#AtoZChallenge - C is for Como Lake

C is for Como Lake Park located in Coquitlam, BC.  It was a spontaneous day and I ended up at Coquitlam Center and I never knew how close everything was when you drive in Coquitlam instead of take the bus.  My friend still had a bit of free time so I asked to get some exercise and go for a walk.  We found that Como Lake Park was only a 10 minute drive away.  Of course that is only when you don't go down the wrong residential streets and get U-turns at the end of the lane instead of the park parking lots.  With being so close to Como Lake and being able to see the lake, it was frustrating to be within reach but still had to drive around to find the real parking lot.  

When we did I was happy to have finally arrived at Como Lake Park.  It was a small lake to walk around and since it was a sunny day there were others walking that day.  A few with their dogs and what was more popular was the lake itself for some people.  It's because people can go fishing in Como Lake.  I saw someone in full fly fisherman gear in the lake fly fishing.  Others were on the pier.  Como Lake Park had beautiful views and reflections on a sunny day.
  

Vancouver Park - Winter Walk in Everett Crowley Park

Everett Crowley Park is Vancouver's hidden secret.  It is a peaceful park that's dog friendly with a duck pond and lots of space.  Every time I walk in that park it is like being in the woods with nature.  It's not only nice to wander in the summer:  Everett Crowley Park but with good snow boots, gloves, and a winter coat, it is nice to walk around in the winter too.

I take smaller steps in the winter because of the hidden ice but with the right shoes and on a sunny day you can still enjoy the views from Everett Crowley Park.   It's important to still read the warnings on the duck pond, the ice is quite thin and not strong enough to walk on.  Enjoy the views from the paths and don't forget to look up at the blue skies and tree tops.  I guess it is not common for people to take pictures of tree tops, my niece thought I was taking a selfie.  Nature can be enjoyed all year round.  It's a winter wonderland in BC this year!

Vancouver Park - Fall is in the Air at Central Park

National Blog Posting Month in November

#NaBloPoMo Day 3 - Fall is in the Air

On these rainy days in Vancouver it is nice to look back on #ThrowbackThursday to the crisp fall days when the leaves are changing colours and fall is in the air.  One sunny day a few friends decided to ring me up and since they were in the area we went for a walk in Central Park in Burnaby.  

That was a great opportunity for me to explore Central Park in the fall.  When you look up you can see the trees and there are many types to see that I wasn't even aware of.  We had a fabulous day of photography taking photos of the maple leaves, the scenery of the park and the surrounding areas.  That goes to show that even though I live there, I am commuting to work and not fully present in the moment to actually look up the trees that surround me.  So take a moment around your neighbourhood and you may be surprised to find some hidden gems.  

Vancouver Park - Vancouver River District

Walking and exploring new parks in Vancouver is a beautiful way to enjoy new scenery and spend time with friends.  The River District is in South Vancouver and along the Fraser River.  It is quiet and peaceful and lovely to stroll through.  There was a pier that we walked along so I could take these scenic photos below.  I love being a tourist in my own town in Vancouver and seeing what the Vancouver Parks have to offer including bird watching.  Take a look to see what the River District has to offer.    

Vancouver Park - Everett Crowley Park

In the summer, it is nice to go out for an evening stroll in the park after dinner especially since it is cooler in the evenings and it stays light longer so it's nice to take advantage of that before the dark winters.

Vancouver has a lot of different parks and there is a hidden gem called Everett Crowley Park.  It is like having a forest and the feeling of being in a small town in this park.  There is a lake where you can call the ducks if you have the right quacking sound, then suddenly ducks and baby ducks will start to appear.  They will come up close if you have bird seed.  Otherwise you can admire them from afar.

In the same lake I saw a Blue Heron just standing still enjoying the peace.  The scenery of the lake and the reflection of the trees is beautiful.  That is what nature is all about, taking a step back from the bustle of the city and being able to relax and breathe even if it is just for a minute.  

As you walk along the trails, you will find forest flower gardens, nice open green spaces, and even a bee hive.  

Even though it is a short walk, it is beautiful and quite serene.  

Find out more about the Everett Crowley walking trails at the Vancouver Parks website here:  http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/everett-crowley-trails.aspx

Travel Tuesday - Deer Lake Park

I love being a tourist in my own town and exploring nature in the city.  In Burnaby there are beautiful parks and Deer Lake Park is one of them.  

Deer Lake Park in the summer has boat rentals where people can rent kayaks, canoes, or peddle boats to scoot around the small lake.  Deer Lake has a beautiful walking trail around the lake with a wooden boardwalk that cuts across one end of the lake.  There are ducks around surprising few mosquitoes as it is not as large as Burnaby Lake.  It is easy to walk around Deer Lake Park in less than an hour.  

Even in the summer, we were able to enjoy an evening stroll before dinner.  I was happy we were walking instead of running.  Save the running for the cool fall weather.  Enjoy the views of the lake on a summer day!

