If you want to get a feel of what life was like for some of those early pioneers (or entrepreneurs if you want to call them that) then you need to take a trip to the Capilano suspension bridge - I do have to say that I feel it is somewhat over priced (after all the scenery is free - and all around you) but I guess you are paying for all the research and the money - some of it does go back into local native projects and it is a good day out especially if you have Kids. We had a thoroughly enjoyable day here just being tourists. Sometimes people who live in an area forget that visitors do not always have the time to go here there and all over the place to get the feel of a places history and they will pay (all be it grudgingly) to have it all presented with depth and enthusiasm to make it value for money. Which you get in spades at Capilano.
The bridge The bridge its self is what it says on the packet so no surprises there - But I do need to add that as You step onto those swaying planks and you realize you are, 230 feet above the floor of the Canyon. Your pulse definitely quickens. The guide books talk about a gentle swaying motion, I think that depends on how many people are crossing at one time. Too many people and it all becomes quite a bouncy experience so do bear this in mind before you try the 450 foot crossing .
Totem park and Big House Part of Capilano's captivating story involves the tradition of placing totem poles on the grounds at Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park. These colourful poles are maintained in the exact condition in which they were received and are on display in the Totem park. First Nations carvers at Capilano Suspension Bridge work on-site in the Big House and tell visitors about their techniques, skills and heritage. The colourful Totem Park displays over 25 authentic totem poles collected since the 1930's and life-size red cedar statues carved during the Depression. Recent poles in the Park include the Human Peace Pole, the Salmon Creek Pole, Wolf Guardian Pole and a pole depicting the legend, How the Raven Stole the Sun, all placed along the cliff edge of Capilano River at the south end of the Park. The central house post for the Big House is an honour pole, recognizing carvers past, present and future at Capilano Suspension Bridge and commemorating the Next Generation.
Treetops Adventure Treetops Adventure, a thrilling West Coast rainforest experience. If the bridge doesn't offer enough high level thrills then this gives you a squirrel's eye view of a thriving coastal forest, High above the forest floor on seven suspension bridges through magnificent old growth Douglas firs, some reaching 100 feet above the forest floor.
Story Centre Before you begin the walk through the Story Centre. You can pose for photos with Life-size photomurals of the "Tramps", and look artefacts and antiques There is a film called "voices from the past" that chronicles the early history of the Bridge and the development of Vancouver city
Living Forest While the forest itself remains untouched, the Living Forest at the west landing provides panels with interactive displays, fun facts and "what's that tree?" identification clues. Bug boxes show creepy crawlies at work in the soil. The giant "Naturalist's Notebook" panels illustrate the fascinating life in the ponds and the world of a fallen tree.
Wheel chair access Please note: the suspension bridge is not wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair access is restricted to the east side of the park only; as such, visitors in wheelchairs receive complementary admission into the park, to enjoy attractions such as the totem park, story centre, carving centre and gift shop.
HISTORY In 1888, George Grant Mackay, a Scottish civil engineer and land developer, arrived in the city of Vancouver to start his job as Park Commissioner. He very quickly recognized the importance of the Capilano river area both for its beautiful of the scenery and possible pull as a tourist attraction (Which was a rapidly growing industry at this time due to the new railways) . He purchased 6,000 acres (24 km²) of dense forest on either side of Capilano River and built a cabin on the very edge of the canyon wall and set about connecting the two sides of the canyon with a simple suspension bridge. Although he was himself an engineer Mackay recognized that he need local help in building and mapping so with the help of two local natives and a team of horses, a hemp rope and cedar plank bridge was suspended across the river. The locals called it the "laughing bridge" because of the noise it made when wind blew through the canyon. The bridge and MacKay's cabin became a popular for MacKay's adventurous friends, Who became known as the Capilano Tramps (due to the long hike up to the property!). After his death, the hemp rope bridge was replaced by a wire cable bridge in 1903. Edward Mahon purchased the bridge and surrounding lands soon after MacKay's death in 1903 unsure of the strength of the bridge he had extra wire cables added to strengthen the structure, Again in 1914 he removed all the existing Hemp and added more cables. This was the start of the more modern look of the bridge you can see today. In 1910, while in Victoria, 48 year old Mahon met and fell in love with Lilette, the 19 year old daughter of his recently deceased friend, James Rebbeck. Mahon's love for Lilette was so great that, in order to see her more often, he arranged for Lilette's mother, Elizabeth D'abbadie Rebbeck, to move to Capilano and manage his bridge property. Mahon's plan worked - he married Lilette a year later! Elizabeth planted gardens using the rhododendrons, azaleas and hydrangeas that Mahon was importing from the Orient to beautify his other developments. To offer refreshment to the increasing number of visitors, Mahon built the Tea House in 1911, using cedar timbers stacked one on top of the other. The Great War and ensuing years were ones of hardship and loneliness for Elizabeth as she rarely saw her husband and they became more and more estranged, then in 1920 a handsome young forest ranger clled "Mac" MacEachran , 20 years her junior, swept her off her feet! In 1921 "Mac" and Elizabeth married Mahon agreed to let them stay on and run Capilano together. Mac was a natural promoter. But meagre earnings due to the Depression forced Mac to seek employment elsewhere in the off-season and for several winters he managed warehouses in Tahiti for rum-running friends. In 1934 Mac announced to Elizabeth that he had a 19 year old daughter, Irene, whom he wished to bring to Capilano. This news devastated Elizabeth, who nevertheless agreed to accept Irene. Arrangements were made to build a new and larger house across the street from the bridge but sadly in 1935 Elizabeth died, she never saw the completion of the big house. Upon Elizabeths death Mac purchased the Bridge from Mahon in 1935 and invited local natives to place their totem poles in the park, adding a native theme that drew more visitors to the park. In 1945, The sold the bridge to Henri Aubeneau and "Mac" moved to California. Unsure of the 1914 cable strength, Aubeneau completely rebuilt the bridge in 5 days in 1956, encasing the cables in 13 tons of concrete at either end. He developed the trails on the west side of the bridge and converted the Tea House into the Trading Post Gift Store.Aubeneau aggressively promoted the attraction world wide May 15, 2005 - October 31, 2005: Adult -$24.00 Youth (13 -16)-$12.50 Child (1-12) -$6.25 Child under 6 - FREE
Nov 1, 2005 - May 19, 2006: Adult -$21.95 Youth (13 -16)-$11.50 Child (1-12) -$6.25 Child under 6 - FREE (These prices are in Canadian dollars when we went the exchange rate was at about £1.00 = $2.40)
Getting there
Ten minutes from downtown Vancouver, Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park is located at 3735 Capilano Road. From downtown, take the 246 bus heading West on Georgia Street. Disembark at Ridgewood Drive and Capilano Road, walk 1 block North on Capilano Road. Or ride the Sea Bus to North Vancouver. During May to September, take 236 bus directly to the Park, or take 230 bus to Lonsdale Avenue and 15th Street, transfer to 232 bus to Edgemont Boulevard and Capilano Road, walk 1 block South on Capilano Road. .
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