~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Feb 7 - 2012

The weather has been so glorious I’ve been going for walks along the river or around the campground if we don’t get out and about.  Today, Jack came back from the old farts motorcycle coffee meet, cooked up cornbeef hash and eggs on the barbecue and (once fueling was completed) we set out in search of Crescent Beach.  

It long intrigued me.  Juts out into the water on the northeast end of the bump of land that is White Rock.  Tom and Joan recommended it so off we went.  To avoid traffic we took to the country roads and ended up coming into White Rock from the south.  This town is actually at the border with the U.S. and has water on three sides. The waterfront area is basically salt water, beach or rocks, park and walking area, parking, street, dozens of eateries of huge variety.  It’s a popular touristy spot but we had no idea.  Now it is a lovely day 13 c and sunny so you expect to see people walking here.  There is a great pier to walk out on, and loads of places to soak up the sun.  But it was packed.  Bumper to bumper traffic, very few parking spots left.  Man it was crowded.  On a Tuesday afternoon on February 7th.  Old folks, folks with dogs, moms with kids and babies strapped front or back.

Was tempted by the pier, but we kept going, following Marine Drive to its end, then heading north to Crescent Beach. It’s a little forgotten end of town that obviously was once cottage heaven.  Today many of the cottages are being replaced by houses, but it still retains a sort of ramshackle look.  These homes/cottages are so tightly together than many are only reachable by alleys, but they are all well looked after.  Obviously loved.

We basically followed the road to the end and found ourselves at a lovely area - park and walkways along the shore.  From where we stood we could see across a bay to Delta, and beyond that the city of Vancouver, backed by the snow-topped mountains.  Sheer beauty.  There was a dog beach here, being used.  I think it is so civilized here, they don’t ban dogs.  Hey provide special areas for them to enjoy - thus keeping them on leashes and controlled in other areas. We spent a couple of delightful hours talking to a crab fisherman on a short wharf, walking on the beach, taking photos, watching the seabirds and trying to figure out just what we could see across the water. We found a take out/restaurant/bar on the beach.  A glass walled patio was perfect for coffee and Key Lime Cheesecake.

The temperatures are supposed to drop and the rains return tomorrow, so we delighted in today. Tomorrow we pack for our trip to Seattle with John and Chrissy.  Our motto: Seize the Moment - For Tomorrow it Could Snow!