On Lynn Creek

After that unusually rainy and cold early summer, it pains me to consider that we might only have a few weeks left of 23c degree weather and clear blue skies. However, we did make the best of August, and I now have a list of my favorite summer day outings to reprise next year, when I hope we can add more.

Lynn Creek. A fortune cookie once told me, “You will be splashed by the cool waters of contentment.” I waited a long time for that to come true, but it finally did right here. There is a lovely 2km r-t flat walk along the rushing, noisy creek under shade of the forest, and a hike up the steep, rocky path through the forest for an excellent workout, but if all you want is to lie lizardly in the sun with an occasional wade in the water, go no further than the picnic area or just beyond the bridge. There we were, just today, sitting on the dry, warm boulders dipping our legs in the bracing water, letting the dog think he could retrieve rocks.

On Lynn Creek

Sunshine Coast. A popular TV series was filmed in Gibson’s, the first stop after the ferry landing, and it is easy to see why. The setting is small-town, with a grand view from every vantage point. To top it off, the pub has very satisfying fish and chips for post-kayaking or boating refreshment. The rest of the coast is even more seductive but really not possible for a day trip from Vancouver.

Monk’s. Even if I have never eaten here, I always look forward to returning. The huge deck over False Creek, where small pleasure boats anchor, with the not so distant view of people enjoying the banks on the opposite shore, and the to-and-fro of the mini-ferries, kayakers and paddle boarders, is the perfect place for a summer evening pint.

False Creek, with the mini-ferry

Steveston Farmers Market. I’ve tried many of the markets and this one is the most colorful, while offering the most tidy and complete selection of goods. It is also situated in a farm delta, so on the drive there and back you can stop at produce stands the line the road. We get there early to avoid the large crowds that arrive around lunchtime in the historic, quaint town to shop, go whale watching and buy fish off the boat at the docks. After hauling our market goods back to the car, we walk the dike along the Fraser River.

10th Street

10th Street Heritage Houses. We walk the dog along this street where one man has left his personal stamp on one essential block off Manitoba. There is no financial incentive for restoring landmark buildings in the city, and in fact you could argue quite persuasively that it makes most financial sense to tear down free standing homes to make way for multi-tenant condos. And yet, what a terrible aesthetic cost that would be. This block makes that evident, as house after house delights in its period detail thanks to one man who presciently bought up a slew of the wooden houses many years ago and restored them all. As we make our way down the street under the summer tree canopy and in the cool shade, I imagine ladies in pinafores and broad hats swishing down the sidewalk or sitting on porches sipping fresh lemonade.

10th Street Heritage House

Vanier dog beach. If only because it makes the dog so happy, or because of the joy we experience watching him “doggedly” swim through waves to retrieve his orange floating ball, we frequent this popular spot several times a week.

Vanier dog beach