Stanley Park.

Our day actually started out with dim sum in Richmond with some of my relatives. The sky train actually goes right there, but the rainy weather kept us car-bound. Bah! Had we more time in the morning perhaps we could have gotten organized, but the bikes needed air and a little attention after their exposure to the elements on the road trip over.

In any case, we motored out to Richmond and filled our bellies with delicious things.

These dumplings were gigantic. I didn't know such a quantity of shrimp could fit into a little dumpling.

Then we headed off to Stanley Park, with a stop off at Caffe Artigiano.

And hey, no stopping and idling! Turn that engine off.

I haven't been to Stanley Park since I was a kid, with my parents! We had tons of extended family living in Vancouver so it was customary for my family and I to visit at least once a year.

Don took this photo of me, as a tribute to the Emily Carr exhibit we recently saw at the AGA.

There are many scenic lookouts. And because of the damp weather it wasn't the least bit busy. We had the park to ourselves.

Here is the Lions Gate Bridge, going into North Vancouver.

And the beaches. The one big thing about Vancouver that we love is the ocean. It just can't be beat.

We like the sound of the waves.

We came across a kid's park that has a vintage fire truck.

I'm not sure how Dexter felt when all these other kids showed up to start playing on it.

I was busy with this thing that spins around and around.

Dexter did his fitness routine.

Then it was time for supper at Rosie and Matt's! They are dear old friends of ours.

Yummy snacks.

Fresh flowers and pop up story books for Dexter.

Bounty.

And we got to see newer friends too. Hi, Kelly.

And we ate strawberry shortcake for dessert on homemade sweet biscuits, and drank bubbles. Miss Rosalie knows how to host!

It's funny that we used to come to Vancouver all the time to visit my plethora of aunts and uncles. Now that I'm all grown up there is still some of that, but I'm dragging my own family across the border to see members of my extended urban family.

Hey, they say that families that eat together, stay together!