Luckily, we didn’t do much that involved exercising fingers so I am fully capable of writing this post. On the other hand, I know Vancouver Marathon runners must be thinking I’m crazy because the 7 hours of The Amazing Hunt totally kicked my butt.
It could have been the yogurt we had to chug, or the up-hill sprint, but regardless of my immobility in these days after the race it was once again a huge success thanks to Bill and his team.
Not to give away too much about the race, just because some of the challenges and clues could be used in future events, here’s a quick recap:
At 8:45 in the pouring rain we took off from the Pacific Coliseum and headed to New Brighton Park for our first clue which lead us over to Trout Lake / John Hendry Park.
John and I were the last team to arrive to that point although within about 45 second I had completed the Road Block, which was to dig in the sand near certain logs and find a buried clue. Covered in sand, we took off with our next clue, maybe 3 spots behind the lead.
We made our way to the Avalon Dairy and ran into a Detour (if you’re familiar with The Amazing Race you’ll notice the clues have similar titles and themes). We had to chose between chugging a bottle of milk, or sharing 500ml of yogurt. Now, I have NEVER tried yogurt in my life and the very thought of it makes me gag, however for the sake of the race we decided to avoid the milk and gulped down the yogurt.
Coming into the first pit stop, John and I were in first place, although with teams starting in one minute intervals after the break, we knew we had to work hard to stay on top. The rain pelted down on us as we waiting to begin the next leg.
After a few more clues and destinations we had to get from Commercial Drive, to South Main Street, then back to downtown Vancouver (picking up a few clues and solving a puzzle in the middle). This “neighbourhood to neighbourhood” search with no directions given was a part of a new type of clue called a Roundabout. The idea is to reach both vicinities and search for two pieces that, when combined, will help you figure out where to go next.
The traffic on Main Street heading back towards our second pit stop at Science World was just killer. Once we got down to False Creek parking was just as tough and John and I clocked in at the second pit stop in 7th place (out of 10). This is the longer edition of the Amazing Hunt in which I’ve participated, which is sort of good because we would have finished on a low note if that was the final destination.
Heading into Chinatown, we came across another Detour where we had to chose between locating a show with certain foreign characters on its sign, or going to a specific store and purchasing a certain product.
From my experience on the Granville Island race with Jenny, it’s always better to take the task where you know where you are going, because wandering around aimlessly isn’t very fun. We sprinted down Keefer street, picked up the item (Soy Tofu Dessert) and upon returning we had to devour the entire thing (layering it on top of the yogurt in our bellies from the dairy.
After the tofu dessert, we ended up at another location where we had to Merge with another team to complete the task. We were given the choice between certain flavours of gelato (wasabi or curry) and had to finish the entire quart in order to move on. Now, on top of the yogurt and the soy dessert John and I struggled although compared to the team that we paired up with who went to McDonald’s during the last pit stop and ate sundaes, we were a little better off.
The next clue was located somewhere John and I knew how to find right away. Other teams had to go into shops and ask for help or use a phonebook, so at least I felt good about my city knowledge even though our driving and navigation wasn’t as fast.
Finally, our race to the finish took place at English Bay, near the Inukshuk. By this time the rain had ceased and we had the most beautiful backdrop. Upon crossing the finish line in 6th place John was asked if he had fun. Having just burped up curry gelato during the sprint to the mat he bellowed, “no! not at all!” and I hope they knew he was joking.
It was another successful event with great twists and turns although here’s what I’d kind of like to see in the future:
Fewer eating challenges, especially involving dairy. For the Surrey race we had to gulp down a jar of buckwheat honey. That was gross but at least it wasn’t a) as large a quantity as the curry gelato b) it was the only eating challenge on the race.
I’d like to see more Road Blocks or Detours involving puzzles or mind games. I really liked the digging Road Block but having maybe just one more in the second leg would allow the other teammate to complete something while you could cheer them on and keep up your spirits.
John looks WAY TOO happy
All in all, the race was a great success. No one gets eliminated (although time penalties can be incurred) and the teams on every race I’ve run have been friendly, supportive, just competitive enough to issue a Yield or trash talk a bit, and there’s always laughter and good spirits.
