Capilano Suspension Bridge
See Vancouver’s famous suspension bridge and park.
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Sightseeing in Vancouver, Canada
If walking along an expansive 100-year-old suspension bridge with breathtakingly beautiful views swinging high above a river captures your interest, then the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park in Vancouver, Canada, will be right up your alley! There is more to this park than just the suspension bridge.
The same day my mother, niece, and I went back to revisit the Queen Elizabeth Gardens in Vancouver, we began our sightseeing at this park. We had picked up a brochure in 1989, the time of our visit. It stated that they were then celebrating 100 years of the Capilano Suspension Bridge. The photo of the suspension bridge high over the water looked intriguing.
Totem Poles in the Park
The park has many totem poles. In the park, there are both totem and nature park tours. People can also watch a master Indian carver at work. One of the signs that I photographed had this written on it:
“Totem poles are largely of three types: (a) memorial poles, which stand in front of houses or villages, (b) mortuary poles (grave markers) and © house poles which were incorporated into the structure of the house. Groups of carvings on the poles frequently became family crests. These crests were inherited, gained by conquest or occasionally obtained as payment for services. The figures composing the crests were derived from history and folklore. They represented birds, fish, animals and spirits. Figures that were half-human and half-animal represented spirits capable of taking either form.”
We were to see other totem poles in Vancouver. This was an interesting and colorful collection of them on the grounds of this beautifully landscaped park at the Capilano Bridge.
Bridge Height and Length
My mother took one look at that bridge and decided to stay on terra firma. I’ll admit, the views are a bit daunting! The suspension bridge is 230 feet above the Capilano River and sways 450 feet across the length of the Capilano Canyon.
We discovered that the Capilano River is the major source of fresh water for Vancouver.
Walking Across the Bridge
My niece and I decided to be brave and walk the length of the bridge. Thankfully, cedar planks offer a secure footing. Additionally, there are railings and a steel mesh screening that is about 3 to 4 feet in height to make sure that people do not step off the bridge by accident.
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The bridge does sway! Personally, I was very happy to have the railing to hang on to as we joined many others who were crossing from one side of the canyon to the other.
Bridge Construction
The very first bridge was built using wood and hemp. Currently, the bridge is anchored by 13 tons of concrete at both ends. The views are wonderful!
Since our visit, other suspended bridges have been added. Visitors can continue walking among the trees, exploring more of the wooded area from an elevated perspective. The videos I have selected show more of that.
The Capilano Suspension Bridge is certainly the longest of its type that I have ever walked across. I was counting on that massive amount of concrete on both ends, plus the steel cables to keep the bridge secure, as were the many other thrill seekers walking the bridge that day, along with us.
Dining in the Park
After my niece and I rejoined my mother, we decided to have lunch so we could enjoy the resplendent grounds a bit longer.
The weather was so lovely that we decided to dine al fresco. Many umbrella tables are scattered throughout the grounds. The Bridge House Restaurant was chosen because it offered many food selections. I had a very good salad with chunks of Indian smoked salmon in the mix.
Other Amenities in the Park
On the grounds was also a casual outdoor salmon barbecue place. Fresh salmon, readily available in the Northwest, is served in many different ways.
There is a log cabin trading post on this site where local Indians offer totem poles, Indian jewelry, and other carvings for sale. The Canyon House Galleria had souvenirs from around the world. Most of them were touristy doodads.
Experiencing walking across that impressive, long, swaying bridge and enjoying the adjacent park with totem poles was a nice start to our day of sightseeing in Vancouver. The natural setting of the magnificent trees with the rushing water of the Capilano River below the swaying suspension bridge certainly made a lasting impression on the three of us.
Highly Recommended
Would this author recommend seeing and experiencing the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park in Vancouver, Canada, to others who have not yet been there? The answer is an affirmative “yes!”
Source
Official Site: Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park
© Peggy Woods (Originally Published on HubPages)
