Natures Finest

With the sun shining we headed up to North Vancouver following the coastal road past some amazing homes and into a nice little forest area with paths and hikes to different areas and views. As soon as we got out of the van and stepped into the tree covered parking area you could smell the forrest. That nice crisp air with the scent of pine and moss. Nothing can beat that, it just smells so clean it's energizing. It's almost impossible to remember you're in a city as big as Vancouver when every where you look are these vibrant shades of green and trees even blocking the sky. Such an escape. So down the paths we went until we reached the looking point for the lighthouse:

Once we were satisfied with our view we turned around and slowly made our way back to the parking lot but this time taking the path less travelled. We were able to come across a few little meadows where the sun would find it's way through the trees lighting up the green and making it more vibrant somehow. It was quiet, peaceful and the kids could run around undisturbed playing and giggling, goofing around with Matthew and Auntie Kait.

At one point we made it to a meadow that had a theatre set up in the middle of it with a screen and rows of seats layed out for people to sit on. The grass was soft and neon with the spring growth and still damp from the rain during the week. It was so pretty and the perfect little hideaway. We sat for a few minutes before moving back to the main path where the kids would randomly jump out of their hiding spots in the trees in an attempt to scare us and then continue on ahead giggling with anticipation of hiding all over again.

After Lighthouse View Park we briefly stopped at Stanely Park so the kids could play at the park before Kait and Matthew spoiled us with a steak dinner. It always amazes me that here I am standing in the middle of the forrest, breathing in the smell of pine, joggers and bicyclers passing by and then right there is this massive city sky line. It's impossible to imagine the busy city and corporate world is just beyond the bridge when we are standing in something so peaceful and natural. I love Vancouver. I love the different cultures, the tall buildings, the nature, the incorporation of the Haida and the ocean. Living there would be a different story, but to visit ... I love it.