and from the San Juans in the ’60s made him a Kenmore Air regular. Kenmore Air had developed a reputation for safety, customer service, and reliability that was unmatched and grew over the decades. Similarly, the Wrights’ construction company continued to grow. By the 1980s when the company was sold by the Wright family, the firm was one of the largest in Washington, where a series of high-profile projects had brought the company from humble beginnings as a builder to a developer of the high rise cityscape.

Foremost among those achievements was the Space Needle.

Space Needle

Photo by Alex Mertz

For Wright and his son, the Century 21 Exposition was an opportunity to introduce the Pacific Northwest to the wider world and, in doing so, write a new chapter in America’s history. The 1962 World’s Fair would be held just north of Seattle’s downtown core, at the southern foot of Queen Anne Hill. To its west lay Elliott Bay and the shores of the Puget Sound. To its east was Lake Union, where Kenmore Air would eventually expand.

At the time of its construction, beginning in the early ’60s, the world was under the shadow of the Cold War. A small group of developers that included the Wrights had dreams of creating a landmark that the world would remember as the symbol of the exposition. They hoped to place their creation alongside the Eiffel Tower and the Chicago Ferris Wheel, as structures that inspired generations to dream of the possibilities the future would bring.

The company, founded years earlier by the elder Wright as a small builder before moving to Seattle, had already made a name for itself when plans for the World’s Fair began. The risk they took in taking on this project paid off, though, and the Space Needle became an instant hit.

Postcards featuring the Space Needle made their way to mailboxes around the world. They still continue today, with one distinct addition — the unmistakable Kenmore Air seaplane, caught mid-flight, usually in the foreground of the Space Needle.

Taking off from Lake Washington

Bob Munro, Reg Collins, and Jack Mines, had no idea what Kenmore Air would become when they founded the company in 1946 at the edge of a bog in the northern corner of Lake Washington.

Kenmore Air Historical Image

The three friends had simply reunited after World War II with an idea to create a seaplane business in the Pacific Northwest. With one plane and a hangar, they started making repairs and chartered flights from the then-sleepy shores of Lake Washington. They also started selling Seabees, another photogenic seaplane which, under the skillful flying of Munro and others, would make daring glacial landings while in Kenmore Air’s fleet.

Though based just outside Seattle, Kenmore Air grew up alongside the Northwest’s largest city and earned a reputation for hard work and safe flying. While Howard S. Wright Construction Company was at work getting the city ready for the Century 21 Exposition, Kenmore Air was expanding their Air Harbor on Lake Washington.

In 1959, Bob Munro announced that Air Harbor was in a position to begin construction on a new office and shop building, built near the original hangar. Chartered flights would increase over the next few decades. During that time, the cities surrounding Seattle also grew, including Kenmore. The sleepy towns on the edge of the lake were getting busier, industries were growing, and flight service expanded.

In the ’50s, Kenmore Air had also started flights to the San Juan Islands. The short flight from Air Harbor was exactly what the community was looking for when they wanted to connect with the seemingly far-flung outposts of the San Juan islands and beyond.

The ’60s and ’70s were challenging times in the Pacific Northwest. In 1971, a famous billboard asked, “Will the last person leaving Seattle turn off the lights?” Still, Kenmore Air and the Wrights soldiered on, and the city bounced back.

In the ’80s, Kenmore made another expansion, this time towards the waterfront just a couple miles from the former site of the Century 21 Exposition, the Seattle World’s Fair. The company was growing, and room was to be made for expanded operations, including a seaplane terminal on Seattle’s Lake Union. They purchased the land of a competitor and opened the terminal at 950 Westlake Ave N, where Beavers, Otters and Caravans now take off and land beneath the backdrop of the Space Needle.

Reaching New Heights

In 2018, a new relationship between Kenmore Air and the grandson of Howard H. Wright took root when Seattle Hospitality Group invested in Kenmore Air.

Howard Wright by Mandy Mohler of Field Guide Designs

Howard Wright by Mandy Mohler of Field Guide Designs

Seattle Hospitality Group was founded in 2002 by H.S. Wright III, a grandson of the men whose company shaped much of Seattle’s modern-day skyline and whose weekly flights introduced him to what would become the largest seaplane operator in the world.

As his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather did before him, this Wright also takes a personal interest in businesses that would enhance the city’s ethos of arts and culture. In the years since building the Space Needle, the construction business also built the Columbia Tower, the tallest building in the state. Though the construction business has since been sold and its headquarters moved, the company retains its original name.

