Grouse Mountain

Breakfast was a culinary delight this morning, served by our host, who was originally from Aberdeen, in a kilt! Not a patterned one, just plain.  Granola with plain yogurt, warm peaches poached in a red wine sauce (an alcoholic breakfast dish I hear you say?) and Portobello mushrooms with polenta and other accompaniments, depending on your dietary requirements. All very tastefully presented.

The house is in the Arts and Crafts style, and although old is very charming and comfortable.  Around the breakfast table were people from various countries - four Germans, two Austrian, two Chinese, an American and us, which made for some interesting conversation. The gentleman from California had come over for his uncle's 90th birthday party (we'd met his sister from Australia last night and her husband who was French). Coincidentally the uncle who lived in Canada was originally from Porthcawl - actually lived in Danygraig- and ran a toy shop called Hockings until 1960s or 70s. 

We were told it was best to leave Grouse Mountain until this morning as it was expensive, but there would be lots to do, and we had quite few hours to burn before our flight to New Zealand. So off we set, leaving case and bags to be picked up later.  As it was our last day in Canada we decided to fritter our money on 'The Ultimate Experience Ticket', which included the Skyride Gondola to the plateau area, the ski lift ride to the top of the mountain (4039ft), and entry to the 'Eye of the Wind'- a lift up to the top of a wind turbine to reach a viewing platform at about 60m above the ground. The ticket did not include any Grouse Mountain Zipline Rides (thank goodness). 

The Skyride was a large gondola and totally enclosed, and even came with a driver (but with too many people in it for our liking!).  It took 7min to reach the plateau.  

 

The journey up in the Skyride gondola.

At the plateau level, Vancouver in the distance behind Eric. 

The car park had been full of people in running kit and we wondered what they were doing, turned out it was a charity'run' up the Grouse Grind (Mother Nature's  Stairmaster). It's only 2.9km in length but has a 853m elevation gain.  Rather them than me.  

Mad people running up mountain reach plateau level to loud whoops and cheers.

There was also an opportunity to partake in some open air yoga!

Joined a ('free') guided Ecowalk.  The gentleman arrived, looked at his watch and said he couldn't start for 23 seconds (it was supposed to start at 11am prompt, and that's exactly what he was going to do).  It was an easy 45min trail and he came out with some interesting facts, was willing and mostly able to answer questions, but not sure whether he was just cynical or had done it so many times that it'd bored him.  Probably the latter as he was far more engaged when people were asking him questions. There were several wood carvings of animals - none of which lived on the mountain - even the wood they were carved out of didn't come from the forest there!  He pointed out where the black bears had been (ripped tree roots, half eaten Horsetails); why the Squirrels and Least Chipmunk scurried away so quickly here (Great Horned Owl is top predator, plus peregrines, weasels and pine marten); 

A Douglas Squirrel.

...the different types of trees; showed us how high the snow was last year (4m thick at least); and also appeared to be very good on bird songs/calls - we heard a Yellow-rumped Warbler, and both heard and saw 3 of what he called Pine Siskin.  No photos though. 

The open ski lift to the top of the mountain was another kettle of fish altogether.  

For starters you had to get on it while it was moving; it had no feet rests so they were left dangling; it was much higher than the one we went on at Lake Louise; and it stopped a few times -swaying as it did so.  White knuckles were the order of the day.  

However, the views, both from the plateau and particularly from the top were fantastic -we had a super-hot sunny day. 

We could see 'Mount Baker'and 'The Two Sisters' flanking it, all of which are in the USA and some other snow-capped peaks.  

Our final challenge was to ascend to the 360 degree panoramic viewing platform of the 'Eye of the Wind', via the rather small lift in the wind turbine pedestal. It said it held up to 8 people, but even with two it was crowded. 

For someone who doesn't like confined spaces, going into the lift was difficult, for someone who doesn't like heights, coming out of the lift was a bit scary. Even though the platform is totally enclosed the windows are curved out and it was a really weird sensation.  Even had to hold on to railings as walked around it. One bit of the floor was also see-through.  

The see through floor on the wind turbine platform.

Made sure that no-one else wanted to descend in lift at the same time as us.

Back at plateau level, we saw some grizzly bears.

Have to admit we cheated - these are two orphan bears that live in an enclosure up here.  There aren't even any wild grizzlies on Grouse Mountain. But, at least a safe way to see them.  They weren't related. They were called Grinder and Coola. 

Did spot a 'real' raptor soaring over the chairlift area.

