Locals know what I’m talking about when I described days that are so clear that you can spot each individual evergreen on the local mountains. Looking North, the Eye of the Wind turns on Grouse while the SkyRide ascends, packed with visitors. It’s the kind of view that makes you pull out your phone to snap a photo. You exhale upon review and mumble softly: “it’s so gorgeous here.” It’s for this reason that I’ve decided to pick through the Miss604 Flickr Pool and showcase mountain views this week, enjoy!

Photo credit: Zorro1968 on Flickr

Photo credit: Ludovic Chabant & Tyler Ingram on Flickr

Photo credit: Judy B The Travelling Eye on Flickr

Photo credit: [travelfox] on Flickr

Photo credit: fotoeins on Flickr

Photo credit: Clayton Perry Photoworks on Flickr

Photo credit: colink. on Flickr

Photo credit: tombreda on Flickr

Photo credit: Judy B The Travelling Eye & Clayon Perry Photoworks on Flickr

Photo credit: rbrtwhite on Flickr

Photo credit: monnibo on Flickr

Photo credit: WinstonWong* on Flickr

Photo credit: [travelfox] on Flickr

As always, please click through on the picture to view more work from each of the photographers and feel free to share your own images with the Miss604 Flickr Pool.

The Bailey brothers, Charles S. and William, setup shop in Vancouver at the end of the 19th century. Charles was the first to arrive from Ontario and form a photography company partnership, Neelands & Bailey, which lasted about a year. In 1890 William joined his brother in Vancouver and Bailey Bros Photography was born.

1886 – Tremont Hotel on Carrall betwen Powell & Cordova. Archives item# SGN 123.

1888 – Looking East on Hastings from Granville. Archives item# Str P127.

1890 – Cordova Street. Archives item# CVA 1376-91.

1892 – Dawson School at Helmcken & Hornby Streets. Archives item# SGN 48.

1890s – 500 block of West Hastings. Archives item# SGN 14.

1890s – Ferguson residence at Burrard and Howe. Archives item# SGN 67.

1890s – Hollow Tree in Stanley Park. Archives item# SGN 90.

1890s – English Bay. Archives item# SGN 151.

1890s – Townley residence at Hastings & Burrard. Archives item# SGN 299.

All photographs by Charles S. Bailey.

Over the years Charles and William captured Vancouver as it became a city. Charles usually took most of the photos while William ran the business which operated out of Vancouver and also Kamloops. In 1896, at just 27 years old, Charles passed away. During his short life, he captured Vancouver as it became a city and was, according to the Camera Workers of BC registry, the first professional Canadian photographer to visit Hawaii.

Related photographer profiles: Leonard Frank, Fred Herzog, Philip Timms, Don Coltman.

I only spent a few days in Vancouver this week as I took a whirlwind trip to Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci, Quebec (which will be the topic of a forthcoming post). However, local photographers have been busy snapping shots and adding them to the Miss604 Flickr Pool. The snow has disappeared but our city still shines, whether it’s under the soft glow of sunset or through shadowed alleys splashed with colour.

Photo credit: Scapevision on Flickr

Photo credit: Kenhall & PiscesDreamer on Flickr

Photo credit: The Vancouver Guy & Zorro1968 on Flickr

Photo credit: kenmcall on Flickr

Photo credit: Beaulawrence & colink. on Flickr

Photo credit: ng.kelven on Flickr

Photo credit: Wynonna on Flickr

Photo credit: Basedigital on Flickr

Photo credit: kenmcall on Flickr

Photo credit: Maurice Li on Flickr

Photo credit: Clayton Perry Photoworks on Flickr

Photo credit: Basedigital on Flickr

As always, click on each picture to see more work from the photographers and please feel free to add your photos to the Miss604 Flickr Pool. You can add your own license and share your work alongside over 500 other members. Your photo could also be selected for feature here in the future.

Photos submitted to the Miss604 Flickr Pool over the past week range from bright and sunny, to snowy and frozen as Vancouver’s finally getting a dose of winter weather.

