I have a huge backlog of posts that I'm writing or at least have written notes for, and it's hard to find the time that I want to devote to them to tell the story of the trip, to find the right photos, to create something I can re-read in years to come and remember … Continue reading Being Outdoors, September 2022
Opinion: This was not a fun hike. "Rocks, roots, and misery" was our tagline. True, we picked a bad day to do it, hoping the clouds would lift but they never did. We also did it as an out and back ensuring we were subjected to the gruelling ascents and descents in each direction. I … Continue reading Mount Elsay, 27 Aug 2022
Opinion: One of the few truly easy hikes near Vancouver with excellent trails. Although it's not dramatic or exciting, the forest greenery is soothing and at the right time of year, there's a pretty good flower show, including a selection of lesser-known blooms. Today, it was a perfect recovery hike for me and it felt … Continue reading Alice, Edith, and Fawn Lakes, 18 Jun 2022
I know, I know - another vignette. I promise there's a hike report coming soon! A couple of weeks ago I stopped in at Camosun Bog, a tiny remnant bog ecosystem on the edge of Pacific Spirit Park, to capture the bog laurel (kalmia) in bloom, having seen some photos on Twitter. The laurel was … Continue reading Vignette: Camosun Bog, 29 May 2022
Most people go to Whytecliff Park for the beach, to scramble over the rocks at low tide to get to Whyte Islet, or to go SCUBA diving in the sheltered bay. And sure, we do enjoy wandering over to the islet - at least when the rock is dry, unlike today. But there's a spot … Continue reading Vignette: Whytecliff Park, 15 May 2022
Opinion: Vancouver's beaches are our go-to place for most of our dose of fresh air in the city. Extending the trip around to Wreck Beach and returning via Pacific Spirit Park turns what is usually a casual beach wander into a more demanding endeavour. Hiking along the cobbles and shingle is great practice for trips … Continue reading Jericho to Wreck Beach, 2 Apr 2022
Opinion: A fine, well-marked cycle route that takes in all the sights of Port Coquitlam with some great riverside views of Golden Ears. While it rubs shoulders with traffic and industry in a couple of places, much of the route is close to or immersed in nature. I wouldn't walk much of this route as … Continue reading Traboulay PoCo Trail, 10 Apr 2022
It's that time of year again when the white fawn lilies (Erythronium oregonum) are blooming and I've been coming to Lighthouse Park every year but two since 2012 to see and photograph them. My favourite place to view the lilies is at Eagle Point, easily reached at the southern end of the Valley of the … Continue reading Photo essay: fawn lilies in Lighthouse Park
It's been exactly four weeks since we were last in Stanley Park and in that time Spring has definitely begun to take hold. We did a very similar 7.5-ish km loop around the park, from Third Beach along the seawall to Lost Lagoon, then across to Coal Harbour and north past the aquarium to the … Continue reading Vignette: Stanley Park, 26 Mar 2022
The Fraser River estuary is an important area for overwintering birds, perhaps the most visible of which are snow geese, which flock in their hundreds - if not thousands - to the wetlands and marshes where the Fraser meets the Salish Sea. A great place to see them is along the west dyke in Richmond, … Continue reading Vignette: snow goose-a-palooza, 16 Jan 2022
Being. Outdoors. 