Vancouver-2025

 

Photos: https://link.shutterfly.com/HLx2Z6YNSRb

              Vancouver, the jewel of British Columbia. If I were to choose a city in Canada to live, it would be Victoria. A mild climate on the coast with beaches yet, surrounded by gorgeous mountains and nearby   skiing or summer hiking. Their towering western cedars, Douglas firs, and diverse conifers enlist serenity and awe. So many G.O.A.T.S., Great Old Amazing Trees, a name awarded after reaching five hundred years. Pacific Firs that stand two hundred feet in height and 8’ in diameter. Vancouver has 180 miles of bike lanes, often with barriers from vehicular traffic and dedicated stop lights for cyclists. It is a pleasure to cycle in a city so welcoming to cyclists.

              Four days in Vancouver after my Whistler ski trip, I explored two of the days via bike. In March, many tourist attractions are not yet open. The temperatures were in the 40’s and damp. Afterall, it is a temperate rainforest.

              Vancouver is diverse, a gateway to the rest of the world. At last, they have learned to live together in acceptance. In the 1800’s when the railway across Canada was constructed, 4,000 Chinese lost their lives. One for each of the 4,000 miles. After the Japanese attacked the U.S.at Pearl Harbor, Canada herded the Japanese east of the Rocky Mountains and interred them in primitive encampments. Many were held for a year after the end of WWII. It was four years before they could return to western Canada. Now they are accepted as a viable part of the community.

              Stanley Park is a humongous 1,000-acre park, larger than Central Park in NYC. A green oasis with scenic views of the water and mountains along their famous seawall for cycling or walking. Art throughout the city. Their first large scale mural was six concrete silos, 70’ tall requiring 14,000 cans of spray paint. Dining options are diverse and prolific. Known as the luxury car capital of North America possessing every luxury car showroom known to man. Showrooms congregate in one area for ease in shopping.

              The most memorable sight was the Capilano suspension bridge. First built in 1889 and modified multiple times, the bridge swings 230’ above the Capilano River. That would be the shoulder height of our Statue of Liberty. At 450’ it is longer than two Boeing 747s placed wingtip to wingtip. Held by two thick steel cables, it can support ninety-six elephants or 200,000 pounds.