Grouse Mountain, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Wind Turbine……
But, before we leave for the mountains, we are visiting Vancouver Lookout. It’s a circular tower in downtown that gives visitors a 360 degree view of the city.
It’s maybe a 10 block walk from our hotel. It’s a cool, crisp morning, but perfect for walking.
And, there it is!
Tickets are good for all day, so our plan is to see it in the morning before it gets crowded and then come back at night when some of the city might be lit up. We read that Canada Place is lit up from dusk until dawn.
The elevator is glass on the outside of the building overlooking the city.
Look for the stadium.
Vancouver has 3 skylines.
The big container port near the cruise ship port. Lots of train tracks.
The cruise ship port at Canada Place. That is not our ship, but ours will be here in a few days. Until, we have a lot to see and do.
Grouse and Whistler Mountains are in the background.
The park below is where we took pictures yesterday evening. I’m glad this ship was not in port at that time because I wanted to get unobstructed pictures of the sails. We also took pictures of this tower.
We are 553 feet above Vancouver. What a great view.
This is the area where all the seaplanes take off and land – out near the big boat.
I love it up here. We stayed for about an hour.
Lions Gate Bridge. Leaves Vancouver city from Stanley Park (on the left).
We were not successful at selfies, so Dad helped us out.
And that’s the 360 degree view.
Now it’s time to catch the bus for our mountain tour.
We traveled with LandSea Tours and our guide, Steve, who prefers to be called Mr. Handsome, was fun, friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. He helped make our day even more enjoyable.
Our first stop was at a Salmon Hatchery where they raise salmon every year to be released into the wild.
It’s a beautiful setting and the water is crystal clear.
So many fish.
This is one of the holding tanks.
There is a video somewhere……
This barrier is about 6 1/2 feet tall, just above the height that the salmon can jump. This forces them into the tanks.
Going for a hike.
A lady has joined up with Al and Abby. I guess I should catch up.
Peek A Boo
We will see this dam from the other side on the gondola we will be taking up the mountain later.
I would not care for this job.
Oh, my
You can barely see this little door on the giant slab of rock.
Next we traveled to ‘winter’ – a place we used to live but broke free in December 2016. It is called Ohio and it definitely doesn’t look like this.
It was 40 degrees at the top of Grouse Mountain – a bit chilly for us Floridians.
We first traveled up by gondola.
Then even higher by chairlift.
Such a quiet peaceful ride.
Way down at the bottom is Vancouver.
The snow banks were pretty tall and very dirty.
We made it to the top!
Not! We can still go higher! Good thing we wore 4 layers on top. It was 40 degrees.
I’ve never been inside a wind turbine before – let’s go.
The 360 degree views were amazing! Each blade weighs over 12,000 pounds and they can rotate at up to 185mph! I don’t think I would want to be up there for that.
Notice the sections of glass flooring.
The bubble rotates also. What a fun experience. Once at the top, you are almost 4200 feet above the city of Vancouver. I loved it up there and didn’t want to come down.
Back down at the base of the wind turbine…..it’s was still windy and cold, but at least the sun was shining bright.
At the top of the gondola level, we watched a birds in the wild demonstration. They showed an eagle, a vulture, an owl, a falcon…..maybe one or two others.
Two rescued bears live here also.
Oh My…..What BIG prints you have!
Next stop…..Capilano Suspension Bridge – 450 feet long, 250 feet high – how cool. A number of people could barely make it over and some not at all.
It’s very bouncy.
Once you cross, you must come back. It was originally built in 1889. Capilano means people of the river.
It’s just WOW!
On the other side are walking trails through the giant cedar, hemlock, and douglas fir trees. Some are 800 to 1000 years old and they are huge!
And, a system of connected suspension bridges high above the trails for a little different view.
I mean really HUGE! Not quite like the California Red Woods, but pretty huge.
Then on to the Cliff Walk – a series of walkways jetting out over the canyon. Fascinating.
The Cliff Walk is attached with cables to a huge slab of granite.
It’s not bouncy at all.
This section has glass sides for great viewing below……Way below!
What a terrific tour. I would definitely recommend this trip and with Landsea Tours. They are very professional, ontime, friendly……
Our driver offered to drop everyone off just where they want, not necessarily at your hotel or where you were picked up. We got dropped off in Granville where we walked around for a short time and then ate dinner.
Granville is an island. This view is looking back at downtown Vancouver. Our hotel is not far from here. We met up with our Ohio friends who just flew in and had a nice dinner. Most of the shops were closed by the time we finished eating.
The water taxis are so cute. I must take one somewhere.
So we went to Yaletown.
The water taxis zig and zag all up and down the river and there are lots of stops with lots to see and do. We only had this evening so our time was limited. The view from the water is spectacular.
Welcome to Yaletown.
It was getting late, so we headed back to the Vancouver Tower for one last look before sunset. We read that Canada Place would be lit up at dusk. It was a long walk, but we made it.
The Stadium
Canada Place. It’s nice but not as bright as we imagined.
Vancouver Lookout
I think we walked about 22,000 steps and I don’t know how many floors. My watch is still set to FL time so I forget to check just before midnight when it resets for a new day.
What an Amazing day!
GOOD NIGHT VANCOUVER!
For more images from Vancouver and Victoria, visit my facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/GanleyPhotography/photos/?tab=albums
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Alaska & Vancouver 