Photo credit: Ryan Mezzo on Flickr

Photo credit: Ruth and Dave & Ruth and Dave on Flickr

Photo credit: Eyesplash on Flickr

Photo credit: Heritage Vancouver & Heritage Vancouver on Flickr

Photo credit: TheVancouverGuy on Flickr

Photo credit: Melody Fury & Melody Fury & Melody Fury on Flickr

Photo credit: Wynonna on Flickr

Photo credit: _Tawcan on Flickr

Photo credit: Matzuda on Flickr

Photo credit: hora9 & vjm. on Flickr

Photo credit: colink. on Flickr

Photo credit: vjm. on Flickr

Photo credit: Photocat62 on Flickr

Photo credit: Basedigital on Flickr

As always, please click on each picture to see more from each photographer and feel free to add your own photos to the Miss604 Flickr Pool.

Benefits of adding your images to the Miss604 Group include: Exposure with over 500 other photographers, views from Miss604.com readers, and possible feature in the weekly collection. All photos are embedded with full credit (attribution with link, name, etc.) and you maintain your license.

A few weeks ago, arctic-dwelling Snowy Owls migrated to Boundary Bay (bordered by Surrey to the East and Delta to the West). These birds are on BC’s Endangered Species list under a code “blue” which means they are “considered to be of Special Concern (formerly Vulnerable) in British Columbia. Blue-listed taxa are at risk, but are not Extirpated, Endangered or Threatened.”

Photo credit: neil.fisher on Flickr – Submitted to the Miss604 Flickr Pool

As expected, many photographers have setup their tri-pods at Boundary Bay to catch these beautiful creatures in action. Our friend John Biehler went out to document the snowy owls yesterday.

Photo credit: John Biehler on Flickr – Submitted to the Miss604 Flickr Pool

Photo credit: John Biehler on Flickr – Submitted to the Miss604 Flickr Pool

View John Biehler’s Full Flickr Set

Photo credit: John Biehler on Flickr – Submitted to the Miss604 Flickr Pool

Photo credit: John Biehler on Flickr – Submitted to the Miss604 Flickr Pool

According to the Vancouver Sun: “They feed largely on lemmings on the tundra. The population fluctuations of these rodents dictate when we see owls. In most years, lemmings are numerous and the owls stay in the north feasting on the rodents. However, every few years the lemmings numbers crash and the owls need to go in search of food. When food is particularly scarce, the owls will appear far south of the arctic in places like Boundary Bay.”

Once again, National Geographic has named Vancouver one of the Top Beach Cities in the World. Actually, I’m unsure if this is a new ranking since Vancouver still sits at #10 on the list (as it did in 2010) and the same beach image is being used. Regardless, our waterfronts are popular attractions for local and visitors alike — even in January.

Photo credit: Juby B – The Travelling Eye on Flickr

Photo credit: Dani Robles on Flickr

Photo credit: fotoeins on Flickr

Photo credit: Ruth and Dave & dahliaphoto on Flickr

Photo credit: Tom Wiebe on Flickr

Photo credit: bkang83 on Flickr

Photo credit: Judy B – The Travelling Eye & PiscesDreamer on Flickr

Photo credit: colink. on Flickr

Photo credit: PiscesDreamer on Flickr

As always, you can click on each of the images to see more work from each photographer and feel free to submit your own photos to the Miss604 Flickr Pool.

It’s rather fitting that the first collection of images From the Miss604 Flickr Pool for 2012 have a “rain” theme. Make jokes about living on the “Wet” Coast and complain about umbrella etiquette all you want. The fact is that all of this lovely precipitation, that allows us to splash around in our wellies, ensures that we have the most beautiful, green, and lush scenery that any world class city could ask for.

