Photos of Camille, Daniel (and family and friends)

We took a jaunt up to Vanouver for the weekend.  The children were left overnight, perhaps for only the third time in their lives, in the care of others.  In this case, it was Molly’s father and his partner Carolyne who generously offered to come up so we could get a weekend away.

We were off to celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary.

Molly by the art

We stayed at the Listel Hotel on busy Robson Street, which is known for its art.  We stayed in a relatively art-free second floor room; it was nice enough.

Sea Wall

There is much to be admired about Vancouver, including the nearby mountains across Burrard Inlet and the incredible multi-culturalism, but the thing the we admired most on this trip was the excellent urban planning.  It makes Seattle look positively backward – pikers, really.  This sea wall is a great example.  There was lots of room for people strolling, a separate lane for bikers, and close proximity to pleasant things to look at.   There were lots of fountains and other water features.  It was clean and safe.  It was a major draw for tourists and locals alike.  It was great.

Could you picture the Seattle waterfront looking like this?  I can.

Molly with mountains

Molly with Grouse Mountain in the background.

Part of the old Vancouver Expo (was that 1986?) was turned into a convention center in the background.  See the teepee looking red and white things…

cruise ship 1

On Saturday morning, we rode our bikes around Vancouver and out to UBC and back.  Tied to the pier where the convention center is we found this cruise ship.  It seemed big.

Peace Boat

The next boat over was a bit smaller, older, and more beat up.

enormous!

Then we turned the corner and found this!  It was the biggest cruise ship I’ve ever seen!  It had over 11 decks and seemed to go on forever!!!  It was so big, I couldn’t get it all in the picture.

I don’t think I’d like to be on it for long, but it was a marvel of engineering.

construction boom

Vancouver is booming!  Everywhere we went, there was construction.  I suppose some of it is preparation for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

tower cranes

Here is the Olympic village in False Creek.  Look at all the tower cranes.

entranced to False Creek

The weather was hot and sunny.  Look at all the boats sailing and tooling around.

Molly bikes

Molly rises to the challenge of a long bike ride on a hot day.

some beach

Many Canadians enjoy a day in the sun.  I think this was Jericho Beach.  All along the water, there were parks and beaches.  There is great public access to the water and the fine views.

UBC

There was a lovely, well-kept formal garden on the UBC campus with a fine view.  It appeared to be set up for a wedding.  I think we passed four or five weddings on our bike ride.

False Creek

Vancouver is blessed (or cursed, depending on your view) by the water.  There is water all around the downtown area.  They’ve done a good job in taking full advantage.  This is the head of False Creek.  Again, it’s surrounded by bike and walking paths.  It’s all very lovely.

Note the tall buildings everywhere, mostly residential.  In Vancouver, they tend to make them tall and thin and avoid consuming blocks all the way out to the sidewalk.  This allows for views and light to traverse between them.  Instead of feeling like you’re in a canyon, the view of the pedestrian is light and airy.  Hats off to Vancouver!  Can we import some of their urban planning process?