Deer Lake Park

Deer Lake Park is situated in Burnaby, BC and close to Metrotown.  It is a small lake where people can rent canoes and boats in the busy summer months.  There are walking trails that surround the lake and the Shadbolt Arts Center and Burnaby Art Gallery are nearby.  The walking trails are well maintained and it is well used.  They built a boardwalk so that a part of the trails is going across the lake.  There are herons and geese and dog walkers and runners.  

Some places are more populated than others but it is easy to find a quiet place.  Most who go there want to be in nature for awhile or to sit on a nearby park bench and enjoy the natural view in the middle of the city. It is great to visit on a sunny day or to go walk around right before sunset.  

Each time I go I find new scenery, flora and fauna, and views that capture my lens.  Enjoy the photos from my March visits to Deer Lake Park in Burnaby.

Deer Lake - Fish pond

Deer Lake Sunset

Deer Lake Boardwalk

Deer Lake at Sunset

Deer Lake Walking Trails

Vancouver Event: Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival at Deer Lake Park

Hello Vancity Girlfriends,

It's a sunny summer afternoon and festivals are all around!  I've never been to a music festival before so I jumped at the chance to experience the festival when Delta Hotel Burnaby tweeted me to let me know that I won 2 tickets to the Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival at Deer Lake Park.   

Luckily on the Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival website they had a section on "How to Prepare" for your festival experience.  I brought a lightweight pack with my sunscreen, hand sanitizer, blanket, and water bottle.  Of course I wore my sunhat to tackle help fend off the sunshine.  






There were three stages set up at Deer Lake Park, the Main Stage, and two smaller stages called Westwood Stage and Garden Stage.  After the main stage act, the two other stages would simultaneously have two other bands play and then another main stage big attraction would play.  It was nonstop music at the festival.  The festival was from 1-10pm with the gates opening at noon.  I arrived around 1:30pm and stayed for 6 hours.  



 It was a fabulous day with bright sunshine and I was searching for shade.  At the Burnaby Blues and Roots festival I found that you don't need to be close to the stage to hear the music.  The sounds bounced from the speakers through the open air.  They also had two large big screens on either side of the main stage where you could see the acts.  

It was a good first experience at a music festival but after 6 hours I had hit my limit of sunshine even with sunscreen, sunhat, and refills of my water bottle.  Even though there was a misting tent and shaded tent, as you can see there were a LOT of people and you can't hide from the afternoon sun!  Music festivals are great for people watching too!  I'm glad I explored the Burnaby Blues and Roots festival and my favourite performances of the afternoon were Imelda May and Bettye LaVette.  Memorable performances!  

Next year you can check it out!  

http://www.burnabybluesfestival.com/

Travel Tuesday: Bow River Walkway in Calgary, Alberta

Last week I went on a road trip and the final destination was Calgary, Alberta.  I don't remember the last time I was in Calgary downtown but I had one full work day (7 hours) to explore the city on a sunny day.  That's when I discovered the beautiful spots where I could practice my photography along the Bow River walkway downtown Calgary.  

They have two pathways one for pedestrians and one for bicycles but you have to beware since the bicycles can get on the wrong path.  In April it was the changing of the seasons and you can see the river still had patches of snow amongst the running water.  The willow trees were beautiful and centre bridge was a nice focal point for my photography.  

As a beginner photographer I was told to just practice, practice, practice.  That's exactly what I did along my walk on the Bow River walkway in Calgary, Alberta.  It's scenic and I had fun exploring the beauty of the trees, bridge, and river.  What I love about nature is that it stands still while you try to figure out the composition.  

Bow River, Calgary AB

Centre Bridge, Calgary AB

Trees along Bow River Walkway, Calgary AB

View along Bow River, Calgary AB

Bow River Walkway, Calgary AB

Memorial Plaque Close Up, Calgary AB

Trip Advisor members also give the Bow River in Calgary, Alberta a high rating as an attraction to see when you visit.  It has 4.5 stars with 114 reviews at the time this post was written.  

Trip Advisor Bow River Attraction, Calgary AB

Vancouver Park: Queen Elizabeth Park in the Fall

Welcome to FALL in Vancouver!

Summer is over.  

Fall is here.  

The leaves are falling and changing colours.  

The fresh air is cool and crisp.

It's time Vancity Girlfriends to go out and explore Vancity Parks at Queen Elizabeth Park.  Queen Elizabeth Park is reknown in the summer for tourists and noted as the 'free' Butchart Gardens.  But you can visit the park any time of year. 

Queen Elizabeth Park has plenty of paid parking which is only $2 per hour.  An hour is plenty of time if you are exploring the park in walking pace.  We paid for two hours and walked around the park three times round and explored every area from the rose garden, quarries, duck pond and main gardens.  I was even stopping to take photos along the way and it took us a bit over an hour.  Other than parking, you can walk around the park grounds and enjoy nature without any admission fee.  (There is a fee for The Bloedel Conservatory).

Queen Elizabeth Park is picturesque and an easy walk around the gardens.  Every season the flowers, greenery and trees are different colours so it's worth a trip over to visit your local park and enjoy 30 minutes a day. 

Research has shown that being in nature for 30 minutes a day for 30 days will help alleviate stress and bring you back to a more peaceful state.  Read the Hiking Research.