Cypress in Summer and Sunny Deep Cove

 Friday August 19th.

Once again we set of towards downtown Vancouver to go over to the North Shore. This morning however the traffic isn't as bad as Tuesday morning on the same route. The City and north shore looks hazy though despite the clear skies. We're going up to the Cypress Bowl. The last time I was there it was January 09 and deep snow. People were skiing and snowboarding on every slope. The place was buzzing warm and sunny even though it was a weekday and the whole of the Greater Vancouver was covered in a blanket of thick fog. Today it's sunny. We stop halfway up the mountain at a view point. The city scape was obscured by a blue haze. Not a good day to view.

Haze over Vancouver

We pressed on avoiding the dedicated cyclists in their Lycra shorts pedaling furiously up the slope and the occasional successful one free wheeling back down. It's very quite up at the ski lodge a few cars of the hiking parties. The Ski slopes carved through the ancient forest covering the Mountain sides look rather sad denuded of their snow cover.

Olympic Rings.

The Olympic symbol are new to me. the Olympics held in winter 2010 were famous for their lack of snow. The snow machines were kept busy and lorry loads of snow was ferried in from Mount Washington. So different from 2009.

Start of one of the chair lifts. Bears were seen here yesterday!

empty ski slopes on Strachan Mountain

The new Ski center chalet and restaurant.

empty slopes on Black Mountain

After a coffee and Hot Dog break sitting in the clear  mountain sunshine  We set off once more to North Vancouver to a little Village called Deep Cove.When were last here there was also snow and it was near Christmas. We were watching the Carol ships sail around the Indian Arm of the Burrard Inlet into Deep Cove.

Deep Cove.

Such clear water.

Deep Cove Marina

going for a swim John?

Children's play area and below off the beach is a roped off swim and paddle area 

 

 

 

 

 

with a raft deck anchored in the water.

The Village has a cultural Center with a small Art Gallary

The village center is quite small and very pretty. There's an assortment of interesting small shops on each side of the road leading down to the cove. Plenty of places for refreshments.

After awhile wandering around the cove, looking at the paintings in the Gallery and sampling the ice cream from a village shop we headed off along the coast road a short distance to John  friend, Calvin's, home. His home is perched high up  on the cliff tucked in the edge of the Forrest area. There's a very steep drive to negotiate before a level parking place is reached and quite a few step up to the property. He and his wife, Leanne, have been renovating the outside area since we were last here. All the wooden steps have been replaced and made easier to negotiate. he's also had this lovey gate designed and made that I loved. I want one! (note to self -must redesign our side gate and individualize it when we get home!)

Calvin's gate.

'Himself' John and Calvin.

It's been a lovely day and very warm and sunny. The drive back to Richmond through Vancouver was not too stressful There was a bit of a traffic line up to get over the Second Narrows Bridge. into Vancouver then an easy drive home. More eating out tonight See next blog!!!