2011 - Traveling Canadians. (Part 7 of the 'Magers in Canada' Miniseries)

On our return from the winter wonderland in Germany we were welcomed by a different scenery in BC. Instead of the usual rain and clouds we got frost and sun.

Picture perfect at Pitt River

Back in 2011 we thought, this is it, we have arrived, here's where we always wanted to be. With this in mind we sold our Calgary apartment and purchased a condo with a view on the inlet and the mountains in Port Moody. Little did we know where life would take us only two years later.

The best thing happened to us in February that year. In a festive ceremony we became Canadian citizens. 

Roland, although having put his feelers out on the BC job market, continued working for his employer in Alberta, who had generously approved his commute between Vancouver and Calgary, and partly working out of his home office.

Spring time did reunite us with Andrea and Guido for a recharge of our batteries, and we escaped the rainy west coast by having a splendid time on Maui.

Aloha, Hawaii!

Another highlight of the year came in form of Roland getting into motorcycling. Sonja had meanwhile a lot of two-wheeled solo travels under her belt, or went off with a riding buddy. However, when Roland fell in love with a certain red Italian beauty, he insisted that Sonja should get a Vespa, too.

Going Vespa - Bella & Paolo

With our newly acquired Canadian passports at hand traveling to the US of A became so much less cumbersome, and so we decided on a trip down to Oregon. Oregon had inspired us on previous visits and we had secretly voted it our most favourite American state.

Columbia River

Some time in May we swapped our Merc against a small Audi, which was so much more fun to drive on the twisty roads of the BC hinterland.

Route 99 at Duffey Lake

We also explored the local scenery on our newly acquired scooters. It was fun, and Sonja thought that selling her Beemer was an acceptable decision. However, by summer she got a craving again for a real motorcycle. This is how this most beautiful American Iron came into her life.

Hear me roar! A sportster purchase.

Vespa-ing through Washington

Solo on a Harley

The Summer in BC turned out to be awesome, no reason to go anywhere else. We spent a lot of time riding in the hinterland, hiking in the rainforest or walking on the beach, all available at our doorsteps. Life couldn't be better!

Our main vacation would take us once again to the US of A. We had planned a Best-of-the-West tour that included as many national parks as we could find along the route. Road-tripping America certainly is (almost) every European's dream.

Arches NP, Utah

Grand Canyon, Arizona

Death Valley, California

We really made good use of our new passports this year. Countless business trips would send each of us to the midwest of America mostly. But we also got to explore Washington and Oregon some more, and meet with friends. 

View on Portland, OR

Pike Market, Seattle, WA

Becoming Canadians was the very last step in our immigration process. We had moved to BC, made Port Moody our new home, traveled a lot, and felt fully integrated in the Canadian society. It was another perfect year.

Lower Mainland Winter