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

EXPERIENCING SEATTLE

This is the last part of my Seattle Adventure with a few more photos and stories about what I saw and did on my two-day visit there.

Seattle Washington is a neighbour city of Vancouver but although I've often passed through, sometimes spent a few hours browsing or shopping, I've never actually stayed any length of time. I went down on a Friday evening on the Greyhound and returned on the Sunday evening so it gave me a fair amount of time to sight-see.  My main purpose had been to see the King Tut Exhibit at the Pacific Science Center and also to browse around the Pike's Market.  It turned out my lovely five star hotel was centrally located so I could walk to many of the places I'd come to see and a short cab ride to others.

Mural honoring the First Nations people of Seattle

Seattle is a major coastal seaport located on Puget Sound. The name, "Seattle" comes from an Indian chief whose people once occupied that territory.  The city has around 620,778 residents (as of 2011) and is the largest city on the West Coast north of San Francisco.  Metropolitan Seattle has over 3.5 million population.  Back in the early days it was a logging town but by the late 19th century it was a commercial and shipbuilding center and a gateway to Alaska during the Klondike Gold Rush.

By the early 1900's the city was booming and it was one of the largest cities in the country. In 1913 firearm and typewriter magnate Lyman Cornelius Smith built a 489 ft. tower, at the time the tallest building west of the Mississippi. The thirty-eight storey building remained the tallest building on the West Coast until the Space Needle was built in 1962.

Smith Tower

I enjoyed a tour through the Seattle Underground and the historic area around Pioneer Square where there's many heritage buildings. You'll see the old along with the new in Seattle making it an interesting city-scape.

Buildings near Pioneer Square with modern sky-scraper

 

Seattle has an interesting musical history too. From 1918 to 1951 there were nearly two dozen jazz clubs. The early careers of jazz greats like Ray Charles and Quincy Jones were developed here. Rock legend Jimi Hendrix was born in Seattle. "Grunge" music was made famous there by groups like Nirvana and Pearl Jam. In recent years it's known for indie rock. 

 

I found a cozy jazz/blues bar walking distance from my hotel.  The New Orleans Restaurant at Pioneer Square had a friendly atmosphere and I didn't mind going in for the evening though I was alone. I enjoyed the ambiance and felt right at home.

That night there was a Blues band, Gin Creek, playing — four guys and a woman vocalist.  I took in a couple of sets then meandered back to my hotel.  There'd be lots more adventures the next day.

Gin Creek

 

My friend Taryn came to meet me the next morning and we set off on another adventure. First we walking through town and took in some of the street sights.

Interesting shops around Pike's Market

 

Street Mime

 

Then we flagged a cab and set off for Seattle Center. There's lots to see and do a Seattle Centre - 74 acres of events, plaza, parks and museum. We headed first to the Pacific Science Center to see the King Tut Exhibit.  After that we walked over to the Space Needle, intending to take the elevator to the restaurant at the top. Alas! We needed reservations so had to pass up the opportunity.

 

Space Needle

 

I hadn't seen the Space Needle since 1962 when it was first built for an Expo. We had stopped by with the kids on our way to California for vacation. It would have been fun to ride to the top but that will be on the list for my next visit.

 

Right next to the Space Needle is the unique Chihuly Garden and Glass museum exhibit. I took some photos of the unusual trees all made of glass that were visible above the fence. If we'd had more time we would have gone in for a closer look. But, it will be on my next visitor's list too.

Chihuly Garden and Glass

 

 

You can read about my luxury hotel stay, Pikes Market, Miner's Wharf, Pioneer Square and the Seattle Underground  and the King Tut Exhibit at Pacific Science Centre in my separate blogs.

 

IF YOU GO: Here's some links to help you plan your weekend trip to Seattle.



 



Best of Seattle (in 2 days) http://2daysinseattle.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=seattle&utm_campaign=attractions

https://www.seattle.gov/visiting/

Seattle Centre  https://www.seattle.gov/TOUR/center.htm

Space Needle  http://www.spaceneedle.com/

Chihuly Garden and Glass  http://www.chihulygardenandglass.com/plan-your-visit?gclid=CJWNxeL4ibQCFQuCQgodr3wAQA

 

GRANVILLE ISLAND ART

Granville Island boat houses, a work of art.

Even the way these racing canoes are lined up is artistic.

  I always enjoy spending an afternoon browsing around Granville Island.  Sometimes it's just to look around the Farmer's Market, other times I've gone there to attend events at the various theatres and the Performance Works. But the last time I visited, while meandering along the False Creek path by the line-up of boat houses, I discovered something new to focus on:  the Granville Island art.

An unsual sculpture with moving parts that reflects Granville Island's industrial past.

Industrial Art

Cement Trucks

Seagull cement worker

The Island, which once was just an industrial area, is a perfect location of artists to display and market their work. In the quiet atmosphere, the picturesque surroundings, away from the bustle of downtown, you can relax and browse around enjoying the variety of art works that are on display. And Granville Island is also the home of the Emily Carr art school, allowing an easy access and appropriate venue for the artists to show their sometimes quirky but always interesting pieces of work.

Here's a few that I discovered on that Sunday afternoon walk.

First Nations carvers workshop

Totems

Rocking  Horse

There are miniature boat shows on the Island too.

I found this gallery located behind some of the main buildings by the False Creek.  There were some unusual sculptures on display there.

One of my favorites was this fountain made of saxophones.

A funny rooster

Sidewalk art.

This icecream cone made me want to hurry to the market to buy myself a treat!

Besides the visual art you'll also find musicians entertaining at the Market Square.

Hurdy-gurdy player

And beautiful displays of flowers.

Inside the Farmer's Market even the produce is artistically displayed!

Everywhere you look on Granville Island you will find art!

Mermaid

LINKS TO GRANVILLE ISLAND ART:

http://www.granvilleisland.com/discover-island/arts-and-culture

http://www.granvilleisland.com/directory-type/directory-type/artists-artisans

http://www.seegranvilleisland.com/artperf/artperf.htm

FARMERS MARKET

http://www.granvilleisland.com/granville-island-farmers-market