Some Firsts

It is 51 degrees this morning. Yup. My Florida readers are probably jealous of that temperature. Then again, maybe not. I had always been told by Bruce that temperatures that we find cold in the South, don't feel the same in the North, and by golly, he's right. A sweater will suffice, that is until it begins raining, but I'm not going anywhere today if I can help it because, frankly, my body is a mess. But, we'll get to that shortly.

I USED TRANSIT LAST WEEK!! Twice no less. What have I been waiting for, you ask? I thought it would be much more difficult than it actually is. In fact, I even loaded my Compass card all by myself which also proved to be far easier than I was imagining. SCORE!

Where did I go on transit? Queen Elizabeth Park, a place I had read about several years ago but didn't have time to visit when I was a tourist. Now, I have no excuse. Although it isn't very far, it is more than I can walk without dying. Dramatic, yes, truth, another affirmative.

The Yaletown Roundhouse station is but four or so blocks away, so gathering my confidence, I walked down the flights of stairs, found my platform, with the train arriving within minutes. And off we went with my stop being W. King Edward.

The train will take you all the way to the airport in the Southern route and to Waterfront Station in the more Northern route. Loads of you know, or have seen, Waterfront Station as it is quite near the cruise ship ports. Coming up out of a transit station is always interesting unless you have done it many times before. In this instance, I knew I needed to head S. so using Beth's advice to look to the mountains as North I began my walk along Cambie Street. I must have looked full of confidence because a young couple asked me directions to the park! Telling them I was going there myself we began walking together and what a joy that turned out to be. Finnish newlyweds who are traveling for three months in North America as their honeymoon, they were friendly, and with the aid of his phone we made our way to the park with ease.

Once we got through the huge tree portion we were delighted to come to this beautiful spot.

We walked up the slope to a lovely bridge overlook.

Then we turned our attention to finding the spot that overlooks the city. We came to this place which was great, but I knew there must be another spot that was better, mostly because I had already looked up images from the park.

Amazingly enough, we had the same Olympus OMD!! We traded lenses for a few photographs! He used my zoom lens, and I used their fast lens to take a photograph of the two of them. Their packs look so good because they have only just begun their journey earlier in the week.

After having a lovely chat fest, we parted ways as they were going to the Biosphere, and I needed to use the restroom, a continuing theme you may have noticed. Once that was accomplished I continued my roaming. Voila!

The larger marker describes the garden below, transformed from the rock quarry it once was to a beautiful formal garden that I will visit in the future. As well, the sign on the bottom left was one of about five that described which mountain you were viewing, as well as their elevation. Here's a little closer look using my zoom lens.

For the most part you see the vast majority of folks using their phones instead of a formal camera.

My wandering continued; this scene totally reminded me of Disney! What do you think?

The biosphere contains a tropical rain forest, as well as BIRDS, however, I skipped it on this visit as I'd read somewhere it is a good place to go when the rains begin.  There is a lovely plaza behind the sphere, with a dancing water fountain, as well as an Henry Moore sculpture.

Pretty awesome, right? Here's a primer on the park should you care to know more. Apparently this is a very popular place for weddings, and why not? Gorgeous in every way. This bride had long copper hair on one side, and a shaved head on the other. Wonder what she'll think of that in about twenty years?

Just the other day I was saying to Bruce that Canadians know a lot more about America than is true the reverse. One reason is they have many of our television programs, as well as products, whereas we have almost none of that in America. That said, I knew zero about the politics of Canada, and even less so about their continuing ties to Britain and the Queen. They have not forgotten her though, having named the park after her, and honoring her with this plaque.  For the curious amongst you, here's some info on the relationship of the Queen with Canada.

After another trip to the restroom, and I meandered on. As I mentioned, this former rock quarry was mined, if you will, for rock to build the streets of Vancouver in the 1930's, until such time as this man had a vision.

Aside from the pits and grades, you would never know that it had a former life. Love in the Rain is the name of this art piece placed here in 2016.

Some folks just don't read the signs, or so it seems, as there are clear instructions NOT to attach the locks to the umbrellas.

Here is the lovely bridge I mentioned earlier. See it in the distance?

There is a waterfall,

and another plaque. Have you ever heard of this brave man before? I had not. It makes you wonder how many folks did the same that have not gained notoriety.

One of the best pieces of sculpture is back on the cityscape summit. So clever! Called Photo Session, it was a gift to the park in 1984.

