Aurora Wells

Don’t it always seem to go, according to Joni Mitchell? This weekend Alex and Selena told us that they were planning to take Barrett to the Bloedel Conservatory at Queen Elizabeth Park, because the City Park Board has decided to close this Vancouver landmark in the near future. It’s not huge, but it sits like a jewel at the highest point in the city, and contains a wealth of interesting plant and animal life within its sunny dome.

So Saturday morning, possibly the loveliest day of the winter this year, we walked up the hill to visit the flora and fauna under the dome. The MossLams rode their bikes, and we showed the kids the wonders of the tropical world. The plants, especially the trees, were pretty interesting, but the parrots and macaws stole the show. Aurora was a little intimidated by the huge birds, but Barrett seemed to enjoy them a lot. Afterward, we trooped over to Solly’s Bagels for a little nosh, and a bike ride on a Skuut at Pacific Multisport around the corner.

So, if you’ve got some money kicking around, and you’re looking for a city landmark to save, please donate some to the Friends of the Bloedel Conservatory. They’re hoping to raise $250,000 by March 1st (which, when you consider the average home price in Vancouver, is really something of a steal). And, if you’re in Vancouver over the next couple of months, make a point of checking the place out, just in case they can’t make the quarter-million mark.