Vancouver Day 3: Road Trip (Squamish)

While Vancouver is very walkable, we decided to rent a car. Most days it stayed in its parking space below our hotel room. When we landed at 10 pm instead of 12:30 pm, I was grateful we had a car and we did not have to navigate mass transit. The other reason we wanted one was to take a road trip to Whistler.

Whistler is famous for skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing -- all activities I was not planning to do. The drive to Whistler, though, is famous for its magnificent views. The scenery became more stunning as we cruised closer to the mountains.

We left without having breakfast first so I encouraged us to find a café in Squamish. Surrounded by mountains, Squamish is right out of a Hallmark movie in its beauty and simplicity. We walked on both sides of the two-block long Main Street. The city core boasts cafes, a chocolate shop, a non-profit bookstore, a church that is a café during the week, a climbing store, a bike store, and a shop dedicated to refilling bottles (Be Clean Naturally) that I wished would pop up in my town.

As luck would have it, we parked in front of The Ledge, a ministry with a pay it forward café that is part of The Rock. The only other time I have seen a pay it forward system was at the Soup Place in Melbourne. The Ledge's menu is simple: Liege-style waffles plus coffee and tea. Run by the Mennonite Brethren (MB), the most evangelical of all Mennonites. Their mission is to be part of the world. The MB came to Canada in the 1600s to escape persecution. Their minister for evangelism, Rudi, is the barrister. He was open to answer all of my questions, but in a way that was not pushy. He is skilled in meeting people where they are. If we were there on Sunday, I'm sure we would have driving the hour to worship with them and learn more. Their message is about listening to what God has in store for us, that we each have talents we should be using to work together. 

I was listening to his utopian vision three days after T took office and I wanted to stay and see this vision work. Instead I ate my waffle with a side of yogurt and granola and bid farewell to Rudi and CJ. We then walked to the non-profit bookshop as it was opening up for the day.

Tannery, an American in the process of becoming a dual-Canadian citizen runs the non-profit. A large part of their storefront is taken up with used books, all for sale for $3 ($2 US) or more. I was so busy talking to her I did not pick out a book, even though they had a section of books in French, which I knew Anna would read and appreciate. 

Tannery and I had a long chat as Don wandered further down the street to the Climb On Equipment, a store with a mission similar to REI in the States. Our conversation was deeper than conversations I have had with close friends -- very enlightening. Her mother's boyfriend served time in prison in Hawaii. He sewed patches on fast food uniforms for ten to 15 cents an hour; later he worked in a banana plantation. She described the prison system as forced legalized labor. A thought I never had before. She predicts the US ICE round-ups will sweep up immigrants and put them in prisons for cheap labor. The ICE raids had happened by day three of his term.

The bookstore serves a couple of different groups: immigrants and LGBTQ. 

She left me with the name of a person who sends out daily emails about immigration. As I type this on February 7, I realize I have not looked the person up. I also want to email Tannery to let her know how much I have thought of our conversation.

"There are others who think like us. See how easily you found me!" said Tannery with a smile. 

Rather than buy a book I did not need, I left them a $20 donation. I know they will put the money to good use.

Back to our drive. During our stop at The Ledge, CJ told us about a hike the locals do called The Train Wreck. She gave us great directions, and Google was able to fill in any gaps. Located in Function Junction, it is just south of Whistler.