I will say, they may have plaques, but not quite enough directional signage for me, as I began wondering how best to get back to Cambie Street. While looking for some to ask directions,  I came across something that I have seen once before but could not get much of a shot of; a black squirrel is in the tree on the left. I think this is just the second squirrel I've seen while being here. Sort of like birds, mostly hidden I suppose.

If you can imagine, once I found my way to the street, beginning the few blocks back to the transit station, who should I meet up with but the Finnish couple! It was nice having company on the journey back towards home. They were headed to Waterfront Station where they would be catching a train to Seattle for the next part of their adventure.

It all sounds pretty glamorous and care free doesn't it? Some of it has been, but there have been struggles which I will just touch on as I know you've probably read quite enough.

• I have a cold sore for the first time in years. When you've had a household as long as we have, when things like this happen you are prepared. In this case it meant a walk to the drugstore for medicine that was a little too late to do much good.
• We still have no heating or cooling because the young woman who was to manage this situation relied solely on emails, not following up when she heard nothing. When Bruce's boss came to town I flipped out about it; suffice it to say that Bruce is now handling it, although even he cannot work miracles in Canada. He has been told they have to build it with a time frame of eight weeks! 
• It was only last week that our health insurance was sorted out. Turns out because Bruce is being paid in American dollars, we had to have an international policy which, although should have been sorted out before we got here, was not. Now it is, and that's a good thing.
• I woke up Saturday morning thinking something did not feel right but I carried on. Sunday morning carrying on was not an option. Turns out all those trips I've been making to the bathroom were due to a bladder infection---a first for me, so I didn't connect the dots. Fortunately that walk in clinic is close by and open on Sunday. Bruce drove me there, and within about forty five minutes I had a prescription for an antibiotic that I hope will clear this up. My life will be much easier not having to hunt down a bathroom every forty five minutes or so! 

I wonder if that antibiotic will help my sore feet?

yours truly,

Gail

A Bridge Crossing

Since last I wrote, Hurricane Irma made landfall in our beautiful state of Florida, wreaking havoc in all parts of the state. How weird that I'd taken this photo just last week, returning from picking up Bruce's boots from the shoe repair guy on Georgia Street.

In my last post, I expressed frustration with the news coverage, and while people pointed out I could use the internet, unfortunately, that wasn't really much better than the television coverage. Everything kept saying it would first hit Miami and the surrounding cities, and when they didn't happen, it was Tampa/St. Pete, and when that didn't happen, the only way I learned it was heading straight to Orlando was from Facebook! Bill called, saying their power was out, asking if it were coming their way; it took me quite a while to find a site that showed it was not merely a rumor. What the heck?

Friends and family described a harrowing night with little to no sleep, what with the winds howling, the rain pelting windows, and the sound of trees and their large limbs falling. And, of course, no electricity, which made it even worse. Hurricanes are a given in Florida, however, when they do hit close to home, just when you think you are mentally and physically prepared, it is still a shock to the systme. As I type this, both of our sons have power once again; a real blessing as others are still waiting. This morning I heard from Regina and as was the case with Hurricane Charley, our house, well, what was our house, took the worst of it. Something about having a corner lot seems to attract the neighborhood debris. She also said two giant limbs fell from the front yard oak, barely missing the bedroom window! The staghorn fern is still in place.  I do not miss the clean up I can tell you that much. Bill worked for seven straight hours cleaning up his yard and pool in the broiling heat of Monday. I'm so thrilled they now have air conditioning again!

We were nervous, Sunday morning, on our walk to church, wondering what was happening in Florida. The service provided a calm relief. Afterwards we went to lunch at Joey on Burrard, a few blocks from the church.

The Fuller family is made up of four brothers, three of whom are in the restaurant business. Their holdings are Cactus Club, Earls, and Joey. I know my sister Nancy is much like me, wanting to know more, so I'm including this link to an article about Stan Fuller who owns Earls.

Lunch was yummy and to walk it off, I showed Bruce a few of the places I'd discovered during the week. I am learning first hand that when it is sunny and warm, it is best to be outdoors. We've had a few of the gray days the city is known for, and I will definitely be in for an adjustment period.

Rooftop bars and restaurants are not uncommon here.

We walked back home through the lovely West End..

Here is a color combination you don't see much in this city. A darling oasis.