The next Amazing Hunt will be taking place in Langley August 16th, followed by the North Shore race October 4th. If you’d like to sign up check the website for details, registration includes a swanky red and yellow race t-shirt as well. I think it’s a great bonding experience for siblings, parents, friends, and couples, and you can also organize entire company or group teambuilding races with various courses offered like “Downtown” or “Vancouver Transit”.
As this is race is “reality series” styled, there will also be a wonderfully produced video of the entire race available on YouTube in a couple weeks, which I’ll share unless there are gratuitous shots of me sucking back 500ml of yogurt.
This afternoon my dad pulled out his digital camera and showed me a photo of a nice man that sort of looks like he could be one of my mom’s cousins in Germany. Turns out my dad visited with one of the most successful race car drivers of all time, Mario Andretti, while he was making a public appearance at Route 99 Tire Shop in Surrey last week.
This got us talking about some of the larger, more world-class events that Vancouver used to host before it became dubbed the “no fun city“, from which it’s still trying to bounce back.
The Molson Indy Vancouver used to run along Pacific and Expo Blvd, around BC Place, over to the other side of False Creek and back. After the Indy weekend I would drive to work catching the smell of burnt rubber and noting the high speed skid marks along Quebec Street. The Indy was won several times by Mario’s son, Michael Andretti and ran from 1990 to 2004 and in 2002 Dario Franchitti dedicated his win to local Vancouver racing hero Greg Moore.
The Greater Vancouver Open aka the Air Canada Championship was held at Northview Golf and Country Club in Surrey from 1996 until 2002. My friend’s little brother was a caddie one year and drooled over the chance to assist Mike Weir’s clubs.
In 1995 Vancouver got its own NBA franchise. They ended up being so eager to fill the seats at the shiny new GM Place that our high school basketball team would get a pack of tickets almost every week. That’s right, West Whalley kids filed into the stands and I ended up going to far more basketball in my youth than I did hockey games. Watching “Big Country” Reeves walk at a snail’s pace up and down the court and perhaps lift a finger to sink a basket or 20 definitely wasn’t the most exciting. However, the experience of watching the famous opposing teams kick our butts 90% of the time was pretty entertaining. In 2001 the team moved to Memphis, after disappointing seasons and players who pulled “Duchovny”s, complaining about the weather in Vancouver.
I’m not sure if I miss any of these events really, although having Surrey on the world’s stage for the gold tournament was pretty sweet. Vancouver’s personality has changed over the years and during my lifetime Expo was probably the catalyst for a lot of things. I look forward to different festivals and events every year and am simply glad that the city is still mixing things up, although don’t even ask me to predict what this place will be like after 2010.
I think I’ve had maybe 3 pedicures in my life, most recently at Element in Yaletown with Keira just before her birthday back in December. It was lovely and I particularly loved sitting in massage chairs, getting the royal treatment from the knee down and spending some down time with a friend.
The pedicure experience is one that I think everyone should witness first hand (man or woman) at some point in their life. Your feet get to be cleansed, exfoliated, and happy while you get lovely massages up to your calf. People underestimate the power of a good foot rub sometimes, it can lift your spirits (and even your back pain) whenever something is ailing you. Also, they don’t have to be uber expensive at a fancy spa either, there are some great places around town that can offer a pleasant experience leaving your tootsie feeling rejuvenated at low cost.
However, before work this morning I was watching the news on TV (yeah, how old school is that, I know) and an infomercial came on screen. Now, I’m actually a huge fan of the infomercial and no one can sell me something like that Ron Popeil, “just set it and forget it!” so I didn’t channel surf away. Luckily this one was brief, like the “Head On, apply directly to the forehead!” ads but it left me shaking my head and thinking… ick! Have a look below:
I think my favourite part is when they empty all the shaved foot skin into the garbage pail as though they are paper clippings from a hole punch. I know “do it yourself” is really big right now, and sure, maybe the product even works, but PedEgg just leaves me with the sort of “no” feeling that only comes from watching a product slice off your dead skin sells followed a demo of it zesting an orange.
You can view a review on this news channel, although warning: diabetics are not supposed to use this product.
