Strolling through Stanley Park

“Why did I come here?” This question echoed in my mind as I approached the entrance to Vancouver’s Stanley Park. It continued to float near the surface of my thoughts as I mingled with the crowds of people who were enjoying Labour Day at the park. I didn’t have a good answer. So, I started to explore.

I walked to the northwestern area of the park, and then back to the southernmost point, along the seawall. I saw totem poles, and the entrance to the aquarium (but I figured I’d save that for my next trip to the park!). I kept walking north on the seawall. It was kind of cloudy and chilly that day, and there were a LOT of people.

“Why did I come?” I looked at one of the signposts near the totem poles, hoping to find something important. I saw Prospect Point at the northern tip of the park, next to Lion’s Gate Bridge, and several kilometres away. “Ah, that would be cool to see. It’s so far away, though. Maybe I’ll go there another time.” I walked away…

Me on the path just underneath Prospect Point

…Quite a while later, I arrived at Prospect Point, tired from both the distance and the steep hill that I’d just traveled. I took a couple photos and looked at the gorgeous view. I went into the restaurant and had a very good dinner while admiring the view, then grabbed some ice cream and started to head back home. But that question remained unanswered.

Here I am at the very top!

“I’m still not sure why I came here.” Sure, the experience I’d had so far was good, but I was hoping for something even more… significant. I pondered this as I ate my ice cream and wandered along the forested trail, not entirely sure which way I was going. I was totally alone, with only the trees and birds to provide ambience to the moment. I wondered how long it would take for me to get back home. And I thought, “I don’t really care.”

And then it hit me. This was what I was looking for. It was so simple! What I’d gained from my trip was a chance to relax; to slow down; to silence the cacophony of the city and apply brakes to my life. The relief of not having to ration every second of the day was exactly what I needed, and I found it during a walk through the woods.

He was never seen again…