I've spent the last 5 days in Vancouver, BC, Canada, both to enjoy/celebrate my 50th birthday (today) and to soak up local colour as research for Book 3. The Intahrwebs is a fine and generous place for information, but can't substitute for actually *being* there...experiencing for oneself the sights, sounds and scents of a location.
In addition to the wonderful city locations, we (mom, stepdad, sis and BIL) also drove up and down Vancouver Island, drove up a couple of mountains and let ourselves see/feel/smell nature. Odd thing, though - so far, there've been no smells. None. Not vehicle exhaust, not city stench (yay for that!), not even pine, earth, animal scents in the woods. Very unusual to my lower south nose. I'm guessing because the temperatures here stay so cool, things decompose at a slower rate (which often causes the smells of sea, woods, etc.) I suppose if I were a native woods creature rather than a bumbling human, I'd have more scent to go on.
I'm very glad I've placed Keira's family in BC, as the woods here (and by extrapolation, those up north) are perfect for them. Gorgeous tall trees, loads of underbrush and many places to hunt and hide.
Today is my last day in this wonderful city. I hope to be able to visit again. I could definitely live here. :)
