By now I’m becoming a seasoned tourist. Set up a car rental for your day off, organize a few friends to come along, and search the net for the location of a few interesting sights. And so it was that early Thursday morning, Fernando, Reto, Des and myself set off in a Dodge van down to Vancouver. And, believe it or not, it actually stopped raining.
Now it is the four Amigos, with our rental van, off to explore Vancouver.
With a couple of smokers on board we had to make sure to stop at all the scenic view points. The first stop was halfway down on the Sea to Sky highway towards Vancouver at the Porteau Cove Provincial Marine Park. Map here. It looked like it was a former Ferry dock. It is not often that I’m so close to the ocean and don’t go swimming. So I got right down to the water’s edge and tasted the salt water. I do miss scuba diving.
Porteau Cove Provincial Marine Park, just off of hwy 99. It looks like and old Ferry port.
Next smoke stop was the hamlet of Horseshoe Bay where the BC Ferries terminal is. What an absolutely charming ocean community this is. We walked down to a park right at the harbour just as one ferry docked and another one pulled in. The water was crystal clear and the temperature felt like spring time. The snow drop and daffodil flowers were blooming and it won’t be long before the grass needs to be cut. And this in the middle of February!
The harbour at Horseshoe Bay. The beautiful ocean community was well worth the visit.
There was a large totem pole in the park. One of my impressions of the West coast is that the Coastal Native peoples seem much more self confident and are a positive part of the community here than back home in Ontario. They seem to be aware and proud of their heritage, and yet also proud to be Canadian. It is just my opinion, but they don’t seem to have as much trouble with alcohol as the native communities seem to back in Ontario. Last week I saw a native lady proudly wearing a traditional wicker hat as she entered the Athlete’s village. We stopped into a native store right on the water front, and then to a few more souvenir stores around the corner.
The Spring flowers were blooming here in Horseshoe Bay.
Then it was on to North Vancouver, so out came my GPS and we were there in no time. The guys are starting to call me “GPS Man,” but it sure beats getting lost. Fernando had chosen our destination, the Capilano Suspension Bridge at 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver. Map here, and website here: capbridge.com.
Capilano Suspension Bridge entrance located at 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver
After paying our $26 to get in, we had a quick lunch and then started exploring the absolutely stunning displays. What we hadn’t realized was that the suspension bridge was just the beginning. There are history displays, Nature exhibits, and a tree-top boardwalk and more. We started with the checking out the displays of native history and artwork, and then the boardwalk along the canyon wall and the souvenir store. This is a privately owned attraction, and is a perfect blend of native, environmental and thrill seeking areas.
The Capilano Suspension Bridge
Then it was on to the actual bridge. First built in 1889 by an entrepreneurial Scotsman, George Grant Mackay, with the help of two local First Nations People, the original bridge was made of hemp rope and cedar planking. It was rebuilt several times, and then in 2006 a 46 ton Douglas-fir tree fell on the bridge in severe winter weather, forcing it to close for repairs for only the second time in 117 years. The present bridge is 450 feet long and is 230 feet above the Capilano River. It is supported by two steel cables, which together can hold more than 200,000 lbs and can sustain the weight of over 1300 people standing on it at the same time.
The map of all the areas to explore. Click to enlarge.
The first thing you notice when you step onto the bridge is that it is swaying and moving up and down quite a bit. In fact, they have a person in a booth at the edge of the bridge whose only job is to make announcements for people to stop bouncing on the bridge. The movement is so great that I had trouble getting the camera to focus.
Aren't our rain ponchos lovely? This was taken on the walkway beside the gorge before you cross the bridge.
The view of the gorge was wonderful. The river below was full and moving fast. We had put on plastic overcoats, as it was raining slightly. Everything was so green all around and the air was so pure that you just wanted to gulp huge lung fulls. There is something about being up high that makes you want to stay and just stare for hours. Apparently the river below hosts lots of salmon, and they are restocked regularly.
Long way down.
On the other side was a huge cement anchor that you walked across. Here there was a large display of animals and minerals that was very well done. It included giant replicas of slugs and ants. We walked into the woods admiring the huge Douglas-fir trees that tower over your head. The largest here is 14 ft in circumference, is around 300 years old, and stands over 250 ft high. It weighs over 40 tons.
