Blogs from North Vancouver, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, North America - page 8

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 their dust. For this, they have earned the nickname "Mountain Goat". I was glad to have another friend who was not as keen to race up the hill and together through many breaks and photographs of proof that we did this we made it to the top! Now the average person does this in about an hour ... read more

Seattle and Vancouver are separated by a journey of around 4 hours. Negotiating the border between the USA and Canada was trouble-free and we were soon staring at the looming skyline of downtown Vancouver. Our Greyhound disgorged its passengers at the central bus terminal just outside downtown and so we once more slipped on our weighty packs and set-off for an easier route into town and our hotel. We caught the sky rail train into town which wormed its way to one end of Vancouver. The main downtown area is perched on a peninsular and surrounded by water on all sides. Like all cities in this part of the world a grid system was in place making getting around and navigation quite easy. We eventually found our hotel and wasted no time in discovering the delights ... read more

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 get my strength back. Mmmm not bad for a sixty year old I tell myself. Oh well, another day another mountain.... read more

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.... read more

I'm not really sure why I am typing this. I'd rather be outside or reading Purple Hibiscus. Thats what I shall do.... read more