We happened to find a cancellation spot at Golden Ears Provincial Park camping ground in Maple Ridge, so out Saturday night was spent out in the woods. It was a busy summer weekend and every single spot had been taken, so this was a really lucky find.
We were happy to find that our spot that to the side from the crowded areas, next to quiet forest.
We didn't do much over the weekend, other than swimming in the beautiful Alouette Lake which was nice and warm.
Some recently completed project in Vancouver suburbia. First are the two Uptown towers around the brand new Burquitlam Skytrain station.
Crown Coquitlam next door turned out nice. Too bad it will be dominated by the 49-floor 567 Clarke next door.
Another development nearby are the 3 towers of Lougheed Height. Another project made possible by the new Skytrain line.
Finally the hideous 527 Carnavon Street in downtown New Westminster. I just cannot get past how much spandrel they put on this building. It looks a bit less ugly from behind, but yeah...
Back in August we did a gorgeous day trip to Whistler with our friends. Here are some photos from the trip.
On the way there we did few stops along the way to photograph the sights.
Tantalus Range is always worth a stop right after Squamish.
Once we made it to Whistler, the town was really busy with bikers and summer tourists.
Up on the mountain the views were amazing.
Making our way to the summit chair lift.
Finally at the summit!
What an amazing summer day! Whistler is currently in process of building a new suspension bridge summer attraction across this gorgeous view. I am sure the tourists will love it once it opens next summer!
The program of our day was to do the Half Note Trail which is a beautiful hike around the Whistler Mountain.
We were surprisied how much snow there still was along the trail, which had actually opened only a week earlier!
Symphony Bowl is skiing paradise in winter, but in summer it looks so vast and barren. I can't wait to ski down there in couple of months!
Finally we made our way back through the famous snow walls. Even though they were only half of what they are in spring, they were still 5-6 meters tall and an impressive sight. There is no chance that all of the snow will melt before it starts snowing again...
And there you have it. Whistler is just an amazing summer destination for anything, like a simple day hike.
We had some first-time visitors over in August and of course a bicycle ride around Vancouver's world-famous Seawall was on our list of things to do.
Like so often, we started our ride in Coal Harbour which has a fantastic modern bike trail along the waterfront.
After reaching Stanley Park, the view quickly changes and you start to see the Downtown skyline where you just came from.
Classic view of Coal Harbour towers and Downtown from Stanley Park.
Next up is the Lions Gate Bridge. I just love how the mood and vistas steadily change from inlet to skyscrapers, followed by mountains and finally open ocean. There is never a boring moment along the Seawall!
Third Beach at the tip of the Stanley Park peninsula was still fairly empty in the morning, but rest assured, it will be packed in the afternoon...
English Bay area was mostly sealed off due to the annual Celebration of Lights fireworks show that takes place in beginning of August. You can see the raft they use for firing off the fireworks off the shore.
From there the route continues under Granville Bridge and through Yaletown, going around False Creek.
From across False Creek the view is once again filled with Yaletown skyscrapers with mountains peaking in the background.
Barbeque boat? Sign me up!!
West of Burrard Bridge the ocean opens up once again with the older concrete towers of Westend visible on the opposite side.
We were a bit short on time, so we didn't continue all the way to Spanish Banks and made Kitsilano Beach our last turning point. In Kits things had already got much busier with people enjoying a lazy summer day on the beach.
That's a very brief capture of some of the numerous highlights along this amazing 26-kilometer bike ride. I will at some point do a full photo tour of the entire route, but I hope this gives you a taste of how gorgeous Vancouver's famous Seawall is.
I have done this ride dozens of times and it never ceases to amaze and inspire me. It is truly a must-do for everyone visiting Vancouver and best of all, it is free. Can't beat that combination!
I made it a point to visit the Cloud 9 revolving restaurant at the top of the 42-floor Empire Landmark Hotel before its pending demolition. Here is my final tribute to this landmark building which is still standing tall for a brief moment.
Despite the small floorplate of the tower, there are 4 elevators inside. They service all floors, including the revolving Cloud 9 restaurant on the 42nd floor.
From the top the view is stunning with surrounding city basking in the late afternoon sun.
Lost of new construction in south Downtown area.
The view towards northwest is very open, extending over Stanley Park and to the North Shore. However, in couple of years this view will be lost, as the red tower in the middle will be surrounded by much taller new wow-architecture towers.
North Shore preparing for the night.
Warm summer day coming to an end with sun setting over English Bay and Stanley Park.
Afternoon traffic crawling towards Lions Gate Bridge.
Lions Gate Bridge
What a view of Coal Harbour and Downtown Vancouver!!
It wasn't just the view, but the food was good, too.
Shangri-La and Trump Tower loom over rest of Downtown.
Metrotown skyline and Burnaby in the distance. Mount Baker is shrouded in the clouds a bit left from this picture.
BC Place roof peeking at the end of Robson Street.
Time for some cheesecake dessert.
One Wall Centre and Patina.
Shangri-La, Vancouver's tallest skyscraper.
Trump Tower
Robson Street shopping corridor runs through entire Downtown.
Evening setting in.
Lush and green West End is a hidden gem on the Downtown peninsula.
GOODBYE VIEW!!!
I am so happy I got a chance to visit the restaurant on its final days before it closed down for good in anticipation of pending demolition of this landmark tower. I wish I would have made it up there more often, as the view was indeed something to behold and being a revolving restaurant it was so easy to enjoy it while indulging some good food.
I hope you enjoyed my small tribute to this building. Thank you.
This week has been providing some really nice misty mornings with golden sunrises over Metro Vancouver.
Skyscrapers often produce an upward draft alongside them, which is visible in this photo of the Sovereign. For this reason it is not uncommon to have mosquitoes even on the penthouse level during summer.
Morning fog begins to vanish with the approaching sunrise.
Trust me, Richmond is somewhere down there.
Marine Gateway complex reappearing from the fog.
Fog and mist are a very common sight over East Richmond fields during autumn and winter. They make for a scenery which is like a painting.
Golden sunrise
Alex Fraser Bridge is getting ready for yet another morning rush hour.
Port Mann Bridge takes commuters above the clouds.
Surrey Central skyline is ready for a new day.
And here comes the sun!
It is great start to one's day to get to wake up to such a sight.
We began our ski season in Whistler today, motivated by the huge snow dump they got on Wednesday.
We were there 45 minutes before opening time, however we were far from being the first.
Conditions were packed powder which made for an amazing early season day. I have never seen such conditions this early which is very promising. Only Whistler is currently open with Blackcomb opening next Friday.
Thanks! Do you get similar blankets of fog in Seattle as well? I don't recall having seen any pictures, but I would assume it happens even although the mountains are further out...
amazing pics and the setting certainly doesnt hurt. the fog shots are particularly stunning. and its fun to see whistler in the summer and winter, those are breathtaking views year round.