Two Spirits

In an effort to mentally prepare myself for the upcoming move, I did some packing this week. Not that there is so much to pack, because there is not, but now the winter clothes are done, some given away, while others we'll take home in the unlikely event we have a cold Florida winter in our future. And what does our future look like? Only time will tell.

While we are still here I am continuing my walking ways in the mild temperature. Between errands and sight seeing I racked up 20 miles in four days, which when averaged may not seem like a huge amount, but I'm here to tell you that the one day that I walked 9.5 miles is the most I've ever walked in all of my 64 years. And just what was I doing you ask? On a mission my friends.

I'll freely admit that I oftentimes do not like waiting around for, well, anything. Not the best trait for sure. And you might think that the older I get, the more patient I'd become, but I can't say that with any real honesty. So it was that when Brent showed me a photo taken in the Stanley Park forest, he also said he'd take me there late in the week. What? Me wait around for that? I don't think so!

My sister Carol frequently rails against technology, however, while I don't like all things tech, I do love a good Google search that will lead me to most anything I want to learn about. In this case, it was a tree sculpture. Studying the information, I took off walking around 8 in the morning, heading down Beach where I pass many beautiful gardens.

The hydrangeas! Prolific bloomers as I've come to expect. As are the above daisies, and the roses. Oh how I wish I were able to convey how fantastic they are.

Finally temperatures are in the low 70's, making me thirsty, so I stopped for a drink as I entered the park. Well hello ladybug!

One of several crawling around. Rarely do I see ladybugs at home so it has been a real delight seeing so many of them. I can't say as I will miss the crows though after the divebombing I took that day, and if you didn't see the map I posted earlier, take a look and you will see I am not alone.

Entering the park in the usual way, I walked beneath what are probably some of the last remaining Dogwood in bloom. This one is so neat because I believe the flowers begin life as white and become pink before they decline.

With my very worn map of the park in hand, I entered the forest.

With filtered sunlight streaming through the trees, the crunch of the gravel beneath my shoes, and bird song keeping me company, I followed the Rawlings trail until I came to Bridle trail, scanning the forest. Not seeing what I was looking for, I kept going and going, marveling at all that I saw.

Here are the roots of a fallen tree that is really not adequate, but it will have to do.

Talk about texture, oh my. I kept walking and walking, finally coming to a clearing and what I'd hoped was a bathroom. No such luck. So, now where was I? Studying the map, I discovered I wan't too far from a place that Dale had been hounding me to visit. Siwash Rock, a local landmark, my last visit detailed here, can be viewed from above and he insisted I had to see it for myself. Okay, how do I get there? Keep walking is how.

With the volume of trees I'd just passed, it is hard to imagine that this happened nearly 12 years ago.

10,000 trees! Right about now might be a good time to mention that walking in the forest here is nothing like at home because, while there may be some mosquitos I did not enounter, their numbers must be small. What a relief for a gal who is so sensitive to bites. How big are some of the leaves? Bigger than my foot, that's how big.

By now I was walking on a real sidewalk alongside one of the major park roadways, eventually coming to a sign for the rock.

Just an awesome cloud because I feel like it.

Okay, taking the turn, back into the forest, I went one way because the signage was somewhat limited. Not the right way however. Turning around, I came across a couple that were also on the wrong path. Consulting the map on her phone, she led the way.

Visiting from Rochester, New York, they were packing in as many activities as possible during their trip. I wonder how this view will rate once they go home?

Way above the seawall, the view was glorious. Or, at least in my book.

Seeing it from above, it becomes clear just why the bike traffic is one way on the seawall. As to the rock, mostly the trees blocked the view although it was totally worth the trip. Retracing my steps, hoping to find the sculpture, I did not. What I did do is take the bus home from English Bay as it was nearly noon and well, I was a bit tired. Plus, I knew I'd be walking later on as I had my teeth cleaning appointment across the city. So, that is how I racked up the miles that day.

I took a break from sightseeing the following day, doing some errands, when I came across this Canna Lily in such a beautiful hue. Our Mom was a big lover of this flower, although she probably had never seen one like this before.

