For Jack and I returning to this part of Vancouver evokes feelings of having come home.  We are camped at Capilano RV Park, actually on reserve land and operated by native peoples.  The campground is beside the approaches to the Lions Gate Bridge in North Vancouver sort of sandwiched between a river and the bridge.  Huge trees, the lacy west coast cedar in particular give one the feeling of being in the country, even though surrounded by busy highways and Rvs. In fact the park is tightly packed as are all innercity RV parks, but that is only to be expected.  Fortunately we have an almost private area between the two RV’s which is backed by a cedar hedge which provides shade in the evening. 

 It’s a short walk across a bridge over the river to an absolutely huge mall with two grocery stores, all banks, shops of every kind and a dozen or more places to eat.  Crossing the river is one of our entertainments because the resident Indian population has the right to fish the river for salmon. They do it in the traditional way, by building channels with river rock, guiding the fish into pools where they can net them, Fascinating to see.  It’s a tidal river, so the building and managing of the channels changes every time we see it.

This park is located near the narrows, the waterway that cargo ships must take to enter the harbour.  On the other side of this water way is Stanley Park.  It’s a very picturesque setting.  A public park, called Ambleside takes up the shoreline to the west providing us the walking trails, a fishing wharf, par 3 golf, and beaches.  The drive from here to John and Chrissy’s can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour depending on traffic on the bridge. So we pick our times.  Of course traffic can be awful in this city so one just has to accept it.  As Jack says, you claim your space and proceed with caution.

We’ve been busy since we arrived in Vancouver. We took a taxi to Lonsdale Quay, then the seabus over to gas town, and explored the area around the Pan Pacific Hotel, etc. Stocked up at Lonsdale Market before heading home.  Ate at the original Spaghetti Factory - a fun experience.

Went out to Langley to get our fridge fixed, and spent the day looking at motor homes.  Indulged in one of Jack’s favourite entertainments - getting salesmen all excited.  It was a fun day.

Spent a day at Granville Island.  Met John, Chrissy and Lisa (their friend) for lunch, shopped for fairies at one of my favourite stores, and of course enjoyed the market.  I think Carol and Russ enjoyed the huge variety of vendors even though they found it very busy.

We spent another day in Richmond, Stephensville, and Ladner.  Toured the Georgia Strait Canning Factory - a National Historic Site, had fish (salmon for Jack and I, Halibut for Carol and cod for Russ) and chips at Fisherman’s Wharf, strolled the village, found Jack’s favourite Romanian Bread shop, and my favourite English Shop.  There we purchased 9 pots of Bovril to take home.  Would have loved to get more, but have to watch the $$$$$.   We followed up by going to a wildlife sanctuary near Ladner.  This is a wonderful place where ducks, geese, heron, and all sorts of song birds, swallows and such hang out. 

To get to the Sanctuary you drive through market garden/farm land which is rich in berry production.  You can actually smell the raspberries and blue berries as you pass the fields.  It is intensely beautiful with the mountains and the city off in the distance creating a backdrop to the fields of crops, grain, fruits and vegetables.  We were delighted to find blackberries perfect for picking alongside some of the roads.  I’m in heaven.  Raspberries from a farm gate operation were $2.99 a pound and so delicious I ate all of them by nightfall.

We’ve spent time in Stanley Park, visiting John’s studio, and of course shopping.  Anyway, this is just the beginning of our time in Vancouver, so more next time.

On that happy note, More next time

Julie - Remember if you want to get in touch email us at julie@seacroftpei.com