Cue corny music for the lumberjack show. Quite a funny performance. There were two 60ft tree trunks with a platform between them, and the show started with a 'random' person coming along and climbing up one of them. 

 A lady came out and told him to come down immediately, but he threw the rope and spike shoe guard down, then proceeded to act the goat.  

To cut a long story short, eventually he pretended to fall from the top...but of course he was attached to a zip line. 

Time to go and pick up the suitcases, drive over the Lions Gate Bridge

and through Stanley Park on our way to the airport.  How can there be that much traffic in Vancouver on  Sunday.

As you know we made it on time! 

There was a large aquarium tank at the airport that kept Eric amused.

Leaving Vancouver

The last shots as we wait at the airport.

You can just make out Grouse Mountain in the background with wind turbine on top. 

You'll have to wait for the next blog to see the view from the top of it. That's where we were today. 

Returning to Vancouver

Although we had to make our breakfast ourselves today, it was very enjoyable.  The marina was shrouded in fog, which would lift and then return again in a cycle.

Luckily checked Langdale to Horseshoe Bay Ferry times again and found we had downloaded the one to Sept 1 instead of from 2 Sept.  Ferry leaves at 10:25 not 10:50, but no problem. A short and easy drive later we are waiting in line and the ferry is late.  There's no charge from the Langdale side for this journey - good stuff.  The mountains in the distance are partly shrouded in fog, and we can hear the ferry approaching before we see it - gosh that fog horn is loud. 

Waiting in line

Ferry emerging from the mist.

Discussion with BC Ferry person reveals that the boat will take 250 cars, that's the front rows waiting and four of the rows behind, after that you are on the next ferry. Loaded into the top deck, well with our compact car it's only like hand luggage.  Parked up right next to an opening and watched to sea pass by from the car (the voyage is only 40 min today).  Saw a harbour porpoise just before we arrived at Horseshoe Bay. 

On disembarking we looked for the slower more scenic route to North Vancouver, along Marine Drive. Stopped in Dundarave in West Vancouver, and parked in a 2h slot to have a look at their 'pier' and for a walk along the Seawall.  

Weather hot and sunny by this time.  Lots of big boats/ ships and sailing vessels as well as kayakers.  Views to Lions Gate Bridge, which leads to Stanley Park.  

We were passed by most people as we strolled, as most seemed to be out on a Saturday morning fitness regime, even the oldies were walking faster than we were.  All sorts of things were banned on the Seawall walk, they even had a specific 'run' for dogs at one point, as they were not allowed on much of the pier.  

Pooch Path.

We watched quite a few people let their dogs off the lead at the entrance to the dog walk, then they walked on the Seawall and the dog walked alongside behind a mesh fence! 

Such a pleasant outlook that we decided, on returning to the car, to buy a ready made picnic, move the car and return to the seafront.  We'd saved one of the cinnamon buns the lady from Gibsons had left us, so that finished our lunch off very nicely thank you. 

Our next stop was going to be Lonsdale Quay, but after sitting in traffic for a while we decided to head straight for the Capilano Suspension Bridge, we thought we needed a bit of an adrenaline rush by this time.

Pay to park, pay to enter, but the fee does include everything on the site - thought it was going to be like a Disney Style Theme Park.  We were pleasantly surprised.

Eric in the frame.

Eric pointing out the suspension bridge we'd just crossed.

Having spent the money we were going to get our money's worth even though it did mean being 70m above the Capillano River for the entire time. First it was the rock face walk on a see through path, basically nailed to the side of the cliff, and including a semicircular path out over the gorge for about 25m.  

Then after waiting for a large party to clear the way we ventured onto the bridge itself. Swaying and wobbling 70m above the water was not as scary as it sounds. I might be tempted to try more than 2 rungs up a ladder when I get home.

 

On reaching the other side of the suspension bridge we found three choices of attraction; Raptor Ridge, Treetop Walk and Nature's Edge.  Of course we had to partake of all three after paying all that dosh to get in.  Nature's edge dropped slightly below the level of the suspension bridge, through lush rainforest. Passed a guide type person talking about the Banana Slugs they have there - they're big and yellow and have very few predators as their slime has anaesthetic properties.  The First Nations People used the slime to ease toothache.  Raccoons have learnt that if they roll them in the dirt first then they can eat them - a bit like a banana fritter I suppose!  The guide assured us they were indeed disgusting as his supervisor had made him lick one when he first started the job. Ugh! It did make his tongue numb for about 10 mins. 

