A Mystic Landscape

Vancouver Part 2:

Early morning the following two days, cold air over relatively warmer water resulted in fog blanketing the harbour which slowly drifted through the tall buildings creating what can only be described as a mystic landscape. Heavy frost on everything. Absolutely stunning!! As we walked together we stopped continuously to observe.

As the fog ebbed and flowed the walking for a time became secondary. The experience heightened the realization of time slowing when I wished it too...the time to fully observe. One of the delightful discoveries of distance walking. Time...the most scarce and treasured of commodities.

Later that night we walked to see find the Christmas lights in Stanley Park and ro ride the train. Ha! Haven't done that since the kids were little! 

A show of support for France.

On the third morning I walked alone. It was simply magical and while the fog again drifted in, it was ever so different.

A Bald Eagle enjoying the peace.

Put into perspective...

Grounded! Does one still say that when the planes are floating? Perhaps "floating with anticipation"?

As I stood in the crisp cold air wondering where next to walk, a few feathered friends pointed the way...

towards Lost Lagoon where there is an amazing bird sanctuary on the fringes of the downtown core. As I walked there the fog drifted in and out, slowing me down to take these photos.

Look closely...on the branch. A Blue Heron:-)

Lost Lagoon sometimes freezes over. I used to skate on it when I was young, but with warmer winters this doesn't happen quite as frequently. It was half frozen as I walked up, but still not thick enough to support a person. Good for ducks and gulls though!!

I decided to walk around the lake as it's a peaceful sanctuary and it was early, so I anticipated having it pretty much to myself despite the large bordering population. I wasn't to be disappointed.

Look to the top of the highest tree stump. My eyes didn't deceive me.

A small hawk taking in the morning.

Neil and Sarah, I shot this bridge for you. I'm sending it to you under separate cover. Look closely for the sea gull on top of the frosty surface.

A special place for water fowl...a haven for the winter.

Should have brought my real camera with me. What was I thinking?

A wonderful journey through a mystic landscape. Of course this wouldn't have happened without the 'gentle' encouragement to come visit from one daughter who is still a child at heart. Good for you!! That would be her on the right beside two unknown types;-)

Vancouver Refreshed...

Vancouver Part 1:

I was raised in Vancouver and lived there on and off over many years having finally decided to live in a smaller community some 22 years ago to raise our family. I know the city well and while I have no interest in living there, I again discovered why so many visit it. I recently heard from some friends in Germany that they watched a documentary about Vancouver and were intrigued. I wrote back that I was pretty sure the documentary they watched showed the city in all its glory on sunny days, but probably not when it was having a bad day! When the winter rains come and stay for weeks, the skies are steal grey, colours are muted and the storm winds howl.  For me, that's the depressing side of Vancouver that haunted my memories for years. The ever increasing numbers of homeless folks, the oversized ugly homes in many areas, the heavy traffic and the usual things that are part of many large citiy experiences when you live there day in and day out. This stuff likely didn't make it into the documentary. It seldom does.

However, I promised that I would take some 'snap shots' and send them to Germany with a few comments, but not to expect too much as it was late Autumn heading into Winter, a notoriously stormy and unsettled time of the year. 

Well. I was to discover just how wrong I could be. To visit central Vancouver as a tourist with good weather at ANY time of the year is quite another experience from what my memory recalled. Frankly, it's quite stunning. 

The amazing mountains to the north and east on the shores of English Bay and the massive natural harbour area creates a setting of extreme beauty. I was again reminded of this during our visit.

And of course we started to explore by foot as is our habit and pleasure. We walked and we walked. In all, over 40 kms during the three days (hence the post into the walking blog). 

Usually I was in the city for business (when I worked) or to visit family and friends further out in non-touristed parts of the city. This time I was able to see it through the eyes of a visitor in the core area...through new eyes. 

The days were cold at -3 and warmed to about 4 (below normal temperatures) but the sky was clear and blue. On the first day it was amazing with full sun, full on colour, the mountains and the water. 

It was pretty special. We started with an 18 km walk that included circling the Stanley Park sea wall.

These are Blue Herron nests that are usually nearly impossible to see in the summer when the trees are  in full leaf. I was shocked to see at least a hundred nests in just a few trees.

Looking out over English Bay where massive freight and commodity ships sit at anchour waiting for their turn to pass under the Lions Gate bridge and into the massive inner harbour for their turn to be loaded. I have fond memories of dingy sailing through these giants when I was just a young boy. Amazing to think of the freedoms we were granted in those days! Young kids in big cities these days seldom have the same access to discover. It's just not as safe as it was in the late '60's.

The park still holds the same magic I remember from when I was young and would ride my bike through and around it.

Of course the Lions Gate Bridge is ever present. 

And even the locals on the sea wall seemed friendly!

A little First Nations colour was also most welcome. Of course these lands once were inhabited for thousands of years by these peoples, and remained honoured today.

Late in the afternoon I was able to slip away to meet a very close friend. The walk and ferry ride to the Quay was refreshing and very scenic...if only the beer had been half as good, eh David? Another brew pub next time for sure!! 

I was able to end the first day of walking with an excellent sunset over the city scape from across the harbour. Quite magical!

Part 2 will follow...

Autumn's Smile

With Annemarie away for two weeks having fun with her 20/20 buddies, undertaking something she loves, I have been left at home to continue with the bedroom renovations. Tear up carpets and underlay, paint the room with three dramatically different colours, lay a bamboo floor, set new baseboards and complete various electrical updates. Work has progressed well and the results are very satisfying as I finally have the time to enjoy the simple pleasure of a nice project. A small way to say thank you to Annemarie for giving me the time and encouragement to follow my dreams and head off on Camino each of the past three years. 

Honestly, I was all set to get up early this morning and begin work. However, when I woke up the sun was out for the first time after several days of heavy rain and storm winds. Yes, the wood and tools were waiting, but the lakes started calling me...and they wouldn't stop;-)  After a moments hesitation I all to easily gave into temptation and headed off to the lakes shortly after sunrise to walk. Turns out It was a morning to remember. A morning with exceptional light. A morning where I could sense Autumn's smile.

Yes Annemarie, I did go home and work on the renovation and I later raked the piles of oak leaves. But I returned home feeling extremely satisfied. Tomorrow I'll play hooky again and help Dad move his sailboat northward and back to its newly renovated moorage. It doesn't get a whole lot better!