VANCOUVER - Grouse Mountain and Carved Animals

Look North in Vancouver to see the nearby mountain lights hanging in the evening sky. Grouse Mountain is one set of lights in North Vancouver, located on the other side of the inlet.

Grouse Mountain

Exceeding 4000 ft. (1200 meters) in altitude at its peak, Grouse Mountain offers alpine skiing in the winter and hiking trails and other activities in summer and autumn. A breathtaking view awaits you. An occasional high-flyer is deposited via helicopter on the top of Grouse. Four chairlifts and 26 runs are approximately half an hour away from the city of Vancouver. The Grouse Grind is a popular trail for fitness enthusiasts, which runs directly up the fall line paralleling the gondola towers. Be sure to come prepared.




Grouse Mountain Tram, Vancouver's North Shore, by DG Hudson

Grouse Mountain had its first lodge built by hand by Scandinavians in the 1920s with wood they carted up themselves. In 1976, a second aerial tramway was built by 'Garaventa', which became known as the Super Skyride. This is now the main tramway, using much larger gondola cars and depositing passengers at a separate terminal. The main lodge is only accessible by tram, hiking trail or helicopter from the parking lot midway up the mountain.


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Chainsaw Wood Carving
Grouse Mountain
Lining the pathways between various activities

Wood carving of Bear with Salmon, Grouse Mtn., by DG Hudson

A picturesque location, Grouse Mountain has been used in several productions:

- 1994 The X-Files episode of 'Ascension'.  Actor Duchovny dangled from a gondola in one scene. 
- The ski lodge and facilities were used in filming the cartoon, Mr. Magoo.
- Nelly Furtado, singer-songwriter, filmed the video for Spirit Indestructible at Grouse Mountain.

Regal Eagle with Fish, Grouse Mtn, North Vancouver by DG Hudson

Always check the website to plan your visit to Grouse Mountain.

Carved Bear, Grouse Mountain, N. Vancouver, by DG Hudson

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Have you seen or visited Grouse Mountain? Do you like aerial views or are they vertigo-inducing?
Do you remember the story of Paul Bunyan, a giant lumberjack in American folk tales? (Before chainsaws) OR Have you heard of 'Monty Python' lumberjacks?

Please leave a comment to let me know you were here, and thanks for stopping by. I'll respond!

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References
A Monty Python skit of The Lumberjack song: Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zey8567bcg&feature=kp 

Wiki of the song
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lumberjack_Song 

Wiki for Grouse Mountain
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grouse_Mountain 

The website
https://www.grousemountain.com/ 

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VANCOUVER Views - The Marine Building

A landmark building in Vancouver was completed in 1929, when the world seemed black and white.

The Marine Building, Vancouver, 1929 - Canada PD**

". . .some great crag rising from the sea, clinging with sea flora and fauna, tinted in sea-green, touched with gold."

This description by the builders, 'McCarter and Nairne', gives insight into the Art Deco design and its purpose.

The Marine Building, Vancouver, by DG Hudson

With its heritage design, the architecture of this building has proven adaptable for certain period films. The building has been used for film and tv productions, such as Timecop, Smallville, Blade Trinity, Fantastic Four and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.


In Vancouver, drive westward on Hastings until it meets Burrard Street. There at the end is the soaring Art Deco building at No. 355. There was an observation deck, but during the Depression the 25 cents admission  proved unaffordable for most. Currently, there are no public galleries in the building.





The Marine Building, Vancouver, by DG Hudson

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The design on this front door is impressive, meant to frame the doormen who stood in front of the brass doors when they opened in 1930 and showcasing the fine quality of its craftsmen. Business offices occupy this building today.

Marine Building Entrance, by DG Hudson

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Highlighted against the Marine Building, a dolphin sculpure in the photo below reflects our ocean heritage. Only a few blocks away, you can find a city beach and a seawall walk. The skyline of a vibrant city is always changing, so photograph that building before it's hidden behind another or gone forever.

Vancouver - Sculpture and Marine Bldg, by DG Hudson

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Are you a fan of architecture or Heritage buildings? OR, did you see any of the movies listed above? Do you photograph buildings for description purposes or because you like the design of the structure?

Please share your answers in the comments, and thanks for dropping by!

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References:

*Marine = of or related to shipping or naval matters; not used in a military sense

Marine Building Detailed Art Deco designs Blue designs framing front entrance):

 Close ups of Marine Building - details of design, Marine Building

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_Building wiki, The Marine Building

The History of Metropolitan Vancouver - Vancouver Archives

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**1929 - Canadian Public Domain = Image, The Marine Building

This Canadian work is in the public domain in Canada because its copyright has expired for one of the following reasons: it was subject to Crown copyright and was first published before 1963; Refer to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Marine_Building_1929.png

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