#YVR 20 Years Later

Under the Cambie Street bridge.

Birthdays come and go. Seasons change.

Can’t believe it’s been 20 years since I last called Vancouver home.

Thought about what has changed since 1991. In no particular order I’m pretty sure I can come up with 20:

1. Way more people ride bikes.
2. There are many official bicycle lanes (convenient).
3. There’s a Canada Line.
4. Bikes are allowed on the Canada Line (way cool).
5. Buses have bike racks (downside there’s only two).
6. Cyclists share pathways and sidewalks with pedestrians and runners - very well.
7. Design is hip and seen all around.
8. Lots of cool public art (where you’d least expect it).
9. Car co-ops are everywhere.
10. Transit and bikes is the easiest way to get around.
11. Lululemon is idolized.
12. It’s nearly impossible to find live aboard moorage for a boat.
13. Sophie’s Cosmic Café in Kitsilano has outdoor seating.
14. Naam makes better coffee.
15. Vegan choices are widely available.
16. Capers is now Whole Foods.
17. Video stores are hard to find.
18. 604 isn’t the only area code.
19. Bridge Studios (I worked on MacGyver) has doubled in size.
20. Being fit is so in!

 

The Compass Worked

Got lost in the dark this morning.

Decided to ride from Horseshoe Bay to school in False Creek (Vancouver).

Talked to a guy on the ferry the day before he said it was easy.

“Stick right, right?” I asked.

“Yes, easy to find,” he replied.

Well there’s a right, right that I found that pretty soon had me awkwardly wishing I’d figured out how to use the GPS function on my new iPhone.

However, the good old noggin said, after maybe a couple kilometers – STOP!

So I did and rode back and eventually found my way.

That was awkward.
Lessons learned – ensure you look at maps of said roads before your embark on a pre-dawn commute by bicycle.

At least the internal compass worked.

Limited Consumption

It’s only been a week since I said bye bye to my four wheels. Already I notice a difference. 

I’m spending less. I’m also wasting less.

I buy what I can carry.

Too often in the past I’d load up on groceries for a week. How much of that got eaten? Sadly much of it ended up waste.

I’m purchasing what I need and doing what I can with less.

I’ve discovered a local butcher with hormone free meats nearby. No more long drives for my preferred choices.

So far I’m finding it easier getting around. No parking hassles. And I love riding my bike by the gas stations.

As for the dog, he’s grown used to his three walking routes.

He never much liked riding in the truck anyway.

I’ve got a backpack for a purse. A reflector for a jacket. And a helmet for a hat.

The best part?

I’m grooving on limited consumption.