July 31st through Aug 3rd

Walking down to catch Seabus and a quick ride accross Vancouver Harbor couldn't have been more easy. The seabus holds around 200 or so folks and each time I rode on it nearly 200 were on board.

I had some time to kill before Erin's flight arrived so I took advantage of it by doing some power walkin around the city. My legs haven't had the pleasure of too much blood flow during this trip so power walked I did. From the Water front station to China town and back to the Gas Light district. Tons of people around town running around with green badges loops all here from around the world for the "World Games". Police and Fire fighters from around the world compete in sports against eachother. As far as I can tell from my not scientific survey the firefighters are taking it on the chin and the tazzer zappers seem to be winning this competition. Though we will have to wait to find out what the final score is when it is over. From what I have learned this event is larger the the Olympic games and that is why Vancouver is doing a dry run as know one but cops and firefighters know about this event but most folks have heard of the the Olympics games.
http://picasaweb.google.com/snowandriver/July31?authkey=Gv1sRgCKzqhMzl082cFw#
Erin's flight was very late so I had the bar tender pour me some of the good ol'Canuk beer made at Steamers and managed to catch a light buzz before she let me know she was in the Couv.

By now it is almost 11 so we head back to the seabus for a ride back to the boat and plans to run around on saterday doing the tourist thing before the wedding.
http://picasaweb.google.com/snowandriver/Aug1st?authkey=Gv1sRgCM7W49vjrIeAAQ#

After running around town and on the SeaBus we head back to the boat to get ready for her friends wedding - getting ready on the boat while it is 90+ degrees was a bit of a challange. Then add the long walk to their house enough to become a bit uncomfortable in the heat. Did I mention that this is the first time I had to wear pants and shoes? Forgot what shoes felt like and I don't like it. The wedding was fun and in a real nice park up right on Deep Cove more saltwater deep inland.

After the wedding we had dinner at a nice little hole in the wall where the drinking and crazyness started. After the dinner we headed back to their place to continue on with the drinking.

Sunday our plans were going to include biking in Vancouver only to find out it was 10 am when we woke up. Hard to fit alot into the day after you sleep most of it away.

Erin had to head to the airport by 5pm so the solo part goes on.

Monday is still the friggin BC holiday so I drive the boat back over to False River and grab a slip at the government dock and finish up the tourist routine in the public market.

http://picasaweb.google.com/snowandriver/Aug3?authkey=Gv1sRgCKq58b_uqaa1YA#

Fuel up the boat around 2 and get ready to head over to Tombo Island accross Gorgia Strait. On the way there I see a very busy beach right under UBC - University of BC which I figure is Wreck Beack. Head in and drop the hook drop my shorts and jump over board into some "George Costanza" water. Swim around and then head back to the boat this beach had to have had 3-4000 people on it 80% without bathing suits. It was terriable and now I have some serious eye strain. No pictures as that would be bad form and I don't have a long range lense for the Nikon SLR.

After warming up I pull the hook and turn the boat away from the nice beach and head for Tumbo.

Arrive there about 8 pm and cook up some mussles, elk and sockeye for dinner and hit the bed as the swim took a bit more out of me than I thougth swiming against the rip tide back to the boat.

Today I am back in Ganges looking for a piece of art that I should have purchased when we were here a little more than a month ago but it was not to be.

In the morning I will check in with US Customes at Friday Harbor and head to west marine so I can purchase a new gas cap as I plan to leave mine in Ganges near the gas dock. shit.

Good ol' US of A here I come.


to be continued but not much longer.........