A WINTER WALK IN VAN DUSEN BOTANICAL GARDENS

I missed this year's Festival of Lights at the Van Dusen Botanical Gardens, but on an overcast, misty day in late January I decided to visit to see what the Gardens are like in winter without all the Christmas decorations and lights.

The weren't many people around on this late afternoon day so the paths were virtually deserted giving the Garden somewhat of an eerie feeling. It was so quiet as I walked the paths that I felt somewhat disconcerted, but enjoyed stopping now and then to take photos and meditate in the quietude of nature.

The Gardens were originally a large piece of property owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway and logged at the turn of the century. From 1912 to 1964 it was home of the Shaughnessy Golf Club. An association was formed in 1966 and the VanDusen Botanical Gardens Association was formed.  They ensured that the site would not be used for housing development. Work began on the Garden in 1971 and the Garden was finally opened to the public in August 1975.

The botanical garden, unlike a park, is like a living Muse with plant collections, and various species of trees and shrubbery that are carefully cataloged and labelled. The garden also displays sculptures and other art-work from various cultures.

I discovered this beautiful First Nations canoe tucked away across the pond.  And at various locations around the garden you'll find other works of art.

Although the flower beds were bare, I did find a flowering tree that brightened my walk along the path.

There are various themes in the Garden and this day I chose to wander through the Japanese Cherry orchard where, when it's blossom time, they hold a haiku contest.

Then I walked along the path leading to the Asian part of the Garden where there is a beautiful Korean pavilion and a Japanese gateway.

In spite of the lonely pathways and chilly weather, I enjoyed my afternoon stroll. I look forward to returning to the garden in Springtime when the flowers are budding.

The VanDusen Gardens are open January - March 10 am to 4 pm
and more extended hours once Spring has arrived.
Admission and other information is available on their website at www.vandusengarden.org

A WRITER'S RETREAT ON GAMBIER ISLAND

We are fortunate here on the west coast of Canada, to have a great many islands where we can go for leisure time.  Many of the islands have permanent residents, some folks just have  summer homes, a few have B&Bs for visitors, and there are many with camp sites and organized camps for kids.

Horseshoe Bay Marina

Gambier Island is one of those located in Howe Sound, near Vancouver, with easy access by either sea taxi from Horseshoe Bay or via sea taxi at Langdale. There are a number of quiet coves on the island popular with boaters.

Howe Sound

BC Ferries

Sea taxi

Gambier is the largest of four islands in Howe Sound.  It's approximately twenty-five square miles with only 125 permanent residents most of them located in New Brighton, Gambier Harbour and West Bay.  There's usually more in the summer. The island currently doesn't have any commercial enterprises.  There was a general store but it closed a couple of years ago and there is one bed and breakfast. The Gambier Community Centre is the only public facility.

The Halkett Bay Provincial Park is located on the southeast side of the island.  Gambier hosts an annual "Commotion by the Ocean" blues and rock festival each summer.  It's famous for Camp Artaban, an Anglican camp for children, youth and adults and Camp Fircom, a United Church summer camp for children, youth and families, located near Halkett Bay.  At Camp Latona, an outdoor education center and youth summer camp on the north end of the island, there are hiking trails, rental for schools and private groups who want to learn about ecology.  It's also used as a corporate retreat.

The island was named in 1869 by Captain Richards, one of the British captains whose survey ships were playing the waters of the coast.  James Gambier, Admiral of the Fleet, had a distinguished career in the British name and later as Governor of Newfoundland. He also served as a negotiator of the Treaty of Ghent which ended the war of 1812 between Britain and the United States.

View of West Bay

The fabulous house where we stayed.

Our WAVES writer's group was invited by the family of one of our members, to stay at their home for a weekend so eight of us set off by marine taxi laden with groceries, wine and good cheer, on a weekend to connect with the Muse.  As facilitator of the group, I chose several interesting writing prompts to get everyone inspired. One of them (posted on the wall) was a linked verse poem in the renga style — three lines of haiku (5,7,5 syllables), two lines of tanka (7 syllables) with the last line of haiku and the first line of tank linking in subject.  This was ongoing all weekend with an excellent result.

Dinner time.

 

 

The weather was absolutely glorious so a lot of time was spent outdoors either lounging in one of the several patio areas, sitting in the hot tub, sunbathing, and yes...even swimming in the sea! (Two brave ladies did this). There were kayaks too. 

Fun in the hot tub

Kayaking

And on the second day we set off on a nature hike along the trail through the woods leading to a secluded beach. The idea was to find something along the trail that would spark a memory.  Then when we reached the beach we found a special place to sit, meditate and write. 

On the trail

It certainly was not difficult to be inspired on Gambier.  From the deluxe accommodations to the beautiful natural surroundings and tranquility of the bay, we all soaked up the atmosphere and produced some interesting writing.  We're looking forward to going again next Spring. 

Leaving Gambier Island

TROUT LAKE, Vancouver B.C.: Family Fun and Frolicking Dogs

Right in the heart of Vancouver's East End is a historic lake where the community can come together for family fun, a farmer's market, and sports events.  Trout Lake doesn't have any trout, and it's not that great for swimming, but for a splendid afternoon picnic or a quiet stroll it's the perfect place.

The name of the park is actually John Hendry Park named after John Hendry who owned the Hastings sawmill, one of Vancouver's first lumbering operations in the late 19th century.  The land was given to the Park Board in 1926 by Hendry's daughter who was married to the governor of the province, Eric Hamber.  She wanted the 27 hectare park named for her father, but it is most commonly known as "Trout Lake". 

The lake began as a natural peat bog and was an important water source for the mill.  The Hastings Sawmill was one of Vancouver's most important feature in the late 1800's.

