Ernest Alvia "Smokey" Smith's Funeral Procession

I ventured down to the Seaforth Armory to see the procession which was to begin at 10 am. I arrived at 10:02 am and Smokey's casket was already on its way. I should have known the preciseness of military timing!

Good to see such a large turnout.

Powell Street Festival July 2005

Just last weekend I journeyed out to the 29th Annual Powell Street Festival and the weather couldn't have been any better. For those who don't know, the Powell St Festival is an opportunity for the Japanese community to put on a party for the rest of Vancouver.

The two day festival is filled with lots of tradition: bonsai pruning workshop, shiatsu, taiko drumming, sumo wrestling, aikido, traditional Japanese tea service, historical walking tours of the Powell Street area and MANY booths selling Japanese handcrafted wares.


Then there's the food!! Fresh BBQ Salmon, takoyaki, teriyaki, California rolls, but the largest lineup always seems to be for Obanyaki (picture a small pancake file with sweet bean paste - my favorite too).


Great day, but once again I neglected to win the round trip for 2 to Tokyo. There's always next year.

The Eagle Has Landed!

Here in Vancouver I came across a family of eagles in a very large tree near Kits Point. Perched way up top is the mother bald eagle, then there are two juveniles hanging around the 4 foot diameter nest.


Juvenile Bald Eagle

Very bizarre seeing Eagles in the city and over such a heavily travelled path. Funny to see the fish carcasses strewn all under the tree with people glancing and not knowing where it all came from. I remember once in Halifax seeing an Osprey perched on a balcony 10 floors up eating a fish and thinking how strange it would be to get home from work and see a huge hawk devouring its dinner on your deck.

Ahhh... nature in the urban setting. Gotta love it!

Vancouver Skyline (Eagle nest in the large tree on the right)