Green Wonderland in Vancouver
West Coast VACATION Dispels Winter
Doldrums
As These Maritimers Leave Blizzards Behind
by Julie V. Watson
Sometimes one is just overwhelmed with their own intelligence. Such was our case in early 2008. This was the year we had taken the bull by the horns and opted to spend winter in Vancouver, rather than our home province of Prince Edward Island. We ignored my Mom’s suggestion that we stay with her in Ontario and headed west after Christmas. More about that trip in a separate posting. Suffice it to say we went for the dream and took the three day train trip from Toronto.
So, here we are arriving in Vancouver on January 12th, with dire warnings that we would hate the rain and the grey skies. Boy, did we get the last, and longest, laugh. Sure it was sometimes cloudy, even rained a couple of times, but we never actually got rained on until March 8th. There were a couple of snow days - just a sprinkling - and light rain, but we managed to either have a day in relaxing with good movies, or take those days for laundry and chores.
What I will tell you about winter in Vancouver is this. You can go outside with a light jacket or sweater almost every day. You don’t need to struggle into and out of winter boots or coats. The grass is green, and heather in lavish pinks and purples drapes over stone walls bringing glorious natural colour even when the rare snow fall occurs. Snow drops grow in profusion, especially in the city end of Stanley Park, as early as January.
Vancouverites complain about the hard, long winter, when we think we have found perfect weather. Anyone who has paid attention to the news knows that we have missed blizzards, freezing rain, power outages, snow, snow, snow and freezing cold back in the Maritimes. It is a no brainer. We can stay in Canada. We can keep our dollars in our own country, support our own economy and still have the winter of our dreams.
It is now March and we have found that the air is fresh, and clean as it comes in off the ocean. Even on cold days it is never the bitter cold of an east coast winter. It is a maritime city, surrounded on three sides by water: the Fraser River to the south, Burrard Inlet to the north, and English Bay to the west. We like this presence of water. Our accommodation is in English Bay, located in the West End, close to Stanley Park. Just one block from Denman Street with its eateries and from the seawall which provided us with a huge amount of no-cost exercise and pleasure.
Vancouver is one of North America's largest ports and counting the huge tankers waiting to come into the harbour became a daily ritual. Most mornings I head for the Aquatic Centre for a swim, and Jack walks the sea wall arriving just as I emerge ready for a coffee at a favourite coffee shop on Denman Street. By 10:30 we were ready for yet another day of exploring and what we decided to term “soft adventure.” With my bum knees, it had to be soft!
Vancouver is a lovely city, surrounded by snow‑capped mountain peaks and water with a proliferation of parks and green spaces. Being in the area we are we found there was loads to do without going far. The city has a great transportation system of buses and such. This is a good thing because parking is expensive and not always convenient.
Day trips taken by car offer so many destinations we haven’t even scratched the surface. We’ve been to an RV show in Abbotsford, to Victoria to enjoy the warmth of spring and explore for a week, to White Rock, to Brackendale to see the eagles, to Capilano Bridge to enjoy a totally new experience, to Stanley Park, to The UBC Museum of Anthropology to learn about the culture of First People and stand in awe of the totems and artifacts. We explored Hope, Richmond and Langley, and visited a wildfowl migratory sanctuary that was a sheer delight.
We often visit Granville Island Market for lunch and to shop for baked goods, fruit, vegetables, cheese, meat and of course seafood. Its magical, especially if we incorporate a ride across False Creek in the Aquabus into our plan. The list just goes on and on.
This spectacular setting is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. A simple walk in the park is delightful. Stanley Park is the most well known, but there are so many parks here, with miles of well groomed walking trails ranging from seaside paved and flat to hiking trails in majestic raincoast forests, that they are too many to mention here. We have taken to seeking out beaches - almost all with in the city. We love the water and the proliferation of dogs taking their owners for walks. The parks are some of the most people (read senior) friendly I’ve ever seen: benches to sit on, good walking paths, picnic tables, parking, clean, and interesting.
If you don’t have a car, you can pick up day trips or a bus to great places like Grouse Mountain or even further afield like Whistler or even Victoria.
NEAT THINGS TO DO IN VANCOUVER
Check out the Fairmont Hotels K-9 Ambassadors. The Fairmont Hotel and the Fairmont Waterfront, in my mind the very best places to stay in the city, introduced this K-9 Ambassador program to meet and greet guests, accompany them on walks and simply be around for a bit of petting. The Fairmont Waterfront was the first hotel to put a dog on duty with Morgan, a black Labrador, in 2002, followed by Holly in 2003. Mavis began the tradition at Fairmont Vancouver, just 4 blocks away, in 2003. Beau also a yellow Labrador joined the ranks, quickly becoming adept at putting his best paw forward in an effort to impress his canine colleague. All four dogs were BC Guide Dog trainees better suited to the social life of a hotel ambassador. They are so popular they receive countless letters, post cards, photos and doggy treats. Now the dogs are up to high speed, with their own email address: www.fairmont.com
Grouse Mountain, a quick 15‑minute drive from downtown Vancouver, has something fun to do. Take a trip to the top of the "Peak of Vancouver" in the Skyride, North America's largest aerial tramway system. At the summit, you'll also find restaurants, shops, and a wildlife refuge and conservation center.
Film buff? Vancouver has become the third‑largest film production center in North America – affectionately dubbed 'Hollywood North.' There are a number of opportunities to check out film locations, find out what is currently being filmed and so on. Call Tourism Vancouver for information, and check out tour companies that specialize in movies.
Then of course there are places like Stanley Park and Granville Island Market. Stanley Park is great for walking, or just sitting enjoying nature or the activities of a busy marine transportation hub. It also offers neat wagon rides, an superb Aquarium, gardens, great eateries and more. Pick up a brochure just about anywhere to see where to access things, and times and dates they are open.
But wait, there's more! Stanley Park is also home to innumerable gray squirrels, all descended from eight pairs donated by New York City in 1908. The park also boasts what National Geographic has deemed the largest red cedar tree in the world. It's about 30 meters around (almost 100 feet).
What was that noise?? Well, if it's 9pm in Vancouver, it was probably the Nine O'Clock Gun. Here's the story: A little over 100 years ago, an old British sea cannon was installed at Stanley Park. Every evening at 9pm the cannon was fired to remind local fishermen of fishing time limits. That purpose is obsolete now, of course, but Vancouver continues the tradition anyway, and you can set your watch by it!
I can’t say enough about Granville Island Market because it is such a social place. Aside from the market itself - which is fabulous - there are many boutique style shops. One of my favourites specializes in fairies and dragons and such, another in amazing beads, one in paper, and yet another in unusual garden stuff. All mixed in with craft shops, kitchen ware, book stores, art galleries and supplies. Its amazing. We enjoy a coffee, stroll among the shops, have lunch and then shop for pastries, meats, veggies and fruits to take home.