The lake is edged with stands of yellow iris and willow trees. Ducks swim among the lily pads. Although there is no boating allowed, it always seemed to me the perfect place for a leisurely paddle and I have in the past actually swam there though the water is a bit murky.

The park is a favorite picnic area or a place to stroll or jog along the lake-side paths.  I loved riding my bike around the lake. There is a playground for the children, and the Trout Lake Community Centre provides lots of entertainment including a pottery studio, fitness centre, games room, sauna, gym, and ice rink.  The park hosts a Farmers Market every weekend with local products and crafts for sale. And it is a popular place for festivals such as the Illuminares lantern festival.  This week it was the gathering place for the National Aboriginal Week celebrations. And in August the Summer Dreams Literary Festival will be held in the park.

One popular feature of the park is the off-leash dog area at the north end of the lake. This is a perfect place to let your pooch run free and frolic with the other doggies. It's amusing to watch the social interaction between people's pets and of course the social interaction between the dog owners. The afternoon I was there several dogs were playing 'fetch the stick'. The 'alpha' dog had it but the others kept trying to get it away from him, in particular a tough little barky fellow who wouldn't give up the chase.

The original Grandview Community Gentre was constructed in 1963 and later renovated and renamed Trout Lake Community Centre. In 2010 the new ice rink and renovations to the community centre were completed in time for the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games. It was used as the figure skater's training venue.

How to Get There:
By Transit from downtown, #7 Nanaimo (east then southbound), get off at East 17th and walk over to the park. Or take the #7 bus from the Nanaimo Skytrain north on Nanaimo St. and access the park from E. 17th Ave.

BLOSSOM TIME AT VAN DUSEN GARDENS

One Sunday recently I went to Van Dusen Gardens to see the cherry blossoms.  It was one of our first really mild days so I made it a day for my first picnic of the year too.  Not too many of the flower beds were blooming, but there were many blossoming trees and shrubs which made it a pleasant, picturesque walk.

These lovely gardens, located at 37th and Oak Street in the city and easily accessible by public transit, have been developed on property that once belonged to the Canadian Pacific Railway and later leased by the Shaughnessy Golf Club from 1911 - 1960 when the golf club moved to a new location.  The CPR wanted to subdivide but this was opposed and in 1966 Van Dusen Botanical Garden Association was formed to assist the Vancouver Park Board with developing the site. The development started in 1971 and was officially opened to the public August 30, l975.

The garden covers 22 hectares (55 acres) and is a spectacular collection of plants from around the world representing ecosystems from tropical South Africa to the Himalayas, South America, the Mediterranean and plants native to the Pacific Northwest and other parts of North America.  No matter what season you, there's always something beautiful to see.

At this time of year, cherry blossom time, I specifically wanted to visit because every year in Vancouver they hold a Japanese haiku poetry contest.  Van Dusen Gardens has many Japanese cherry trees and there is a stone engraved with some of the haiku that people have written about the trees.

One of the very first haiku I can remember reading was one by Basho, and it got me interested in the haiku verse form.  "This day on which the cherry blossom fell has drawn to its close."  The translated forms of haiku, written in English are usually three lines of 5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables, although the American version varies to sometimes shorter lines.  The haiku is usually about nature and the finally line will leave a lasting visual impression.

I enjoyed strolling around the pathways of the Gardens, discovering new shrubbery in bloom and even some sculptures.

Even though it was still early in the season, there were many flowers in bloom as well as the shrubbery and trees.

Rhododendron blossoms



The garden design has displays of plants in picturesque settings, to illustrate botanical relationships such as the Rhododendron Walk.  The gardens are set amidst rolling lawns, small lakes and rock work.

There are some areas that represent specific origins such as the Sino Himalayan Garden, and this beautiful pavilion honoring the Koreans.



There's always something interesting to see at Van Dusen, no matter what the season!  It's open seven days a week. There's a restaurant on the site if you want to stop for a meal.  Or why not take along a picnic lunch like I did?

For Admissions and other information:  www.vandusengarden.org

MUSIC ON THE LAKE

In the heart of Stanley Park is a small lake known as Beaver Lake. The lake began as a shallow lagoon cut off from the ocean by the land and eventually turned into a barren and dry bog, then a forested bog and finally, about 10,000 years ago, a freshwater pond that we know today as Beaver Lake. Today the 'lake' is truning back to a bog which is covered with a lovely blanket of yellow water lilies. There are trails in the surrounding forest, one of them "The Beaver Lake Interpretive Trail. Along this interesting route you will experience the various ecosystems of Stanley Park. On Sunday, when my friend and I paid our first visit in years, there were dozens of ducks with their fluffy little ducklings providing entertainment for the visitors. A long-legged heron waded among the water-lilies searching for a snack. Red-wing blackbirds chirrped from the tall reeds. There couldn't have been a more appropriate or lovely setting for the event which we had come there to attend.

"Shafer on the Lake" was an afternoon concert performed by the lakeside by a vocalist, flautist, clarinet and trumper player celebrating the 75th birthday of eminent Canadian composer/librettist/artistic direct and environmentalist R. Murray Shafer. We took along a little picnic lunch and sat on a bench enjoying the strains of the music as it echoed back and forth across the still pond enhanced by the bird sounds. Quite an enjoyable way to spend the afternoon.

A little black squirrel came to join our picnic. He refused the carrot we offered him but chowed down on the scraps of chicken wings and kept coming back, standing up on his little hind legs begging for more.

After the concert ended we walked back along the trail, through the tall Douglas firs. There were wild flowers blooming along the path
and the tall ferns uncurling their fronds. It's certainly worth a visit to Beaver Lake and perhaps the next time I'll take along the "Interpretive Trail" brochure I picked up so I can follow along and see more of the flora and fauna that surround it.