Looping Locally

We left some cars at Clyde Avenue in West Vancouver and headed to the meeting point at Trafalgar and Point Grey Road, where eighteen people assembled. (Our leader vows there will be no car shuffling in 2023.)

It was a glorious day, warm and sunny. An eagle was spotted keeping a beady eye on us.

We couldn’t resist taking a second starting selfie on the stage of the Kitsilano Showboat at the Kits Pool. Here we admired the kinetic sculpture called the Windswimmer, the first of many pieces of public art on this walk. A trail of Loopers wound along Kits Beach and through Vanier Park to Granville Island, where Jon was observed scalping tickets for the Aquabus ride across the water to the Aquatic Centre.

We crossed in two batches and reconvened on the north side. Then we ambled along the English Bay beach to Stanley Park, admiring the giant engagement ring sculpture, the steel 217.5 Arc x 13, the remains of the barge that came aground on the beach back in 2021, and the Inukshuk.

The group stopped for a lunch break at the concession stand by Second Beach. Some hedonistic souls opted for Mario’s Gelati. Thus fully rested and refreshed, we took to the trails, following Bridle Path, Rawlings Trail, Tatlow Walk, Merilees Trail, and Siwash Rock Trail to the Siwash Rock viewpoint. On the trails, many furry caterpillars were “rescued” from a squashing death by a well-intentioned member of the group. After a pause at the viewpoint, we headed to Prospect Point Trail and thence to the Lions Gate Bridge.

We walked across the bridge, where we could see that a fender bender and the closing of the middle lane had caused the start of a traffic buildup. As the first arrivals descended to Bridge Street, we could look up to see others arriving. The reunited group then crossed the bridge over the Capilano River, where salmon fishing was in progress.

At this point, a few people departed as arranged. The usual Vancouver sunny weekend traffic chaos occurred following the lane closure on the bridge, so there was some modification of plans.

Sixteen, including Sandy who had arranged to join us, ended at the Village Tap House for welcome cold beverages or Caffe Artigiano for warm ones.

Photos: Adrienne, Angela, Jon, Michael

Looping Elsewhere

Notes from David and Angela (2) on Looping Mallorca: A small island, Sa Dragonera, lies a 15 minute rolling boat ride from the southeast corner of Mallorca. With a birding guide we walked about 4kms to see many Eleanora’s falcons. Great walk, spectacular views.

Another walk in a wetland nature reserve was decidedly wet.

Another, over 6kms in all in drenching heat, led us (at last) to a prehistoric necropolis. We think the prehistoric walkers died of heatstroke and were entombed there.

Finally, for Jon, the Little Egret will have to stand in for his Great Blue Heron.