Exploring Vancouver

I know it seems like this has been an endlessly long series of vacation posts.. this is the last post.. our last stop on an unforgettable trip, Vancouver. This blog is like a journal.. as much as the posts are for you.. they are even more for us.. A way to look back and reminisce on the moments of our life.. especially the travelling parts.. when the details start to get blurry, where I hope the boys can one day scroll through and be reminded of all our adventures.

We drove to Vancouver from Seattle.. an approximately 3 hour drive immigration included. We checked into our hotel.. which was like a modern take on a motel.. had a cool vibe and included free parking.. 

After a quick freshening up we got back into our car and headed to Stanley Park. Stanley Park is a 1000 acre public park created in 1888. We arrived close to lunch time and quickly made our way to Stanley's Park and Grill.. the entrance to the park is free.. you need to pay for parking.. and once you pay at one station all parking for the rest of the day is free.. and yes the park is soooo big that you need the car. No food pictures :( but the food at the grill was very good.. that was our last amazing meal of the trip.. the rest of our Vancouver meals were seriously lacking.. it could have been because it was the tail end of the trip and we didn't make a great enough effort to find the best places.. oh well.

After we ate we sat on a miniature train.. it was 15 minute ride through the forest that was informative and cute.

The park was crazy busy and the parking was insane.. we had to loop around twice before we could find a spot near the splash pad.. the boys loved it!

From there we walked to the Totem Poles. 

We were intrigued by the stories each told.. the boys made us read every plaque and every story behind all the 9 totem poles. We visited the Brockton Point Lighthouse and walked along the sea wall and watched sea planes take off and land. Stumbled upon a playground or two and the kids played..

The Lions Gate Bridge behind me. We called it a night.. had an average meal and went back to the hotel. The next morning we had a quick breakfast at Elysian Coffee.. 

It was not bad just a not really us. : / and the kids ate nothing! Afterwards we headed to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. We didn't get there as early as I had hoped.. we had lost our edge.. lol. The Capilano Suspension Bridge is a simple suspension bridge crossing the Capilano River in the District of North Vancouver. The current bridge is 460 ft long and 230 ft above the river. 

It was such a cool place.. if only there were less tourists!!! We started with the cliff walk.. then took the suspension bridge to the other side were there was a Treetop Adventure. Treetops Adventures was opened in 2004, consisting of seven footbridges suspended between old-growth Douglas Fir trees on the west side of the canyon, forming a walkway up to 98 ft above the forest floor.

The boys received a little booklet to fill out so they could be Junior Explorers. We ran all over the place figuring out the answers to the questions.. 

Spread your arms at the wingspan display, which bird would you be? 

Stand against the growth chart and record how long it would take each species to grow as tall as you!

Badges received :D

Next we headed Granville Island. 

 We strolled.. window shopped.. ate.. nothing great

This particular contraption captured the boys attention.. especially D.. we couldn't pry them away from it.. it is called the Ocean Commotion made in 2006. It was designed to amuse and delight the audience while also providing an educational entry point for those interested in the functioning of the Ocean Construction Supplies concrete plant in which it is located.

and so it ends.. our amazing trip to the Pacific Northwest.. 

      

                  Etsy           Instagram           Twitter           Bloglovin