On the morning of Friday, June 27, 2025, I was up early. I planned to go for a run.
Prior to our trip, I purchased a pair of Hoka trail running shoes. As much as I love my Brooks running shoes, I wanted to have one pair of shoes that I could go for a run in and use on a variety of terrains in Alaska. Additionally, the Hokas were GoreTex to reduce possible water intrusion.
Out at the Vancouver airport the temperature was 55 degrees. It was mostly cloudy with an east southeast wind, dew point 53, humidity 96%, and visibility was at twenty miles.
I walked through the quiet lobby of the Sylvia Hotel, and headed toward a concrete base trail along English Bay. The trail was a connector into Stanley Park.
I wasn’t the only early riser. I came across four herons. One was disrupting the quiet of the morning squawking from a tree.
Some type of filming was taking place in this location as there were several production trailers lined up.
Along the edges of the trail, I noted that the water near the shoreline of English Bay was translucent. I could see the bottom in the shallows.
Around one bend, I came across a very nice municipal pool complex. Someone put quite a bit of thought into its development. Every amenity seemed to be included in the design.
The runners I encountered were friendly. Numerous good mornings were exchanged.
A cruise ship was getting an early start maneuvering through the pretty harbor.
I discovered a beach that was covered with fragments of cracked purple from the inside of mussel shells.
The trees in Stanley Park form an appealing backdrop along the trail.
And woven into that beauty are some homeless souls sleeping in sleeping bags on secluded park benches. I don’t know how lucky I am.
At some point, I turn around and retrace my steps to the hotel.
After cleaning up from the run, we gather for breakfast. I had the perfect bowl of oatmeal with a smidge of brown sugar and a variety of fruit to top it off.
Our plan for today was to take a Uber out to the University of British Columbia.
This well maintained campus kept us busy as we enjoyed a Japanese garden, a rose garden, and the stunning Museum of Anthropology.
On trips like this, I always wonder about the vision of the people who planned and put this wonderful Museum of Anthropology together.
Every display was intricate and thoughtfully designed.
Most impressive were the totem poles. No doubt it takes a lot of skill and patience to create a totem pole. But one can feel the passion and soul from the artisans who created them.
I learned that red cedar is the favorite choice for carving totem poles. Red cedar has a “straight grain and soft tissue—ideal for carving.”
Cedar is also the choice for crafting a canoe. A massive single cedar log can be used to form a canoe.
At some point, we walked outside to grounds at the back of the museum. This gave us a different look at how the architect developed the backside of the building.
It looked like the grounds in this area had just been recently completed. Once this area is fully developed, it will add another dimension to the museum.
We had a light lunch at a Tim Hortons located at a food court on campus.
As we planned our way back to the hotel, we opted to take a Uber tour through Stanley Park. The park is massive. I understand why the park is always in motion— the people of Vancouver love it.
After the tour of Stanley Park, we stopped at Three Brits where I had a birthday beer.
From Three Brits, we walked through the shopping district near our hotel. I was amazed at the ethnicity of the restaurants and fruit stands on every block.
With my pals being nice to me, we had dinner at Craft Beer. It was an ok local spot, but it was loud inside—too loud for an old geezer like me.
After dinner, we walked through a display of human statues that were made of metal. The exhibit is called A-Maze-Ing-Laughter. Fourteen patinated-bronze figures are featured. The statues were created by Chinese artist Yue Minjun.
After the statues, we continued our walk to the hotel. I noticed a lady stopping at every trashcan. She was rummaging for aluminum cans.
Multiple high rise buildings make up the neighborhood. On this fading afternoon, we noticed on the rooftop of one of those buildings a large tree growing.
Back at the Sylvia Hotel, we opt for a nightcap before catching some sleep.
I’ve had a nice day, a good birthday.
My parents were really good parents.
I’m thankful that they opted to have children.
My sister and I were lucky.
I like to think that Louise and Bill would like the way we landed on our feet. This is despite the ups and downs the old world often hurls at people.
I have been so fortunate my whole life. That good fortune comes from my parents. They loved me despite my many, many faults.
That good fortune comes from my wife too and the dear friends we are traveling with on this trip.
And deep in my old soul, I know from watching the homeless sleeping on benches in Stanley Park to the lady going through every trash can this evening—one wrong move, and I could be in their shoes.
might be baloney 