Rivers of Snow

A big meltdown has started today. The roads are running rivers of melting snow. Most of the road drains are blocked with piles of 3, 4 and 5 foot piles of snow. People are out in the streets trying to unblock drains near their homes so they don't become flooded. Crews are out in Vancouver desperately trying to do the same. Roads have great pools of water that the traffic has to plough through, spraying the sidewalks with clouds of dirty water making the snow look grey and horrible. Main roads are much better on the West Side of Vancouver but over on the East Side the streets are terrible a mess of unshovled snow. There are allot of poor families and immigrant families that live in this area and many of the people there don't realize they need to go out and clear their sidewalks.

We manage to navigate the snow narrowed roads of the East Side of Vancouver without too much trouble and cross the Burrard Inlet at the Ironworkers Bridge to North Vancouver and the Lonsdale Quay Market. Dave hasn't been here since 1986 and its changed quite drastically since we visited the Quay then.

After a lunch in the 'Traditional' British Pub called 'The Cheshire Cheese', we wander through the small shops and stalls in the market before heading off to the newer open air shopping village further into North Vancouver near Park Royal.

I like this market it's warm, intimate and inviting but light and spacious at the same time with such an eclectic mix of shops and stalls. In the summer the glass walls can slide open to reveal the wooden deck surrounding the whole area. there are many small eating places and coffee shops around the outer perimeter.

Today the deck is still snow covered and across the Burrard Inlet the skyline of the skyscrapers in Downtown Vancouver are shrouded in cloud. The cloud line up the mountain side behind the quay is very low today. I think North and West Vancouver this side of the Burrard Inlet would be a nightmare to live and work in during the snow conditions we've had for the last two weeks.

The snow further up the Mountain towards Capilano and Grouse Mountain is quite deep and very good at the moment for the skiers. Better than at Whistler apparently.

Leaving the Quay we head west towards one of the newer Malls the outside shopping village and we leave Dave in the massive Home Depot store while we head for Michael's, the equally large craft store. Nancy and I eventually leave Nancylee there and cross to a busy coffee store for welcome refreshments.

The village has wide spacious boulevards and pathways and has been very well planned. As the Christmas light begin to show up in the fading day light the snow covered streets look almost like a Christmas postcard

I think every tree lining the streets of North Vancouver is lit up with Christmas lights. There are so many light everywhere. Even the high rise apartment blocks have their balcony's decorated.