2 Days, 3 Meals and 2 Beaches

We continue with our preparations for our "little road trip".

In getting our ducks in a row, another trip to Vancouver was in order. While there, we stopped at a park that I spent many a happy hour at when I was just a wee gaffer. This is John Lawson Park in West Vancouver. John Lawson settled in West Vancouver at this location in 1905.

This is a picture of a viewing platform with seating area that gives a vista eastward toward the First Narrows and the Lion's Gate Bridge. This bridge was financed by the Guinness family (the Irish brewers) to encourage people to come and view lots for sale in the British Pacific Properties. Construction began in March of 1937 and the bridge was completed in November of 1938. The Guinness family purchased 1600 acres of West Vancouver at a cost of $50/acre.

The lowest price for a residential lot I could find in West Vancouver currently is  $799,000 and features an easement for rail traffic through your backyard.....enjoy!!

The park is loaded with specimen trees. This is a Smoke Bush. It features brilliant red foliage during the summer and then produces flowers in the fall which are large and feathery displays, which resemble nothing so much of puffs of smoke.

This is a view towards the west. It's hard to believe we used to jump off the pier at high tide and swim back to shore. The water in the summer was not exactly cold, but it was chilly enough to raise goose bumps. We couldn't wait to get in the water and our parents had difficulty getting us out.

After eating, the longest hour in a child's life is the hour spent waiting before one can swim again.

This is the picnic shelter were several tons of fried chicken, potato salad and green salads were consumed when I was young. We picnicked here often during the summer. Believe it or not, this was before Frisbee was popularized in Canada. In fact the first one I ever played with was here when my brother got that was used and dull red in color. It had been marketed under the name Pluto Platter, before Wham-O marketed the toy in Canada.

It's hard to believe that we considered this "beach". We had experience with beaches in California and Oregon, and were acquainted with sand, but this was what it was like where we lived. As it was we put up with cuts from barnacles on the soles of our feet, and made do.

This is more of the picnic area. You can see the multi-unit housing no more than 2 blocks away. The residential area is immediately adjacent to the park. Convenient for them since park access includes access to The Seawalk which runs from the Capilano River to 25th Street (Dundarave Pier), a distance of about 3.6km.

Here are your intrepid travelers. I am slathered with SPF60, on doctor's orders, comfy as toast in the sun and fresh breeze and Scooterchick is clad in a windbreaker and jeans, finding it a little chilly.

We ended up going to a Food Court and checking out shopping in Park Royal, then headed home. When we got back I felt a little "peckish" as my Dad used to say, and made a Pannini Sandwich from Chicken, Broccoli and Extra Old Cheddar Cheese. As it turns out my imagination was bigger than my stomach, and I could only manage to eat half, before wrapping the rest to eat today.

After watching a movie on demand, "Assault on Wall Street" (warning ...language and lots of blood) we turned in. This morning dawned bright and early. We decided to head out for breakfast. This is one of our Rhododendrons which has been ill but still put on a brave show. 

We went to one off favorite breakfast places, Chef Big D's. Their food is good and servers pleasant. Scooterchick had her regular, Crab Cakes, Over medium eggs and Brie Cheese, while I tried the Eastern Wrap, which is like their regular breakfast Wrap with the substitution of Pastrami instead of Sausage. Different......

Here's a glance at the menu. Pretty standard breakfast fare. Pretty standard breakfast pricing.

After breakky, we headed to the beach for a little exercise and fresh air. This old cedar has been "Slabbed and Bolted" until there was no more usable wood.

This one looks like a Chrysanthemum. We could call it a "Wood Flower", if it weren't so large.

Here's Scooterchick beside another stump that has washed ashore. The adorable babe has been gazing out to sea. The wind has not yet risen. By noon it will be steady at about 15 with gusts to 20 and the Kite Surfers will be out in force.

This is a shot I like to call the "Driftwood Jumble". This stuff gets blown ashore with high tides and rough water during the winter, then sits in the sun and bleaches.

This is another shot of the "Driftwood Jumble". I used to bring the children here when they were in elementary school so they could practice their Log Hopping. We would jog along back and forth jumping from log to log like goats, in a Wet Coast version of follow the leader. You can see Mamquam Mountain in the background.

Here are "Two Grizzled Sentinels". There's no telling how many years they have been weathering the elements in this location. Years is certain, decades are likely in view of their present condition.

Here is a view along a creosoted log toward another stump. I had a brilliant name for this shot when I took it, which sadly escapes me at present! Suggestions anyone?

Here is my beloved standing at "Hands Up"! I got her to stand close to the stump so you could get a sense of scale. This was a large tree at one time.

