Token Trip to Lonsdale Quay

I think that as a kid finding out that today you get to go on a train, a boat AND all without having to wear a seatbelt would be the most fantastic news ever. Heck, it's pretty awesome for me now and I'm 31. One thing I have to do every single time I'm in Vancouver is make a trip up to Lonsdale Quay so I can sink my teeth into a Beaver Tail. It's kind of a pain just for a snack but for me it's totally worth it and since Ryan is such a great sport and fab husband he goes along for the ride so off we headed Friday morning to North Van via sky train and sea bus and of course we had to sit right in the front of the boat so we could see exactly where we were going. As the sea bus slowed down to dock at the Quay poor Maddy started to get really nervous thinking we were going to crash and started whimpering. Finally after the boat stopped moving and the doors opened she realized we were safely docked and she celebrated with a big smile and an excited "mommy! We didn't crash, we didn't crash" and off she ran.

Once we got off the sea bus and onto solid ground the sun was out and warming the dock on the Quay so we walked around outside admiring all the boats and the great view of the city. The kids splashed their hands around in the fountain, threw in some change to make a wish and looked down the railings into the water. They counted the tugboats that were docked along the side of walkway that lines all the little shops inside the Quay while running up and down. There was someone playing some instrument that sounded quite nice while trying to sell his CD's and other little trinkets that of course tempted little fingers. We slowly made our way inside to see what the market would offer us today and we checked out the big fish for sale, the octopus and different fruits and vegtables before heading upstairs to check out some more of the little shops and to let the kids play in the inside park.

Once the kids had some fun hiding in the ball pit it was time for the best part of Lonsdale Quay ... Beaver Tails. I guess I have this big weakness for fried bread but no matter how many times I try to duplicate making beaver tails at home they just aren't as good. Since sharing one was out of the question Brayden, Sydney, Kait and I ordered our snack and watched anxiously as the girl flattened the dough, cooked it in the fryer and topped it with deliciousness. Brayd, Kait and I got the classic cinnamon, sugar and a squeeze of lemon while Sydney opted for something a little more dessert like: icing and oreo cookies! We then took our 'snack' outside onto the patio part of the dock and sat in the warm sunshine and chowed down our Beaver Tails. There is nothing like these fleeting moments of enjoyment where everyone is quiet and happy, sitting in the warm windless sunshine breathing in that fresh air. I love Lethbridge but I really do love taking a break, especially from the wind that sometimes is absolutely relentless. And so after our late morning snack we hopped back into the city to get ourselves some lunch of freshly fried Fish and Chips from Cockney King's, the fish and chip restaurant we would go to as a family with my Nana and Papa when I was growing up. If you've never been, it's 100% a must. Seriously, it's so good!