Vancouver

These photos are from our trip to Vancouver in August of 2008. It was our first visit, and we really loved it. Special thanks to all our friends for making it such a great time!

Stanley Park

I'm not sure I've ever been in a park as huge, green and wonderful as Stanley Park. How nice it was to just walk around and enjoy the clean fresh air and the scents of nature - right in the city.

Well-tended gardens of pretty flowers are all over the park.

Raccoons thrive in the park. At first we only saw a couple, but a short time later at least a dozen or so were surrounding amused tourists, hoping to be fed.

Feeling the whoosh of swings at the foot of towering trees.

Colorful totem poles in the park.

Here we are, loving our first visit to Vancouver.

Kitsilano

We had a fantastic time with our friend Cheryl, who showed us around Kitsilano, another area of Vancouver.

Tall totem pole in Kitsilano

We went on plenty of walks down quiet, leafy neighborhood sidewalks.

Blue Novas, and green houses with white picket fences.

We'd walk through Kits Park, another peaceful spot, just about every day on our way to my favorite breakfast spot, the King's Head.

People enjoying the warmth of the midday sun's rays.

There's an amazing salt-water pool right next to the shore. It's 143 meters long and the wading area is a gentle slope into the deeper part of the pool. There's even a grassy mound at one end where people can lay and sun themselves.

The water was so clear! People were swimming, kayaking, sailing and doing whatever else they could to enjoy the day to the fullest.

View of the downtown area from Kits Park.

A beautiful end to a perfect day.

Camping With Kayaks

Nicole and Aeron took us camping when we visited them on Vancouver Island. This serene spot is just a short drive from where they live.

Our campsite, at the edge of a tranquil lake, was probably the quietest, most secluded campsite I've ever camped at.

It rained for most of the first day, but we wouldn't let it dampen our spirits ;)

About to feel Lucky.

We had a crash course in kayaking on this mirror-like lake. It was fantastic!

It was easier than I'd thought it'd be, but then again, the waves probably couldn't get much smaller.

Enjoying the warm sunshine and sound of silence.

Aeron, studying the water, preparing to conquer his stealthy foes.

Paula, lending Aeron her support.

The bobber that almost bested me as I tried to grab it from the water while in the kayak. Sounds easy enough, but I learned that you should never lean over too far when in a kayak.

Aeron, taking the battle closer to his foes. There really were some gigantic fish in that lake - we'd seen them jumping all day long. Too bad they didn't seem to care too much for worms!

A blissful spot to sit and watch the day go by.