With my teeth cleaned, my next appointment was for the doctor's office for my ears which are prone to filling with fluid. And while it has been bugging me for some time,  I figured that with our upcoming journey through the Rockies, the elevation might make for an uncomfortable experience. As well, unlike the last time it happened, I immediately recognized that a urinary tract infection was brewing inside. Correct on both accounts. On my way to get the prescriptions filled, look what I came across. So vibrant!

If it is not one festival it is another during the summer months. And the sunsets, whoa! A nightly show as the sun falls behind the mountains.

After having failed on my first mission, I was keen, after doing another Google search, to find the sculpture. Following a lovely chat with Dale and Jackie, I began walking, this time not entirely sure if I was up for it, however, once walking along the seawall, well, you see where this is going. Of course, along the way things drew my attention including this molting seagull.

More cool succulents beachside!

Try your hand in figuring out what caught my attention in this shot.

Kind of like one of those "I Spy" books, the young Starling kept hopping amongst the rocks, and in the above instance, was calling for food which one of the parents soon took care of.

In the very Canadian shot below, some geese make their way to the water.

As it turned out my friends, although I first went the wrong way, turning back around I eventually spotted it in this area. See anything?

Of course you don't because you don't know what I know. That is until now...

Success at last! Called "Two Spirits", apparently it was carved by an unknown artist in the mid 90's, while one of the faces is nearly gone, it is STUNNING in person.

Running my hands over the smooth wood, I was, once again, overjoyed that we have been able to spend this year in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. Am I right in thinking that you've also been happy to have toured it with us?

your friend,

Gail

I've Been Out Walking

Because Bruce had been mostly home for three days, when he went to the office early Monday morning, I felt a little out of sync. In spite of the fact that it was gray and gloomy, instead of just sitting at home, I decided to take a walk. My plan was to walk along the seawall, up Denman Street and over to Robson to have my glasses tightened up a bit. I never did make it to the glasses store.

I am like a kid in a candy store, I just can't get enough of the autumn colors! Although I did my best to edit down the amount of photographs in this post, it wasn't easy as there are just so many things that cause me to put my camera up to my face. Seriously, I just can't help it.

Even the gloomy weather does not stop folks from getting out on the water.

On a gray day the beaches somehow seem a little more appealing than they did during the summer. I'm now accustomed to the big logs on the beach, and truth be told, it really is a brilliant idea, giving folks a place to sit without having to bring along chairs. Then there are the plentiful seagulls who have found resting spots on the rocks.

This fellow was gathering stones to make his own inukshuk, adding to all the others folks have made.

Whatever the weather, folks are strolling along the seawall.

The red tree in the distance caught my attention, however, I thought to myself, Gail, that's a little too far out of the way, so stick to your plan. Ha ha...as you will soon see, I did not listen to myself.

I did turn onto Denman Street, however, I then began wondering if all the side streets ended at  the water. Obviously, I did not consult the map inside my backpack, instead,  just kept shooting pictures, walking down whatever street caught my fancy. Seeing the yellow trees from one street, I took a little pathway over to Barclay, a street I'd yet to explore.

Following the lovely residential street, I came across some stone steps at the end. Continuing down the steps, lo and behold, I found myself in Stanley Park!

Although I saw the sign stating it was Stanley Park Lost Lagoon, I still asked a woman who was sitting on a park bench. Her husband arrived and I suppose, seeing my camera, they felt comfortable asking if I would take their photo under the lovely trees. Why, I'd be happy to! Instead of going back up those steps, I took the man's advice, continuing along the pathway. He mentioned a lovely bridge, which I saw. He did not mention the ducks and raccoons I saw in a pond. See how good I'm being, no shots of either!

Holy Cow is the park beautiful this time of year, with towering trees filled with yellow, orange, and red leaves. An autumn wonderland. I passed Second Beach, a rhododendron garden, as well as hoards of high school students, presumably on a field trip. I followed the path along the sea,

eventually ending up back on Beach and that amazing red tree that I earlier thought looked too far to walk.

