Lists and Lights: Stepping away from the computer

It’s been a week of list making (using FreePlane mindmapping): research to do, equipment to buy, boat jobs to plan, admin to complete before leaving town, things around the house that Sara needs to know about (she has, to my knowledge, never watered the plants, for example, and has little idea of my elaborate schemes to encourage maximum light and growth)…  and my favourite lists: places to revisit and people to hang out with before I leave.

After days of computer work (mainly related to insurance, equipment purchases and scheduling boat work) the more personal, Vancouver-based lists were calling. They also fit in nicely with our current ‘Operation Love Vancouver’ mission: an attempt to make the most of this stunning place and stop complaining about the weather, traffic/transit, and how outrageously expensive it is. It definitely worked this weekend.  Despite grey skies and rain, we had some fun adventures – a good reminder that acting like you’re on holiday when at home helps you see a place with different eyes.  Here’s some of what we saw:

Until this visit, we had only seen these fountains in the summer, with bright sunlight and lots of people playing in the water – mostly children, but we’ve been known to wander among the jets, too!  It was amazing to see the different lights and water patterns.

The Henry Moore sculpture “Knife Edge” had never really been a big focus to our visits here before, but watching the changing light patterns and reflections, it was suddenly obvious how well the water, lights, fountains and sculpture complement each other.  Magic!

And then we braved Mount Seymour for snowshoeing. Our first time!  It was raining and low cloud cover – the kind of day we’d normally spend the morning tea-drinking had we not already made plans with friends. A valiant group, who proved themselves to be not only athletic (on the ascent of First Peak), but adept at using plastic bags to speed up the descent.  Normally we try not to use or acquire plastic bags, but we were glad to find some in the cupboard before setting off – they’re a great substitute for those cool sledging mats. We were assured that there are amazing views along the path we took; we’ll have to go back on a clear day to confirm.