Lee and Karen Duquette
The Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
at the Sea to Sky Gondola and the Suspension Bridge
36800 Highway 99
Squamish, British Columbia, Canada
phone '604.892.2550 or '855.732.8675
July 15, 2015

The Sea to Sky Gondola is located just 45 minutes north of downtown Vancouver in Squamish, BC the outdoor recreation capital of the world. The parking lot turn off is just past Shannon Falls, along with the visitor centre, shop, Basecamp Cafe, and the gondola lift up the mountain.

After parking in the parking lot, a lady walked up to Karen Duquette and said that she was a season ticket holder and could get the two RV Gypsies a discount on the entry tickets. Karen thanked her and they got to know each other a bit, as they continually met up on the trails throughout the day. She thought the two RV Gypsies were from California when she saw their car license plate, and was surprised when she learned that the two RV Gypsies were really from Florida. Later, when the two RV Gypsies got back to their car, they found a note under the car's wipers. (see note below)

Thank you Sheila for being such a thoughtful person and doing a nice deed for a stranger.

The ride up to the summit provided Lee and Karen Duquette with sweeping views of Howe Sound, the majestic coastal forest and surrounding mountains. Every gondola cabin had a maximum capacity of 8 passengers and a level entrance/exit point, making them wheelchair and stroller accessible. The gondolas were custom made by Austrian manufacturer, Doppelmayr, and had comfortable padded seats and floor to ceiling glass windows for maximum views. Even though Lee and Karen Duquette have been on eleven gondolas since starting their travels in 2008 as The Two RV Gypsies, the ride up and down the mountain was a thrilling adventure and provided new views of Shannon Falls and the famous Squamish Chief climbing area.

Once at the top, many other adventures await, including access to a wide array of outdoor experiences; two different interpretive loop walking trails with cantilevered viewing platforms, the spectacular Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge, numerous hiking trails, rock climbing, access trails to backcountry routes and much more.

Below: The gondola whisked Lee and Karen Duquette up the mountain in little metal cabins that dangled from a cable.

Below: Views from the top of the mountain

Below: The Stawamus Chief; a 2,000-foot granite monolith that draws world-class climbers.

Below: Lee and Karen Duquette headed for the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge that takes off from the lodge and enjoyed their 12th suspension bridge (not counting numerous suspension bridges that they did as part of several previous zipline adventures). But first they played with some signs they found hanging around, and took some photos of the area. Then they enjoyed the breathtaking view as they made their way across the swaying, 360-foot-long wood-and-cable pedestrian bridge that connects the lodge to a rocky knoll, with mist rolling up from the plunging ravine below.

Adjacent to the Summit Lodge and the top station of the gondola, the iconic “Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge” connects the Spirit Trail/Spirit Viewing Platform to the Summit Lodge Viewing Deck. This feature is a MUST DO for everyone who visits the summit. Only those with a strong fear of heights should pass on taking this extraordinary walk above the trees.

The Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge is approximately 100 metres long and has a backdrop that falls away thousands of metres below, giving a greater feeling of exposure and height over land. The Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge offers amazing 360 degree views of the area, both up to the high alpine of the mountains above and down to the fjord below. This feature is an exciting and thrilling adventure that all ages and abilities can enjoy.

The bridge is open year-round and is one of the many adventures with a day ticket or season pass!

And the fun begins............. The two RV Gypsies, especially Karen, love swinging bridges

Below: The view looking back from the other side of the bridge

Please continue on to page 2 of the Sea to Sky Gondola adventure: the trails (photos were put on two pages to allow for faster uploading and enhancing viewers' pleasure.