So this was home in Vancouver. We could not believe it, we were in Vancouver! We were living in British Columbia. We had dreamed of this since the day we met. I had dreamed of it even longer. Ever since high school, I was drawn to BC. But I was not convinced that Vancouver was the place I wanted to be. I had to explore it first.
This was our street. Nothing fancy, covered in "Vancouver specials" (a style of house) and retail stores. I really wish I had taken photos of the Chinese markets and bakeries in our neighbourhood I spent so much time in but when it came to photography, all cared about back then was nature.
Reg convinced me that I should take my heavy camera out of my walks and make it a part of my exercise routine. I carried it in my backpack for moments like this. A stunning golf course that had a pathway around it for hikers like me. Right in an urban area you had a space like this, it was amazing! And note how pristine it is. I bumped into my first coyote on this path, convinced it was a wolf. Such a Vancouver newb! It was quite a beautiful and amazing moment. It only happened once but I looked for him every time.
When I had the strength I would go down to the bottom of our hill and walk along the Fraser River which was always covered in cedar logs. This explained the scent of cedar in the air when Reg got off the plane a year ago. I still think of Vancouver when I smell cedar. Across the water was Richmond which we walked to once over a bridge that moved from the heavy traffic of the cars. I saw Mount Baker for the first time from that bridge, convinced it had to be a painting in the sky, it was so spooky and beautiful.
I have always had a thing for boats and ships. I loved looking at them as they rested on the Fraser.
No matter how many times I walked along our neighbourhood, I never could get over the giant mountains of North Vancouver, hovering above everything in the sky. Which explains this photo, I mean, it was so amazing!
Then one night it happened. The sun began to set. I went out to watch it from my balcony. There was a mist on the Pacific Ocean. The light from the sunset revealed the islands to the west of us. They appeared like Avalon. Until then, I was oblivious to their existence. I had this yearning to continue going west. To get to those islands.
I had no idea that I would still be feeling that yearning ten years later.
10 comments:
I can see why you yearn to go back. The backdrop of mountains and the islands is just breathtaking. What a stunning view to have to look at every day. Sure beats the ugly,endless rows of flat rooftops in my corner of the burbs.
It really was breathtaking Ava. To be in the city and surrounded by such massive and fantastic nature... well there is a reason it is one of the most expensive cities to live in on earth. Still, worth it. Oh I know, I have that issue with the burbs here too. Well at least our lives are delicious, right?! :)
OMG look at that golf course! The green grass and the fence! I have only been to Vancouver a couple of times and mostly in the crazy downtown. Those photos remind me so much of Victoria!! *sigh*
Some coyotes can get quite large, but I'm glad it wasn't a wolf you met!
It reminds me of Victoria too Angie, that gold course. So gorgeous! And unlike other golf courses, they're totally OK with people hiking around it. Oh no there is a ton of nature in Vancouver, so much more than just downtown when it comes to Vancouver. We went everywhere!
Debra, me too, glad it was a coyote but I felt like an idiot telling Reg I was convinced I had met a wolf, LOL. He wasn't my last coyote though! Just my last in Vancouver.
Suzie, guess what? Tom bought a condo at the Fraser River! You didn't meet my son, did you? Raising 4 children I didn't make the time to go to the mountains, but every time walking on the streets facing north, there they are! Taunting me: you can see but you can't touch (unless you're rich).
I remember the floating cedar logs, but also the fish plant smell and the manure laid on the farmland to the south. What I miss is the end of April when the city looks like it's just had a thousand weddings (fallen cherry blossoms).
Cathy, of course we know Tom! He and his friends moved us to Eagle Mountain, LOL. Funny, I almost put up a photo of one of the condos down there, how awesome he lives there now! I know, the blossoms will be out soon, won't they? So beautiful there and always stuff to do and go see!
Oh, right...I remember it well now! We did a human chain ;) I used to love walking down to the river. Recently I woke Tom up at 4:30 am forgetting the time difference when Vancouver had their recent advisory because of Japan...hehe...oops. What can I say? I'm a mother ;)
Oh I love the boats.
Cathy, that's right, the human chain! I forgot about that. Well it is a good thing you called Tom, we had no idea at the time the tsunami wasn't going to be a big deal out west so better safe than sorry, especially since he is down at the bottom of the hill.
Domestic and Damned, me too, I adore boats and the water. I miss them.
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