Goodbye, Vancouver

There were a number of reasons it was inconvenient timing to go visit Vancouver for a week, but my parents move was set and I kept ignoring those reasons and telling myself, in the end I won't regret making one last visit to my old home and helping them pack up their things.  So we went.  It's about 15 hours of driving and we broke it into two days.  The kids were remarkable travelers, playing well together and keeping themselves occupied without movies or screens until about 6pm the second day.  (Miraculous, really).

We broke up the packing with a few outings to some of my favorite Vancouver spots.

LYNN CANYON
I have so many good memories of Lynn Canyon through the years.  Mostly family outings, but also a memorable 5th grade field trip and a few visits with teen and young adult friends.  I love the green moss covered trees and ferns running all the way down the canyon walls.  The water is jello green in parts and always ice cold.  We did our standard hike down to the water and let the kids throw rocks in the water.

GRANVILLE ISLAND
I will miss this artsy, cultural area with its interesting shops and bustling market.   As we stood outside the market taking in the beautiful view and watching the kids chasing seagulls I caught my mom just starting to get emotional.  She said she had only really been excited about the move, but this was one of the first times she felt that "I'm really going to miss this place" kind of feeling.  Granville island will do that to you.

SCIENCE WORLD
I haven't been back to science world since I was a kid, but I'm so glad we chose to do it this time.  The kids loved it and it was a fun trip down memory lane for me too.  Also, it was heaven to do an outing like this WITHOUT a stroller.   I know we're still a long ways from ditching the stroller for good, so I'm going to savor these rare occasions.

WATERSHED
We couldn't leave without a walk through watershed.   It's so close to my parents house and such a beautiful escape.  I adore these Pacific Northwest forests.