It's officially rainy season in Vancouver. And, as I've written many times, it rains... a lot. Days and days without a trace of sun or sky. Just big grey clouds hanging low over Vancouver soaking it with a constant shower of wet drizzle. To the outsider, this can seem – and sound – like a drepressing existence to say the least.
But it's not. Not at all. Here's why:
1. When it is raining in Vancouver, it is snowing in mountains.
This is GREAT news! Especially when you are surrounded by peak after peak after peak of white powdery snow for skiing, snowboarding, snoeshoeing, snow tubing, and more. It's a winter sport paradise.
On one wet and wooly morning in Vancouver, at a balmy 4ºC last week, Paul and I grabbed our winter gear, and headed to
Whistler, an hour and a half up the Sea to Sky highway. After 40 mins, the rain had turned to snow; the tree were dusted with white frosting, and the mountain tops glistened. It was beautiful. In Whistler, snowboarders and skiers were in heaven and populated the slopes with their fancy carving and colourful gear. It was -1ºC at the base; -10ºC at the top. Perfect for some winter fun!
2. When it's raining in Vancouver, the sunsets are to die for!
The great thing about clouds is that they spice up the canvas of every sunset. And, when it's raining, the clouds are constantly moving, so the horizon is always a miraculous concoction of oranges, reds, pinks, greys, and blacks. It's better than any painting in any museum that i have ever seen. (And I've seen a lot of paintings).
Last week, we took these pictures after a rain-soaked (but beautiful) walk through Stanley Park, a 1,000-acre urban park bordering downtown Vancouver. It's the third largest park in North America and home to half a million trees – towering Douglas Firs, ancient Cedars, beautiful maples, and more!
We hiked around the seawall, and took these photos at several places: Prospect Point, the Southern Seawall, and in front of a little fish restaurant nestled in the trees.Believe me, you totally forget it's raining when you feast your eyes on beauty like this!
In fact, I can't wait until it rains again!
(which should be today, and tomorrow, and the next day!!)
