Lynden is a pretty town of 15,000 population that at one time had a sizable Dutch population.  The downtown still projects the Dutch heritage in its architecture and several store themes, like the Dutch Bakery and restaurants like "Dutch Mothers."  We went out for breakfast and shared a "pannekoeken",  a Dutch style pancake. 

Visited the local heritage museum that was crammed with vintage memorabilia from the area plus a very large carriage museum.

Here is Sam and Katie and Deann. Unfortunately John was out of town until Sunday.

We got to dig in the dirt and help DeAnn with some spring planting around thier yard.

Carly, the dog is great entertainment. She would have us throw a tennis ball and she would chase it for hours.

Hot dogs and 'Smores over the fire for dinner.

This is the heart of raspberry country so couldn't resist fresh local berries.

The view at the end of the road of Mt Baker over the red barn of a picturesque farm.

Back in US --Lynden, Washington

Here we are parked in the Hiemstra's hideaway! How great is that!

John and DeAnn have a lovely home tucked in the woods near Lynden, Washington.  John put in a special 30amp outlet from his very nice workshop to accommodate visiting RV's--like us!

I made a visit to John's clinic in town and met with Dr Fleming about my knee.  He confirmed my suspicions that it is an inflamation like a bursa and I should continue with anti-inflammatory drugs and wait it out.  Actually it is somewhat better already. My biggest question is whether I should stay off of it or "push through." He told me to go for it, resting won't make it heal any faster--just quit when my leg tells me to. That's pretty much what I have been doing. 

Nice, people at the clinic.

Our mottos

Still Vancouver

Woke up to rain this morning.

 Actually rain woke us up overnight as when it rains it can be really loud in the RV. But not storming. Will was planning to bike the 8K seawall at Stanley Park but guess not this morning. Time to run some errands. Out for breakfast first.

More pictures of Vancouver

It's a city of harbors and boats and water.

More sky scrapers reflected in the mirror of a modern building.

Graceful sculpture in the harbor made comic by a resting seagull.

Totems in Stanley Park honoring the many First Nations tribes that once lived here. 

A city of bridges

Fresh fruit in the market piled high.  In fact I watched a lady carefully pile cherries higher and higher. It's precise and time consuming but you have to think you are getting a good value!

Another interesting building in Gastown. Vancouver was once known as Gastown and this is the location of beginnings of of the city. It's all been gentrified and renovated and touristy now. Understand it was skid row until some developers started buying up buildings and preserving them.

Day trip to Whistler

We drove up to Whistler today. Was about an hours drive to the ski resort. Our intention was to take a gondola up one mountain, a chair lift to another mountain to a suspension bridge and sky-walk they recently opened but the weather today did not cooperate. Top of mountain was fogged in and raining.  Except for a short rain shower, it was fine at the village so we spent the day checking out the resort. It was surprisingly busy, this time of year the big draw is mountain biking so they are a 4 season resort now!

It is a beautiful drive up to Whistler with several scenic spots to pull off the road and enjoy. The road parallels Howard Sound for a good part of the way and as soon as water views stop, there are more mountains or streams and even waterfalls to see.

This waterfall is so much more dramatic than it looks in picture. Too many rocks to climb over with my poor knee so can't really get to the bottom but it is falling from a long way up there!

British Columbia is amazing.

Doing Vancouver

So far we have found Vancouver to be the beautiful city it has proposed to be but traffic is really bad.  Our RV park just happens to be conveniently located but that means a high traffic area. Because this city is made up of islands there are several bridges and traffic has to merge onto those bridges to get from one place to a other.  You see signs in restaurant parking lots for severe fines if you park and leave your car there. And parking lots fees are same as Manhattan.  So we beat the system and do what we always think is fun anyway--figure out public transportation.  We took a city bus downtown and then did a hop-on, hop-off bus to see the sites. Gas town is pretty touristy, of course, but its historic and it's a fun place to walk around.  The old steam clock seems to draw a crowd as it marks the time with a steam whistled toon every 15 minutes

Hard to take pictures from the top of moving open top bus but fun. Coming past the Vancouver stadium.

We spent a couple of hours walking around Granville Island.  Wonderful market plus more shops and galleries. The market was most fun.

I have to research this but a group of Brazilian artists did this in 2010. They are as big as grain elevators but it is actually a cement plant overlooking the waterfront. Cant miss them and cant help but make you smile.

Talk about a smile--this mother goose stepped out in traffic and led her brood across the street and stopped traffic dead in its tracks!! What is a hoot is that she did it at a pedestrian crossing.  She knew what she was doing!!

When day was done and I couldn't walk anymore we took Seabus (small ferry) back to North Vancouver then another bus back to RV park.

Leaving Vancouver Island

There is a lot of the island we didn't see. Only went as far north as Campbell River. If one were into fishing big time, or back country sports then going farther north would be wonderful.  I am sure it is beautiful and rugged and unspoiled.  It's all trees and lakes and mountains--and more trees!! 

   We got a great taste of the island and have enjoyed being here. Unfortunately I am not hiking or walking as much as I have developed a sore left knee. So extended hikes are not appealing right now. 

  Vancouver Island is 290 miles long by 62 miles wide and hundreds of islands surrounding the big island. Many are primitive and unexplored but lots have thriving communities on them. We have had amazing weather, no rain to speak of and in a normal year we could have been wet for the whole two weeks.  Only morning fog on the West coast.  In fact the locals are concerned because it is so dry right now.

Waiting in line for ferry crossing from Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver.

This is the largest ferry we have ever been on. Seems as big as a cruise ship--well, a very small cruise ship.

Skyline of Vancouver on the mainland.

It's a big sailboat--it just looks small out there.

Last day on the island. Nanaimo

Looking across the bay at the city of Nanaimo.  Was a Hudson's Bay outpost, coal was discovered and mined here in its history. Now a busy seaport and gateway to Vancouver Island.

Interesting rainbow street markings in arts district.

Once St Andrew's Presbyterian Church in the "old city quarter"  from 1925. Several churches came together in the 50's and now is just St Andrew's Church.

This is a Nanaimo Bar. Featured all over the island as something special. Had to try it. Was sweet and good but frankly I think it is something my mother use to make. The crust is crushed chocolate wafers and coconut with cream filling and chocolate on top.

We found a REAL farmers market selling local produce,  plants, arts and crafts, meats, pastries. We are a tad early here, fresh produce just gearing up. 

Now, I am all for healthy alternatives and organic meats and produce but this sign just seemed a bit over the top. Is it really that much more nutritious?!

Walking around town we came upon this center. Just seems the Canadians know what they are doing!

Nanaimo

Love these long summer days in the north country. This was out the bedroom window last night, the longest day of the year--after 10pm.  But we are in bed most nights by this time.

Nanaimo boat harbour from Promenade Pier.

Englishman River Provincial Park

Driving through the town of Coombs we came upon this sign and store. It was a farmers market, a grocery store, a restaurant, gift shop oddly named, "Goats on the Roof." Then you look up and sure enough, there are goats on the roof, eating away at the grass growing on the roof!  

Another BC provincial park with rustic campground and boasts another waterfall.

With trails all around.  We took a picnic lunch to enjoy while we checked it all out.

Just one single baby duck floating down river.  Wonder if he got separated from his family!