Recently malls have offered lounge areas in their corridors where you’ll find a throw rug, leather arm chairs, maybe a couch, and a handful of husbands camping out until their wives resurface with the credit cards at which time they become porters, carrying all goods purchased out to the vehicle.
I for one know that I get tired when shopping and I usually like to have a game plan, but it also helps to have a partner who works at the same pace.
John and I have been told, “those who blog together, stay together,” but could the same be said for shopping?
I actually enjoy strolling through the halls of commerce with John as a) he’ll tell me when something looks darn good b) he’ll also tell me when it looks horrible and in turn I offer him the same brutal honesty when it comes to his purchase decisions.
This is how our partnership works and I think that all of these elements combined make the addition of an Apple Store next to an H&M in Pacific Centre (downtown Vancouver) ingenious. It’s the modern, hip, geekoid version of putting a Linens n’ Things right next to a Home Depot.
Apple Store Vancouver: Opening day August 19, 2008 (source)
Update: Apple Store Opening May 24th, 2008! (source)
H&M Vancouver: Opening day May 22, 2008 @ 12:00pm (source)
John’s been an Apple fanboy since birth (you can even read about it last year’s Vancouver View Magazine) and after my inaugeral iPod mini purchase four years ago I’ve been a slowly yet and steadily converting. I’d say with a Powerbook, MacBook, iMac, iPod Mini (x2), iPod Nano, iPhone and my Mac Mini at work, that I’d done a pretty good job on the conversion so far.
Putting the Apple Store next to H&M might be like setting up a mid-mall lounge for tired partners, offering a buffer zone for each person with a mission (albeit one of the missions is usually to rest tired feet… or a tired pocketbook). You might even expect to see two people enter the mall and immediately split off, one person turning 90 degrees and heading to the Apple Store, “see you in an hour honey!” and the other making a b-line to H&M. However when it comes to the Vancouver Bollwitts, I think we’re both equally interested in each of these retail meccas.
New York, London, Toronto, Boston, and Coquitlam, BC are all locations of H&M at which I have had the pleasure of handing over cold hard cash to take home piles of great-fitting, stylish finds. With Apple, I’ve only been to the store in Cambridge, MA and Lynnwood, Washington but I can’t wait to add Vancouver to both of those lists and to visit both stores with my partner(s) in crime.
[Hat tip: Keira and Victoria for posting the opening date of the H&M in Pacific Centre and Paul for writing about the Apple Store.]
Ambleside Park is the best know attraction in West Vancouver that is not a shopping mall or a ferry terminal. West Vancouver’s citizens gather at Ambleside to socialize, engage in either organized or pickup sports, to exercise themselves and their canine friends or just to enjoy the sea air.
Metrics The park is bounded on the East by the Capilano River. On the west by 13th Street and Hollyburn Sailing Club. On the North by Marine Drive. On the South by the northern shore waters of English Bay. Ambleside is bisected by the Canadian National rail line.
The beach within Ambleside is a combination of rip wrap stones and sand beach. The sand is 600 meters long and located at the west end of the park. There is 1.2 km of seawall which hugs the shoreline from Park Royal to 13th Street. The park includes 6 sports fields, 2 artificial, 2 grass and 2 all weather (that means gravel). Typical configuration in spring is a baseball diamond, softball diamond, and field hockey. In winter rugby, soccer and football are all played in Ambleside.
Between the CN Rail bridge over the Capilano River and the Ambleside Pitch n Putt there is a modest fitness circuit. The park also includes a skateboard area, 3 basketball courts and 3 tennis courts.
The Pitch n Putt is a small Par 3 course with 1189 yards of total length. The 7th hole is longest at 114 yards and the 45 yard 17th is the shortest. Golfers of all ages and skills harmoniously enjoy leisurely paced golf at Ambleside. Cost is Adults $10 Seniors $8 children $6.
The park has a picnic shelter, total of 18 picnic tables and three barbeque pits. While you’d enjoy a summer day, packed picnic, there is no need no bring your own food as there is a concession and several good near by restaurants. The concession building also houses large change rooms and a life guard station.