Due to the low salinity of the water because outflow of the Squamish River seagrass is common. Here are 3 different  varieties in this shot which are flourishing, in spite of being submerged twice a day.

This is a look back down the beach toward the parking area. You can see Shannon Falls in the distance.

Here is a look back up the trail. Mount Garibaldi is visible in the distance.

It's that time of year again allergy sufferers. When the Cottonwood fluff starts to fly can watery eyes and sneezing be far behind? I bought some allergy meds. right away.

We decided to stop and check out the Farmer's Market. There were a preponderance of baking stalls this time but I manfully resisted the urge to fill my sweet tooth to overflowing. Here is a lovely Rhododendron in the park next to the market area.

This is the market itself. Mt. Garibaldi is visible in the left background, Mamquam Mtn. in the right hand background.

A view looking the other direction. The folks seem to be setting up a performance space.

Looking towards the Mamquam Blind Channel. There seem to be a good number of vendors and few patrons. I wish them luck with sales but buy nothing.

We departed as a mild shower rolled in and headed back to our "little shack in the bush" to continue our preparations for the trip. Thanks for rollin' along with us today and I'll look forward to catching up with you later. Cheers!

It's a Spring Thing

Well, it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, and time for Scootard and Scooterchick to head out and explore. The only drawback is that we couldn't manage it mounted, since our iron ponies are still in Oklahoma (where the wind comes whistling o'er the plain). This bush is right across from where the car is parked, and has long white flower brachts. I don't know the variety but it's pretty.

We drove downhill to the city and toured the canyons slowly (to paraphrase Joni Mitchell from her song Nathan LaFraneer) and I managed to catch this shot. On the left side of the shot is a church built in the early 1900's - on the right side is the old BC Hydro building which was built in the early 60's - and in the center an office block that was probably constructed shortly after the turn of the millennium. 

We made our way down to Richmond and stopped for some lunch. My darling is taking a shot for inclusion in her blog later. This is very common, we photograph places, scenery and folks, but mostly food glorious food!!

For lunch today, it was Insadong Korean Restaurant. While Korean food is not my favorite, Scooterchick loves Pork Bulgogi! I ended up having a Korean Tuna Roll, and Gyoza.....This was however the first time I have ever used stainless steel chopsticks, which are rectangular in cross section rather than square or round. They seem to do the job equally well.

We carried on after lunch looking in garden shops and seeing stuff, and then I took Patsy to Finn Slough. This is a backwater community (and favorite of Bob's) that was settled by Finnish fisherman in the 1880's Although moldered and decaying the community is still home to about 30 residents. I took this picture because the gillnetter moored here has the same name as one of our grand-daughters.

Some of the homes have decayed to the point where they are no longer habitable, and some have been lovingly tended, restored and/or rebuilt for permanent residents. This one is called Dinner Plate Island School. Why is anyone's guess, because it is not located on Dinner Plate Island, nor is it a school.

Here is another house with some interesting architectural detail. The lack of railing on the front porch assures careful visitors, and the roof over the entry is also very interesting!!

Access to Gilmour Island, which is the barrier island between Finn Slough and the Soouth arm of the Fraser River is an adventure. It has a wooden drawbridge to access the island and the homes located thereupon.

For those who have an interest here is a link to some Finn Slough history  http://www.finnslough.com/
There is also a notice board where residents and visitors can see the latest news, and upcoming events.

After all that excitement a coffee was called for. We went to Steveston and visited an establishment called Rocanini. These guys have a fresh take on coffee. They offer several different types of beans and when you order they grind some beans and brew it fresh with each cup.

I had Nicaraguan coffee which was full bodied, slightly acidic, with an earthy undertone and a slightly fruity finish. Scooterchick had Colombian which she tasted and described quite succinctly......tastes like coffee!

We also ordered a little tidbit. I wanted cheesecake for my baby and a brownie. I found out what I got was a flan and a chocolate mousse. (more on the mousse shortly) It turns out Scooterchick cannot get anywhere near custard, so the flan went back in favor of a delightful raspberry cheesecake.

Scooterchick offered me a taste of her cheesecake and it was almost vaporous in it's consistency it was so light. The raspberry filling and glaze were full flavored and made a happy complement to the creamy  cheesy and delicious cakeage which was topped off with 2 batons of white chocolate and 2 fresh raspberries that made one pucker with their burst of flavor.

Lest I get too far ahead of the story, let us return to the Mousse which was altogether delightful.

 The Chocolate Mousse itself was very light but created a moist sweet explosion in one's mouth when ingested. It was coated with powdered cocoa, which was then passed through a gentle dusting of confectioner's sugar, which created a stippled finish on the top. The crust was a flaky pastry like  substance which first crunched, then melted in one's mouth with a nutty and somehow citrusy flavor.

