Birch Bay 2011 - Vancouver Field Trip

Lyra's cabin in Birch Bay is only a half hour's drive south of Vancouver. Canada! Land of maple leaves, hockey, and Lyra's favorite power trio, Rush. No visit to Birch Bay is complete without a trip across the border. In hopeful anticipation, America's Favorite Baby® carefully packed her passport alongside her Huggies, bibs, and sippy cups. Then, wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles -- Opa arranged three days and two nights in Vancouver at a restful bed and breakfast. Lyra's response: "I say, old chap! Jolly good show."

"Hey, Canada, I am coming!"

Before committing to three days in a foreign land, Lyra takes a test drive at Peace Arch International Park, which as everyone knows is actually two parks that meet at the border: Peach Arch State Park on the Washington side, and Peace Portal Provincial Park on the British Columbia side. Lyra thinks the Canadian side has prettier flowers. Lyra is correct.

Lyra models the tousled-hair look outside her Vancouver B&B, the Pacific Spirit Guest House.

 Upon hearing that everyone was headed to nearby Pacific Spirit Regional Park for a walk, Lyra raced out the door, but then began to wonder why no one was following her. Silly baby! You're going the wrong way.

Later, at Stanley Park, Lyra discovers that Mommy and Opa started the picnic without her. "Not cool!" says Baby Lyra. "This aggression will not stand."

Daddy, Opa, Nana and a suspiciously coy Lyra in Stanley Park, with the Lion's Gate Bridge in the background.

Lyra's favorite Opa and Nana. What a beautiful day it was!

Always in training, Lyra runs up and down a grassy hummock at UBC's delightful Nitobe Memorial Garden.

After the hundredth picture of the day, this is all the smile Lyra can muster.

It was a wonderful trip, not least because of all the delicious food. Dim Sum in Richmond at The Jade Seafood Restaurant, dinner at Vancouver's delightful Cafeteria, a picnic lunch from The Dirty Apron...we were so busy eating that we plumb forgot about taking pictures! Until our last meal (for this trip), that is, a sumptuous feast at Shanghai River in Richmond. Check out Baby Lyra leaning in for the camera. "Kid," says the waitress, "I don't what 'it' is, but you've got it."

And so Lyra's journey comes to an end. It was an end, but it was not the end.

"So long, Canada!" says Lyra. "See you next year!"