The Farm, the birthplace of British Columbia and a 100 year old railway station

Friday, June 5

Steve and Sue live in a bungalow on Steve's sisters farm. It is a beautiful place. Steve's sister Joyce Trygg is a well known artist, famous for her animal paintings.

Trixie

keeping an eye on me

Plantations of Douglas Firs, originally planted as Christmas trees by previous owners

A humming bird actually sitting still

This afternoon we go to town. Fort Langley is the birthplace of British Columbia

Fort Langley is a village community with a population of 3,400 and forms part of the Township of Langley. It is the home of Fort Langley National Historic Site, a former fur trade post of the Hudson's Bay Company. 

Sir James Douglas - 1803-1877
As the first Governor of British Columbia (1858-1864), James Douglas proclaimed the new crown colony at
 Fort Langley on November 19, 1858

Fort Langley Railway Station celebrating its 100th birthday

Display inside an old railway carriage

Fraser River

This evening we see a Coyote in the nearest paddock. Naturally, the camera does not happen to be in my hands, so I just have to watch it.

In my next life, I want eyes with inbuilt cameras!

Moving to Fort Langley

Thursday, June 4

Steve and Sue Olliver, formerly of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, are now residing in Fort Langley. It is good to catch up with them again.

Steve picks me up from North Vancouver and after one of Sue's sumptuous luncheons, they take me sightseeing immediately. 
Destination: Harrison Hot Springs and Lake where they'd spent their honeymoon 29 years ago. Here they are in front of the very hotel.

Very healthy looking blackberry bushes

Hemlock

Cedar

Larch

Dogwood

The weather is nice and warm again. Going home, we travel on the other side of the Fraser River.

Later on at home, we watch various birds, including humming birds, coming to the many bird feeders by the house.

Farewell to the last travel mate

Wednesday, June 3

After a day of pampering and taking it easy, Lou comes over from the city to join me for our last supper. She is going home tomorrow and I'll move out of town.

Excursion to Whistler

Tuesday, June 2

Another early start this morning. I have to get into town to be picked up by the little bus for my excursion to Whistler.
Unfortunately, the weather is pretty dismal today. The bus driver and tour guide can't promise that all available activities in Whistler will actually be available.
The drive up along the coast is very beautiful despite the weather.
Our first stop is at the Shannon Falls. 

Shannon Falls Provincial Park is a provincial park in British Columbia, Canada. It is located 58 kilometers from Vancouver and 2 kilometers south of Squamish along the Sea to Sky Highway. Wikipedia

• Province:
  • British Columbia
• Area:
  • 87 ha

The guide suggests to ignore the designated concrete path but follow the water course instead. Of course I take heed. I dislike concrete under foot at the best of times.

It was the best advice he could have given us. Just look how beautiful it is.

After making a few phone calls, our guide is able to tell us which activities will be available in Whistler.

I can't resist the idea of a two hour quad bike ride.

There are five of us, the other four being rather young men - two young enough to be my sons and the other two more of the grandson age......

...but this grandma enjoys herself immensely.

There's a first for everything: I've never worn a helmet on a quad bike before. The cows would have had strong objections to aliens on bikes!

The best view we can get of Whistler. Higher up we were in thick clouds.

On the way back to Vancouver, a little detour looking for very elusive bears

Brandywine Falls Provincial Park is a provincial park in British Columbia, Canada, located adjacent to BC Highway 99 between Garibaldi and Whistler, British Columbia. It is managed by Sea to Sky Parks for BC Parks. 

Alex Fall

Just a quick stop in Squamish to refuel the bus

Squamish is a community and a district municipality in the Canadian province of British Columbia, located at the north end of Howe Sound on the Sea to Sky Highway. Wikipedia

• Population:
  • 17,158 (2011)

We get back to Vancouver just after seven o'clock. The guide kindly drops me directly opposite the Water Station.

When I arrive back at Lonsdale Quay, the markets are already closing. 

Another fun day.