I headed to the Harley Dealer in the morning to find out more about what needed to get done on my bike before it was ridable. The front rim was dented and it was going to be another day before they can get the parts. The guys at this Harley dealer were the best. I generally get really bad service in the bay area. They were really going out of their way to find parts as fast they could and get me back on the road as fast as possible. One of the guys even invited me out for lunch to an Italian market called Bosa’s for sandwiches. He ended up paying for me which really made me appreciate Canadian hospitality and the dealership I was working with.
I didn’t want want to pay for another night at a hotel, because it was way too expensive. I booked an Airbnb for the night for a third of the cost. I thought I was staying at a family home but when I arrived it turned out to be more of an international hostel. There were 10 people living in the home, and the owner had recently moved to a new place. When I walked through the door I met one of the tenants, Joe, who had taken the day off and was relaxing inside trying to avoid the heat. Unfortunately, this place didn’t have A/C, but then again we don’t have A/C in San Francisco so I wasn’t too surprised. Joe had recently been traveling the world as well so we spent the better part of an hour exchanging stories and giving advice on what to do on our next adventures.
While I was in Seattle, I got some americanized poutine and Li-Shaun said I needed to try the real stuff in Canada. Coincidentally, Joe was getting poutine for lunch. I was pretty full from Bosa’s, but couldn’t pass up the opportunity. On the way into the city we stopped at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden.
We continued on to Davie Village and grabbed some poutine from La Belle Patate. Despite being full, I had no trouble finishing the plate.
As we were walking back I started talking about my trip to Rome and all the great gelato I had. Joe insisted we go and try Bella Gelateria. They won best Gelato in the World back in 2012 for their toast pecan infused with maple syrup. I had to try it and added banana bread as well. It was really good, but Suso’s in Venice is still my favorite.
I had been looking up touristy things to do in Vancouver and a common one that popped up was the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Joe said it was pretty cool, but he preferred the suspension bridge in Lynn Valley because there are swimming holes and it’s free. I was a bit hesitant to follow his preference considering Lynn Valley Road is where I got hit, but I decided to follow the local’s advice.
It took me a while to get there via public transportation. I had to take the seabus over to North Vancouver and transfer to another bus up to Lynn Canyon Park, but it was worth it. I had wanderlust as soon as I entered beyond the trailhead. I could hear people in the distance playing in the river and found myself picking up the pace and almost jogging to see what the forest had to offer.
I made it to the suspension bridge first, and although it wasn’t as impressive as pictures of the Capilano Bridge, it gave me a great view of a beautiful waterfall. At the top I could see small figures getting ready to slide down it. One by one they hopped onto the water slide and poured in the water below. I felt the need to join them and rushed to where they were.
When I made it to the top of the falls I realized I would have to leave my stuff if I wanted to go down. Another couple showed up and they let me know there was yet another waterfall I’d have to go over before I could start the hike back. I reluctantly passed on the experience.
I continued up to the watering hole where there were families picnicking for the day. There were some huge boulders that kids were jumping off that and I had to give it a try. The water was freezing and as soon as I jumped in I could feel my chest tighten up. The adrenaline from jumping off the rock kept me going.
I wished I had come early in the day so I could’ve spent more time in Lynn Canyon. The shade and cool water were the best escape from the hot weather. Everyone on the trail was friendly and I sparked up small conversations every stop I made.
The way back to my Airbnb was going to take at least two hours and my phone was dying so I didn’t know how I was going to entertain myself. Luckily, the couple I met at the falls showed up at the same bus stop and were traveling in the same direction as my Airbnb. It was great to get out of my comfort zone and speak about life experiences with strangers I had just met.
I spent most of the next day waiting to hear back about my motorcycle. It didn’t sound like it was going to get finished until late in the day so I got another Airbnb just incase I wanted to spend the night. Luckily, it was right around the corner from the place I had spent the previous night. Before heading out I went out and grabbed some Tim Horton’s donuts. They are alright, but I’ll still take my Krispy Kreme over them any day.
I had been debating going back to Seattle after I got my motorcycle and start heading east, but I had a gut feeling that I should keep heading North. In the end I flipped a coin: heads I go back to the lower 48, Looney I go Alaska. It was the Looney.
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