Day 9 - Lynn Canyon and Lighthouse Point

It seemed like a lovely day for a hike. I mean, I was feeling slightly better (less headache and nausea, more soreness everywhere), Faith was feeling better (she hadn't been 100% either) and today couldn't be any worse with Judah. Usually that sentiment passes as the day progresses, but in this case...

We left a little earlier today. Just before 11 am. We arrived in North Vancouver and up Lynn Valley Road by 12 noon. That was twice as fast as traffic yesterday! We ate lunch and circled the parking lot once before someone pulled out right in front of us. This is my gift. I get good parking 90% of the time. We wandered around looking for the lou for a few moments and then took in the lovely views.


I remembered coming here with family when I was younger. It was wonderful to me then as it is now. The suspension bridge was still breathtaking. However, Faith wasn't allowed to pause and ponder the scenery - Judah dragged her up the other side as fast as he could move. Apparently he doesn't like high swinging things that hang over deep ravines. That's a different kind of breathtaking - *GASP!*


We walked down to Twin Falls and paused on the gravel shore for a few moments before climbing our way back up using the intricate root systems of trees centuries old to return to the beautifully worn wooden pathways and the weathered and wet staircases. I wished my camera could do justice to the bold green moss and reddened woods that fell under the shafts of light and shadows draping over them. I suppose just being there is the only true way to appreciate it fully. Being there.

Near the top we met a bungee outfitter walking his pitbull (which the kids loved) who told us where they had just the other day been leaping from canyon ledges into certain pools above the falls this year because the water is higher than normal. Cool. I was so tempted to step off the path to take better photos, but I needed to set the standard for my kids. They would be the ones who would follow my lead and then take the extra inch and slip. Without a bungee cord. Not a pretty picture.

At the top we realized that we had plenty of time left, so we decided explore another vantage point - Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver. So off we went. It took a lot more twisting and winding to get there between the gorgeous homes on the mountainside. Again, someone was pulling out of a great spot as I pulled in. Perfect. The main trail was a breeze. Judah tripped once running ahead after we had just told him not to for the fifth time, naturally. We got down to the lookout, snapped a few photos, walked onto the curators' yard, for one more, and left as she locked the gate to run an errand. Instead of trying to keep Judah from running ahead on the way up, we watched him lag further and further behind. This did not bode well. So we all tried to gently encourage him to hurry. No dice. Unfortunately, threats worked better. We almost left him in the dust and he panicked just a little.

On the way back we had considered dropping by Canada Place and seeing the cauldron from the Olympics. Noticing the 2 hour delays on the Lion's Gate Bridge changed our minds in a hurry. Oh well, you can't win them all. The kids did alright in the vehicle. We did have the DVD player on for much of the trip back. We were at the house in Abbotsford again before 4:20 pm - a drastic change from the previous day's travels. We ate supper, spent time at a nearby park, played a board game, bathed the kids, and sent them to bed at a half-decent hour. It was a pretty good day altogether - a pretty good day even if I do say so myself.

- Mark