Yesterday our morning workout turned into a 2 hour power-walk in and around Stanley Park.
I packed a camera with me since it had been a while since I was able to check back on the restoration progress in the park and more specifically, I wanted to see how the Merilees Trail looked now [see Update from April 2008].
Merilees Trail – April 2008
Picnic time along the Merilees trail – October 2008
The “Siwash bunker” has new access; we no longer have to scale, jump, or crawl across roped bridges to take in the great views from the top.
The Prospect Point parking lot is now relocated away from the cliff (where they clearcut all those trees) with plenty of room for tour buses and paid parking.
The clearing at Prospect Point – January 2008
Where the road used to be at Prospect Point – October 2008
Hollow Tree looks like it’s in its worst shape yet. The tree behind it has been cut down, there are more cables wrapped around it and two pillars holding it up at the front and quite frankly it looks hideous.
The Hollow Tree – April 2008
The Hollow Tree – October 2008
I didn’t get the chance to follow up on “my spot” on the sea wall that I’ve been tracking over the last few years but John said it still hasn’t been repaired.
For a bit of back-story… in December of 2006 a great wind storm tore through they city’s most prized natural wonder and it’s been in a rebuilding and replanting phase ever since (you can browse John’s archives or mine for coverage of the storm in 2006). My photos of the park are available in my Flickr set.
Local mobile technology company, Handi Mobility, just launched Translink‘s new “Next Bus” service for the iPhone.
“Every second person coming to TransLink’s mobile site uses the iPhone, so we had to create an amazing experience for these early adopters. Our goal is to make commuting even better – by providing complete schedule information, alerts, GMail-style favourites and transit maps.
The next release will provide additional features – we’re going to add the Buzzer, rider feedback and location-based functionality.” [From Igor at Handi Mobility]
NextBus is a free download for the iPhone that will be available in the iTunes app store at the end of the month and you can also access features by going to m.translink.ca from your mobile device (that URL also appears when you use Translink’s text service).
A few months ago I wrote a post about some useful Twitter apps. I still use Twitteriffic however when traveling to Blog World a few weeks ago Tris introduced me to TweetDeck. Ideal for following conversations and topics (perfect for a big conference like Blog World Expo) it’s a great all-in-one device.
It’s a dock that you can customize with various panels; follow specific conversations with search, have all of your replies visible alongside direct messages, shorten URLs and add Twitpics on the fly and of course, update your status.
TweetDeck is a little overwhelming for regular use but it’s a great when you need to follow conversations and topics such as the debates in Canada or the US or if you have a business and you’d like to follow industry updates.
This Adobe Air desktop app is available for PC or Mac from TweetDeck.com.
Each year housing developments in the greater Vancouver region creep higher and higher up the side of the mountains, encroaching on wild animal habitats. Combine that with global warming and every other element under the sun and we have a clash.
The 25-year old Australian was bitten in the leg by a black bear as people crowded around the animal to get pictures. The tourist was lucky, according to the Province newspaper, because his injury was minor. The bear wasn’t so lucky. It managed to escape, but was shot the next day when it came back into the village. [News1130]
Nature and climates are changing and I’m certainly not the person to offer any expertise as to what solutions, alternatives and options there way be. However, I know bears are being shot and killed because of their contact with humans, and people are getting hurt. In many instances, common sense comes into play; don’t feed the bears, don’t leave your garbage out overnight, and don’t approach bears for cutesy photo opportunities.
Local mobile technology company, 
