Fantastic update. That area of East Burnaby/Coquitlam is just.....wow. It took your pictures to put it all in perspective. It was pretty busy around there last year, but this is another level.
thanks yea, I've lived in the area since 1991 its quite the changes. I need to walk around my area, its ripe with changes too, mostly 6 storey developments on the way.
Anyway here are a few pics of Austin Heights, nothing too exciting, but the area is becoming a good area for food, lots of Korean places have moved in, in recent years and iranian places too.
I believe the official name of this neighbourhood is Cariboo.
Just some random pics of the rapidly changing hood.
I don't know the story of these two lots but they have been empty for years.
On Sydney Ave, just east of the seniors building. IMG_20200810_202531 by snub_you, on Flickr
the city recently installed sidewalks along the east side of Guilby street and added this little hobbit house. IMG_20200810_202644 by snub_you, on Flickr
Clayton Ave. The townhouses on the left are some of the first redevelopments in this particular area when the Mline came to Lougheed time period. The station ia about 5-8 minutes away by walking. IMG_20200810_204402 by snub_you, on Flickr
We haven't been to White Rock since the pier was rebuilt following its destruction in a storm in December 2018, but did make the trip to check it out few weeks ago.
Vancouver - Seattle railway still runs through White Rock's waterfront with lots of cargo train traffic on the line.
With the pier rebuild also rest of the waterfront has been upgraded.
The white rock that gives city its name.
White Rock Pier was built in 1914 and is Canada's longest pier with 470 metres in length.
A 30-meter section of the pier had to be rebuilt following the storm.
Nice it is a very pretty area. Also I love the SFH neighbourhood on the hill rising right from the main beach road, I always thought it had a cool look to it. Obviously not density in the sense we always talk about, but almost in a California kind of way
Few Vancouverites know about an island in the Fraser River that can only be accessed by taking the last river ferry in the Lower Mainland. Welcome to Barnston Island!
Only access to the island is with a small ferry from Surrey.
The ferry is free-of-charge and for most people it doesn't make sense to take your car across (there is free parking on Surrey side).
While technically a ferry, one could also call it a barge pushed around by a small tugboat.
It's only a short 5-minute ride across.
There is only one road on the island and it is almost exactly 10 kilometres around the entire thing.
Only around one hundred people permanently live on the island which is mostly farm land.
There is a tiny park at the northern tip of the island. Fraser River flows slowly around the island.
Golden Ears Mountain (1716m | 5630ft) across the river in Maple Ridge.
At the southern end of the island the 6-lane Golden Ears Bridge fills the view. The bridge opened to traffic in 2009 and it connects Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows with Surrey.
Anyone else having visited Barnston Island? Curious to know if there are any locals that had never heard of the place?
Mount Strachan is one of the tallest peaks of the North Shore Mountains and makes for a nice day hike.
Starting from Cypress Mountain parking lot, Bowen Lookout is a nice stop and a viewpoint to get you in the spirit.
First leg along the well-maintained Howe Sound Crest Trail is an easy walk in the park.
Gradually the trail gets tougher as it starts climbing up the mountain side.
View gets better and better the higher you get.
Getting up is not a problem in winter as this is where the top chair lift takes you.
Finally up on the top!
The famous "lion ears".
Howe Sound is a beautiful sight.
Heading back there is an old airplane accident site from 1963 along the trail. In this accident two Royal Canadian Airforce pilots crashed a T-33 Jet on the Mount Strachan. The wreck was never been removed and is still in the forest.
While walking down we heard some noises from a nearby tree and saw two black bear cubs climbing up the tree. The mama bear was not far and came into sight after we had passed the area.
It was a nice and beautiful hike and offered interestingly different views from winter when everything is covered under thick snow.
Stunning photos Klazu, really beautiful. I still find it hard to believe this level of wildnerness is so close to the City, I know it's cliche, but it's true. Just seeing the mountains in the distance from downtown you only get a distant feel, it doesn't seem like wilderness is there. But then actually seeing these photos you realize how it truly it is there. Just pure rainforest canopy. I want to start doing some of these hikes, I'm not a hiker at all so it kind of initimidates me, but I would try an easier one.
As for Barnston, I've only heard of it but never been myself. That photo with the nice rancher house with the big porch and greenhouse looks very different than what anyone would associate with the Vancouver area. Very small town America in like Utah or Colorado or something
One of our annual Christmas traditions is to tour different Christmas light shows in Metro Vancouver and last December wasn't any different.
Our first stop was Burnaby Village Museum here in Burnaby, which is a nice 1920s museum village that is decorated every year for Christmas.
The place was busy and a Christmas caroling choir made the atmosphere nice and relaxed.
Oddly enough, we have never visited the museum itself and definitely plan on returning to check it out, as it looks very interesting with a lot to see!
Next stop on our tour was a well-known Christmas light house at 8222 Burnlake Drive near Burnaby Lake area. This home gets decorated almost every year in a beautiful way.
Another private home we wanted to check out was 4187 Williams Street nearby Brentwood where the owner had put up rather tasteful Chrismas lights that lit the entire street block.
Our final stop of the night was in North Vancouver where we have never notice Park & Tilford Gardens at Tilford mall. This small park is tucked away from sight and had some wonderful Christmas lights that are put up by the local firefighters.
All in all, it was another great tour of some beautiful decorations. Seeing these houses really helps getting to the Christmas spirit and I love taking photos of the thousands of lights!
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