SNOW (!!!)

While it looks absolutely beautiful (I like to think this is because once everything is covered it matches), it’s a pain for those of us that don’t live directly across the street from the places we are obligated to get to. Which, let’s face it, the majority of us don’t. Instead, we have to drive. On summer tires. Or maybe All Seasons, but really, is there such thing as “All Season” tires? I have my doubts.

Three days passed. The snow stuck and horror stories from Seattle flooded up the coast. We woke up early to defrost and scrape the car windows and I wore my 2010 Olympic mittens. But we ‘plowed’ through, because we don’t like folks from the interior or, heaven forbid, those migrants from Toronto, telling us we’re babies. Our maintenance team here at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park shovelled as hard as their backs would let them shovel. In fact, all of our team did. Because the Suspension Bridge in the snow is a sight we think everyone should see.

Over the course of those three days, we came to love our crunchy white house guest, our only complaint being, “Why am I not up the mountain snowboarding right now?!” But as it always does, the moment we started to pull on our snow pants it melted. All of it. Quickly.  Like, in a day.

Darn.

So it’s no surprise to hear that this morning, two out of our three local Groundhogs have announced (via not seeing their shadow – because Groundhogs can’t actually speak… I don’t think) that Spring might just come 6 weeks early. Hooray!  Because as much as we love our time up on the mountain and being able to drift all Fast & the Furious style down the cut… let’s face it; we’ll never be Paul Walker and we prefer the goggle tan that comes from Spring skiing.  It’s just who we are.  So Spring coming early is something we can look forward to, even though it’s still consistently 3 degrees outside and my red Olympic mittens are still on stand-by.

Now, it’s completely your decision as to how much trust you want to put into two furry animals named Shubenacadie Sam and Wiarton Willie.  I myself still plan on jetting to Florida for Spring Break, because I just don’t think that Spring Break here will be worthy of the bikini I’ve been working really hard to fit into.  But hey, maybe you’re tougher than me.  I hear the water at second beach come March is just welcoming.

The good news is, you don’t need a bathing suit to do our new Cliffwalk.   Or Treetops Adventures.  Or even the Suspension Bridge.  In fact, we recommend you leave it at home, though, who are we to judge! And despite the fact it’s not Spring yet, the Park is stunning and just begging for admirers.

I left the office last night around 5:15 to be greeted by a light fog that had settled itself in our trees. I passed a co-worker on the way to my car who had turned around to look back at the park. “It so pretty in the mist” she said. “I know right?” I replied. “Stunning” we both said at the same time.

But hey, what do we know. We just work here.

Having the Capilano Suspension Bridge Head Office in the heart of it all has been amazing.  Not only is it a glorious place to come to every morning, but I’ve also picked up on some interesting tidbits that I’d like to share with you.  It’s a walk in the park *drum roll*.  I bet you didn’t know that…

1. August Jack Khahtsahlano was 12 years old when he helped build the first hemp rope suspension bridge with founder George Grant Mackay. A team of horses swam the ropes across the river, pulled up the other side, and anchored it to huge buried cedar logs. 
2. The bridge can hold 96 full sized elephants.
3. The bridge can fit two 747 jets wing-tip across it.
4. Marilyn Monroe visited Capilano Suspension Bridge & Park in 1954.
5. The Treetops Treehouse is completely made of recycled and reclaimed materials.  Some of the wood used is from the Hudson’s Bay Company Downtown store renovation. 
6. The bridge’s planks are replaced once a year and recycled for use around the park for fencing and repair of the park’s other amenities including Trading Post, Loggers’ Grill, and the  Canyon Cafe.
7. Rae Mitchell charged 25 cents a visit in 1953.
8. The Capilano Suspension Bridge & Park  is the oldest paid attraction in B.C.
9. The Bridge House Restaurant was originally build as a cottage and the residence of  Mac MacEachran who purchased the bridge in 1934.
10. Capilano Suspension Bridge & Park has always been and is still,  family owned and operated.