Ride to Stanley Park

Bronwyn and I went on a great bike-ride last Saturday. It was our first relatively long bike-ride since we got her new bike. She did so well! Kept up the whole time, her little legs peddling away. Commenting on the flowers and birds that we passed along the way; "Mummy, did you see those pink flowers that looked hollow inside? What are they called? Hey, I think I just saw a humming bird on that bush. Those little white flowers are beautiful; did you see them, mummy?". We crossed the Burrard Street bridge and she pointing out, with requisite "Awwws", every dog poking its head out of a car window, tongue lolling. We made our way over the bridge and down Beach Ave to Stanley Park. It was Bronwyn's first real ride in traffic. Every other bike ride has been along the beach or around our neighbourhood. But she kept up and we made it to Stanley Park in pretty good time. The clouds began to clear and it promised to be a sunny afternoon. Bronwyn didn't want to stop around English Bay, which can get quite crowded. Small crowds of people were already beginning to make their way down to the beach and the traffic was getting heavy at the end of Denman St. She said it was too busy for her and wanted to go to the "other" part of Stanley Park. So we rode further until we reached Second Beach and we stopped there. We shared an over-cooked veggie dog in a stale bun and shook our heads at tourists who were throwing fries to the numerous crows perched and gathered menacingly around the picnic area.

Second Beach

Bronwyn wanted to play at the playground so we walked over while she finished her ice-cream. Aside from a little swinging to and fro on the monkey bars and a bit of a climbing, the playground didn't seem to offer much to Bronwyn, although she did make quite a good attempt to have fun. Parents sat disconsolately around the perimeter, and I joined them there trying, unsuccessfully, to get some decent pictures. After a while I suggested we head down to the beach. The sun was shining and the temperature was warming up. Bronwyn liked that suggestion and we made our way down to the sand. The tide was out a fair way so Bronwyn was able to walk out and look for crabs under various rocks. There was a small group of kids around 8 or 9 years old also looking for crabs. They would shriek and scream loudly in pure excitement and wonder every time they saw one. One would exclaim, "Wow! This crab is huge, it's the biggest I've ever seen!" and there would shrieks from the other kids. Bronwyn was fascinated by their fascination, and comfortable in her 'beach superiority'. (*eye roll* seriously?). It was as if this was their first trip to the beach, or they certainly don't get to the beach often. One young girl complained bitterly when some sea-water got into her small silver sparkling shoes, "Ohhhh...I'm never coming to the beach again!" she cried. Bronwyn thought that was hilarious.

Nearby, a mother walked with her two small kids. Stopped to read her phone while her kids luxuriated, naked and almost naked, in the warm, wet sand. A young man was sitting among the rocks playing Debussy on his violin. He was quite accomplished and the sound carried beautifully. I know it was Debussy because another man, who sat listening nearby; dressed in black and looking like a biker, asked him what he was playing. I wanted to get in close to take a picture, but there were slippery rocks between me and him and I was distracted by the sound of other music coming from along the sea wall. We turned to see a parade rounding the corner and coming towards Second Beach.

What looked like a small procession in the distance, became, as we approached the revelers, a joyous wedding. Jazz musicians dressed in outlandish and colourful suits and dresses played a spirited number on saxophones, trumpets, trombones, while the wedding guests, dressed in their 'sunday best', laughed and danced. What looked to be the bride or bridegroom's mothers or aunts danced in front of the parade, waving bright red feather boas that left pieces of down scattered along the path. The bride and groom were a radiant young couple and the whole entourage was carnivalesque; a sort of throw-back to what I imagine to be an old fashioned New Orleans type of celebration. I thought wouldn't it be wonderful if these people were all fun, creative friends who decided to just sort of throw this wedding together. "Come and join us and bring your instrument!" But I suspect the musicians are paid to play at weddings and everything is carefully choreographed. Still, it was fun to watch. Now that was a wedding I would have liked to be invited to.

Bronwyn and I packed up and headed home, stopping at Segal's for bagels and chocolate and raspberry rugelach (which were sitting irresistibly on the counter). Again, although she was tired, Bronwyn kept up the whole way. It was a really fun outing! Bronwyn was worn out. When Trini and Lorne took her out for pizza that evening I think Bronwyn nearly fell asleep at the table!