When we lived in Surrey the kids were small and we didn't have a lot of money so we did a lot of free activities that we all enjoyed. So our first goal was Stanley Park - many happy hours of memories here. But when the kids were small their attention spans were much more limited so Kevin and I were able to do many more activities in one day I don't remember having time to walk on the sea wall because we were always too busy going to see the animals in the park, and the train - even riding it the odd time. What did amaze me is the price of parking in Vancouver - holy moly! So we walked on the seawall.
Then we walked along some of the paths towards the area where the animals once were housed and tormented. I remember especially the gibbons and the polar bears and the otters and the peacocks.
The only unusual animal we saw this time was a raccoon, sitting on a fence helping himself to the contents of a garbage can right beside a sign that asked people not to feed the raccoons.
We didn't have time to tour the Aquarium - one of our frequent stops when we lived in the lower mainland. We always had a yearly pass and would visit about once a month, hardly getting past the fresh water fish as the octopus had such a draw for the kids.
Then on to Lynn Canyon Park, another spot of peace in the otherwise busy city. We went across the suspension bridge - in much better shape than it was forty years ago - and walked along the paths and boardwalks down the creek, then faced the return journey up the paths and boardwalks and oh so many stairs.
We started Saturday by going to Surrey to see where we had lived. As we drove into the parking lot of the townhouses we were both amazed how small it was. I could understand Kevin thinking it small but I was an adult when we lived there! Then we drove past the duplex and were amazed at how much the area has grown with high rise buildings. We went past the school Kevin had attended and the park where we went swimming and on to the ball field where we spent so many happy hours while Kevin and his teammates played T-ball.
The next stop on the tour was Simon Fraser University where both Kevin and Diarmid had attended. The residences seem to be under renovation but it is after all summer time. We walked all across the quadrangle and stopped for lunch on campus.
Queen Elizabeth Park is still much the same with the carefully manicured gardens. We reminisced about the times that we had spent in the conservatory looking at all the interesting plants and birds. This time we just wandered around the gardens and took some photos of that amazing Vancouver skyline.
Then we decided that we should go to Jericho beach to watch the fireworks rather than try to fight the crowds downtown and back following. We got to Jericho around 7 PM and found a parking lot right next to the beach access. So the concession provided Kevin's hot dog dinner - nothing like a hot dog on the beach. And we waited while enjoying the solitude and the beach. It was very relaxing watching the waves and the people. The fireworks was in the distance but the noise was as well. They put on an incredible display. And going back to the hotel was not difficult.
On Sunday we chose to go to Sechelt and this day I truly missed Diarmid as he was born in Sechelt. The village that we lived in has now grown to a city and is quite different now. We did drive by the old house and took a photo. When we had this house built all the earth tones were in and vinyl siding was a thing of the future. I think I like it better now that it is blue. We had lunch at a pub on the inlet and drove out to Porpoise Bay park where we used to spend summer days at the beach. And then came back for the second ferry ride that day. Reminds me why I don't much like ferries.
We decided to go to Lonsdale Quay. I had not been there before but Kevin and Tina have enjoyed it. Silly me, I thought that it was an outdoor dock, not the beautiful space that it is. Makes sense that it is indoors in Vancouver.
On the way back to the hotel we decided that we needed another hike and so stopped in Pacific Spirit Regional Park and walked along some trails there, only leaving when it became dusk.
On Monday morning we went to Steveston and decided to walk at Garry Point Park before heading back to the ferry. Poor Kevin - he rode the ferry FOUR times that weekend. Fortunately he is able to use his time wisely - sleeping.
I came home pretty tired but grateful for the trip and the company.