Monday morning dawned bright and sunny, so I decided to tackle the bridge. The Granville bridge that I've looked at every single day since moving here. Looking at it was way more intimidating than actually walking over it. I'd been thinking it was a long distance, but it was actually really easy, affording great and different views. Just across the street from us, in a diagonal fashion, they are building Vancouver House, what is described on their website as a total work of art. I knew it was going to be sort of twisty and from the bridge I could actually start making it out better than I canfrom the ground.

All of the high rises under construction have huge pits beside them for parking garages, or so we presume. Lots going on down there.

To actually get on the bridge I walked two blocks north to Drake Street and Granville. I began walking, turning around to see what I could see. The North Shore mountains I see at the end of the downtown streets came into better view.

Unlike the Cambie Bridge, there is no separation between the pedestrians and the cars, only an elevated sidewalk, thus, when I tried to take the shot below, it was difficult, but it did tell me the bridge opened when I was just a baby.

The views are grand.

And become even grander as you continue crossing...

This Florida girl cannot get enough of the mountains!

My mission was the Granville Island Public Market, which actually sits under the bridge about halfway across, meaning there is some backtracking to do. I ended up on this street with the helpful sign indicating where to go.

I took the right hand turn as indicated ending up on a street with some serious luxury car showrooms, and I'm talking Lamborghini and McLaren to name just two. I walked until I came to First Street coming across the headquarters for Lululemon, a brand that Vancouverites are very proud of.

I kept walking for a few blocks eventually getting to the market. What I should have done was turn to the left when I got off the bridge. You live and learn. Or, you walk and learn in this case!

I so love the colorful fruit and vegetable stalls. Have you ever seen this shape of grape before? I had not.

Near and dear to a Floridian's heart...the citrus section. Note how things like celery are sold by the pound.

I went into the quilting shop on the Island where they display some of their fabric like this:

It is a cute, albeit small shop. Like a complete dummy, I left both my rulers, and cutting mats at home, tools that I really need, however, I won't be buying them there because they are crazy expensive. Bruce will be going to Seattle with some regularity for the next few months, so I'll send him on a buying mission there where it is bound to be less expensive. Or, so I hope.

Being the curious type, I did some exploring. You've seen these guys from afar, here they are a little closer. The plant is non stop busy because this city has some serious concrete needs. Cranes everywhere!

A view towards the condo...

Behind the squatty building in the foreground, my balcony seat is visible.

From that balcony seat, I'd seen this flag, but I didn't know the ground it was established in until Monday.

I walked up the hill and now I know what it looks like around the corner that I can't see from the balcony.

When it is a pretty day here, it is a pretty day. I know that sound crazy, but it is the only way I can think of to say it. Good skies, good views, good temperature. When the skies are gray, not so much. We will enjoy the blue together as long as we can, you and I.

I left the market laden with Italian sausages, olives, jalapeno pickles, apples, french bread, and a few bagels from this stall. I did return via the ferry this time but only because I had groceries. I actually talked to a woman from Houston while waiting for the ferry...as you can imagine, she said it was indescribable living through Hurricane Harvey. Those poor folks are still living with havoc, aren't they?

Oh geez....it's another awesome sky!

The fellow at the quilt shop gave me some good information about the transit card, called a Compass Card. He told me I could buy it at my new fave, Shopper's Drug Mart, and so I did, intending to use it yesterday to go further afield. Except the day began gloomy. Today the same happened, but the clouds are breaking up right about now. I can't wait to show you where I go next.

Until we meet again.

yours truly,

Gail

Sky High

It has been one hell of a summer in North America, hasn't it? Earthquakes, hurricanes, torrential rain, and if you live in this part of the country, wildfires burning out of control. I suppose it boils down to one part of our continent has too much water, and one doesn't have enough.

If you live on the twentieth floor of a high rise, you tend to notice the sky. Or, at least I do. I marvel at the changes on a daily basis. Smoke from wildfires in both Oregon and Washington State traveled north and once again have blanketed the city, turning the sun an eerie shade of reddish orange.

Every now and again, the sun would peep from behind the haze and clouds, shimmering orange on the water.

Thinking of my favorite color, many of the high rises use orange as an accent color and rightly so. It adds pizazz!

Not only was the dreariness from the smoke, but a little rain has fallen. Still not enough to wash away that pee smell, but it sure emptied out the park. The tiniest bit of sun shimmers on half of the fountain water.

