Markets...with or without fleas

I love farmers markets and flea markets. Admission prices are usually low (or free) and you can spend an hour or two wandering through the vendors. This past Sunday we decided to take a trip to the Cloverdale Flea Market that takes place on the Cloverdale fair grounds every Sunday from 6am-4pm. Some market  veterans would say you need to get there at the break of dawn to find the real treasures but we arrived at around 10 am and there were still lots of good finds. The big hits of the day seemed to be the electronic accessories, potted plants and the fresh flower arrangements that would have cost double or triple the price in stores. Our scores of the day...drum roll please...golf balls, a new bottle of Pantene shampoo and a business card holder(to each his own right?). We were more motivated by the experience of the flea market which included the announcer highlighting the different booths, the people watching and the hope that you could find a hidden gold mine (driven by our extensive antique and collectibles training from watching episodes of Pawn Stars and Storage Wars). Great day date for all those treasure hunters out there.

Cost: 1.50 Admission +cost of shampoo

Info: http://www.cloverdalemarket.ca/

Time: Transit time and 1-2 hours

Bowen Island Day Trip

My boyfriend and I wanted to go on a two night trip to the USA on our days off but due to unforseeable circumstances (aka. pesky old work), our time was cut short. So instead we opted to head over to Bowen Island for the day and then decide whether to stay the night once we got there. We got up in the morning, packed an overnight bag and took off to the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal. This is definately a better trip to take on a sunny day and lucky for us the weather was on our side. Upon arrival at the ferry terminal I realised that the ride was a little more expensive than I last remembered. For two adults and the car it was 48.00 but unlike the other ferry rides this one includes your return trip. Taking the car over is not necessary because there is lots to do in immediate walking distance from the Snug Cove terminal on the other side. If you are planning to spend a day or two there a car is better to get to one of the many B&B's located around the island. After less than what seemed to be a 20 minute ride we got to the other side and decided to on a pub lunch at one of the two Pubs in Snug Cove, The Bowen Island Pub.

Side note:
Contrary to what you (and we) may have thought Bowen Island beer is not brewed on Bowen Island. We realised this when we were served Big Rock's brew instead of what we expected to be their local beer at the pub.

We sat on the patio and for lunch split fish and chips and a bowl of homemade vegetable soup which was fantastic. My boyfriend had beer and I had a pint of cider which were on special for 4.75. After lunch we took a few hours to look around the little shops in town. We checked out the organic food grocer, chocolatier, bakery (can you tell we love food..)as well as some local artists. Unfortunately the info center is only open Thursday to Sunday so we got a map at the marina. There is no road that circumnavigates the entire Island that is why a map comes in handy. The marina rents out cottages right in town that are fairly inexpensive but the only one left was a floating cottage that ran 150 dollars a night and was a little steep for our budget. Upon learning the last ferry ran at 10 pm that day we decided to leave that night. Plan set, we grabbed some snacks and head for the beaches on the other side of the Island. It only take about 10 minutes to drive to the other side of the island and we decided on Bowen Bay beach. When we first got there we were the only ones but the beach filled up with many visitors during the day. The water was warm enough that my bf took a swim to the floating dock to lay out but I was not as brave and went in only to my knees. We spent a relaxing day laying on the beach reading and tanning and enjoying the beautiful view of the ocean and the neighbooring islands. Once we were thoroughly roasted, the mosquitos started to bit and the tide had almost reached the end of our blanket we took it as a sign that our beach day had come to an end. We headed back to the ferry teminal lineup, parked and finished the day with an icecream.

Info: http://www.bowen-island-bc.com/

Cost: 48.00 ferry
Spending money (packed lunch or portable BBQ are always an option)