Photo credit: Paul Kreuger & S. Vegas on Flickr

Photo credit: Tom Wiebe on Flickr

Photo credit: Ruth and Dave & Ruth and Dave on Flickr

Photo credit: kardboard604 & colink. & Cherish Bryck Photography on Flickr

Photo credit: eych-you-bee-ee-ahr-tee on Flickr

Photo credit: [travelfox] on Flickr

Photo credit: Ryan Mezzo on Flickr

Photo credit: Eyesplash on Flickr

Photo credit: Helen.Ailsa & popejon2 on Flickr

Photo credit: !graceface! on Flickr

Photo credit: Maurice Li on Flickr

As always, please click through on the images to see more work from each of the photographers and feel free to share your own images in the Miss604 Flickr Pool.

As 2011 winds down, I have decided to do my annual “year in review” posts. While it’s tough to select the best moments (that I have blogged) over the last year, this week I’ll profile the following categories: Travel, Food, Music, and Entertainment.

I think the story of the year was the explosion of street food options around downtown Vancouver. Scout Magazine‘s Andrew Morrison has a great “Year in Review” article available from WEVancouver as well where he writes: “But was 2011 better than 2010? I’d like to think so. There were definitely more exciting openings than there were sad closures, with one nearly always following the other at the same address. Evidence that we’re still very much a small town abounded, wherein the regular six-degrees-of-separation rule is whittled down to just one or two. To wit, the end of Corner Suite Bistro (closed Jan. 4) allowed for the launch of Ensemble (opened May 10) because of the death of Lumiere (euthanized on Mar. 13).”

For John and I, we kept most of our dining secrets to ourselves but there were a few blog-worthy gems. 2011 was the year that we became regulars at Wild Garlic on Denman — due mostly to their tapas menu, basil and walnut gnocchi, and post-meal limoncello. We also explored more of Steveston and became more involved with the local brew scene, with Miss604.com sponsoring Vancouver Craft Beer Week.

“The soup was smooth yet textured with tiny bits of pancetta and small potato cubes. John’s fish was tender, crisp, and the eggplant soaked up delicious flavours yet maintained its crispy shell. Our mains were the mushroom and arugula crepes along with the flatiron steak salad. The crepes were rich and creamy, and the steak was succulent and tender. Without leaving any room for dessert, we enjoyed a glass of wine as we looked out the rustic shuttered windows to watch the fishing boats dance in the wind.” – An Afternoon in Steveston

“The soup was fresh, fruity, smooth and creamy, and the crunchy apples garnish with crusted toast added a delightful contrast in textures. Chef Bell created the soup’s stock from the chicken that was our tender and juicy second course and more apples were used in our sweet and salty dessert.” – Hester Creek Winery – Guest Chef Ned Bell

“The family-style breakfast, lunches and dinners were complete with fresh fruit, vegetables, grains, and cheeses. We also enjoyed one of the best traditional Thai meals I’ve had to date.” – Echo Valley Ranch Resort

“Aside from the hillside meadow dotted with sheep, the edible flower gardens, the sculptures, and the unobstructed harbour views, our favourite part of Hastings House was meal time. After a morning hamper was delivered to our suite each day including fresh-baked muffins and coffee, we could then head down for breakfast (included with your stay) which was served with farm-fresh eggs.” – Our Weekend at Hastings House on Salt Spring Island

“It was a gloriously sunny day, and I had heard so many good things, that the 20-30 minute wait breezed by. In the meantime, take-out only patrons lucky enough to already score their lunches were sitting out on the dock, grabbing an Island Farms soft-serve cone, or enjoying the serenade of a nearby busker.” – Red Fish Blue Fish Victoria

“Strawberries (try them in a “Mile High Custard Pie”), raspberries (available soon), blueberries (in August), green beans, and sweet corn. “We’ve got the best sweet corn in the valley, ” said owner Alf Krause who also took us around on a hayride. “Our focus is what we grow”. Pretty much everything that Krause grows can be found in a pie, in a doughnut, in fudge, in lemonade a smoothie or tea, and in their market.” – Langley Circle Farm Tour

