It's too bad the Minter Gardens are closing in October. I felt this was one of the nicest attractions out in the Fraser Valley, though far enough away (Chilliwack) that I suppose it wasn't financially viable anymore. Taking a sunny Sunday I felt I'd take the opportunity to visit one last time, and encourage others to do so. Adult admission is $20 but one can enjoy a leisurely full day there, with an elegant restaurant and café and a network of trails over 13 acres.
Following the main garden path has thoughtful details around every corner through sculpture and arrangement; topiaries and water features and organized flower beds. Most of the bulb flowers and vines were finished blooming, and late July's colors featured astilbe, begonias, marigolds, dusty miller, osteospermum, geraniums, dahlias, alyssum, and some late roses.
A surprise was a demonstration from Cinemazoo and the Urban Reptile Rescue, who brought little friends in tubs and cages and let the crowd handle them. I got a boa constrictor draped on me, held a bearded dragon, and pet a tagu and a tortoise that were lounging on the path. The facilitators were very informative, and it was a great opportunity for everyone.
After a picnic outside we returned to find the outer path was closed due to a bear sighting in the area (!), so we had pretty much explored every corner that we could. I had noticed throughout the day that there seemed few birds around, but it was just when I was still enough settling on the well-manicured lawn that I caught the flash of yellow tails over a pond fountain - the cedar waxwings' acrobatic flycatching was a calming dance to watch, what a way to spend a summer afternoon!
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Friday, July 19, 2013
New flavours
My summer so far has been fairly engaging; according to a friend we've had hot sunshine for 27 days straight and I think it's affecting everyone's overall outlook and demeanour (including my own). Talking to strangers and trying new things - less of an adventure per se, but a break from routine or the introspection of January. Now is the time for external stimuli!
Going for ice cream with a friend, I know he loves Tiger but I was never a fan of black liquorice as a kid (perhaps the orange and black swirl together to make an unappetizing mud-color?), so I decided it's time to revisit Tiger with an adult perspective, the verdict being that that the mild spice compliments the sweet fruitiness of the orange in a way that works for me. I've had a tea like this as well that is both uplifting with the citrus and a digestive aid with the carminative anise. Thumbs up for Tiger! And while I'm on the subject of ice cream I'll plug La Casa Gelato, the best place I know for ice cream in Vancouver, just for the sheer selection of flavors - Italian, Asian, and bizarre creations. A bit expensive for a regular visit but an enjoyable treat, and you get to sample any flavour before you buy, so that can take awhile of flitting back and forth along the counter like a butterfly.
Dinner with another friend found us with tzatziki dip on everything - that was both salad dressing and steak sauce. The salad I could have guessed, being creamy+dill over vegetables, but I was skeptical that the dip wouldn't be lost on a typical barbecued beef steak. It was a pleasant surprise, so I'll keep in in mind as yet another option for steak treatment. You never know unless you try!
The CBC radio station in Vancouver continues its free Musical Nooners concert series on the patch of fresh lawn outside the station right downtown, a welcome break for office workers to take their lunch al fresco and enjoy a show. Again, it's a great variety of styles and tastes that one may typically not gravitate to or even considered, but an opportunity to try it. Quiet singer perched on a stool strumming a guitar, raucous Latin salsa, maybe klezmer/polka?? All accessible for families and inoffensive to common sensibilities (does that rule out rap and metal?) I've caught a few shows so far this season, they were well presented and played.
Going for ice cream with a friend, I know he loves Tiger but I was never a fan of black liquorice as a kid (perhaps the orange and black swirl together to make an unappetizing mud-color?), so I decided it's time to revisit Tiger with an adult perspective, the verdict being that that the mild spice compliments the sweet fruitiness of the orange in a way that works for me. I've had a tea like this as well that is both uplifting with the citrus and a digestive aid with the carminative anise. Thumbs up for Tiger! And while I'm on the subject of ice cream I'll plug La Casa Gelato, the best place I know for ice cream in Vancouver, just for the sheer selection of flavors - Italian, Asian, and bizarre creations. A bit expensive for a regular visit but an enjoyable treat, and you get to sample any flavour before you buy, so that can take awhile of flitting back and forth along the counter like a butterfly.
Dinner with another friend found us with tzatziki dip on everything - that was both salad dressing and steak sauce. The salad I could have guessed, being creamy+dill over vegetables, but I was skeptical that the dip wouldn't be lost on a typical barbecued beef steak. It was a pleasant surprise, so I'll keep in in mind as yet another option for steak treatment. You never know unless you try!
The CBC radio station in Vancouver continues its free Musical Nooners concert series on the patch of fresh lawn outside the station right downtown, a welcome break for office workers to take their lunch al fresco and enjoy a show. Again, it's a great variety of styles and tastes that one may typically not gravitate to or even considered, but an opportunity to try it. Quiet singer perched on a stool strumming a guitar, raucous Latin salsa, maybe klezmer/polka?? All accessible for families and inoffensive to common sensibilities (does that rule out rap and metal?) I've caught a few shows so far this season, they were well presented and played.
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