23rd June - Vancouver - Stanley Park

We awoke on Saturday morning and headed off to Stanley Park, one of North Americas largest urban parks. We commenced walking along the sea wall which went for around 9.5 kilometres although a couple of km's had been closed due to massive storms that hit last year, the damage of which was evident by the many fallen trees around the park. The park itself is about a thirty minute walk from downtown Vancouver and is an oasis. It's hard to believe that once you are there you are so close to a city. The trees were in bloom with the onset of warmer weather with reds such as the maple leave below scattered all over the park.

We walked along the trails named 'Racoon Trail', Squirrel Trail' etc and around the beautiful 'Beaver Lake'. We were getting quite despondent that we actually wouldn't see any of this wildlife when the little fella below ran out in the middle of the track. He was so tame we could of fed him, but we didn't have any suitable food, plus you aren't meant to of course! We're still not quite sure if it was a squirrel of a skunk - Dan thinks skunk - Tan thinks squirrel. We did see some cute baby chipmunks too!

Beaver Lake which we came across was one of the most beautiful lakes we have ever seen in all of our travels. The photo below does not do it justice. The lake is green, quite and nearly fully covered by flowering water lillies. There were ducks in the pond with their baby chicks and the chicks was would run over the water lillies and then swim to the next one. It was quite cute to watch.

We also saw the famous totem poles in the park, in recognition of the first nation people or traditional land owners. It was quite interesting to read about the story behind the totems and what they actually meant.

We shared the pathways with many people who were out enjoying the sunshine including rollerbladers (we are definately going to give that a go), bike riders and runners. Some of the trees were quite interesting in their shapes from the wind too.

We also the the famous Lions Gate Bridge. But perhaps more importantly we now know what the beer is named after! We sat and had some lunch in the park watching a game of cricket with Dan throwing in the occasional catch cry of 'bowling Warnie' which possibly went over their head and for dessert tried possibly the richest most disgusting cake/rocky road sweet that appeared to be pure fudge icing with a few peanuts and marshmallows in it. We decided to stick well clear of that one in future!

After nearly seven hours of walking we headed home via the shopping precint of Robson Street and admired just how beautiful Vancouver is from the many parks and waterways scattered throughout!