Sunshine is a drug. I love Stanley Park in any weather, but when the sun shines, I am pulled to the seawall to get my fix of vitamin D. As Monty and I walked past Lost Lagoon, I saw the lighted Christmas tree in the middle of the lagoon, although in the daytime it looked more like an upside down tomato plant cage. Piles of raked leaves warmed the trunks of small trees, all various shades of red and yellow, like a farmer’s basket full of heirloom tomatoes. As we dipped under the Georgia Street overpass, I saw somebody asleep on the cold concrete, wrapped up in a sleeping bag, including his head. Homeless guys are usually packed up or moved along by 11:30 in the morning. “Hey buddy, you okay under there?” I asked. Silence. I tapped his foot with my foot. “Hey buddy, you alright under there?” I asked. “Grrrrmph. Yaaaaaa,” he answered. “Alright, just checking,” I said and continued walking. Once on the open seawall, I noticed the sky was busy with float planes. No matter how many times somebody explains to me how planes fly, I am bewildered at how that heavy metal object can lift off and fly up there! And the helicopters. I default to thoughts of Apocalypse Now, Full Metal Jacket and Platoon. Fit, lean moms in their running gear pushed their infants in Baby Joggers. A guy did one-arm push-ups off a park bench. And dogs! Airedale terriers, English bulldogs, Chihuahuas in pink sweaters and a tiny grey terrier named, Lucy, who was frightened of Monty even when he was flat on his side. A man took a photo of his girlfriend. “Hey, would you like me to take a photo of both of you?” I asked. “Yes, that’d be great,” said the woman. “Where you from?” I asked. “Just Duncan,” said the woman. “Just on the island,” said the man. “We’re just taking advantage of the sunshine,” the woman said. “I get that, I’m from here and out taking advantage of it too,” I said. Monty and I walked to the northwest side of Stanley Park. With the sunshine gone, I zipped up both my down vest and Arc'teryx windproof jacket. We walked around another bend and I smiled as the Guy In A Yellow Kayak courted The Girl In A Wetsuit statue. It was a beautiful, relaxing way to spend a Wednesday morning. Photo by Rick Comments are closed.
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