Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Sunny and a cool 8°c

Last Sunday was a beautiful but cold day.  The sun was deceiving as it looked warmer than it felt.   Vancouver is surrounded by water on 3 sides and accessed by many bridges.    There are two bridges which connect to North and West Vancouver.   The Lion's Gate bridge is fondly known, by the locals, as the First Narrows Bridge.  The Iron Worker's Memorial Bridge is known as the Second Narrows Bridge

    Looking Southward from the 2nd Narrows Bridge.  

This section of highway is part of the Trans Canada Hwy 1 ( also known as Hwy 401 ).   Vancouver is built on 7 hills, some of which could have been small volcanos .   (not unlike QE park where the flowers are growing in the crater)


Visitors may not realize that North Vancouver & West Vancouver are separate cities with their own Mayor,  elected officials and city hall  (municipal offices).    The even have their own Police Force (administered by the RCMP)      In Vancouver we have our own VPD: Vancouver Police Department


Being a Sunday the traffic is not that bad.   During rush hours this would be like a parking lot with bumper to bumper cars


Yes, those are the snow covered Lions in the background


This is the view of our harbour, Burrard Inlet.   That's the Lion's Gate Bridge in the distance  (ie First Narrows Bridge)


It's a working harbour where there is no public access.   Another view of the Lions on the top right.

Dar wrote a post  (here)  about wearing Pink riding gear.   I have many pink casual wear items and it was also warm enough to wear my shorts for the first time this year


Sunny and warmer temperatures are forecast for this weekend.   Perfect for riding . . .


23 comments:

  1. Nice bridge and harbor photos. I would enjoy living along the water if it wasn't for all the people. I must be kind of anti-social as I like wide open spaces. I guess those two things must be mutually exclusive.

    I didn't realize that your new fence extended to the front yard as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Richard:

      waterfront property prices are astronomical. We have water access throughout are area except for this harbour, where due to security issues the public is not allowed.

      I agree with the wide open spaces. We like the amenities of a City but when we take road trips, we always travel to the countryside where cell service is spotty.

      Our fence only comes up to the front on one side.

      Delete
    2. I was thinking that either you hate that neighbor or you get along really well. In most areas, a front fence would be frowned upon...

      Delete
    3. Richard:

      Funny you should ask about fences. From my observations this is what I have noticed. In more upscale areas we have fenced back yards, with a lane. In less upscale areas they have fenced front yards where you need to unlatch a gate to reach the front door. I suppose I should take some photos for you so you can see for yourself what I am saying.

      One neighbour is fine, the other one just rents and is the trouble maker with dogs barking all night and general lack of courtesy

      Delete
  2. It's interesting to see the busy side of your community, for some reason I always thought that you lived a sleepy kind of town, not so!!

    Love the pink singlet, but that's not riding gear .. where's the crocs? And dont you realise the 8ºC is still too cold to wear shorts !!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brenda:

      Our town is not sleepy, we are like a large metropolis. Don't let population figures fool you. Vancouver is only one city which is part of the GVRD: Greater Vancouver Regional District which comprises other cities surrounding us .

      I don't mind a bit of coolness. Once temperatures reach a low of 10°c I will be in T-shirts, shorts & flops until the Fall. In hot weather I wear singlets under my Riding (mesh) Jacket, and shorts under my riding
      pants. I was actually wearing my Pink Crocs© but ditched them for the photo. Everyone knows that Crocless is best

      Delete
  3. Nice photos. Vancouver is a visual feast. And that's a good view of your fence, too. I just got my first estimate on my privacy fence. If not for all the other things I'm throwing money at and the sure unknowns, I would probably go ahead with the fence. But I'm not sure now. And they say they can't get into the frozen ground until late May to June most likely.

    So here is a classic example of life wasted in the north. June?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Martha:

      We never had a privacy fence until we got our Dogs, then we had to secure our yard. We got used to a bit of privacy as cars drive down our lane. I'm not saying that we live in a bad area but it's nice to not have neighbours looking at you all the time. Our ground doesn't freeze as temps hover around freezing most of the time. Our fence was installed a month or so ago and each post is cemented/anchored into the ground

      Delete
  4. Bob, It's a good thing you were standing in the shadows when that picture was taken. My retinas would probably be damaged from the brightness of you top!! LOL like I should talk eh, I prefer the bright lime green/yellow.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Erik:

      I thought of you when I bought that nearly flourescent pink tank top. They had another bright yellowish/green colour which was "sort of" like your ninja green. If you want it I will go back and see if they have them. I always keep an eye out for things that match your Crocs© .

