http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/British-Columbia/Vancouver/North-Vancouver/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from North America , Canada , British Columbia , Vancouver , North Vancouver en-us Mon, 04 Jan 2010 02:55:56 +0000 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 02:55:56 +0000 A fun day trip with Tina and Lachlan at Grouse Mountain about an hour and a half from home. We will definitely come back during the winter but the summer activities included some nice walks chairlift action some mediocre films about the mountain's history and a couple of very cute grizzly bears. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/British-Columbia/Vancouver/North-Vancouver/blog-446257.html On October 1st I left Vancouver to take the ferry to Vancouver Island. On my way to the ferry I made a visit to Lynn Canyon. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/British-Columbia/Vancouver/North-Vancouver/blog-445688.html Grouse Mountain is the location of a very popular hiking trail known as the Grouse Grind. It is an extremely steep and mountainous trail that climbs 853 m 2799 ft over a distance of 2.9 km 2 mi with an average grade of 30 degrees. The trail nicknamed Mother Nature's Stairmaster is notoriously gruelling due to its steepness and mountainous terrain. Hikers who often time themselves on the http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/British-Columbia/Vancouver/North-Vancouver/blog-444521.html Travelogue Day 2Vancouver British Columbia CanadaHello everyoneFriday September 18 2009 continuedhellipFriday in Vancouver continued for us after we all rested a bit and then went down on to the lovely outside patio overlooking the marina and the pool here at the Westin Bayshore where we played some Euchre and the guys have now taken the overall lead in games 32. Christie and I will h http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/British-Columbia/Vancouver/North-Vancouver/blog-440229.html Day 8 Thursday would be a much easier day than yesterday.Still in Deep Cove I walked the dogs with Kelly in the morning and when we got back the house cleaners were there working hard. They were a young girlpower group of cleaners. Kelly said it was a family business run by Polish immigrants. While they were cleaning Kelly and I went to pick up Cohen from his Summer School and had lunch at http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/British-Columbia/Vancouver/North-Vancouver/blog-431954.html Day 5 Monday was a glorious day in Deep Cove Deep blue skies and a slight wind. Great for some watersports.So Aunt Kelly and I took out the 2 man outrigger canoe for a spin. My outrigger experience in Australia put me in good stead to paddle with her. She is a great paddler and said that I was doing pretty well. After a spot of lunch out on the deck Kelly took me up to Corey rock which is http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/British-Columbia/Vancouver/North-Vancouver/blog-431456.html Today is Sunday. I drove for the first time on the other side of the road today. It was a bit of a funny feeling but I got to my destination unscathed. I had to drive my grandmother to Church this morning. It's only about 5 minutes away but still involved a few turns that needed to be negotiated. It's just a one off thing as my uncle couldn't do it today so I'm off the hook for the rest of http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/British-Columbia/Vancouver/North-Vancouver/blog-430610.html The beautiful little village of Deep Cove is a hidden treasure at the entrance to Indian Arm off Burrard Inlet on the North shore of Vancouver. Go there to hike kayak canoe bike or relax at the beach. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/British-Columbia/Vancouver/North-Vancouver/blog-420174.html Temp 59F 15C rainingToday was a late start. Had the best night sleep thanks to my ear plugs which cut out all the lovely sirens Karen had all night Got up and met Soph around 11. We went out to the Chinese Gardens and BC stadium then headed back to meet up with her friend Jess before we all headed out to Stanley Park to the Aquarium. We saved ourselves about 30 to get in as another of h http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/British-Columbia/Vancouver/North-Vancouver/blog-416284.html Temp 59F 15C big difference to VegasHello from CanadaSoooo it was an interesting start to our Canada visit. Firstly the taxi drivers here no good Secondly we arrived at our Hostel last night at about 1130pm only be told oh really i don't have a booking for you. Thankfully id printed out the email so the guy gave us someone elses room who hadn't yet arrived and said he'd sort tha