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| Port Mann Bridge, Surrey, BC |
Yakima to Seattle via the I-90, where we got on the I-5 going north was only 2 hours and by early afternoon we were crossing the border into Surrey, British Columbia. We went over the very impressive Port Mann bridge on the Trans Canada highway, the traffic building steadily until it came to a complete standstill just as we were ready to cross the Iron Workers Memorial bridge to North Vancouver. There had been a major accident ahead and we were delayed over an hour before we were able to get off and park finally outside Lara and Jesse's condo. The weather was nice so after fussing over the latest arrival to the clan Lara showed us around the grounds of their condo, situated on a rise with a view of Burrard Inlet and Vancouver. There was no campsite close enough so we parked on the street for the next three days, just a few minutes walk to the condo. It was definitely not the best arrangement as the traffic passed by continuously until the wee hours of the morning, occasionally shaking the camper or revving their engines as they came up the hill. We were there to see the grand-kids so we endured it the best we could. It had been over a year since they had left Montreal and moved out to N Van and visiting Lara and her kids was the main objective of the whole trip. Joshua had grown up in the past year and had turned into an intelligent happy little boy and loving brother to his sister Maya. Him and me became good buds and I miss him more than I can say. Each morning while we were there we met up with Lara and Jesse to plan our day - always a day of walking and exploring the local area.
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| outside Lara's condo, our first of many walks |
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| Marie with Jesse and Maya, view of Burrard Inlet from their balcony |
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| Jesse and Maya |
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| Maya |
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| view from the condo, Vancouver in the distance |
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| Joshua |
The first morning we walked about one of their favorite trails through Roche Point Park down to the waters edge in Cates Park. It was typical BC coastal forest - big trees, sandy soil and always the smell of the sea not far off. The next days hike would be a little more formidable. We decided to tackle the Baden Powell trail up to Quarry Rock to get a view of Deep Cove and the distant . As it was a few miles east we drove to the closest parking lot on Panorama Drive and, with what seemed like the entire population of Vancouver accompanying us, began the hour long clamber up to the top. The first section of the trail climbed fairly quickly up a set of wooden stairs and then up and over a continuous maze of toe catching tree roots. The terrain is typical of the this part of the North Shore - wooded areas of Douglas Fir and hemlock trees, small creeks from mountain runoff which were completely dried up (Vancouver had gone through an extremely hot, dry summer this year) and the smell of fresh forest all about. Wooden bridges assisted us through the worst parts where steep embankments of rock began showing through the clearing until we finally arrived at the solid rock at the summit. We found a spot to sit among the hundred or so other people enjoying the view of the boats below and the mountains of Bellcara. Beyond that I knew, not visible, was Port Moody where I lived years ago. We had a snack and a drink and started back down again, the people coming up a constant stream we had to push against. It was a Saturday, a beautiful day and i guess everyone had the same idea as us...
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| me and Joshua, Cates Park |
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| Baden Powell Trail to Quarry Rock |
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| Quarry Rock |
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| Panorama Park, Deep Cove, North Vancouver |
We stopped for a coffee in the very busy commercial area when we got back to the Cove. Lara had wanted us to try her favourite snacks at "Honey's Doughnuts" but they were all sold out and the line waiting for the next batch to be ready had to wait another hour. So instead we walked down to the Government Dock and watched the boats coming and going on the very calm blue water, taking in the views, reluctant to leave. Then it was time to head back to the parking lot and home to supper with Lara and Jesse. The next morning, Sunday the 24th, we said goodbye and drove the short distance to Horseshoe Bay where we were to board the ferry for Nanaimo, Vancouver Island to visit my old friend Bruce and his wife Kirsten. gws
