Fraser Valley

We took the scenic route through the Fraser Valley and did a walkabout at the Westminster Abbey, near Mission.
We trekked through a wooded area, and came upon a lookout that afforded us a breath-taking view of the valley.

I neglected to take my camera, so this is an uploaded picture from Wikipedia Common files.

We the drove to the winery in Langley; and only had to wait a few minutes for the next tour.

The winery is small but we felt that the tour was a little more personal, as a result.
The tour guide talked about the choice of location for the vineyard.



Apparently, after studying the climate in the area, the owners decided to plant their grapes on the south-facing slope of the valley, in order to take advantage of the "micro climate".
The cool temperatures are ideal for growing white wine grapes, and they bring in their red grapes from the Okanagan Valley.



We then toured the winery's bottling and storage facility.


After the tour we were able to taste four of their wines that they bottled last season.

We each purchased two bottles of wine, and returned to the car for the drive back to Vancouver.


There was also a restaurant/bistro on the premises, but the prices looked a little steep.

It might have been nice to sit with a glass of wine, because the place overlooked the vineyard, and it was a very nice sunny day.

WAM at the U of BC

One day, Leona and I took a day trip to see the World Art Market (WAM) exhibit at the University of British Columbia.

It was advertised as a market featuring indigenous art and artists, with food, music and performers from around the world.
We took two buses to the university and walked through the campus, over to the Museum of Anthropology (MOA).

It was a good thing that my sister knew the way, because I would have been lost, otherwise.

There was a giant tent on the grounds, with artist who were carving (with argillite or wood), tufting (with caribou or moose hair), as well as painting, spinning pottery and playing music.

This area was once a fort with big guns, observation posts and bunkers.

Below, is a panel depicting the actual placement of Gun # 1 for defense of the coast during World War II.

Here we have the Artillery Stores and shelter that was used for the troops stationed here at Point Grey Battery.

Inside, the museum we wandered through the exhibits...there were lots of carvings and totems.

In the Great Hall, we stopped to watch Ache Brasil, in their traditional costumes.

They entertained us with their music, and some pretty energetic dancing.


I hope I was able to capture the experience in these pictures.

This blog is for my friends and relatives to see my travels and trivia, but this particular section (BC Trip) is like re-experiencing my vacation, all over again.

The Drive

In Vancouver there is a street called Commercial Drive, that runs through the eastern section of the city.

It is also known as "The Drive".

The street is filled with colourful murals wherever you look.

Perhaps this keeps the graffiti to a minimum; although there was some graffiti on a few of the street murals.
The murals are, at times, whimsical......

while others reflect the ethnicity of the owners.




This last mural was a disappointment, for sure.

Thank you, CTV for placing your advertising sign in front of a wonderful mural of a Chinese Imperial Dragon.

Vancouver's North Shore

One weekend, Leona and I decided to take the SeaBus over to Vancouver's North Shore.
It's a passenger-only ferry that crosses the Burrard Inlet, to the Lonsdale Quay.



We walked around the quay and visited some stores even though it was a little dreary that day.

It kept threatening to rain some more; but we decided to walk along the shoreline despite the weather.


We came upon a small pavilion, that marked the Trans Canada Trail.

This, according to the sign, is a First Nations greeting place for travelers on the trail.



The sign describes the figures and their symbolism by the Squamish the carver.



Further along the shoreline, we came upon an archway, which marked the entrance to the North Shore Spirit Trail.

This trail, when completed, will be a multi-use green way extending from Horseshoe Bay over to Deep Cove.


We followed for a bit, but it only ended at a marina and a small community of trailers.



Back at the quay, we decided to stroll indoors and stop for a coffee and maybe a treat.


After coffee and muffins, we boarded the SeaBus once again, and returned to the Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver.

East Van homes

I thought it would be nice to make use of the pictures I took on the street where my sister lives in East Vancouver.

So without further ado, herewith, for your viewing pleasure, are a few snaps of the street, resplendent in its fall colours.


The house, on the street.


The street.



A closer shot of the house on the street.


This is the entrance to the garage, where the bicycles are kept...no car.


Finally, this is the cafe that I frequented most mornings...on "The Drive" ....which happens to be not far from the street.