“The zucchini flowers are something I could eat every day (crunchy and fresh yet creamy on the inside), the salmon was deliciously smoked, and I have to say the beef cheek fritter was a real surprise. Crunchy on the outside and the slow-cooked pieces of shredded meat on the inside were tender and moist. Chef Walt knows how to combine textures and flavours into the most interesting and unique packages on your plate.” – Araxi Longtable Series

“Wrapped in a quick-fired tortilla, the tacos had lightly battered pieces of ling cod topped with crunchy cabbage and chunky salsa (pico de gallo). The crunch from the cabbage gave the taco shape as the juicy salsa soaked through to the tender fish.” – Tacofino Food Truck

“The culinary creations were reminiscent of the science that went into our meal at The Apron at the Westin in Richmond. You weren’t just served a meal, you were offered custom, hand-crafted courses presented in very unique ways. The dishes tasted as good as they looked, if not better, due to the hidden flavours that leapt out at first bite.” – EBO Restaurant

“The meal arrived very quickly and didn’t disappoint. My vegetables were crisp and fresh, and John said his baked beans were pretty stellar. The brisket and pulled pork were both tender and full of flavour. I dipped my potato wedges in some of the sauce that was on the table (not sure if I was supposed to) but that was pretty darn tasty as well.” – Hog Shack Cook House‘

“The generous tomato topping on my gnocchi was light and fresh, giving a nice contrasts to the soft, tender, and cheesy pasta. John said that he enjoyed his spaghetti (he got it because it’s the signature dish) and that the hint of blue cheese was not overpowering, which can sometimes happen.” – Cento Notti Yaletown

“The temptation of something “bacon-wrapped” got the best of us and we’re glad we went through with it. Along with the black cod, the striploin was my favourite of the night.” – Hidden at the Westin Grand

If I had to select one dining experience that “wowed” us the most in 2011, it would have to be the Araxi Longtable event. It gave us a first-hand lesson in farm-to-table cooking in one of the most beautiful West Coast settings imaginable. All of the gorgeous photos from the event were taken by John as well.

As I see it, 2012 will be the “Year of the Food Tour” as we play tourist and explore some of the culinary treasures in our own backyard.

As 2011 winds down, I have decided to do my annual “year in review” posts. While it’s tough to select the best moments (that I have blogged) over the last year, this week I’ll profile the following categories: Travel, Food, Music, and Entertainment.

Travel

A highlight for the blog in 2011 was partnering with Backyard BC to offer up 12 getaways over 12 weeks to my readers. We had thousands of entries and gave away almost $7,000 in local travel experiences.

As for my own adventures, I took a minute to calculate just how far I traveled over the last 12 months and, not including our upcoming trip, I cruised past 75,000kms. From quick jaunts to Victoria, Seattle, and Edmonton, to Toronto, Kansas City, Mexico (in late 2010), and Ghana via London. In fact, there were some months where I only spent a week at home. Having lost my grandmother early in the year, I think being on the go kept my mind off the heartache – most of the time.

Top Travel Experiences

Iowa

“The sun peeked out and began to melt piles of snow that quickly re-froze as solid puddles, causing my less-than-adequate soles to slip and skid. We walked by houses with frosted tire swings, porches laden with piles of firewood, and flags waving proudly on the front lawn.” – First Photowalk of the Year in Iowa.

Ghana

“The city itself is bustling. Petrol stations, women carrying everything from baked goods and plastic bottles of water on their heads, men selling bandanas and chocolate bars in the streets, and entire buildings painted red for either Vodafone or Coca-Cola advertisements. Cars drive on whichever side of the road will get them to their destination the quickest as burnt orange sand kicks up dust clouds in their wake.” – West Africa Day One: Bipoa, Ghana

“We haven’t been traveling too far out of major cities but within minutes you’re transported from bustling streets, honking horns, and billboards to groves of palm trees, children splashing in at well-water pumps, and random goats or chickens hustling across dirt roads. It’s one contrast after another but the universal language, I’m finding out, is that of a handshake, smile and dance whenever a good tune is played.” – West Africa Day Two: Nsiana, Ghana

