Grand Cariboo Opry

 

It was another energetic fun filled night for the 8^th Annual #GrandCaribooOpry.

Sponsored by The Potluck Café to raise money for the Vancouver Downtown East Side #dtes.

 

 

There are always so many talented artists for this event. Barney Bentall, Dustin Bentall, Kendel Carson, Ridley Bent, Matt Masters, Wendy Bird, Angela Harris, Geoff Hicks, Rob Becker, Eric Reed, Scott Smith and special guests.

This year’s special guests were the very talent Colin James as well as the lovely Jill Barber. What a great addition !! We hope to see them again next year !

 

Thank you everyone for another spectacular night.

BBq

It's Burger Day !

 

Longest Day fundraiser - 6th annual

Again, we lucked out with the weather! Cloudy skis, but nice and warm with no chance of rain.

Thank you to everyone who attended in supporting The Travel Group and the Vancouver Downtown East Side. We raised $500 towards our charities.

Colleen started things off with a welcome and thank you to everyone whom helped her organizing the event. Thank you to Lawrence from Starbuck for the coffee and Madison Avenue Shampoo Bar for the gift prizes.

David followed by telling everyone which charities we'd be supporting this year, WISH, The Potluck Café, and a new one of Saint James Music Academy.

It was great to welcome back Marie from Insight to Wellness, she did a pre race stretch and then we were off.

Alisha was the first to cross the finish line, as the fast runner or the group, with a time of 38:00. 

Most of our walkers were doing a lot of socializing along the way so Joan took the prize with a time of 50:28.

When Clarissa walked up sporting a Viking hat, it was a sure win for her, until Darren put on his Turkish hat and tied up the "wild hat" category.

There were so many sexy shorts that Tara and Karen both took a prize. Tara with colourful girly shorts with fringe. And Karen in her silver metallic shorts and an "I hate running" tee completed her outfit.

The dogs ran and played with their new squeaky toys, with snacks and great conversation to round out the day.

Thank you everyone for your efforts and coming out this year, we hope to see you next year.

 

Sea to Summit

A few weeks ago the gondola opened in Squamish, with mixed reviews about if this was a good thing to cut down tress and make it a tourist attraction, we put our views aside to check it out.

 

With clouds in the forecast and potential rain for the entire day, we still put on our hiking boots and rain coats on an adventure up a new trail to a new peak behind the Squamish Chief.

 

We were a group of 8, all in good spirits! Starting out early we all met a the parking lot. The FREE lot at Darrell Bay, walking past Shannon falls and onto the Sea to Summit trail.

 

The trail starts off as the same trail as the Chief, so be prepared for a good 20 minute hike UP (like the grouse grind.) It then tapers off giving you a chance to catch your breath before heading up again, this time not quite so steep.

 

The trail is lovely passing all sorts of different terrain. Big stair like rocks, squishy dirt pathway, there is even a chain as well as a rope pull yourself up near the top.

 

Near the top, at marker 332, the trail splits. You can go right or you can go left along Wrinkle Rock Trail (this is the way we took).

 

We finally arrived to the top wet and dirty, after about 3 1/2 hours. There were no views that day, we could not even see across the suspension bridge. Not wanting to get a chill we bought our download ticket ($10 plus tax) and squeeze into the gondola (it holds 8) for the ride down.

 

It looked like a great place to spend the day on a sunny afternoon. There is a lookout at the chief after a small walk, a few other trails to explore. The suspension bridge and a great big patio for a nice pint on a sunny day.

 

You're able to take your dog in the gondola, or even buy them a pass. Complete with their own headshot!

 

We'll be doing this again for sure !

 

Join us for our annual Longest Day Race

Vinaka Fiji Yasawa Trust Foundation

Carmen is heading to Fiji !!

While she is in Fiji she will be visiting the Yasawa Islands. With the money collected today at Friday #WineDown, Carmen will purchase pencils, paper and school supplies for the children on the Yasawa Islands.

Making a difference to the lives of local Yasawa Villagers

 

 

Vinaka Fiji Yasawa Trust Foundation

Fiji's Yasawa Islands are home to 27 villages living below world standards of health and poverty. The Vinaka Fiji Trust was set up to give something back to the villagers and to say "thank you (vinaka), for welcoming us into your islands."

Thought fundraising and volunteering, Vinaka Fiji aims to improve the provision of basic needs and amenities, often taken for granted in modern society, yet missing from village life in the Yasawas.

It's Hot Dog Day !

The sun is out and summer is here, so we've wiped off the BBQ and having Hot Dogs !

ICE CREAM FLOAT DAY !!

Summer’s almost here!  I feel like a coke float.  What type of float would you pick?  Please comment below.

Coke float
Rootbeer float
Orange Crush float
Coffee float

Define Float: A cold drink/desert made by adding two or three scoops of ice cream (usually vanilla flavor) into a glass of Coca-Cola; more commonly made with root beer.
 

 

Easter Egg Hunt

Once again Karen takes the Ears for the most Easter Eggs collected from our office Easter Egg Hunt !

 

 

Happy Easter !

Vancouver Food Trucks - Hamburger 285

Only serving 2 items hamburgers & cheeseburgers
They are well worth the change in your pocket.
 

The burgers come on a fresh toasted bun with tomato, lettuce and a secret sauce.
 

Mysterious...with no name, 
the city has dubbed it as "hamburger 285"

 

Travel Group Awards for 2013

Each year The Travel Group honors their employee’s with a party and awards for all of their hard work for the previous year. There are serious awards like highest sales, and most insurance sold. But we also have a fun with our photo contest award. And this year...blind wine tasting.

 

This year an Instagram feed was set up on the wall, showing photos from past award nights and posts from throughout the evening. Some great laughs, and sneaky shots were had by all. Like this one snapping a picture at the front door.  Everyone knew Felix, Jason, Colleen & Rob had just arrived!  

   
 

Culinary Capers supplied the amazing food no one could pick a favorite. It was all so good.

 

      Noodle box with lemon grass and shrimp

      Prawn skewer with gazpacho shooter stick

      Lamp lollipops crusted with smoked tomato

      Gnocchi with peas and lemon baked ricotta

      Ancho chilli seared rib-eye

AWARD TIME !

  

Michele took home "Account Manager" this year.

Annie, once again had "Top Insurance Sales"

 

 

 

 For the second year in a row Colleen took

"Groupie of the Year" & the "Confucius Award" 

These are both awards voted on by your peers

 

Karen took the new "Marketing Achievement Award"

As well as winning our "Photo contest"

With her photo of Canola Fields in Alberta.

 

 

 

It was a night filled with laughter, unforgettable people and great food!