Loading an Otter

For visitors to the Pacific Northwest, stops at the Space Needle and seaplane flights with Kenmore Air often top their travel lists. The history of the region is intrinsically tied to these two icons, and longtime residents will often conjure the very image of the Beaver flying over Lake Union with the Olympic Mountains in the background as the perfect shot to describe the Pacific Northwest.

The partnership established in 2018 between Seattle Hospitality Group and Kenmore Air is the result of a decades-long relationship between two companies and the families that shaped the Pacific Northwest.

For more than 70 years, two family-owned companies shaped the Seattle skyline and filled the sky. Their buildings and planes captured imaginations and inspired people to look up and dream higher. That legacy continues today as old partners discover new possibilities.

More About the Kenmore Air Family

Sarah Feller — Operations Manager

You have a good chance of seeing Sarah at any one of Kenmore Air’s three Seattle terminals. As the Operations Manager, she oversees all aspects of each location. And every location benefits from her guidance and leadership.

Jan Fields – 46 Years with Kenmore Air

Jan Fields tenure began June of 1972, working as a receptionist and charter specialist during her summer vacation to help pay her way through college.

Kenmore Air Seaplane Pilot Steve Bjorling

At the end of the day, whether Steve Bjorling has flown to the northern tip of Vancouver Island or the quaint dock at Roche Harbor, he’s put a smile on someone’s face. That’s what keeps this former police officer passionate about flying year-after-year.

Director of Operations, Ken VanWinkle

It’s said, one of the secrets to happiness is making your vocation your avocation. For Ken VanWinkle, Director of Operations and Pilot at Kenmore Air Express, this couldn’t be truer. Flying is more than Ken’s job — it’s his passion.

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Kid-Free Couples Getaway in Victoria

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Mar 13, 2019 Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Kid-Free Couples Getaway in Victoria

With intimate dinners and view-filled excursions, the BC Capital delivers the perfect kid-free getaway.

As our seaplane bounced along the waters of Lake Union past the colorful houseboats and the billowing sails of sailboats my heart skipped a beat. There is nothing more invigorating than an opportunity to examine a place you call home from a different vantage point. Doing so always allows you to come home with different eyes. The sun was glistening off the water, the skies were a brilliant blue and my husband and I were off on a much-needed romantic getaway weekend sans children.

Seaplane in Victoria's Inner Harbour

As we passed over islands and skirted our way along shores, my eyes were keenly enthralled with our journey. As cliché as it sounds, when you are traveling with Kenmore Air, getting there really is half the fun. When you are up in a plane embarking on an adventure the possibilities seem boundless. After a short flight we started to serpentine our way back down into Victoria’s Inner Harbour.

Staying by the Sea at Oak Bay Beach Hotel

Upon disembarking we were swept away by our shuttle and driven the short fifteen minutes to our highly anticipated destination – Oak Bay Beach Hotel. Although Oak Bay Beach Hotel is a short distance from the city, it feels like you are miles away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Our spacious and sumptuous room opened to sweeping views of Chatham and Discovery Island in the foreground, with the San Juan Islands in the background.

Oak Bay

Our room’s water view enticed us to take a dip in the heated mineral pools which are situated on the shores of the Haro Strait. Throughout Oak Bay Beach Hotel there are moments of pleasure to be had at every turn from watching a pair of bald eagles laze in the midday sunshine from your balcony and partaking in a cup of hot tea by the fire to savoring a treatment at the spa and curling up with a good book in your sunken tub. There are so many reasons to never set foot off the property, but also a wealth of fascinating places to explore just a stones throw away.

From kayaking at Oak Bay Island Ecological Reserve, golfing, the breathtaking gardens of Butchart, miles upon miles of trails and inlets to explore and a variety of islands like Salt Spring there is no end to the places to explore near Oak Bay Hotel. The options for activities are diverse as the seasons on Vancouver Island.

Exploring The Butchart Gardens

After settling into our room, we took a quick taxi ride downtown and boarded a bus to The Butchart Gardens. We weren’t certain what awaited us at the gardens since a mere two weeks prior we had a legendary snowstorm. Much to our astonishment, we were greeted by the gardens, covered in a thick blanket of snow.

flowers

Undeterred by our snowy surprise we enjoyed a few activities unique to the garden this time of year. From the months of January to mid-March guests can enjoy the Spring Prelude Indoor Garden and historical displays in the family’s original home, neither of which I had ever seen.

