It's a beautiful day!

Yesterday was a glorious day here. The temperature was pretty decent, and the sky was blue. I started the day off by taking a walk along the waterfront, which is just a few short blocks from here.

The seaplanes had no issues with fog and were frequently buzzing across Stanley Park. Oh well - I'll just have to come back to do that trip. I've flown over Vancouver Harbour once, and the view is spectacular. 

The seaplane and clear blue sky

It was earlyish in the morning when I went out. I think the temperature was 4 degrees Celsius at the time, but that didn't stop Vancouverites from walking/running in shorts. And people were playing tennis!!! They are certainly not afraid of the temperatures or the rain. Yet, others were bundled up in their long puffer coats. 

I started out with my orange jacket, which is on its last legs. The water repellent is gone, and the down has become so thin. But it still works. I had thin gloves and my scarf on, but by the time I got back from my walk, I was sweating buckets. Did I mention that there are hills in this area? It's fine going down, but coming back up? 

Anyway, I spotted the sun rising by the Lion's Gate Bridge, which was beautiful to watch. 

Sunrise and the Lion's Gate Bridge

It is pretty amazing when you think I take all my pictures with my phone. The features on it are much better than those on my DSLR camera. And that is why cell phones are so expensive. The phone? It probably costs a couple of dollars, but the phone's camera, with all its features, is what costs so much. So if you are NOT taking advantage of the camera, then you probably don't need a new phone. 

The walk along the water's edge is stunning. If I lived here, I would be walking there every day. And the best news? It's a DOG PARK!!!!! My girls would be in their glory. However, I'm not sure how they would behave, as most dogs just ambled along with their owners, while my girls would be buzzing around like mad. Of course, there are no squirrels or rabbits to distract them, so it might work. 

The dog park!!!

I was on the hunt for an Adventure Lab (part of Geocaching), and I managed to get most of it, but M and I finished it off later in the day. There are benches along the way with plaques. This would be a cool spot to put a memorial bench. I may not have lived here, but the view is spectacular. 

Benches along the path

And there is one section near the bridge where you walk through the forest, which is very different from my forest back home. 

Forest bathing - BC style

You know you are playing EXIT Games too much when you start to spot numbers everywhere. 

There's a FIVE!!!!

I think that was an earthworm who had seen better days! But seriously --- you can't miss that number!!! The walk was excellent, and I made up for the lack of steps the previous day when it was raining. 

I stopped at a cafe for a hot chocolate. And I got this cute motif on the top. My body (and wallet) are going to go into withdrawal when I get home. Not many Tim's here, and the cafes aren't cheap!!!

The motif in my hot chocolate

Interesting that when I got to the bottom, the motif was still there. Hmmm --- what is it made of? 

The motif lasted until the bottom of the cup

After lunch, M and I went out, and we walked along the waterfront to finish the Adventure Lab. And of course, Bear had to come with us. It wasn't in the plan that he was coming, but he was pretty insistent when we were getting ready to leave! He has such an attitude for a little guy. 

As we were down on the pier, we spotted this giant ship coming out of the harbour. Hmm --- what is that? It was GIANT and not like anything I'd seen before. I guessed that it was a car carrier, and when we did a Google image search, that's what it was!!!! Here's a video if you want to know all about Ro-ro carriers. Ro-ro stands for roll-on/roll-off, so they are designed for anything that can be loaded via its own wheels, eliminating the need for a crane. Who knew???

The Ro Ro carrier

WOW -- it's like a parking garage that floats!!! Pretty impressive. I imagine that this ship just unloaded a load of cars, but I wonder what it takes back? Does it sail empty? I don't think so because some of them can carry cargo, but it would be limited since they don't have an external loading system. 

We also watched people crabbing off the pier. They load something to entice the crabs into an open net, then wing it into the water. I'm not sure how the net closes, but then they can reel the net in. This person was measuring, so I guess there are regulations as to what size you can keep. 

Measuring the crab

Then we stopped at another cafe in the afternoon. And it was glorious. We sat there in our shirt sleeves. OK - so there was a heater on the patio, but it was a beautiful day. And this is what they had inside. 

Macarons

Among many other goodies, but we only had a few macarons. And of course, Bear was the center of attention. He just gets people going, and he knows it!!!

Here's a group shot of us at one point. I think we were on the pier at this point. No background to see, but we were on the ocean! Or harbour or whatever you want to call it. I guess it's between Burrard Inlet and the Vancouver Harbour. 

Group shot

I had some computer work to do in the afternoon. Working on a big project, which I hope to share with you all in a couple of weeks. I have a lot of work to do before I can show you. Bear was bored by it all since it didn't directly involve him, but he got lots of love. 

Grandma - computer work is boring!!!!

We had to pop out to Michael's again, and M spotted this. OK -- water bottles are a big deal, but look how tiny this cup is. Useful? Novelty? I don't know, and it had a metal straw in it. 

A tiny water container

And then I got a lesson in reusable cups. You can buy accessories for them, including snack trays. Oh boy -- I'm out of the loop. I just want something that I can put my water in. 

Snack trays for water bottles

While on Salt Spring Island, I spotted some diamond painting kits, so I bought one for M, since I knew she liked rhinestones. Well, she finished it last night and was wondering how to frame it. 

Finishing the diamond painting picture

We went to Michael's to get a mat cut for an inexpensive frame. We asked for 6 1/4" by 6 3/8" as that was the size of the colored part. We were all excited, but when we got home, it wasn't the correct size. Despite confirming several times with the clerk, she wrote down 6" by 6 1/8". So she missed 1/4" on both sides. Hmmmmm -- that's insane, so we have to go back today. Well, M will have to go back because I have a plane to catch. 

My plane leaves at noon, so I have to get everything packed, and then we'll head to the airport, as I have two suitcases to check. 

While it's been a great time away, it's definitely time to go home. I have so much to do, and so much I want to do, and I'm only home for a day before I leave again. Who did the planning on that? OK -- so it was me, but it was also just how the timing for things worked out. That will be the LAST trip of the year! 

I'm sure the girls will be excited to see me, but they have been walking while I was away, and I have my SIL to thank for that! She's also been working on her quilt in Studio B, so she's keeping Murphy company or vice versa. I've been sending advice when she needed it via text!!!! She knows how to sew, so it really isn't a big deal. But I remember the first time I made a quilt with HSTs --- I didn't know how to trim, and there wasn't a single one done properly on that quilt!

We watched the next episode of Project Runway Canada, but there was only one more to watch. The episodes are being released weekly, so the next one doesn't come out until Friday. Will I watch it on my own? I'm not sure. So then we moved to the current season of Project Runway. Oh boy -- how much of the attitude is scripted or hyped up? Some of the cast are pretty flamboyant!!!!! And the drama? Wow!!!!

Well, I'd better get myself organized so I can finish packing up my stuff, which kind of got spread all over, and that's OK. 

Before I go, here's the next post on QUILTsocial. Today, it's all about textured machine embroidery (yarn couching). This is appropriate for anyone with an embroidery machine, so be sure to check it out. 

Have a wonderful day!!!!

Ciao!!!!