Two months ago I could have never walked this far, however I've become accustomed to walking and when there is so much to see, it is a real pleasure. I'd photographed this cool hotel in the summer but wasn't keen on my output. This time, with the burning bush turning all red, I like it much better.

This is one of two women that I'd seen earlier before my detour in the park. Her friend is across the street, where I am, having her picture made amongst the foliage. I saw a lot of that!

My feet were good, having worn the walking shoes Bruce bought me two months ago, however, by the time I got back to the condo it was the middle of the afternoon and I was starving! Plus, Baxter shouldn't be left to his own devices for too long.

They say on a clear day you can see forever, and while that may not always be true, Tuesday it sure was. I've raved about seeing the mountains from the balcony before, but I'm not sure if it gets any better than seeing two snow capped mountains, blue sky and water, plus autumn leaves. What do you think?

Yup, Tuesday was beautiful. It is astonishing how different the temperature feels from Florida. I believe it was in the mid 50's, however, it felt really good, whereas I'd be complaining if I were at home. This day I stuck to my errand which was a trip to DressSew to buy a twin needle for hemming knits. Perhaps you are sick of me going on and on about the layers of a city but I just can't help myself. So much to see and when there is elevation involved it is even more pronounced.

Since it was such a lovely day I decided to go back to where we began this journey, along Coal Harbor, walking past the Pan Pacific where we spent our first few days. This area of town is crawling with tourists and I suspect this is the only part of Vancouver that they see, as was true for me when I was a tourist here.

The difference between then and now is that I know what I am looking at! I had no clue back then that I was looking at Stanley Park and the North Shore, not to mention the infamous Lionsgate bridge.

I'd never made my way all along Coal Harbor before, but now I have.

Making my way back towards home, I was ever so glad there are steps along Jervis Street as it is a steep uphill climb otherwise.

Yet another sunny day yesterday, but it began looking like this which confused me. It was so remarkable looking (photo does not do it justice), that even my next door neighbor was out on his balcony doing the same as I was.

Again, I took to the streets, this time with no plan in mind, however, that changed soon enough. I decided to walk across the Burrard Street bridge that you have seen many times before. Well, then, a lovely view unfolded below. So, the very seawall I walked on earlier in the week from above.

Here was my destination once I crossed over.

Just like back home, Vancouver is made up of neighborhoods, each having their own character. Kitsilano was once known as a "hippie haven." While I saw no hippies during my walk, I did see that it looks like it is a fun place to be.

Again I was parsing things down, not showing you the colorful homes I saw, instead focusing on the parks. I was as pleased as punch when I noticed a Great Blue Heron in the top of this tree. Taking them so for granted at home, as they are so plentiful, it is remarkable finding one here.

Remember that funky sky from earlier, here are the remnants of it about 11 in the morning.

I came across a pond, filled with ducks, and over time Canadian Geese, who then made their way back on shore.

Walking around this pond, I listened to the shrieking crows, who managed to scare away most of the little birds I saw, but not all of them.

As I mentioned in another post, when the weather is good, Vancouver is a gorgeous place to be.

Standing here I had to make a decision whether to take the ferry back across the water, or keep walking. I chose to keep walking. You have seen this rooftop countless times in the sunset photos I've shown you. What both you and I are just learning is that it belongs to the Museum of Vancouver, located in Vanier Park.

How's that for a water feature?

So, where was the seawall going to take me? Granville Island, that's where. Along the way...

The above, my friends is the Burrard Bridge I walked across. Following the path, under the Granville Bridge, there are colorful buildings to go along with the colorful foliage.

On and on she went, Gail that is, finally walking on the other side of the houses on barges you've seen countless times. Called, Seaside Village, there are fourteen adorable homes on the water. Between two of them, you can see "our" park, otherwise known as George Wainborn, and our building. Look up about twenty floors and you'll see our balcony.

Remarkably, there are four days of pure sunshine predicted, so who knows where my feet will take me during that time. Two of those days I'll have my honey with me. I've been told that it rains every single day in November, but wouldn't it be something if that were not the case this year?

It all seems a bit surreal to me at times. How did we get this lucky?

yours truly,

Gail