Historic room

After gathering a plethora of gardening inspiration from the Spring Prelude we enjoyed a leisurely and restful afternoon partaking in Winter High tea. Shockingly, this was our first high tea experience and we enjoyed pots of steaming tea, miniature sandwiches and delectable bites of dessert. After stocking up on tea and flower seeds from the amazing gift shop, we headed back to our hotel.

Taking Time to Relax

Upon returning, we enjoyed a quick dip in the mineral pools before an unhurried dinner at the hotel. A candle lit, floral patterned room was the stage for our romantic dinner and over the next several hours we enjoyed course after course of distinctive local food like sea scallops, crab cakes, and seafood bouillabaisse culminating in very contented stomachs. That evening I fell asleep in one of the comfiest beds I have ever slept in while eagerly anticipating our hiking excursion planned for the next day.

Bed by Lisette Wolter-McKinley

The next morning we reveled in uninterrupted conversation and a hearty breakfast of vegetable frittatas and thick slabs of brioche French toast at the hotel. As parents of young children, we know there is nothing superior in life than a good night’s rest, hot food and being able to complete your meal and sentences without interruption.Breakfast

Exploring with Hike Victoria

Fueled for the day we met up with Mark from Hike Victoria and spent the day hiking at Gowlland Tod Provincial Park. The peaks of the Gowlland Range (from which the park derives its name) loom high above Saanich Inlet. Mark picked us up from the hotel and in less than thirty minutes we were at the trailhead. As we hiked along the snow-covered trail Mark taught us about the local flora and fauna of the region and generously offered to snap our photo at each overlook. We were astonished with the short amount of time it took to reach the top.

Once there, we were able to take in the breathtaking fjord and panoramic views of the San Juan and Gulf Islands. As Seattle residents, we are accustomed to invariably hiking along trails brimming with people. We thoroughly relished our day of having both an informative local guide with us and the trail to ourselves. Feeling as though we had hired our own personal photographer for the day felt especially novel. Along with guided hikes, Hike Victoria also offers a natural beauty walking tour for those feeling a little less adventurous.

Dinner Out and a Ghostly Walk

After a quick pit stop at our hotel we popped back into Victoria for dinner at 10 Acres Kitchen. 10 Acres is known for its inventive use of local products and they grow a majority of their menu items at their farm in North Saanich a short distance from their downtown restaurant. After a full day of hiking, we were ravenous and devoured everything from carrots and squid to gnocchi, trout, and striploin.

With full stomachs, we met up with Discover the Past for a Ghostly Walk through downtown Victoria. Guided by a remarkable storyteller we embarked on a memorable night walking through haunted alleyways and learning about Victoria’s gruesome past. In all my travels, I have found it is only through learning about a place’s history where you can truly appreciate its present day. Before our tour I had not thought much about where Victoria got its start. Afterwards, I walked away feeling more informed and had a greater understanding about the place we were visiting.

Scenic Flight Home

After another dreamy night’s rest we headed back into the city for a quick shopping excursion and a good perusal of Munro’s book. Whenever we travel I like to find locally made items to take home to remind us of our trip later. Time and time again Salt Spring Island Cheese and Roger’s Chocolates are at the top of our list. Our flight back home, although a bit more cloudy, did not detract from the natural beauty of our journey.

ferry

As we flew past the Space Needle and made our quick descent back to Lake Union thinking back on our trip felt more like a dream than reality. Being swept away for a few days as a couple was just what we needed to feel refreshed and be reminded why, after all these years, we are still each other’s favorite people on the planet. And that feeling alone is reason enough to book another trip very soon.

Book Your Victoria Getaway

More Fun Things to do in Victoria

Can’t-Miss Bites at the Victoria Public Market

The food-hub showcases a diverse range of farm fresh and locally sourced artisan foods. While wares from local artisans are sure to catch your fancy, it’s the grassroots food vendors that are the real draw.

Victoria’s Best Car-Free Day Hike

Fondly nicknamed the Garden City, Victoria’s lush landscape is home to a wide variety of breathtaking outdoor spaces, including the 200-acre Beacon Hill Park.

Where to Drink Tea in Victoria

Victoria is a city rich with historical architectural and beloved rituals – not the least of which is tea. From afternoon tea to high tea, Victorians and visitors celebrate the indulgent reprieve from the hustle and bustle of life.

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Sarah Feller — Operations Manager

Sarah Feller — Operations Manager

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Mar 8, 2019
Sarah Feller — Operations Manager

You have a good chance of seeing Sarah at any one of Kenmore Air’s three Seattle terminals. As the Operations Manager, she oversees all aspects of each location. And every location benefits from her guidance and leadership.