Near the concession building there is a play area with swings and other play apparatus suited to children under the age of ten.
The Park is home to the West Vancouver Youth Center and the West Van SPCA kennel.
Locals refer to the large off leash area east of the end Argyle Ave as Dog Beach. This area is extremely popular with north shore dog owners.
How to get there There are actually three accesses to Ambleside Park. Other than savvy West Van residents, the majority of use comes from the access off the foot of 13th Street in West Vancouver. Make your way to Park Royal mall and continue west to make a left at 13th Street and you are there. There is parking immediately to the left on either side of the rail tracks or in slots along Argyle facing the beach. Get off the 250 Blue Bus at 13th Street and you are within a few steps of the park entrance.
The other popular entry point to the park is from south of the Park Royal shopping mall. There is a gravel trail that skirts the west shore of the Capilano River and arrives at the Dog Beach portion of Ambleside. Many dog owners use this entrance as there is good parking and never a need to leash fido.
Finally, when you are traveling eastward on Marine Drive there is an access road between the western extent of Park Royal Village and the eastern most artificial turf field. This road is the access to the West Van Youth Center and the SPCA. There are a number of parking spots that are often used by those involved in organized sports.
Park Use I find it hard to say which of many activities is more popular in Ambleside Park. Just to walk on the seawall seems to be a simplistic approach to a park with so much to offer. But for many that is Ambleside park: a portion of the North Shore sea wall that run west to Dundrave pier.
Upon closer investigation you will often find a variety of uses and users.
Young, and not so young, new moms and dads tend to their children in the play area. Older folkes lounge on the benches. People of all ages swim or use the summer volleyball nets.
Young guys gather in the skate board park or in pickup basketball games on the courts daily. The slightly older dudes park their ‘mercs and beamers along the beach. They gather in small groups to discuss, often in Farsi, the things guys of that age discuss. The counterpart girls are often clutched together on the logs arranged on the sand beach or enjoying a frozen treat from the concession.
Uber power mom’s armoured with latest Lulu Lemon wear purposely stride in pairs along the sea walk making their way to or from their next engagement. Toned metro-sexuals jog at a brisk yet polite pace.
Retired exec’s and their wives stroll in pairs. Often the overheard conversation is of kids in university or the merits of a Lexus over the Land Rover.
Down the east end at Dog Beach the pooches rule. An increased level of activity fills the air. Dogs chase their grotty old tennis balls or a stick flung into the ocean. Owners call after their barking dogs. Children noisily interact with their canine best friends.
Across the rail tracks, over at the organized sports fields, the kids compete while the into it moms hang on the chain link fence shouting encouragement. The more laid back parents line the bleachers in their designer shades sipping the Venti sized paper tumblers of fancy coffee drinks.
Clearly Ambleside is the focal meeting place of West Vancouver. Regardless of age, original culture or current socio-economic status our park by the sea has something to offer everyone.
History Ambleside was originally a garbage dump and log sort. A near by ferry terminal at the foot of 14th Street made the area popular with locals. Park status was given in 1912. While ferries ran to Vancouver beginning in 1868 this site became the ferry terminal in 1914. The Lions Gate Bridge which towers over the east end of the park opened in 1938. Yes, in West Vancouver we do refer to it as the bridge over the moat.
What you might not know. Green Heron nest in the duck pond at Ambleside Park. This is the only known nesting site, for these birds, on the North Shore.
In addition to ducks and swans there are turtles in the duck pond.
The best time to see cruise ships power out of Vancouver harbour towards Alaska, and the setting sun, is at 5:00PM on Sundays.
The sea wall walk passes under the rail road tracks at the Capilano River. The bed of the rail line is no more than three meters from the ground. Depending on how tall or brave you are, with the luck of timing, you may get far closer to the underbelly of a train than you may care.
Luckily, we didn’t do much that involved exercising fingers so I am fully capable of writing this post. On the other hand, I know Vancouver Marathon runners must be thinking I’m crazy because the 7 hours of The Amazing Hunt totally kicked my butt.
Heading into Chinatown, we came across another Detour where we had to chose between locating a show with certain foreign characters on its sign, or going to a specific store and purchasing a certain product.
