Day 5

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July 30^th, 2013

Having a car means a little more freedom to get out and explore further afield. Added to the fact that the weather is still so good we decided it had to be the local mountains again.

It’s always a good weather day in Vancouver when you can actually see the mountains but this recent weather has been something else. Apparently Vancouver is set to break a 60-year-old record for most consecutive days of sunshine and it’s looking very likely that it will have had no rain for the whole month of July.

So we head out to Cypress Mountain and hike up Black Mountain. At an elevation gain of 360m it isn’t quite Grouse Grind but it’s a bit longer at 5.1km. It’s beautiful at the top as not only do you get the fantastic views of Howe Sound, Vancouver and a great view of the two impressive mountain peaks known as the Lions but you also have the mountain top lakes and the beautiful alpine plateaus.

We overcome the temptation to throw ourselves into Cabin Lake, although some people were, but it appears the black flies are even more attracted to those in the water than those out. Certainly the flies were persistent but not enough to distract from the fabulous views and that gorgeous smell of pine we’ve come to associate with the Canadian Wilderness.

We tag the easy 2km Yew Lake Trail on at the end, mainly because it takes you around the lovely Yew Lake and is particularly significant to us as we have pictures of us at one of the lake side picnic tables taken on our family trip 5 years ago. More pictures are of course taken before moving on.

Leaving Cypress at 5pm we knew we were asking for trouble crossing Lions Gate Bridge back into downtown and sure enough we crawled through traffic until we were actually on the bridge. With 2 lanes of traffic coming from West Vancouver and 2 lanes from North Vancouver, all needing to condense into one lane it’s amazing we get across at all. But in fine Vancouver form each lane merges perfectly with the next until one lane takes us over the bridge and through Stanley Park.

Later that evening, once again we make the most of a perfect evening and as the sun sets over English Bay, Steve and Sam roller blade and Matthew and I jog about 3 km along the seawall before returning home again. So many people out and about; cycling, walking, skating, running, that it seems perfectly natural to be exercising with them. It’s little wonder that, on the whole, Vancouverites are so fit and slim.

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Photos

Cabin Lake on Black Moutain
Tempting but no...

On top of Black Mountain
Taking a photo of the impressive Lions

Comments

[Suzanne]

Your Travels
Hello from a Wet UK, I am pleased to hear you have arrived safetly and the weather is good. It sounds like you have not stopped since you arrived. But is sounds lovely, very jealous. It's lovely to read your blogg on here and hear all about where you have been and what you are doing. It sounds as if you are having lots of exercise. From the pictures it looks amazing. I hope you enjoy the rest of your travels. Love Suz x

[thebakers]

Thanks, Suzanne! I gather the weather in the UK is somewhat changeable! I'm hearing rain one minute, blistering heat the next. Ours wasn't quite as good today - bit of cloud with the sun - whatever next! Rain still pretty much holding off though. For now. I need to post another blog but now I must go to bed! Say hi to the family for me. xxxx