VF> Well, if you insist. We're at sea level here.  Duncan is 40-50km awa
VF> section of the Trans-Canada that goes up Vancouver Island traverses 
VF> hump known as the Malahat, about 20km from my doorstep. It peaks out
VF> meters, or around 2,700 feet. With an ocean view, still.  :)
 MR> Sounds really nice! Most beautiful place I rode this year was at 
I have to tackle the Malahat soon. But with my new bike. Went for 60k today, 
and it was rough. Wind on the way out, and mangled hubs/cranks on both ways. 
But still, there's encouraging signs... today, I kept up to a set of tights 
(my term for a fancy rider with all the k-rad clothing) for almost 6k - him 
on a light road bike in tights with cleats and clips, and me on my rusting 
iron mountain bike with baggy clothing flat pedals without cages and 45k 
already on the clock. Soon...
 MR> Acadia National Park. Its an Island off the coast of Maine. Actually 
 MR> the first settlers called it Mt Desert Island because it is a small 
[...]
 MR> imagine. Wildlife of all kinds, and some very majestic views. 
 MR> Some spectalular sea cliffs and great hikeing trails.
 MR>   I try to spend a week there ever year. 
Sounds great! I lived in Vermont/New Hampshire (White River Junction VT/West 
Lebanon CT) for 14 months, and went all over the place - Massecheusetts, 
Connecticut, Maine. Delightful part of the world, with the exception of 
Massechuesetts. :)  I loved Vermont and New Hampshire. 
Buddy of mine is planning to do the trip across Canada this next year. 
Myself, I'm going to think about toodling around my own province, but if I 
wanted to have a good week in fun terrain, Vermont's hills in the summer 
would be up there, I'm sure.
The only terrain close to my heart as my own backyard (we've got six 
different climates in BC, all within 500m of each other - desert, mountain, 
temperate rainforest, fruit belt....) might be some remote parts of Northern 
Ontario.
I s'pose Washington would be much the same, but I've never been there.
--- Maximus/2 3.01
---------------