Time: Full day or two

Reifel Bird Sanctuary

Every time I attempt to find Reifel Bird Sanctuary I get a little lost. I always want to think it's by Deas Island when it's actually on Westham Island in Ladner. Reifel is always a nice relaxing afternoon. They are open from 9-4pm and you have until 5 pm to exit the park. At the entrance the sell bird seed for 50 cents a bag and my boyfriend and I always get two so we don't fight over it. You see, when you first enter the park it is very tempting to give all of your food to the mounds of ducks that swarm you knowing what treats you have concealed in your brown paper sacks, but I being the more savvy bird feeder like to save my seed for the long walk around the park. If you are very prepared you can even go to the grocery store before you head to Reifel and get a wild bird seed that is primarily sunflower seeds. You see, I have learned through watching other visitors to the park that if you put some sunflower seeds in your hand and hold it up in the air chickadees will actually land on your hand to take the sunflower seeds. There are plenty of neat birds to see even if you are not a hardcore bird lover. Even the macho-est of macho men would find it hard not to succumb to the cute ducks nibbling out of their hand. Reifel also have a snow geese festival every year although I am not sure of the exact dates it is definately a sight. A sea of white geese that migrate to the fields on the outskirts of the park.

Info: http://www.reifelbirdsanctuary.com/

Cost of date: $4 per adult + bird seed
Time required: 1 hour +

Fishing Deer Lake (Sasquatch Provincial Park)

Although I know nothing about fishing I do remember loving it from my childhood. My dad used to wake us up at around 4 am, get us dressed in our warm clothes and pack everything into the car. We would head then to 7-11 to get a "breakfast treat" (which in all honesty I think was my reason for attending the outing mostly). We would then set out fishing for the day. Me with my rod made out of a bamboo stick and eyelet screws and my dad and brother with their real rods. I never did catch anything with that rod but had fun trying all the same.

This particular morning friend and I headed out around 9am (not exactly the 4am start of my childhood days). He provided the rods and a sure fire spot to catch something for a beginner fisherwoman like myself. We stopped in Harrison at a bait shop for some worms and a fishing license. Although, you can also get a license online before you go. One day is 10 dollars or a year is 36 dollars for a freshwater license. We parked our cars in the gravel lot and started the 10 min walk along the trail to our fishing spot. My friend pointed out that there had been two beaver dams that were flooding the walking trail and plumbers had been called in to drain the dams with PVC pipes. It was definitely an amazing feet of nature to see the rather large trees that were gnawed away by the little beavers all around the trail. We arrived at our little piece of beach and set up our camping chairs.

Side note: This type of date is not for someone who is not willing to get their hands a little dirty unless of course their date is willing to do the "dirty work" for them.

Excited at the thrill of catching something I set up my rod right away, baited the hook with a worm (hence the first dirty part) and cast into the lake. After only a few minutes I started getting nibbles and reeled in to find my first little trout at the end of my line. We were just there to have fun not to take the fish home and due to the time of year the fish were still on the smaller side. I proceeded to removed the hook (hence the second dirty part) and set the little guy free. This was the first of many fish caught by my friend and I. Surprisingly each time the thrill of watching the line bounce around and hoping something was at the other end still captured me. After we had our fill for the day we headed back through Harrison and stopped at the Old Settler Pub for a late lunch and then headed home.

Info: Lake Info , Directions

Cost of date:
10 $ for my license
25$ for pub lunch

Time required: Half to full day

Teapot Hill Picnic

Our day started at the grocery store getting items for our picnic lunch. Whole wheat buns loaded with fresh veggies and garlic roast beef were on the menu. Along with chicken salad and crackers. We opted for precooked sliced chicken breast to save time but you could always cook some chicken breast ahead of time and store them in your fridge. We also had baby carrots with yogurt ranch dip and fresh fruit. All the ingredients coming in under 10 dollars. Once we got back in my kitchen we whipped up a lunch and packed it into a backpack with some water bottles and we were off. From White Rock we decided to take the more scenic route to Cultus Lake heading through the Langley and Aldergrove farm lands. Luckily my VW Golf was close to empty so we got to take advantage of the cheap gas in Aldergrove. The weather was on our side and we arrived at the foot of Teapot Hill at around 2 o'clock. Due to the time of year it was nice and breezy but the sun was still shining. Tea Pot Hill is a moderate level hike that even families will find enjoyable. Approximately 4 km it will take about 2 hours if you take your time and enjoy the trail. The best part at the top their are a few good lookout points with views of Cultus Lake and the surrounding area. This is where we sat and enjoyed our picnic lunch and took in some rays before heading back down and sitting on the lake. We always like to take a good book and sit somewhere and relax when the weather permits. http://www.vancouvertrails.com/trails/teapot-hill/

Cost of date: Under 15$ including gas
Time required: Half to a full day