Go West 'youngish' Man and Woman!

                             October first found us driving to London Airport to hop aboard a

                             Swoosh Airline flight to Vancouver.  Smaller airports are great for 

                             parking and checking in.  Our four 1/2 hour trip took us to

                             Abbotsford airport where Patrick picked us up.  We headed to a

                             fun diner for a catch-up and ketchup and later our capable

                             "chauffeur" dropped us at our hotel.

                                          mighty Mount Baker can be seen everywhere

 

 

 

    Patrick was grateful that we had come out to visit him.  It had been

 

 seven months since Pat's visit to Bayfield so a week together was

 

   welcomed. Patrick has a deep passion for nature and exploring the

 

 outdoors. He works as a guide for war canoe outings with young

 

people in the summer and drives a truck in the other months.

 

Familiar with the best places to hike,  kayak and canoe, 

 

he was the perfect guide for our visit.

                               We bundled up for cold and rain and headed to Point Atkinson on 

                               our first morning.  At British Columbia's heart, are its giant trees and 

                               abundant conifers.  The most common species are Douglas Fir, Western

                               Red Cedar, Hemlock, White Spruce and Lodgepole Pine. The rugged

                               rock faces edging the pathway were softened with lush varieties of ferns 

                               and moss. A few Arbutus trees near the ocean showed off their amazing

                               bark, enhanced and shiny from the rain.  Views over the water were

                               shrouded in mist creating a veiled view of downtown Vancouver

                               looming in the distance.

 

 

                                    an old apple tree invites a view of its scraggly branches

                                 After our long hike we were ready for lunch and Patrick had the

                                 perfect destination in mind.  Most road trips near Vancouver 

                                 involve crossing one of many cable-stayed bridges and we did

                                 so on our way to Vancouver's Granville Island. 

                                                      some folks prefer floating homes

                                                          others rise high in condos

                                    docks/warehouse area holds many shops and studios

                            a cement factory sits in the middle of the food and arts centre of town

 

 silo art work adds whimsy and colour to the drab cement location

                                

 

 

 

shelter from the rain

                                     

                                                   we lunched on superbly fresh "vittles"

 

 fall colours brighten a drab, rainy day

                               Day two was also overcast and cool. Wherever we were headed,

                               our drives provided views of nature's rivers, forests, flora and 

                               agriculture, numerous end-of-season blueberry fields whose green

                               leaves blushed pink and burgundy; unique gates and homes of the

                               wealthy folks' set in scenic, private locations and First Nations

                               artworks which are intrinsic throughout the province.  Sights on 

                               our day trips were always framed by mountains, near or distant.

 

 

 

 

                                                                            triangles

 

some folks cram into busy mountainside communities

 

 

                                                             autumn blueberry bushes

 

 

detail of a large mural under a bridge

frog sculpture in private garden

Lattimer gallery Granville Island

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

                       Plans for day two may appear testosterone-driven but fun was had by all.

                       A visit to Vancouver's 'Bass Pro' was not focused on retail shopping but

                       enjoying the outdoor-activity displays and exhibits of B.C.'s past and

                       present conquests in the wilds..

                           We explored a quiet bay after lunch whose low tide left layers of

                           black kelp tangled around rocks, shells and driftwood.  The ferry

                           from Vancouver Island was docking nearby and a number of seabirds 

                           flew overhead or floated on the calm waters.

                            

 

 

                             

                                        

                        We had our first experience at a shooting range where people go to hone

                        skills, to try out various guns and to have fun.  Security to enter the building

                        and pay for a rental handgun or rifle and ammo is stricter than getting into

                        a departure lounge at the airport.  The patrons were varied but the majority

                        were groups of friends looking for a different experience.  

                           The staff were friendly and great at imparting knowledge and insuring

                           that guests understood the rules and could repeat back the safety measures.

                           After we were "schooled" in the safety room, we put on our ear protectors

                           and entered the range.  An employee is always beside the shooters to oversee

                           the loading of the guns and set the targets.