      I should have bought it . . . it is more yellowish/lime green NOT Lime Green/yellow if you know what I mean. I did snap a few photos in the sun but the colour in the shade showed the colour more naturally

      Delete
  5. 8 degrees and you are in shorts? Geez Bob have you lost feeling in your legs or is your circulation that good?

    On a side note, I really like the fence. Nice idea to go horizontal with the slats.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Trobairitz:

      As compared to Freezing, 8°c felt like Spring, wasn't bad at all. I saw many people here in shorts and sandals too. It was quite pleasant in the Sun. I guess I can endure temps a bit cooler than some people. Even whilst riding I don't turn on my heated grips, nor have I used my heated vest in many years.

      The fence design was our son's idea. Gives our place a modern look

      Delete
  6. Dear Mr. Scoot:

    I have been to Vancouver many times and like the city very much. I have been over those very thoroughfares that you wrote about, both in traffic and without. A former lover of mine used to own a condo in Whistler, and drove that road through the mountains in winter and in summer.

    I like your fence too.

    Now regarding your pink wardrobe... Have you ever watched any of the Soprano's episodes? Wearing that pink stuff in New Jersey is going to get you buried in Muscato's dump, alleged resting place of Jimmy Hoffa.

    Nice pictures.

    Fondest regards,
    Jack/reep
    Twisted Roads

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jack:

      Perhaps one days soon you will be riding to Vancouver on your K1300GT and we can ride up to Whistler to have lunch and talk about the good ole days. You would be surprised how much Whistler has changed since you were here last.

      I have lots of Pink stuff. I have a pink laptop case and a pink iPhone cover and recently was given a pink baseball cap

      only 3+ months . . .

      Delete
  7. Bob - nice fence ... and whoa, it sure makes that pink stand out!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen:

      I like our new fence too, but not the gates. they are hard to lock into place. The colour of the Pink was more accurate when in the shade. It looked washed out in the sunlight

      Delete
  8. Kind of reminds me of San Francisco except for those beautiful mountains in the background. Very nice scenery. Still a little chilly for shorts LOL!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathy:

      We have another city here which is more like San Francisco. It's New Westminster which used to be the capital of BC and it known as "The Royal City". The streets are steep and on the side of a hill. Riding a bike there is challenging due to cambered angles and stopping on steep hills. No problem for trikes though

      Delete
  9. I hope by "perfect for riding" this weekend the weather warms up about 70 degrees!!

    Wow! And I'm whining when it's 50 degrees out. I feel like such a baby. . .

    Sweet Rides Bob,

    Sash

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sash:

      The problem is not so much the cold, as it is for ice and frost. Anything above 5°c is good for riding. I have heated gear but seldom use it. Even during the heat of summer we have days where do don't even get up to 70°F. Lucky you live in southern CA

      Delete
  10. Bob you now have one of the nicest yards of any I have seen. When you get the lane house finished on the inside, you must offer us a barefoot video tour.

    Last Monday, Susan, Andrew and I spent the day driving around Vancouver, then Tuesday, Susan and I did the same and took Marine Drive out to the Point Atkinson Light House. It brought back fond memories of our ride together out to Horseshoe Bay with Sonja, Roland and Dave.

    All the best,

    David

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. David:

      Did you park and walk down the trail to the lighthouse ? During the summer it is hard to find parking there.

      I'm glad you managed to find some time to explore and also to remember when we rode our scooters to Horseshoe Bay. I'm also glad that you had more time to visit and relax on this trip

      Delete
  11. I have been to both West and North Vancouver, though i don't know the entire place, and i didn't know that the two have separate Mayors. good thing i found this post. Otherwise i couldn't have known. I am definitely going to read the article on Pink gear. Thanks Bob.
    Neomy
    Touring Bike Tires

    ReplyDelete