Day 24 Vancouver

With regret, after Mass this morning, we left the Okanagan. With its incredible views, its relaxed lifestyle, the quail that run wild and the apricots that grow along the roadside ditches; this is a place to return to. We’ve left with only one case of wine and countless wineries unexplored, so a return trip is a must.

Shortly after we set out on the highway toward Vancouver the mountains reappear. They are once again heavily forested, the valleys between them narrow and breathtakingly beautiful! The waterfalls that appear every 500 feet or so are evidence of the snow that still remains high (and sometimes low!) on the peaks despite the temperature gauge on the truck that continues to climb. We have had days on this trip where the gauge has read 8° and 24° in a single day. These mountains do crazy things to weather. Today though it seems the closer we get to Vancouver the higher the numbers go and that’s a good thing!

The road ever further west.

Incredibly beautiful snow-capped mountains.

 

The traffic increased the closer we got to the city. I guess it’s the same everywhere. David handled it like a pro though and we arrive in North Vancouver with ease. The Capilano RV Park here is great. Certainly no National Park, and we can’t really call it camping, but the site is level and easy to get in and out of, the facilities are clean and the staff super friendly and helpful.

After dinner David and I took Cecilia and went for a walk. Really hoping not to have to get back in the truck, we asked the girls at the front gate if they had a suggestion for a nice walk we could take from here since we were in the middle of the city. They did, and we spent the next couple of hours soaking up the flavor of Vancouver.

The walk they suggested quickly brought us to a sea wall that hugged the Pacific before opening into Ambleside Park. It is a spot used by locals for a glorious day of fun in the sun. What a great chance for us to soak up the culture and ambiance of the city! What an interesting, funky mix Vancouver presented. One of the first things we noticed was that everyone had a dog. Some had several making up for those rare folks, like us, that didn’t. I do have to say that they are the best behaved dogs I have ever seen. We wandered through an off-leash section and while it was a zoo of four legged creatures, it was still a very pleasant walk. One little dog bounced like he was on springs, and amused Cecilia to no end. She squealed and laughed so enthusiastically that she was garnering more attention than the puppy. Hilarious!

While families picnicked and couples sunbathed and strolled, local musicians busked, very talented and entertaining… for the most part. There was one Dixieland band that was large and enthusiastic, however they were terrible and Cecilia took offence. Happily bopping along to the music up to then, she squawked loudly, and we scooted out of there fast! Wandering to the other end of the park we found a very busy pier and went out there to see what was happening. Locals were busy baiting large traps with chicken necks! Hunting for crab we were told. One guys claimed they had been there 5 hours and only caught one so far, that they had to throw back! It was small and female and he said the fishing was very heavy regulated. After a little flirt with Cecilia he was happily back at it! I sure would have given up long ago!

Like the fisherman, everyone is very affable. We engaged is tons of friendly banter as we stand and watch the seals frolicking in the water below us. Who needs a zoo? It is just unbelievable, the opportunities that we have had to see wildlife, in its natural habitat as we travel!

As we head back a little patio refreshment stand tempts us and we enjoy a tangy lime gelato as we saunter back toward home.

Vancouver’s gonna be good – I can just tell!

The Pacific!

On the pier.

Yummy tangy lime gelato.