                          Chris and Patrick both tried out a pistol and a rifle and enjoyed

                          the experience.  I would have joined in but because of my arthritic

                          wrist pain, I declined.  I used a rifle and machine gun on a day trip to

                          CFB Borden during my summer job in high school.  I was 'Private

                          Tindale' at Moss Park Armoury in Toronto for two months, in training 

                          for the Reserves.  But that is another story......

 

As observer and photographer, I had a blast!

 

Our third day of adventure was fairly close to Maple Ridge 

where Patrick lives.  Pitt Marsh and Pitt Lake have a tide and

are therefore brackish.  Patrick knows the area well as he 

guides his canoe trips there.  Our morning was foggy and cool 

   providing an air of mystery across the waters while plants, birds

 and mountains changed form as the mist gradually lifted. 

 

 

 

                      Everyone I know loves Ravens. They are intelligent and friendly, massive 

                      in size and exhibit beautiful form with their scruffy neck feathers.

                      Their amusing calls and quirky squawks, a preference to strut or hop

                      along the ground, soar majestically or perform acrobatic rolls and

                      somersaults give Ravens their ornithology fame.  In British Columbia

                       Ravens are an Indigenous symbol for creation, truth, transformation and 

                       complexity of nature.

 

 

  After driving northwest for an hour, we hiked under trees that were

     clotted with moss growing between rocks covered in masses of ferns

and beside a rushing teal and turquoise river.  Mike Lake, as were

      many old growth forests in B.C.was heavily logged for its giant trees.

    Commercial logging began in the 1820's cutting trees for masts and 

       spars. The early 1900's saw the growth of logging camps to house the 

         workers who sang " I'm a lumberjack and I'm okay. I sleep all night

 and I work all day" (Monty Python)

  

 

Dr. Seuss?

                                    If you live in this forest Thou shalt be covered in moss!

 

 

The cloudy day added atmosphere to the fascinating rain-forest

which could have been used as a setting for a fantasy film, a

murder scene in a horror movie, a dream sequence in a mystery 

or a documentary about the majesty of trees.

 

Tolkien's Fangorn forest?

 

 

                                        pockets of fall-coloured leaves enlivened our grey day

                                      calming mountain river rapids provided sound therapy

                                                 Chris sets up "Clive" the drone, for flight

 

 

   After hiking and exploring a few twisted paths to the Allouette 

 

River,  we arrived at the large expanse of Allouette Lake and

 

   Reservoir encircled by forest and mountains where we relaxed

 

     and listened to  the sounds of nature.  "Golden Ears" twin peaks

 

       so named for their golden glow at sunset, were shrouded in haze.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                      restful sleep came early for both of us that night

 

                              We were lucky to have the weather change for our last days of

                              adventure.  With the sun shining and temperatures warmer, we

                              geared up for a canoe trip on Pitt Lake.  The tide was low as we

                              entered Grant Narrows.  Three adults in a canoe had us running 

                              aground on the sandy riverbed so it was necessary to walk along

                              a few stretches.  The fresh weather allowed crisp views of the

                              mountain sides and focused sights of distant peaks.  Small areas

                              were coloured with fall tinted leaves producing a patchwork quilt

                              effect.  The water was so clear we could see fish, sunken trees and

                              soft green seaweed fashioned by the rushing current.

 

 

 

 

pharaoh being pulled up the Nile

 

St. Christopher claims the sandbar as his own

   

luckily, no Grizzlies joined us for lunch 

                             We stopped on a sandy spit for our shore lunch and as we relaxed, 

                             the tide increased the water levels and made paddling easy for our 

                             journey which ended at the rapids.  The river current assisted our

                             paddle back to the lake and we had one short blast of power when

                             Patrick demanded "ramming speed" as we navigated our way to

                             shore across opposing currents. What a fabulous expedition!

