Hi Everyone,
Well, by now I hope you've had a chance to read the first four chapters of Beneath the Surface (hopefully you enjoyed it, too). Because we are so close to publication, I wanted to place you right into the beginning of my story, and share with you the beauty of Squamish, Britannia Beach and the Sea to Sky Highway.
I want to start off, first of all, by saying that the road Liss turned off from the Sea to Sky highway doesn't actually exist. The best part about writing fiction--as I learned from a very good author friend of mine early on--is that you can place things into the natural world when you need them. In this case, I needed an almost-abandoned road, so I imagined one, and there it was.
On the day I drove up the Sea-to-Sky highway, I took my daughter with me, and she snapped a few photos while I drove. They turned out okay, but not spectacular (she was only five at the time and used her V-tech camera, but it was worth a shot). That day, I just wanted to drive the road, not stop and take a bunch of photos; I merely wanted to experience the road, as Liss had done. Squamish, B.C. is literally my back yard, yet I hadn't been there since 2000 (such is life with babies and my love of camping in the Fraser Valley and Hope area).
If you ever get a chance, I highly recommend a much better way to experience Vancouver to Whistler, which I have marked as "where the Pacific Third malions inhabit", and that is aboard the Rocky Mountaineer. Our train ride was a Christmas gift from my parents, and we just recently--finally!!--used our passes. I can't say enough good things about our trip, everything was amazing, including the food, the service and the staff; however, the highlight for me, was that for six whole hours, I was right in the heart of my story. I was light-headed, giddy, and couldn't stop smiling. When I think back to the weekend, which was two weekends ago (August 11), I can honestly say I had the best time ever, with my family.
Here are some photos. I'll write about them along the way.
The very first photo I'll show you is a map of Furry Creek and Oliver's Landing. From Vancouver, it takes about 45 to reach, provided the traffic doesn't slow you down. Unfortunately for Liss, she went right past it. Porteau Cove, where the first part of the party was to take place, is just south of Furry Creek. Chelsea was waiting for her there.
Well, by now I hope you've had a chance to read the first four chapters of Beneath the Surface (hopefully you enjoyed it, too). Because we are so close to publication, I wanted to place you right into the beginning of my story, and share with you the beauty of Squamish, Britannia Beach and the Sea to Sky Highway.
I want to start off, first of all, by saying that the road Liss turned off from the Sea to Sky highway doesn't actually exist. The best part about writing fiction--as I learned from a very good author friend of mine early on--is that you can place things into the natural world when you need them. In this case, I needed an almost-abandoned road, so I imagined one, and there it was.
On the day I drove up the Sea-to-Sky highway, I took my daughter with me, and she snapped a few photos while I drove. They turned out okay, but not spectacular (she was only five at the time and used her V-tech camera, but it was worth a shot). That day, I just wanted to drive the road, not stop and take a bunch of photos; I merely wanted to experience the road, as Liss had done. Squamish, B.C. is literally my back yard, yet I hadn't been there since 2000 (such is life with babies and my love of camping in the Fraser Valley and Hope area).
If you ever get a chance, I highly recommend a much better way to experience Vancouver to Whistler, which I have marked as "where the Pacific Third malions inhabit", and that is aboard the Rocky Mountaineer. Our train ride was a Christmas gift from my parents, and we just recently--finally!!--used our passes. I can't say enough good things about our trip, everything was amazing, including the food, the service and the staff; however, the highlight for me, was that for six whole hours, I was right in the heart of my story. I was light-headed, giddy, and couldn't stop smiling. When I think back to the weekend, which was two weekends ago (August 11), I can honestly say I had the best time ever, with my family.
Here are some photos. I'll write about them along the way.
The very first photo I'll show you is a map of Furry Creek and Oliver's Landing. From Vancouver, it takes about 45 to reach, provided the traffic doesn't slow you down. Unfortunately for Liss, she went right past it. Porteau Cove, where the first part of the party was to take place, is just south of Furry Creek. Chelsea was waiting for her there.
The Sea-to-Sky Highway. The majority of it looks like this. There are also times where it weaves in and out of the mountains. Howe Sound is very picturesque and it's hard not to pull over and just start snapping.
This picture is from the train. This is Howe Sound. The ocean view is spectacular, but you'll only see this by train, or if you stop along the way. Merely driving along the highway doesn't quite do the justice. If you go, plan to stop!
Cheakamus Canyon. This canyon runs right through Squamish, where malion and vykhar territory meet.
Another picture of Cheakamus Canyon, my personal favourite. With this, you really get a feel for how lush the mountains are, here in Greater Vancouver. I feel so lucky to live in such a beautiful place--I'm so proud of my photo taking skills, too!
Oh yes...and this. What a drop off. My kids were NOT allowed on the viewing deck at this time!
Here's the road I imagined. It does exist somewhere in the world, but this paints a very good picture of what it looked like when Liss first turned right off the highway. Soon the lines disappear, and just around the corner, something much worse...though it would have been much darker outside when she drove it.
Just quickly...this the actual turn off from the Sea to Sky highway where Liss had gone, just past the Furry Creek Golf Course; though when I turned down the road, curiously, it ended up as a dirt road--but I changed that in my story. 
Porteau Cove Provincial Park. This is where the party was supposed to have taken place. Colin had planned to have a fire here, and then, when it got too cold, head back to his parent's vacation home in Oliver's Landing, which is just a few minutes up the road. In the summertime, this is a great place to camp. I've played on this beach many times, and it's always been one of my favourite places to stop and picnic.
Oliver's Landing. Home of some of the more expensive and prestigious vacation and luxury homes in North Vancouver. There are currently just 56 homes here, most of which start at upwards of $900,000. For Colin's parents, that wasn't a problem, especially since his dad loves to golf. Furry Creek Golf Course is just across the highway.
And last, though certainly not least, the amazing staff aboard the Rocky Mountaineer. Thanks guys, for such a fabulous time!
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