When you ask Sarah what does your job entail she smiles and says that’s a great question. She has a hand in quite a few departments including Kenmore Dispatch (the department that schedules and directs planes), Line Crew (the team responsible for fueling, cleaning, and docking aircraft), and she is responsible for inputting flight schedules and fares.

Her main job in the busy summer months is adjusting capacity. Additionally, Sarah helps coordinate the aircrafts’ 100-hour and annual inspections to ensure safety. To say her role involves wearing many hats is putting it mildly.

Read more

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Two Incredible Pacific Northwest Perspectives

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Mar 6, 2019 Mikaela Judd
Two Incredible Pacific Northwest Perspectives

From sweeping birds-eye views to skimming past the rocky shorelines, the Sea & Sky package offered the perfect mix of thrilling adventure and relaxing scenery.

Traveling often begins with cramped quarters and stale air. It’s normally survived by sitting glued to a device watching the latest reality tv show. Such is not the case aboard the Victoria Clipper, where guests are free to roam the spacious ship. The Victoria Clipper V, the newest member of the fleet, even has an outdoor viewing deck.

I began my journey in the elegant Comfort Class Cabin, staring out the floor to ceiling windows that run the entire length of the ship’s bow. As Seattle faded into the distance, the boat disappeared into a thick fog. Grey clouds hung to the windows like a cozy blanket.

And seemingly as soon as the covers had been pulled into place, they dissipated. Sunshine cut through the last of their hazy wisps, falling like a late sunrise upon the water and surrounding islands.

Enjoy Stunning Water Views

Admiralty Head Lighthouse

We sailed past lighthouses, the white beacons standing proudly near the water. The captain expertly maneuvered around driftwood. Passengers were on the lookout for whales and dolphins. Though there were sadly no sightings (whales are predominantly seen during the late spring and early summer months), the chance to see the islands from the water was incredible.

The shores varied from rocky bluffs to steep, red dirt cliffs. The occasional home or small community was nestled in the dense tree line. Seals lazily sunbathed on rocks. I even spotted a bald eagle perched overhead.

In addition to the spacious seats, Comfort Class also treats you to complimentary snacks, tea, and espresso drinks. You can also purchase a selection of locally sourced and freshly prepared meals directly from the Clipper’s trademark in-seat concierge service. (Hello convenience and service!) And, did I mention they serve cocktails aboard. The family sitting next to me was celebrating a recent union, so they toasted with a morning Baileys and coffee. It was such a special moment to witness.

Arrive Refreshed

Victoria Clipper Comfort Seats

Because you aren’t confined to your seat, the almost three-hour boat ride seems to sail by all too fast. I loved the opportunity to get up and walk around. It meant when we landed my muscles weren’t stiff. I was refreshed and ready to explore!

This was perfect because I’d planned to begin my trip with Victoria’s best car-free day hike through Beacon Hill Park.

Take a Thrilling Flight Home

Like the Victoria Clipper, Kenmore Air operates out of Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Flights depart from the Victoria Seaplane Terminal — a somewhat new addition to the Inner Habour, the floating terminal is a stunning place to relax before your 45-minute flight home.

Unlike traditional airports, here check-in is a breeze and the loading terminal is a dock with a view of the Fairmont Empress and BC Parliament Buildings.

Generally flying at 500 feet, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of Pacific Northwest’s islands and mountains. Flying much of the same path the Clipper follows from the water, you’ll be able to complete your perspective of the coast, lighthouses and quaint communities. Discover the lush farmland that lies inland. Fly face-to-face with the snow-capped mountains. And, wave to the boats!

Just be sure to bring your camera. This is one trip you’ll want to capture!

Book Your Sea & Sky Getaway

Discover fun things to do in Victoria

Tulips Upon Tulips at The Butchart Gardens

While The Butchart Gardens offer floral displays year-round, the spring is an exceptionally special time to visit. This is thanks in large part to the over 300,000 bulbs coming into bloom featuring daffodils, peonies, irises, and, most prominently, tulips.

Can’t Miss Bites at the Victoria Public Market

The food-hub showcases a diverse range of farm fresh and locally sourced artisan foods. While wares from local artisans are sure to catch your fancy, it’s the grassroots food vendors that are the real draw.

Victoria’s Best Car-Free Day Hike

Fondly nicknamed the “Garden City,” Victoria’s lush landscape is home to a wide variety of breathtaking outdoor spaces, including the 200-acre Beacon Hill Park.

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