 

 

                                        

                                     Further upstream is the camp where Patrick takes

                                     the canoe groups in summer.  It was a great way to spend 

                                     five hours, especially exploring territory that is so familiar

                                     to Patrick. 

                                     On the way home we stopped at some cranberry fields that

                                     get flooded to harvest the beautiful red berries. A Bald

                                     Eagle atop a power pole watched us intently.  Visiting the 

                                     charming cobalt and crimson field was well timed as 

                                     Thanksgiving was only a few days away and cranberry sauce

                                      is an integral part of that holiday celebration.

                                                    irrigation ditches run between the fields

                                                                  harvesting machines

 

 

 

 

                                               

                                 Friday was Road Trip Day travelling the Sea to Sky Highway

                                 and stopping at LOOKOUT!s and exploring trails along the way.

 

 

Hwy, stop #1 Mount Tantalus dominates the Tantalus Range
 

 

 yellow fall leaves of Larch create glowing pathways on mountainsides

 

 

 

highway view of the scarred face of Stawamas Chief  

Stop # 2

Patrick,'you may run but you can't hide' 

 

 

 

     many BC forests hold amazing old trunks like this one

and many have smaller trees growing up from them

 

 

 

 Shannon Falls are a delicate bridal veil

 

 

 

rock climbing is a popular BC sport; if those climbers were

not wearing brightly coloured back packs, we would never

 have spotted them way up beside the falls

 

 

We stopped for lunch at a vintage diner

where we could look out onto fall leaves and

 mountain residences in Whistler.  Looking for a 

cable car to ride, we passed many mammoth hotels

with gorgeous landscaping and glowing fall trees.

Artistic banners of local wildlife decorated the lamp posts.

Our mountain views remained at ground level as the cable

 cars were closed for maintenance.

 

 

gondola

inspired banners decorate Whistler's lampposts

 

 

 

educational displays inform guests about their visit

 

 

 

 

glossy green foliage hugged the forest rocks creating a carpet of

 numerous shades of green that rippled with sunlight and shadows

                        Brandywine Falls look blue because of the deep, dark canyon they descend

                                                           another view of Brandywine

  

Black Tusk

 

 

 perfect square for a quilt

 

Heading home we stopped in Squamish where we checked

   out some boats, then watched the sun setting over the bay. A

       few kayaks and paddle boats headed back to dock before dark. 

      They looked so tiny in proportion to the immense scale of the 

   looming mountains as well as the huge expanse of water. We

 caught a few glimpses through the trees along the highway 

as we made our way back south.

Stawamas Chief is visible everywhere in Squamish

 

 

                                       

                                                                                         
                                                 

 

old gold at the golden hour

 

 

 

 Squamish yacht club

nature and humanity in perspective

 

 

 

 

light play and reflections

 

 

 

Vancouver ferry

back to Vancouver

 

 

 

 

We began our final day, chilling beside the Fraser River where log 

booms are a common site.  It was so relaxing watching the river's 

      reflections, boats passing by, gulls and geese floating along, seaplanes

      flying over, salmon jumping and even a couple of seals bobbing along.

 

 

 

 

  

 

We picked up lunch and stopped at a beautiful park to eat before

we drove on to an amazing Frisbee-golf course.  There are many

       around B.C. in gorgeous settings and they are totally free of charge.  

With a few tips from Patrick, who is quite proficient at the sport,

   Chris enjoyed the course even with the handicap of the giant trees

blocking all the fairways.  I enjoyed the walk and photography. 

disc golf pole #3

Our final stop was the Stave Powerhouse where we had a great view of the

      sunset's effects on Stave Lake, golden fall leaves and mountains.  Boaters

 were heading in from their day trips and were towing fishing and pleasure 

boats out of the lake to tow home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We finished our evening over a Thanksgiving turkey dinner

 in a local restaurant.

 Hugs and goodbyes followed as we

 headed in to our hotel to pack for our morning flight home.  

Thanks to Patrick for our wonderful week!