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Stanley Park special issue from British Columbia Magazine

January 29, 2007 | Tips from Us > Vancouver, Gardens & City Parks
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Stanley Park is a spectacular 40 hectare park in downtown Vancouver. It is Canada's largest park and one of British Columbia's top attractions. It is to us Vancouverites what Central Park is to New Yorkers. You may have heard that Stanley Park has recently been hit by violent winter storms, with over 3,000 trees being toppled and parts of the world-famous seawall getting shut down (I saw this morning that news reports have hit France media even!). As devastating as the storms have been, there is still so much beauty within the park, and many reasons to visit. Much of the seawall is still open, as it many of the park's attractions, including the incomparable Vancouver Aquarium, and great restaurants like the Sequoia Grill. You should still set aside an afternoon to visit the park while in Vancouver. British Columbia Magazine is launching a special issue of the magazine, Stanley Park - After the Storm, to celebrate the park's timeless beauty and capture this point in the park's history. Stanley Park - After the Storm makes a great memento of a visit to B.C. and helps contribute to the park's restoration.

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Posted by Susan, Vancouver at 12:00 AM

Goldstream Eagle Watch

January 21, 2007 | Tips from Us > Victoria, Bird Watching

A few days ago, I stopped in Goldstream Provincial Park for a quick look for eagles. I wanted to compare this Vancouver Island location to the Brackendale experience I had last weekend (below). Overall, I have to admit I prefer Goldstream. The stream, for which I assume the park takes its name, is smaller than the Squamish River in Brackendale so I was able to count eagle feathers without a telescope. But then, I could smell the pungent spawned-out salmon in a bit more detail as well. Also, the eagles perch in an old-growth temperate rain forest, which creates an ambiance that mentally takes you to the middle of nowhere - just you and eagles (if you are able to ignore the traffic on the highway behind you). Which leads me to the final reason why I like Goldstream better - fewer people. Instead of standing in an exposed bird watching lineup, I sat like a mist enshrouded stump, naturally enclosed with the shrieks of eagles and sounds of the living forest. Goldstream Provincial Park is a short 20 minute drive north from Victoria.

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Posted by Susan, Vancouver at 12:00 AM

Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park

January 14, 2007 | Tips from Us > Squamish, Bird Watching
Find more information about Squamish, Bird Watching

My toes and fingers are still frigid from standing along the Squamish River as I tried to pick out eagles hiding in Brackendale Eagle Provincial Park across the water. I heard there were approximately 1,700 of them, but I could only count about 50 from where I stood. There were four in particular worth watching, as they bantered at the river shoreline, looking for food and doing what eagles do. A younger one flew across the river, right over my head, and down the path where the other eagle viewers were watching. It was perfect, except for the cold, but I already mentioned that, and as long as I stood in the sun it wasn't too bad. Almost. My camera didn't even begin to have the strength to zoom across the water and capture the eagles antics, but that didn't really matter as there were telescopes for everyone to share. Margaret's weekly radio segment from January 5 also gives you more information on the Annual Eagle Festival & Count, see below.

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Posted by Susan, Vancouver at 12:00 AM

Valentines Day Ideas

January 5, 2007 | Tips from Us > Vancouver, Dining
Find more information about Vancouver, Dining

I just read a great list of things to do for Valentines Day in Vancouver. My additional recommendations: Harrison Hot Springs - hit the adults-only pool late at night. Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel - just for the luxurious rooms. Parkside Restaurant - romantic, West End location. Miraj Hamman Spa - can be reserved for just the two of you. Nick's Spaghetti House - noisy, Italian joint, a first date classic!

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Posted by Susan, Vancouver at 12:00 AM