Well I celebrated Canada day by climbing Grouse Mountain in Vancouver. It is only 2.9 km (1.8 miles0 but the elevation gain is 853 metres (2,800 feet) and there are 2830 stairs and some of them are very high. I really felt I was going to end my own days on Canada Day in Canada. I had already hiked in another canyon (Lynn Canyon) in the morning and caught the bus to the bottom of the skyride. it was $50 but there was no view from the carpark so I took a trail up to see if I could find a view. I found I was on the "Grouse Grind"and they say it must be one way up. Going down would be suicidal due to the large uneven steps. The rest is history. I got to the top over 2 hours later and then had to queue for 40 minutes for a ride down. Even that cost $10. I am aching all over.
Canada Day is like Australia Day (this year is 150 years for Canada) with people wearing red, some draped in flags and lots of community celebrations. unlike New Zealand where Waitangi Day is political only celebrated by Maori and largely ignored by Pakeha(white) Very sad.
Obviously I am not going to go and watch the fireworks, probably too crowded anyway.
