Going north -- shore that is. Swimmin' pools, movie stars

You can go by bridge or boat

  

The seabus is part of Translink the public transit provider

This yacht moored at North Vancouver's Lonsdale Quay is not

OK, if you have been reading my last couple of blog posts you might think the ship has sailed on yet another boat trip story. But since the only way from the City of Vancouver across the Burrard Inlet to the multi municipality of the District of North Vancouver, the City of North Vancouver and the District of West Vancouver is by bridge or boat, ahoy, mates!

Why are there three municipal governments in such a small area? The settlement started as a sawmill owned by a fellow named Moody. Eventually the mill attracted a large enough population to form a small village known as Moodyville. Being Moody is a bummer, so in 1891 some folks split and formed the District of North Vancouver. Eventually a hotel, a bank, and electricity arrived. The people living in the area now known as Lower Lonsdale did not want to pay infrasatructure costs for the people living in the of the area now known as the City of North Vancouver. So in 1907 the cast-off citizens incorporated into the City of North Vancouver. Similarly, when in 1912 the infrastructure cost issue arose for the City of North Vancouver, the District of West Vancouver was born. Today West Vancouver is home to the British Properties, some of the most expensive real estate on earth. As for those Moody settlers they amalgamated with the District of North Vancouver in 1915. Today all three municipalities have a good working relationship.

There are two bridges over the Burrard Inlet: the iconic Lions Gate Bridge and the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge. The memorial is to the 19 workers who died during its construction. Both bridges are frequently backed up, threatened by tolls,  and subject to complete closure. Avoid them and opt for a smooth sail across the inlet. As usual I start my trip on our fully accessible transit system with the trip planner at http://www.translink.ca/ . It guides me to the major transit hub at Waterfront Station where the Westcoast Express, all skytrain lines, sea bus, and several trolley and bus routes connect. The seabus terminal is a little lacking and needs an upgrade to be as accessible as a world class transit system in a world class city should be. The only washrooms situated on the dock are old and not  accessible and the elevator is old, small and frequently out of service causing a time consuming detour involving a HandyDart trip to the boat that takes three times longer than the 12 minute seabus crossing. On board the aisles are wide and the disability areas are well marked. Unfortunately the older boats have stickers at the wheelchair sight lines, but the new craft are dramatically improved with more sight lines and wider aisles.

The seabus deposits you at the Lonsdale Quay, another transit hub. The immediate area is host to waterfront parks, piers, eateries, hotels, shopping and a newly refurbished historical ship yard. We will visit this and other areas that the north shore gateways including Grouse Mountain, the Capilano Dam, and Indian Arm in future blogs. For now a closer look at the market.

The market is accessible in the 1986 sort of sense. For example, it has only a few automatic doors and the elevators are not auditory. Most of  the aisles are wide enough, the market grounds around the harbour can be accessed albeit by circuitous routes and the washrooms each have a big accessible stall after you battle a couple of heavy clunky doors, with a sharp turn thrown in for good measure.  For all of that it is still a fun place to visit. From the front you can watch the goings on of a major world port. Helicopters and sea planes buzz about and ships of all sorts and sizes come and go from everywhere. The market itself has frequent entertainment, and has many great places to eat and drink or stock the larder with fresh fish, baked goods and other treats from around the world. For details check http://www.lonsdalequay.com/ .

Until next time when I report on my experience at the 20th annual Fishing Forever trout derby in Surrey's Green Timbers park.