June 3, 2015, Vancouver- The western seaside of this fascinating city is, for many, the peak of their Vancouver experience. So it was for me, over a two-hour walkabout.
The Royal Vancouver Yacht Club borders the eastern approach to Stanley Park. As elsewhere in Vancouver, side gardens abound here. Even dead trees make their presence known! Pisa has nothing on Stanley Park. People the world over are welcomed. Horses work hard in the park, but are treated well.The Pavilion is a premier venue for gatherings. One of my favourite aspects of the Northwest is the rain forest. This is the first time I’ve seen a black squirrel, though.Ferns grow almost to Jurassic levels.This is the Brockton Oval, home of many rugby matches.This lady knows how to prance for the audience!The Girl in the Wetsuit is a tribute to Vancouver’s relationship with the sea.The dragon’s head is supposed to protect sea-going vessels. This cormorant played hide and seek with me, for ten minutes. Brockton Point Light House has been crucial to maritime safety for over 150 years.The Memorial Totem Pole, seen above, honours one of the most influential First Nations elders of 20th Century Vancouver. Squamish people lived for centuries, near what is now Stanley Park. I will post a complete view of the Memorial Totems of the park, in a few days, when I get to Wrangell, AK.“Shore to Shore” commemorates the story of a Portuguese emigre and his Salish wife.
The last corner of Stanley Park I visited was the Cricket Grounds, where two teams were hard at play.
Finally, an osprey was visible, in the reeds, as I was leaving Stanley Park.
This was easily well worth the hour’s drive from Blaine, and the refresher course in border crossing. It seems I have had quite a few refresher courses in life, over the past ten months.
My next few posts will be up, as WiFi connections allow, while on the Inland Passage.
