We woke on Saturday 21st August to overcast skies. Vancouver's long, dry heat wave was about to end... and I had to drive to the airport to return the rental!!! By the time we left Coquitlam the rain had started. And boy did it rain. Let's just say the trip to the airport was interesting and I was not sorry to give up driving for a few days.
From the airport we decided to venture downtown to check out the Granville Island markets. After venturing through various shops Mike and I decided enough was enough and we headed to the Granville Island micro brewery to sample some local product.
Thankfully the rain stopped so we headed off to visit Gastown. The name has nothing to do with a dodgy vindaloo but rather is an historic part of Vancouver with interesting architecture and an even more interesting past. View image of interesting Gastown architecture.

From Gastown we wandered around Canada Place which is the cruise ship terminal. A short drive later and we were then in Stanley Park. This is a large park within the city limits that faces onto English Bay. A seawall circles the park and you can walk, run, ride or drive the 5kms around. Much of the park is still covered by forest and the locals try hard to keep it that way. Unfortunatley the weather had dogged us for most of the day but we made the best of it and retired back to Mike and Carolyn's for some food, beer and wine.

The next morning the weather had cleared a bit so we decided to make Grouse Mountain our target for the day. And what a day it was. On arriving at the carpark we were a bit concerned because the top of the mountain was covered in cloud, or 'socked in' as the locals would say but we headed up on the aerial tramway to see what it was like 'up top'. Given that Michele was with us the first stop had to be the wildlife refuge where 2 orphaned Grizzlies were located. Grinder and Coola were taking a 'nap' so there wasn't much action. We decided to head over and catch the 'birds of prey' demonstration - very interesting. But then we had to wander back to the bears who were now up and about. You talkin' to me?
After 10 minutes of grazing and a talk by the bear keeper most people wandered off and they missed the main show as the 2 bears decided it was time to expend some energy and proceeded to test each other's strength in a fascinating display.
Dances with bears!!!
Even the locals were impressed with the display. The bears soon returned to much quieter activities - namely eating!!!
We also managed to catch the very entertaining lumberjack show before having a feed of Beaver's Tails. Anyone suffer from vertigo?
These are pastries made in the shape of beaver's tails and covered in a variety of toppings. If you get to this part of the world you must try these as they are superb.
We then wandered over to the wolf enclosure where a white wolf followed us along the fenceline of his/her enclosure before retreating into the woods. A wolf in wolves clothing.

The trip home began with a near miss in the carpark as a runaway jeep careered over an embankment just behind us before hitting a concrete barrier. At least there is one 4X4 that has now been off-road... A stop into Cleveland Dam (one of the main water sources for Vancouver) completed a very satisfying day.

Monday 23rd August saw an early start for a day trip to Whistler. The weather was again not too promising with low cloud and drizzling rain as we headed off into the mountains along the Sea to Sky Highway. It was about a 2 hour drive to reach the ski resorts of Whistler and Blackcomb. The place was alive with mountain bike riders who were disappearing up the mountain on the chair lifts before descending in a constant stream back down the mountain much dirtier than when they started. Unfortunately both mountains were 'socked in' so our time was spent casually wandering through the villages and enjoying the atmosphere. There are plenty of activities to do here in the summer with mountain bike riding, atv tours (4 wheel motorbikes), 'flying fox' nature walks and hikes on top of the mountain. This place is one of the main locations for the 2010 winter olympics and they are already upgrading roads as well as selling a heap of merchandise to the tourists.
We left Whistler mid afternoon and headed back towards Vancouver. On the way we stopped into Brandywine Falls to stretch the legs.
View image of Brandywine Falls.
These falls are pretty impressive given that it has been a hot dry summer and the height of the water over the falls is usually twice as high as in the photo. Oh well, we might just have to come back again :-).

Today (24th August) has been a quiet relaxing day before we head off tomorrow on our 7 day cruise which will take us through the Inside Passage from Vancouver to Anchorage in Alaska. Oh, it's a hard life!!! Waiter, another drink when you are ready...

Not sure from where I will next write but till then...

P.S. A big thankyou from Michele and I to our wonderful hosts while in Vancouver - Mike & Carolyn who made our stay most enjoyable.