Vancouver, British Columbia

                                                Vancouver from an overlook in Stanley Park.

Ten miles of walking occupied much of our time yesterday.  We hiked five miles in Stanley Park, which consists of half a million trees with some reaching a height of 250 feet and hundreds of years old.  The red cedar and Douglas fir trees were enormous and wild flowers were blooming. 

Rain fell on us for a couple of hours but had stopped by the time we paused in front of this rhododendron bush.  While Stanley Park is wildly maintained, the entrance is manicured with a variety of flora.

                                            Greenery surrounded us and the trees were glorious.

On the way to hiking in Stanley Park, we lunched on local seafood at Cardero's Restaurant at Coal Harbor.  

                                    Best oysters have been in in Vancouver and in New Zealand.

Bo and Bob, from Milwaukee, joined us for dinner at Botanist, a restaurant with a menu that depicts abundance and botany rooted in the Pacific Northwest soil.

Chicago released You're the Inspiration in 1985.  This was Ruth Ann's first year of medical school.  We had uprooted from our hometown, where we had spent the first ten years of our marriage, with a six year old daughter.  It was our first major life challenge and I was frightened and uncertain.  Ruth Ann was driven and determined.  Here are several lines from a song that gave us inspiration and re-dedication to triumph together.

You know our love was meant to be
The kind of love that lasts forever
And I want you here with me
From tonight until the end of time
You should know, everywhere I go
Always on my mind, in my heart
In my soul, baby

You're the meaning in my life
You're the inspiration
You bring feeling to my life
You're the inspiration
Wanna have you near me
I wanna have you hear me sayin'
"No one needs you more than I need you"

When you love somebody (Oh) 'til the end of time
When you love somebody
Always on my mind
No one needs you more than I
When you love somebody 'til the end of time
When you love somebody
Always on my mind







                                                


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