The tree top walk was next, basically a wander around the canopy of the very tall Redwoods and Douglas Firs. Not much can be said about it other than it was a long way down. 

The Raptor Ridge was an introduction to captive owls (a Barred Owl and a Great Horned Owl) plus a Harris Hawk. Seemed a bit of a cheat taking this picture since it was essentially tied to the tree. 

After booking into the B&B we visited the salmon hatchery at Capillano and could watch the Sockeye salmon jumping the man made weir. 

Back to the lodgings to check-in for our flight to NZ tomorrow, which, because we cross the international date-line, means we completely miss September 29th. Don't know where it goes or if we can claim any of it back at a later date. So we will expect everyone to make notes and report back to us on what happened on our return. 

Another Ferry Another Day

Last night's Powell River hotel disaster was redeemed by the evening meal at The Alchemist restaurant. A fillet steak and an onion tart salad - very tasty. Breakfast at the cross between "The Bates Motel" and "Fawlty Towers" not worth mentioning (or at least best forgotten).

An early start meant we were out of there as soon as possible to catch the ferry to Earl's Cove and a drive down the Sunshine Coast. Managed to make the 9:25. A smaller ferry than the last two but a lovely journey between the Islands from Saltery Bay to Earl's Cove, and only 50 minutes sailing time. 

Disgorged from the bowels of the ship onto the dockside and made towards Egmont, legendary amongst kayakers for its proximity to Skookumchuck Narrows Rapids. As it is nearing the end of the season the cruise up to Chatterbox Falls in Pricess Louisa Inlet was not running and the cove was fairly deserted. 

Next on the list was Ruby Lake, didn't fancy a dip in the 'crystalline lake waters', but did have sightings of Wood Duck and that old American Robin again. 

Hoped to visit the Iris Griffith Nature Centre to view the diversity of wetland birds, but due to our penchant for out-of-season travel - it was closed (well it was going to be open Sat and Sun). Too far to go back tomorrow! 

Further travel along The Sunshine Route brought us to Madeira Park marina.  It was rather confusing as the information booklet talked about Pender Harbour being the 'Venice of the North'. Turns out that Pender Harbour is a generic term for the district made up of three communities, one of which is Madeira Park. 

Picture of Eric at Madeira Park Marina, inspecting the boat 'garages'.

Onward to Halfmoon Bay, Wilson Creek and Davis Bay.  

The question has to be WHY?

A selection of trainers festooned on the power lines across the road. We had seen single pairs on occasions earlier, but this was 5 pairs, and too crazy to miss. Try Googleing "trainers on power lines" and you'll find there seems to be as many answers as there are trainers!

Stopped for a bite to eat, a small picnic in the rain again, at Davis Bay.  Shame, as they had a lovely picnic bench on a floating deck at the end of a sort pier type thing - would have been good in the sun. Despite the rain we managed to spot a Common Loon and a flotilla of Surf Scoter.

Sechelt was a little further down the coast, and both sides of the town are on the water.  The name literally means "land between two waters". The rain was still persisting but we went for an amble along the seafront of Trail Bay (on one side of town), spotting some rather posh apartments with huge balconies, before decamping to the other side and the Marina in Porpoise Bay.

Can you spot Eric?

Followed our nose along a turn-off to Roberts Creek.  A good choice. A short walk along the breakwater brought views of Black Oystercatcher, ducks (American Wigeon), lots of gulls and what we think were two juvenile Spotted Sandpiper (not a very good picture). Some massive houses on the seafront! and lots of logs washed up on the beach.

The area is also important as they have found 'Glass Sponge Reefs' - not sure how much of the sign you'll be able to read, but they are reef forming glass sponges thought to have been extinct for 40 million years, but discovered off the coast here in 1987. It also says that reefs of this type exist nowhere else in the world.

Close to Gibsons now, where our bed for the night is located.  This time a studio apartment over-looking the seafront and yet another marina. Amazingly the fridge and cupboards were stocked with a selection of foods and there was a note telling us to help ourselves.  Clothes washing was in order, followed by a walk along the sea front. The latter seemed to bring on another rain shower, tomorrow is supposed to be sunny.

On our walk we again saw what would be a useful service back home for dog lovers/walkers; free doggy bag dispensers.

This was Eric's favourite.

Eric climbing some vines down by Gibson's Marina - who does he think he is - Tarzan? 

Discoverd a 'Fairy Glen' of Fly Agaric - there were about 12 of these in a very small area - no pixies on top though!