Closer to the ground, I've been either shopping or cooking. Products in the stores often have a different name than we are accustomed to, made by the same manufacturer though. In this instance, neither of us even noticed that Ritz are not a Nabisco product here. And then we did.

One day I bit the bullet and bought a bunch of groceries at once; if you can imagine, all of this fit into my rolling cart. Thank God for that.

Along Seymour, the street I travel to get to Nesters, the grocery store, I've seen the marquee for this nightclub on numerous occasions, however, it wasn't until this week that I stopped and read the sign which proved very interesting indeed.

I'm sure you can't read it if you are reading this on a phone, but it details how the likes of all kinds of celebrities, including one of my Dad's favorites, Ella Fitzgerald, frequented the club. Count me super surprised that they haven't torn it down yet like so much of the past.

One day it was so smoky even I did not want to roam around. Instead, the sewing machine emerged from the closet and in this makeshift fashion, I finished the quilting on the scrappy quilt I'd brought with us.

The binding went on and I'm about half way through doing the hand sewing. I'm thinking I wish I had more hand sewing to do as I have no doubt there will be upcoming days that I won't want to roam around and I'll need something to keep me occupied.

Thursday I decided to head back to the fabric store, taking a circuitous route down Burrard to West Hastings, and I'm delighted I did. Bruce brought me home some new walking shoes from REI in Seattle which are going to make it easier in the future for me to walk so far. My legs never tire, but the bottoms of my feet sure do hurt. Anyway, wearing the new shoes, I saw this adorable shop, cheery enough to brighten any gray day!

Further, nearly all of the flowers in the community garden are spent, or nearly so, except this gigantic dahlia. So big, I thought I'd show my hand next to it for context. Gorgeous color too.

At some point I ended up on Butte Street, one I'd never been on before, coming across this pretty.

Water feature and Chihuly? What's not to like? Apparently it is lit up at night which sounds very appealing indeed.

Not far from there, a little more of the past.

And then this lovely building..

Turning right onto West Hastings, that is one street that changes as you go East, and do I mean change. W. Hastings is filled with spiffy buildings, but when you get to the Eastside, watch out! There are nearly 3,000 homeless people here and a good many of them are on E. Hastings. I, however, did not go that far, and don't intend to in the future.

So, I'm walking along, noticing everything, when I see a sign for Vancouver Pen Shop. So what? Here's what...Mr. Bruce uses a Rotring mechanical pencil, in fact, he rarely uses a pen. Go on Gail.....well, he discovered he did not bring any erasers with him from Florida so we did all kinds of internet sleuthing last weekend in search of that type of eraser with no luck. Amazingly, the woman said she had some if I knew his model type. My call went unanswered as he was in a meeting. I got the store hours and went on my way, spending about an hour at the fabric store with some of that time spent talking with a Canadian woman about my age. Bruce returned my call while I was in the store, and I gave him the details of the shop location.

Making my way home, via Richards, who should I run into on the street but Bruce! Unplanned for sure! He'd misunderstood my directions and thought it was past Richards when in fact it was before Richards on W. Hastings. His route would have been Seymour Street had I made myself clear enough. Crazy, right? I walked him back to the store, and while he and the proprietor were conducting their business, I walked through an open door onto this beautiful scene.

Lest you think someone threw a bunch of paper down on the ground, those are white tiles. The above photograph does not do the former bank building justice. I must return for better shots, if only for myself.

The sky yesterday was gloomy and smoky. Think back to those beautiful views, with the blue, sparkly water; quite the unwelcome contrast!

We are both anxiously awaiting any news from Florida where the sky probably looks very similar. I can't tell you how hard it is being away from everyone at times like these. I'm not worried about our condo, however, the same cannot be said for my better half. David secured everything and now the MINI is under cover, with hopefully no trees above it. Unfortunately, we cannot find any world news channels here, so the little snippets from the Seattle station have had to suffice. Of course there is the internet, but in words I thought I would never utter, I miss the Orlando local news, at least in this instance. Are they still saying "hunker down" in every other sentence? It is the waiting that is so hard, isn't it? Back in 2004 when Hurricane Charley came to town, we barely knew it was coming, which may have been better. Whether we knew it was on the way or not, the tree would have still fallen on our house and the debris cover our yard. Sometimes we know too much for our own good.

yours truly,

Gail