Stanley Park and More!

After our epic hike of the Big Chief we decided to stick a little closer to town the next few days. There were plenty of restaurants, shops, breweries, and coffee shops in walking distance from our adorable house in the East Village neighborhood.

Our Air bnb Rental House

The weather was exemplary the whole time we were in the Couve; the spring flowers and trees were lush, green, and blooming everywhere we looked.

Back and Ade enjoying a crossaint in our quirky East Village Neighborhood

One day we went to Granville Island which had been recommended to us by our Air BnB host and a colleague of Ade's. In the 1970s Granville Island was transformed from an industrial wasteland to what is now a booming artist community, central market, and tourist destination.

Factory silos painted with funky giants

The central market was a highlight, there were fruits, cheeses, chocolates, ice creams, and ethnic foods around every corner.

Luscious market fruits

The restaurant scene was impressive and hip, one night we treated ourselves to appetizers at Arbor a vegetarian restaurant, then a few doors down, a fancy meal at Acorn, a gastro-inspired vegetarian restaurant. It did not disappoint.

Fiddlesticks, ramps, and spring greens made for a delightful entree

On our last full day day we went to Stanley Park. Stanley Park is named after Lord Stanley, the 16th Earl of Derby (also who the Stanley Cup is named after). It is larger than Central Park and different than many urban parks it was not created by a landscape architect, rather the forest has been left mainly in tact and trails and roads have been built around it.  We strolled along the picturesque seawall path, then took a turn into the interior of the densely forested park. Where we spotted (lots of) fiddlesticks, and a great blue heron, fun fact: Stanley Park is home to one of the largest urban great blue heron colonies in North America!

Wild fiddlesticks (aren't they cute?)

Totem Poles by Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Watuth First Nations artists among others

Beautiful Chickadee Trail

On our last day together before we flew back to our respective Rocky, MidWest and SoCal homes we visited a serene park after a delicious breakfast at home.

Ginkos framing this Japanese bridge

The Travel Gals at Queen Elizabeth Park

After dropping Ade at the airport Beck and I made a quick zip down to the Tony neighborhood of Kitsilano where we strolled along the beach and then got breakfast goodies from a posh neighborhood cafe.

We're already in talks for our next adventure in the Mountains in Colorado or perhaps Nashville, TN . . .