The last week of July, it was 116 degrees (47 Celcius) in my Arizona garden. Luckily, I escaped to Vancouver, Canada, for a few days to enjoy pleasant summer days and temperatures in the low 80s (26 ).
I was lucky indeed as I walked the incredibly pedestrian-friendly downtown Vancouver, admiring the remarkable architecture, thriving green spaces, and the views over the bright blue water from the bridge leading to Granville Island.
Walking among glass skyscrapers is an exciting experience. The reflections of early morning light, shiny windows, gentle sunshine, blue sky, and puffy white clouds were simply thrilling.
I didn’t realize just why at first, but this city wants life downtown to be walkable and comfortable for everyone.
Vancouver embraces a mixed-use design, putting restaurants, residential buildings, and accessible public transit systems everywhere. If you haven’t been traveling recently, you will be happy to learn that rather than struggling with underground and bus ticket vending machines, you can now simply tap your visa card going in and out for a flat fee day charge, making movement so simple for out-of-town visitors.
Landscaping, trees, and green space accompanied nearly every building entryway on the ground level. Wide sidewalks kept you away from the buses and cars streaming past. It was a walkable, pleasant downtown.
And we kept walking… from the Canada Place Port to Granville Island.
My wrist tracker said we walked 7 miles that day, which was a glorious day for walking. Yes, Vancouver has a temperate climate. Walking in weather extremes, be it Phoenix in August or Duluth in December, has a different challenge, but this is what our cities can be: walkable, enjoyable, and habitat for birds, butterflies, and bees. There can be space for public gatherings, live music, and flowers.
There is public art, heritage buildings, contemporary architecture, and lots of people. Vancouver is a very international city with infrastructure built to efficiently and easily move visitors from the airport to the cruise terminal to museums, hotels, and restaurants.
If you have a chance, go there. You will be welcome. Enjoy this beautiful garden city.
Yes, B.C. is a wealthy region, window shopping was great fun, with this homage to Paris.
And nowhere else have I ever seen a pink Bently moving in traffic.
I’m back in my garden and well, it is still hot. . . .
What a wonderful trip. Love the pictures
Thanks Tanya, it was such a fun day!
Enjoyed seeing it all again.
JoAnn
It really is a beautiful city!
Great pictures! I love Vancouver!
Thanks!
Thanks for reading!
Linda, thanks for taking me out of Phoenix to beautiful Vancouver! And your beautiful photos show what well-done urban design can do to make a city walkable.
What a gift, especially in August
Betsy
I do hope it had a cooling effect for you, because well, August in Phx is a struggle!
Had similar experience in Vancouver. Just loved it.
It was an easy place to love!
Another wonderful escape – thank you for taking us with you to a city I shall never personally visit – but do wish I had.
Wishing you and your garden cooler days – as we hope for in a very hot sunny Surrey in the UK
Jan .
Thank you Jan, it was a great escape, I’ve been reading about the heat in England, hope you can stay cool inside, but what about your garden?
Once again, your talent, creativity and originality are captivating. Vancouver should hire you to do its PR!
Oh thank you! I wonder what it would be like to live in Vancouver? If they offer I would definitely consider it!
Loved the tour. You just don’t narrate the journey but put a heart into it. Thank you
Eileen
It was a beautiful day, and who would drive a pink Bentley??
Thanks so much for a lovely break from the unrelenting heat here in Phoenix. You are so lucky to be able to go and enjoy it!
It was a great break from the heat, reminded me of what “summer days” could be like!
Thanks for the beautiful photos and glad you got to enjoy some cooler weather. Vancouver is a wonderful area of Canada and has some great food choices.
It has been hot, by our standards, here in Montana. I escaped to Sitka,Alaska and went deep sea fishing.
Hope all is well in your world.
Best, LeeAnn
All is good here, Vancouver was a delight, and there is a Chocolate Cafe!
I’ve been to Vancouver many times. You captured it well. I’m eager to return!
Curtis
Just returned from Alaska
Yes, Vancouver was fabulous. loved the photos.
Beautiful pictures and looks like you had an amazing trip. I would love to see Alaska and Vancouver someday with our kids. Thank you for sharing – Jason.