Grind to Sky

Kathryn Taylor — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:40:46 +0000

The Peak of Vancouver, otherwise known as Grouse Mountain is greatly known for its excellent ski and snowboard runs. However once the snow is starting to go there is tons of stuff to do. With no snow, there are two ways to get up. First is the gondola which sports attractive views of the mountain and Vancouver and is part of the Alpine Adventure Ticket ($40) which includes most of the activities at the peak . The other (which is free) is the Grouse Grind is only a 2.9 km trail but it gains 853 metres in elevation and has 2,830 steps and you’ll burn around 1,500 calories doing it. it is also referred to as Mother Nature’s Stair Master. The trail head is just at the entrance to the gondola parking. I have done both and depending on your fitness level and level of insanity will recommend both. Bring water, wear GOOD shoes.

Grouse operates as a wildlife refuge. At the base there is an enclosure with retired stars from the movie industry: wolves. At the peak there is Grinder and Coola, two rescued orphaned grizzlies who were found as cubs in 2001. Besides the wildlife there is ziplines, helicopter tours and the Eye of the Wind (cost plus to the Alpine Experience Ticket). The Eye of the Wind is the world’s first and only wind turbine that allows you to stand in a clear glass tower just three metres from the rotating blades. You can stand right in the heart of responsible, sustainable energy.

Vancouer Chinese Food

LotusLand — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:21:50 +0000

Vancouver is famous for its Chinese kitchen. Already in February 2010 Condé Nast Traveler, the popular travel magazine, proclaimed that Metro Vancouver has the best Chinese food in the world.

Chinese food in Vancouver dates back to the gold mining days when it represented an important dietary supplement. Chinese agricultural skills coaxed out most barren grounds the vegetables that supplemented the rather bland diet of the early miners and foresters.

Enjoy a short hour presentation about the early Chinese farming in the city of Vancouver on Thursday, May 23, 2013. The talk will be held by the Vancouver Historic Society at the Museum of Vancouver, 1100 Chestnut Drive, Vancouver. The meeting starts at 7:00.

For details please visit ww.vancouver-historical-society.com.

Capilano Suspension Bridge

Kathryn Taylor — Fri, 10 May 2013 14:23:41 +0000

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park located in North Vancouver is one of B.Cs most popular attractions. Millions of people have crossed its bridges since 1889. The park mingles history, First Nation story poles and the peace of the West Coast rainforest. When I first heard of this place it was described to be as like the Ewok Village in Star Wars. I don’t recommend some of the higer activities like the Cliff Walk which follows a granite precipace over the Capilano river for those nervous around heights. Tree Tops Adventure has viewing platforms and seven bridges for adventure without so much adrenaline.

Some of the bridges at Tree Tops Adventure are 100 feet high. You can wander through 1300 year old Douglas Fir forests. The wildlife viewing and birding is best as soon as the park opens in the morning before the later crowds and tour buses show up. Hours change seasonally so check their website. To make it easier for you, Lotus Land tours has a tour that includes a visit to Capilano Suspension Bridge among other of Vancouver’s most popular attractions. This tour is popular with cruise passengers and those without much time as they can pack in a bit of all that Vancouver has to offer.