Day Trips: Hester Creek & Sechelt

“We spent the day touring the villas (that are currently B&B style), meeting the friendly staff like Robin and LeeAnn Openshaw, exploring the property with General Manager Mark Sheridan, and doing tastings with winemaker Robert Summers.” – Hester Creek Winery in Oliver

“Located about 30 minutes from the ferry terminal in Gibsons, it’s close enough to the city yet far enough away to enjoy the beaches, forest trails, coves, rapids, artisan offerings and more that are all abundant in the region.” – An Afternoon in Sechelt

Toronto

“It was this connection and the exploration of quaint and diverse neighbourhoods that actually made Toronto feel more like a community to me for the first time since I started visiting in 1999.” – Toronto Photowalk: Distillery, Kensington, Spadina, Queen Street West

Sun Peaks

Rowena’s Inn at Harrison Mills

Hastings House on Salt Spring Island

“Braving the non-stop hills and inclines, we ended up cycling 28 kilometers that day, returning the bikes about 4 hours later. Well sunned and sore, we walked down to the Salt Spring Saturday Market the following day to pick up a selection of bath bombs from Saltspring Soapworks. We then promptly put them to use in our suite’s large soaker tub.” – Our Weekend at Hastings House on Salt Spring Island

Echo Valley Ranch Resort

“Between horseback riding, hiking, and the Thai spa, the rest of our group’s time was spent reading in the lodge, feeding apples to the horses, petting the kittens in the barn, or playing fetch with one of the ranch’s eight border collies.” – Echo Valley Ranch Resort

Alberta Badlands

“As the sun began to coast downward in the Alberta sky, we passed old mine sites and slag heaps, and ended up at the Alberta Star Mine suspension bridge. We made the quick round-trip crossing over the white-capped currents on the Red Deer River below.” – Wild West Badlands Tours

“Although there are wagon wheels out front and a short wooded boardwalk, you don’t walk through a pair of wooden swing doors when you enter the saloon and there’s no spittoon in sight. Fully carpeted and filled with instruments, antiques, photos, and knickknacks, you can tell why it’s favourite, down-home, stop for many.” – Last Chance Saloon – Wayne, Alberta

Iowa

“We rolled down the windows and instead of the evergreen-filtered, salty sea-air of the West Coast our noses tickled with the scent of grass and earth (and occasionally the less-pleasant aromas of dairy farms along the route).” – Early Autumn in Iowa

Seattle

“What I enjoy most about train travel, aside from the fact that I do not need to drive, is that you get to explore the back corners of your region — where there are no roads. Rail lines snake behind buildings, between ravine walls, and over waterways that are not always in plain sight. We coasted behind Burnaby Lake, looped around Boundary Bay (it seemed as though we were right on the water itself), and hugged the cliff around Chuckanut Drive. Bald eagles, harbour seals, and herons dotted the landscape.” – Amtrak Train to Seattle from Vancouver

I was able to travel quite a bit with John this year and we enjoyed spending time at Rowena’s, on Salt Spring, in Bellingham, Whistler, Squamish, Cannon Beach, Kansas City, and Iowa.

My first few trips of 2012 will take me to Quebec and while John won’t be joining me, we will be spending more time away together in the coming year.

I ventured out to the Vancouver Christmas Market for the first time this season with Ariane Colenbrander. She and I both have Nikon 1 review cameras at the moment (mine is hot pink) so we got together at the market to try them out and take some photos.

I think they really improved the layout of the market this year most noticeably by putting the Käthe Wohlfahrt ornament pavilion indoors (instead of in a tent) and having more vendors outside. The wristband system (for those wishing to partake in a beer, or gluehwein) is promoted a bit better as well, ensuring patrons get their wristbands before they line up for their beverages.

I’ll have a full review posted for the camera in the new year. So far, images from the Nikon 1 have previously appeared in my Market by Jean-Georges and Hidden at the Westin Grand posts.

The Vancouver Christmas Market is open until December 24th from 11:00am to 9:00pm.