http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/British-Columbia/Vancouver/North-Vancouver/blog-416033.html GROUSE GRIND Now I hear that people run up this all of the time however for me I believe that this was one of the most physically enduring activities I have overcome. I am proud of this one. I climbed the Grouse Mountain in Vancouver and boy oh boy was it ever challenging. We started out in a group of four and about 20 minutes up the other two were flying up the hill leaving Sheri and I in th http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/British-Columbia/Vancouver/North-Vancouver/blog-408626.html Just a quick note from Vancouver Airport as we wait on our flight to LA.Yesterday Sunday we spent the day on Granville Island where they have markets arts and crafts. Tish bought a new bag for work and play which is made out of cork See how long that lasts We then took the sea bus to North Vancouver and a bus to the greater outer Vancouver regions to get a perspective on metropolitan living. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/British-Columbia/Vancouver/North-Vancouver/blog-386203.html So we arrived in Vancouver after a marathon flight that stopped in Auckland for a few hours. We had read up about the typical weather in Vancouver that time of year and found out that cold rain rain and more rain is the norm. But guess what when we got to Van it was actually sunny and warm. Beautiful. We were immediately excited to go exploring in the morning we had Stanley Park the aquarium http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/British-Columbia/Vancouver/North-Vancouver/blog-384351.html This winter in North America has been so white even Vancouver had snow. But they're not used to it. Even the locals say that. Other cities get right into gear when it snows and get the snowploughs out and people clear the footpaths. But in Vancouver they are not prepared. Some roads are cleared but the footpaths are still covered in snow. And then it warms up and rains so it turns to slush. Th http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/British-Columbia/Vancouver/North-Vancouver/blog-360576.html The sun is out and we set off to climb Grouse Mountain. Puff puff really hard work. It's an 800 metre climb over snow turning to ice on a narrow and very steep trail. I wonder how many cardiac arrests there have been on this trail. More huffing and puffing and finally the chalet comes into view. It's very cold and I am dripping with perspiration. Into the warm and a coffee and donut await while I http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/British-Columbia/Vancouver/North-Vancouver/blog-353990.html Our first days were very busy and it didnrsquot help that I had picked up a bug that put me out of action for 24 hours. There was a lot of running around getting the boys organized and we saw quite a lot of the heavy downtown traffic. We did manage a walk in the rain through part of Stanley Park. Stanley Park is thickly forested and stands on a promontory out from the downtown area of Vancouver. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/British-Columbia/Vancouver/North-Vancouver/blog-353760.html Well here we are and it's not a bit sunny. It's been a bit hectic so far getting Silas organised for his part of the trip. We are staying with our friend Morna in North Vancouver. She's looking after us splendidly well. I'll get some pictures organised soon. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/British-Columbia/Vancouver/North-Vancouver/blog-352889.html I'm not really sure why I am typing this. I'd rather be outside or reading Purple Hibiscus. Thats what I shall do. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/British-Columbia/Vancouver/North-Vancouver/blog-326383.html For the last 2 weeks I've been in Canada. It was a thrill to go from the busy streets of New York to the beautiful country. In motor home number 3 we went to lots of places and had a wonderful time.Our first stop was Banff. The first day was too cold to go anywhere so we decided to stay indoors and keep warm.The second day was started by going to the Banff Information Centre. We watched a short http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/British-Columbia/Vancouver/North-Vancouver/blog-325735.html Ui Nei nur noch eine Woche So schnell geht die Zeit vorbei... Wir sind bereits wieder bei Urs und Lydia in Vancouver Nicht das es schlecht waere im Gegenteil einmal mehr haben Urs und Lydia uns ganz herzlich empfangen und ich freue mich auch schon auf die letzte Woch die wir in Vancouver haben.Nur wenn ich schreibe letzte Woche dann laeuft es mir kalt den Ruecken herunter...Aber am besten is http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/British-Columbia/Vancouver/North-Vancouver/blog-324989.html