All photos taken during our walk in Stanley Park on January 27, 2022.
Vancouver is located on the unceded, ancestral and traditional territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlil̓wətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples.
Long before the English arrived in the area in 1888 and named this lush green peninsula, Stanley Park for Lord Stanley (the NHL hockey trophy is also named for him), the local First Nations peoples name x̱wáýx̱way (pronounced ‘kwhy-kway’) was the name of a permanent aboriginal village located where Lumberman’s Arch is today. This village is estimated to have been inhabited for over 3,000 years. The best translation of x̱wáýx̱way would be “masked dance performance”.
(Sources: Wikipedia & Vancouver Heritage Foundation)
There has long been talk of using the original name in some fashion in the park, but nothing has yet officially transpired. Whether the name is x̱wáýx̱way or Stanley Park, it is a beautiful park to explore in almost any weather.
On this day, the winter sun was shining through rising clouds of mist, creating a very spiritual look.
Setting off down the pathTall trees abound. High winds are not always kind to themMany trees support other plants, creating a diverse ecosystemHighrise hitchhikersSun and shadow (or son and shadow?)sunlight diffused by mossy curtainMisty raysLooking beyondsome scale on tree size – B is 6′-2″fallen giantslow sun hits the forest floorMoss magicgreen glowShinrin-yoku in Stanley Parkrising mistsfungilost in the glowtoward the lighthumble jumblechaotic growthfinding our way outleaf litter
Not much to tell. After working for 3 companies over 43+ years (38 years 7 months with my last company), I finally got that promotion I had waited my entire career for……retirement.
I have been exploring this new career for the past 7+ years and while it is not always exciting, the chance to do what I want for myself and my family instead of what my company wants has been very fulfilling. Early on, there was a long list of projects in my “to-do” hopper and I attacked these projects with a vengeance for the first 9 months of retirement. Eventually, my brain told me that this was not what retirement was about, so it took me another 5 months before my industriousness again took over and I attacked another line of projects, this time somewhat shorter and less complicated, as well as many new projects related to the family weddings in 2016. After going hard for 6 weeks and 3 weddings, my body was telling me to relax, then the flu bug hit and as soon as that was done with me, my sciatic acted up. No rest for the wicked. In 2020 and 2021, the Covid 19 pandemic changed the whole retirement gig. I was lucky to not be still working, for sure.
I enjoy photography, gardening, working with my hands, walking, cycling, skiing, travelling, reading and creating special photo and video productions obtained in my first pastime. I may never become wealthy in any of these pursuits, but I already feel I am rich in life experiences far beyond any expectation.
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Entering Stanley Park, with its tall trees, there is much of this mysterious place that you render well with your photos. Let’s hope the name stays Stanley rather than x̱wáýx̱way for a few more years, it’s a bit easier to blog about 🙂
Thanks for sharing what must have been a very enjoyable walk through this park. Those trees are huge and awe inspiring. I just wouldn’t want to be around when one decides it has been standing long enough.
It is an awe inspiring place John. We think we have tall trees on the prairies, but, we don’t. Given the recent extreme weather, there are trees that tend to lean and fall over. You are right, do not go walking in the forest in high winds. Thanks for reading John. Allan
As I, too, was getting lost in the glow, I was wondering: how much of the landscape (other, of course, than the roads and sharply cut trees :)) has changed from the original inhabitants’ time 3,000 years ago? It’s almost like being transported in time…
Other than the noise of the city, the park is a peaceful place. A lot of trees have fallen over time. I am sure it was a magical place 3,000 years ago. We enjoy our time spent in Stanley Park. Thanks for reading. Allan
It was the perfect day to be in the park. Enchanted it is. Some of the scenes in Once Upon a Time were filmed in Vancouver, not in Stanley Park, but in Lower Seymour Wilderness Area, which is just as enchanted looking. Thanks for reading Linda. Happy Wednesday. Allan
PHOTO DROP 
Entering Stanley Park, with its tall trees, there is much of this mysterious place that you render well with your photos. Let’s hope the name stays Stanley rather than x̱wáýx̱way for a few more years, it’s a bit easier to blog about 🙂
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Thanks so much. We were happy for the magical mists rising in the sunshine. The low angle January sun made it all work. Thanks for reading. Allan
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Thanks for sharing what must have been a very enjoyable walk through this park. Those trees are huge and awe inspiring. I just wouldn’t want to be around when one decides it has been standing long enough.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is an awe inspiring place John. We think we have tall trees on the prairies, but, we don’t. Given the recent extreme weather, there are trees that tend to lean and fall over. You are right, do not go walking in the forest in high winds. Thanks for reading John. Allan
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As I, too, was getting lost in the glow, I was wondering: how much of the landscape (other, of course, than the roads and sharply cut trees :)) has changed from the original inhabitants’ time 3,000 years ago? It’s almost like being transported in time…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Other than the noise of the city, the park is a peaceful place. A lot of trees have fallen over time. I am sure it was a magical place 3,000 years ago. We enjoy our time spent in Stanley Park. Thanks for reading. Allan
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Looks like a beautiful place to take a stroll. I love all the moss covered trees, it looks like an enchanted forest.
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It was the perfect day to be in the park. Enchanted it is. Some of the scenes in Once Upon a Time were filmed in Vancouver, not in Stanley Park, but in Lower Seymour Wilderness Area, which is just as enchanted looking. Thanks for reading Linda. Happy Wednesday. Allan
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That is a beautiful park
The play of lights and shadows in your photos is extraordinary🌼
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Hi Luisa. We were in the park at the right time on the right day, for sure. Thanks for reading. Allan
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Thanks to you for this added information🙏
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Wow the sun through all these giants are spectacular. What beautiful photographs and that split tree was so massive. Beautiful!!! 🤗
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Thanks Joni. Walking among the big trees makes us smile and that day was pretty perfect. Thanks for reading. Allan 🤗🤗
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❤️🦋
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Great post – thanks!
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Thanks and thank you for stopping by. Allan
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You’re welcome!
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Great Post and amazing pictures!😊 The forest can feel so magical and mysterious ♡
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Thank you and thanks for reading. Allan
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Gorgeous place! I’m hoping to be able to visit here when I head to Vancouver in July!
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Thanks Angie. Hope you get there too. We’ll be there again in a month or so. Happy Easter. Allan
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