Adventures in Vancouver, The Capilano Suspension Bridge Tour

The Capilano Suspension Bridge was built in 1889.  It is 450 feet long and crossed the deep canyon 230 feet above the Capilano River.

This is the very first bald eagle that I have ever seen.  It happened to be sitting not too far from the bridge and this was my best shot.  

This is a photo, not taken by me, of how beautiful these creatures are.

This bridge crossed over to the West Coast Rainforest that has the Tree Trekking and Nature walks that Deb and I did.

The bridge does move when others are on it.  But it is incredible and exhilarating and a wee bit scary....

View from the Nature Walk of the suspension bridge.

This was the highlight of our Vancouver part of our trip.  We arrived back to our hotel, tired, sore and soaking wet.....but with HUGE smiles on our face.

WE LOVED IT!!!

Adventures in Vancouver, Tree Trekking & The Cliffwalk

At the Capilano Suspension Bridge, there is more than just the bridge.  This is the tree trekking that Deb and I did while we were there.

There are 7 suspension bridges through a rainforest.  Some of the bridges are as high as 100 feet above ground.

We are surrounded by 1300 year old Douglas-Firs in this rainforest.

It was absolutely incredible.

Deb the tree hugger.

Heading towards the Cliffwalk......

Not for the faint of heart.  It is anchored to a granite cliff face, above the Capilano River, by only 16 cables.  

It is a one way, and one person at a time walkway.  Very scary but the views are crazy....

Look at Debbie go!!!!  She is not keen on heights and always manages to find her courage and strength to face her fear.

And me?  I just pretend it is not real.

This picture is much more terrifying for me.  It is a glass bottom platform that you can walk over and see the canyon under you!!!

It takes all my courage to get on this and I do not stay long.

The height of the glass bottom platform???

This is a view from above the Cliffwalk.....this young fellas gal was taking his picture above and I thought it was a great view of how precarious the Cliffwalk is.

Having said that....you have to do these if you get to Vancouver.

Adventures in Vancouver, Grouse Mountain

Grouse Mountain is only 15 minute drive from downtown Vancouver.  It was quite rainy and misty when we decided to go up to see it.  

The Skyride is a 45 passenger cable car that goes up to the top of Grouse Mountain.  Are views were not so great because of the mist, but the 8 minute ride up was still exhilarating.

View at the top.  Cable cars going into the abyss....now that is scary.

During the 2010 Winter Olympics, Grouse Mountain was open for 24 hours a day for the duration of the Olympics.

If you can imagine, skiers are already up on the mountain....even on this rainy, misty day.  This skating rink is located at the top and is ready for business when we were there.

The chalet is beautiful.  Located in the chalet is two restaurants, three gift shops, lots of areas to view the mountain from inside and out, and a movie theatre.  

These two grizzly bears, Grinder & Coola, were rescued when both were orphaned.  They are located a few minutes walk from the chalet, in a "Refuge for Endangered Wildlife" on a 5 acre habitat.  Inside the chalet, there is a video monitor were you can watch the bears, sleeping (because they are getting ready for winter) or moving about in their shelter.  They were sleeping when we were visiting.

Getting ready to head down.....into the abyss.....

At the base of Grouse Mountain is a habitat sanctuary for 3 timber wolves.  

These three wolves are retirees from the movie industry.  They were born in captivity and hand raised.  Unable to be released into the wild, they are protected here in Vancouver.

Good bye Grouse Mountain....