If you've never been you should go- we had a very short stay but took advantage of every waking moment we had there. Vancouver was basically built yesterday so everything is very new and doesn't have that old brownstone, Boston feel. They did however learn from others and protected an amazing amount of open space when they drew up plans for this wonderful city. Stanley Park, 1,000 acres or 500,000 trees, is at one end of the city and has a great seawall that goes all the way around the outside with a one way bike/walking path that's five and a half miles long. We were able to borrow bikes from friends and made the trip around, views of the ocean and the massive mountains in the back ground made for some amazing sights. We stayed with Jamie and Beth who have been living there for a year and a half and absolutely love it. They say the best part is that you can get to the mountains for a few runs in about twenty minutes and then hop back home and go to the beach for a swim. As we were riding the bikes around through the farmers market, arts communities and plethora of green space we looked at each other and said there's something just a little too quaint and perfect, what gives?
Part of all the new growth is in preparation for the 2010 winter Olympics and it's everywhere. They just built a new section of above ground train out to the airport and a whole Olympic village right on the waterfront. They've cleaned up some of the shadier parts of town and put in whole new blocks of stores. This place is going to be hopping come February. Look for Jamie and Beth at the women's curling event.

All in all a great stop on the tour, one of those that we didn't really plan as a destination but it did make itself on the list of places to come back to. We've passed through a few spots like that that we've decided require more exploration. So thanks Jamie and Beth- we'll be back.