Heading down the bouncy bridge. There is a constant sway on roll on the bridge as others walk along.
Our first stop was Treetops Adventure. I was so glad that Reto and Des could experience this as it was very similar to the Ziptrek we Fernando and I had done last week. You start in a wooden tower and then proceed out into the forest a hundred feet above the ground. Several large Douglas-firs have circular platforms attached to them by steel bands. Here, it appears they have not pierced the trees at all to construct the walkway. All material comes from recycled sources. Suspension bridges connect the dozen or so platforms. There are also several cables and ropes running off to other trees and logs for counter-balance support.
The platforms are supported by girdles, and don't seem to hurt the trees.
When we finished the treetop tour, we hiked through the woods reading the plaques and marvelling at these silent giants. Too bad they aren’t this large in Ontario. There were fish ponds, and a live Harris Hawk with its trainer. We saw the remains of the huge tree that had fallen on the bridge. By this time the sun was out again and the trip back across the bridge was even better than the first time. They are building a Cliffhanger boardwalk here that will hang from the canyon wall.
Love this sign, in a land of Extreme sports: Attention: EXTREME NATURE AHEAD. This was at the entrance of the Treetops Adventure tower.
Next we headed for a more Olympic theme at Canada Place, right in downtown Vancouver. My GPS took me right to the spot where the Olympic Caldron burns, but parking was three blocks away at $20. Walking back towards the Caldron, the crowds were huge and it was hard to keep together. Everywhere street vendors were selling pins from everywhere in the world. They are not my thing, but Reto and Des kept stopping and bargaining.
Des Fitzgerald loves the scenery above the forest floor.
The Olympic Caldron itself was behind a fence, so getting a clear shot was a bit difficult. They have now added a plexiglass section with a small gap at the top for cameras. The five flames were rather large and you could hear them burning. The best observation point had a lineup, so we just stayed at the fence about 200 feet from the flame.
Walking through the forest canopy.
Then we discussed where to head next, and it was decided to head to the old Gastown area. So I Googled it on my Googe Maps App and selected the Walking Directions. It worked rather well and it was not too far away. Reto wanted to walk down Hastings Street, so that is the way we went. Vancouver has a lot of electric trolley buses on wheels, with several Articulated versions. We knew when we had arrived in Gastowne when the souvenir shops were every other store. As our time here was drawing to a close, we all did some serious shopping. A rather painful experience for us guys.
Nature education displays at the far side of the bridge. They were very well done.
The Steam Clock on one of the corners was a popular photo spot. But on close examination, I don’t think it really runs on steam anymore. Nor does its whistle sound anymore. After a quick stop at a hotdog vendor, we decided that our feet were getting sore, so we started heading back to the van. On the way Reto finally found his RCMP pin that he had been looking for. We also heard a bunch of girls walking by signing the national anthem after another Canadian gold win. The Olympics sure is great for improving Canadian patriotism.
Canada Place, near where we parked.
Reto then wanted to see if the reports were true that Hastings Street goes from upscale to skid row in a matter of blocks, so we decided to check it out. Unfortunately, if was true. About 1 kilometre away from the Olympic Venue, you started seeing bars on the windows and homeless people pushing shopping carts. Then we came across the Olympic Protest tent city. It looked like a scene from a post nuclear war movie. There were people milling about behind a fence covered in all kinds of angry posters. I wouldn’t want to be on foot in this neighbourhood.
The Olympic Caldron, in downtown Vancouver.
Then it was time to set my GPS for home. Squamish was only an hour away, but the drive at night is not nearly as nice as during the day. While we had barely scratched the surface in this huge city, we all thought Vancouver was an exciting city full of energy. Everyone commented on the way back what a lovely day it had been. Who know, maybe I should get into the tourist guide business.
Overview of the Olympic Caldron.
Electric Articulated buses are popular in Vancouver. I drive and electric bus in Whistler, but without the wires. It is called a Fuel Cell bus.
Steam Clock in Gastown.
Tent City not far from the Olympic Caldron protesting the Games. These disenfranchised people at least have the right to protest. But why protest such a wonderful event like the Olympics? It just makes you loose credibility.
More photos here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/SirJohnAMcDonald/Vancouver#