Fishing at Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam (June 20, 2014)

This week we went somewhere and did something we haven’t done before. Fishing for rainbow trout at Lafarge Lake in the center of Town Center Park in Coquitlam. For those of you who have never been to this part of town, it is approximately 40 minutes from Downtown Vancouver and about a 15 minute drive from my home in Burnaby, which makes it a very convenient outing for my family! 

 

Lafarge Lake is known to locals as a fun fishing hole where the Fraser Valley Hatchery keeps the lake nicely stocked throughout the year. After reading some reviews, we decided to set up camp on the North side of the Lake closer to the playground and Volleyball courts for the simple reason that we can always retreat to a more familiar activity if the kid loses interest.

Speaking of familiar activities, I haven’t been inside this park for at least 10 years and I was pleasantly surprised by all the extra-curricular upgrades done to enhance the experience of the visitors. Besides the playground and volleyball courts, there is also a skate park, Water Park, track and field/soccer stadium and the main event, outdoor concrete ping pong and foosball tables!!! Remember to bring your own paddle and balls! 

Back to our feature activity, as fishing can be a complicated sport, I spent an hour the previous day preparing the boy for casting his reel for the first time. When he got the hang of it, he taught mom how to cast a line so that she was ready to go for her first time. He did an amazing job and sent the line at least 5 meters out on his first try. After about an hour of testing our patience, we decided to pull out the picnic lunch that the wife prepared and quickly ate so that we can try again. Another hour of catching nothing but seaweed we decided to go for a bike ride around the park instead.

I should have added a disclaimer at the beginning but it’s not too late to note that you shouldn’t take any fishing advice from me. I might be able to tie a knot on the hook but that is about all I can say about my fishing experience. If you plan to try this activity, remember to pack a lunch, bring some bait and an extra change of clothes as little kids tend to like splashing water. In our case, he jumped right in. I hope you enjoy your next outing at Lafarge Lake! Catch ya later...

U-pick Strawberries in Langley (June 13, 2014)

As a young boy growing up in the city, I had always had an interest in where our food comes from. One time, I discovered from a neighbor that his crop of snap peas occasionally offer seeds that grew in a pod. He taught me that if I opened up the pod and took out the pea, I could dig a small hole, drop it in, water it when needed and watch it grow into a tall, food producing stalk. It was magic!!!


Since the kid also shares a passion and curiosity for food we thought it was a good time to show him where his favorite fruit comes from. This past week, my family and I decided to participate in the opening day of Strawberry season at Krause Berry Farms in Langley, which is a 30 minute drive from our home in Burnaby.

Krause Farms has been a family favorite activity destination for the last couple of years. You come for the berries, you stay for the fun. This child friendly complex offers a playground, hayrides, petting farm and marketplace. There is even a nice winery for the adults which feature a nice wine selection from the crops on the farm. Make sure you have lunch here as they make a delicious corn pizza and the seasonal berry inspired dessert menu is worth the drive itself. Plan at least 2 hours for your trip as I am sure you will not want to leave once you arrive.

From past experience, I recommend asking one of the farm attendants to direct you to the best berries in the field. They are knowledgeable, friendly and observant about which row of crops has been untouched for the day. I hope everyone who visits enjoys this farm as much as we do!

Family fun in New Westminster (June 12, 2014)

As a resident of neighboring Burnaby, we frequently visit the Quay in New Westminster where there is a nice boardwalk beside the Fraser River that is similar to the Seawall in Vancouver or Ambleside Beach in West Vancouver. What I like about this location is that it is a safe place to bring the kids and let them run around or ride their bikes without worrying about the crowds, cars, dogs and cyclists. I first noticed the Boardwalk during my time delivering food for a local restaurant as a teenager but we truly discovered this hidden gem when we marketed and sold a listing on Renaissance Sq in early 2013 and have been visiting since.  

On our last trip there, we parked our car in the public pay parking on the East side of the Quay and trekked East towards Westminster Pier Park, which is a 2.5 km waterfront park built partially over water supported by pilings.

This relatively new park features 2 playgrounds with swing sets and slides, great for pre-schoolers, skate park, basketball court, 2 beach volleyball courts and a lounge area with lots of benches and adjustable lounge chairs. As this park is not known to the main stream, it is not crowded and very clean. I was pleasantly surprised by the public washroom when I walked in and it smelt of Lavender.

We spent 2 hrs enjoying all the sights and sounds of the Fraser River including watching the Trains going over the bridge, the Skytrain, tugboats hauling ships, people watching, airplanes flying towards YVR and more.

The kid got to ride his bike in a safe environment while I chased him on foot (getting my exercise in for the day, might I add) and the wife was in pursuit with her camera capturing all our precious moments.

If you are looking for a family outing that is both fun and affordable I highly recommend the New Westminster Quay. By the way, remember to check out the River Market while you are here! There is an awesome food court and familiar vendors to serve you.