I can not recommend this too highly. The experience far exceeded my expectations, and I left wanting more but at the same time fully satisfied.

Immediately outside the coffee shop is the major intersection of Moncton and First Avenue. It has an interesting crosswalk, which has an all-way crossing every second light. One can cross in the traditional directions but also diagonally through the intersection. This is something which I have only ever seen in very congested big city applications.

This sign is indicative of this area, since it shows the location in Steveston Village and references the Community Center across the road.

Here is a picture looking back towards the delectable Rocanini. The whole area has a very village like feel to it, and there are a lot of people strolling and bicycling around the locale.

As we strolled down the street we passed a clothing store with a classically attired mannequin in the window. Imagine Scooterchick's shriek of surprise when the mannequin moved. This is a new thing they have been trying out and the girl in the window gets a variety of reactions from laughter to shock to horror. Some people have actually reacted in fear. We found it hilarious!

Across the street was a small marketplace with gourmet foods, cafes and fish markets. It was cute but tiny. Barely enough room for 20 steps down and a further 20 back.

One of the stores was a gourmet market and features an interesting variety of comestibles. We looked in but did not enter. It looked like the sort of place where one could quickly rack up the Visa with goodies.

Outside the store there was a variety of plants growing in the window box. I love to see the plants in bloom and I am sure that I am not the only one who feels thusly.

We were thinking about catching a flick and when we looked at prices for the 3D IMAX showing of IM3 which opened today.  We found prices exorbitantly usurious so settled for heading back to our little shack in the bush and watching a  movie we had purchased some time ago,but had not yet opened. It was a remake of Town and Country. Drama, with comedic elements. We enjoyed it.

Here is a parting shot of the Stawamus Chief seen from the creek near our house.

Here's hoping y'all have a great weekend. We will, after all it's laundry day and what other small pleasure can equal the sensation and smell of clean laundry, still warm and fresh from the dryer. 

Talk with you later! 

A Trip to the Big Smoke

A word of explanation is required here. The Big Smoke is Vancouver. When you live part of the year in a town of 17,000 yet a city of 603,000 is only an hour away any trip to town takes on an adventurous feel. On this occasion I had a couple appointments and had to check the mail. Exciting no?

Here is a picture of Scooterchick at our first appointment. Adorable? I believe so!!!

This is the office where we were for our first appointment. We were there for about an hour more or less then we went to check the mail.

By now we were ready for a bite to eat. We chose a Greek restaurant this time, and shared some appetizers. The food was good and the company divine as usual.

We had to drive out to Port Coquitlam for our next appointment, then came back in along Lougheed Highway. While we were driving back in we passed through Maillardville  which grew up around a sawmill started by Frank Ross and James McLaren. They founded Fraser Mills and hired a group of 110 French Canadians to come and work the mill in 1909. They brought another group out a year later.

It was named for Father Edmond Maillard a priest who was transplanted from France to take care of their spiritual needs. Maillardville became the largest Francophone community west of Manitoba.

A little further on we stopped at a large garden center to look around. Apparently they have some new floral arrivals, these ones designed by Dr. Seuss.

They have a number of water features set up. I am a total sucker for any type of water feature or fountain. again, I don't know why....but the sound of running water just soothes my soul.

They have these of all different shapes and sizes to fit the available space. Depending on the room you have available, there is an example to fit all spaces. Here is Scooterchick admiring one such installation. This one features a waterfall and a pond.

Here is one for a limited space location. Although it looks like stone, it's resin cast so it's fairly light and maneuverable. Just add water and plug in.

At this store they are willing to help you to figure out anything garden related. They even have as display on how they can help you lay out a garden bed.....novel idea.

We carried on in our travels, and thought it might be about time to get a cup of coffee and a bite to eat. I decided on a cinnamon bun, Scooterchick got some lemon pound cake. She couldn't finish her cake......here let me help you with that.

This is a shot of the place we stopped. JJ Bean in Park and Tilford Center in North Vancouver. We are no longer using Starbucks since Howard Schwartz declared in a shareholders meeting that if we didn't agree with  his personal beliefs we should avoid spending money in his establishment. Okay!

This is the friendly Barrista, pulling shots at the bar.

We were waiting to attend a movie that started at 7:15. I took a picture of a flower bed in front of the theater just before going in. The movie we went to see was Oblivion, the latest with Tom Cruise.
While visually stunning, it was thin on plot but had a lot of special effects. It was the premier showing in this  market. I don't believe I've ever been to a premier show before. The place was packed.

Well okay then....goodbye now.