We're more than a week into June and I only just remembered that I write this monthly post about what we did and saw. It's been a busy month with a trip to the UK to visit family, a couple of wonderful hikes, and a camping trip on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Enjoy … Continue reading Being Outdoors, June 2025
It's been nearly 35 years since I first flew in an aircraft, and the thrill of seeing the Earth from an aeroplane has never left me. Sure, I don't enjoy commercial travel, crammed into ever-shrinking spaces for long hours, but I still love watching the landscape pass by from take-off to landing, and I always … Continue reading Vignette: recent scenes from above
Given how recently the April went out I thought I'd get to May early in the month, but alas that wasn't to be as we're now half-way through May. April was an eventful month and we got outside on multiple occasions thanks to the fine spring-like weather that makes Vancouver the envy of the rest … Continue reading Being Outdoors, May 2025
April arrived and duly sped past, leaving all my writing intentions in the dust. Sometimes life happens and other things end up seeming less important for a while, but I couldn't let it go by without an update for the previous month, so without further ado.... If we were being outdoors today, I'd say how … Continue reading Being Outdoors, April 2025
Despite Vancouver's reputation for crappy weather, we've had pretty good success in seeing lunar eclipses over the past twenty years. Looking back at our photo archive, we have images of lunar eclipses in 2007, 2008, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2021. (There was also a lunar eclipse in 2014, which we watched while in California, at … Continue reading Vignette: Lunar eclipse, 13 Mar 2025
Opinion: The great thing about snowshoeing in March is that the winter rush is over and the trails are so much quieter than they were a couple of months ago. Hollyburn remains a favourite destination after fresh snowfall, even on a viewless day, as the forest is transformed into a magical winter wonderland. Fact Parking … Continue reading Hollyburn Mountain, 16 Mar 2025
Given how much time we spend in the mountains, you might be surprised to learn that there's a totally flat place that we like (well, mostly I like) to visit in the winter. Its appeal to me lies in the sense of space and light. Winter days are short and often dull, so the dense … Continue reading Vignette: Boundary Bay, Jan/Feb 2025
Opinion: It's not always about getting to a summit on a clear day to admire the endless views. Sometimes you just need a day in the snow that reminds you of the fun you had when you first got into snowshoeing. And what fun we had! Sure, there was no visibility and we were peppered … Continue reading Brockton, Dinkey, and Dog, 1 Feb 2025
With the lengthening days, it finally feels like the worst of winter is now behind us. But winter showed what it’s capable of here in Vancouver, for a few days at least. If we were being outdoors today, I’d say that we only got out on two hikes during the month of February. At least … Continue reading Being Outdoors, March 2025
Under leaden skies, I parked the car and started walking. Unsure of where to go, I picked a trail for no other reason than it had an osoberry shrub full of spring buds, adding light and cheer to the otherwise drab winter woodland. My heart lifted at the sight of new growth, a sign that … Continue reading Vignette: Discovery Park, 22 Feb 2025
Being. Outdoors. 