Vancouver, Nanaimo, Victoria BC pimpin photos from the past few days

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OK, MASSIF PICS HERE FROM THE PAST FEW DAYS!

Seattle to Vancouver, Feb 15th to Feb 16th, 2006

Going to the train station...

waiting for the bus stop near my apartment before dawn
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/nickerson_before_dawn.jpg


Seattle at dawn, mid week, during a brisk winter day
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/downtown_seattle_at_dawn.jpg


Occidental Avenue just before sunbreak, while the near full moon is setting
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/sodo_at_dawn.jpg


Waiting inside the Amtrak Cascades train (to Vancouver) at the King St. Station in downtown Seattle/SoDo
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/king_st_station.jpg


All aboard...

The Sounder train has arrived, dumping a load of Tacoma commuters, rushing up the escalators to make their way to downtown Seattle for another day's work
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/tacoma_commuters.jpg


Zipping past rail cars near Myrtle Edwards park in north downtown Seattle
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/myrtle_edwards.jpg


Action shot of Sunset Beach, west of Ballard
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/sunset_beach.jpg


Nice jaundiced glow of the Olympic Mountains, not too long after dawn
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/olympics_001.jpg


First of many three shots of one of the Steamboat Slough bridges between Everett and Marysville
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/marysville_005.jpg


Two more bridge shots. Note how cold it is, and the residual sublimation of the ice on the water
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/marysville_004.jpg
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/marysville_003.jpg


A frosted farm in Marysville
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/marysville_001.jpg


Southern Bellingham is always the scenic highlight any train ride between Seattle and Vancouver. Here's one such shot.
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/bellingham_001.jpg


Tiny town of Custer, just south of the Peace Arch i.e. the U.S./Canadian border. Our train was delayed heavily in this area due to the BNSF dispatchers being unsympathic to Amtrak trains, for whatever reason.
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/custer_001.jpg


Finally, after crossing the border, White Rock is the first beachside town one sees. People here can't seem to get enough of waving at the train smiling.
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/whiterock_004.jpg
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/whiterock_003.jpg
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/whiterock_002.jpg
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/whiterock_001.jpg


The Alex Fraser Bridge -- Our train was stuck here for almost an hour, because BNSF dispatchers dictated the train follow a slow freight train -- which ended up breaking down right around here. The bridge is certainly a neat site to gaze at for a while, but not an hour.
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/newwms_fromtrain_008.jpg


A view of the B.C. cascade range in the east while crossing the Pattullo bridge into New Westminster
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/newwms_fromtrain_004.jpg


Going alongside the Skytrain track while in New Westminster
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/newwms_fromtrain_003.jpg


Hello, Vancouver

I grab a Skytrain and head to my hotel, then proceed to head to Gastown. Ooo, commissioned graffiti alley.. well, partially
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/gastown_graffiti_004.jpg
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/gastown_graffiti_003.jpg
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/gastown_graffiti_002.jpg
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/gastown_graffiti_001.jpg


More of Gastown
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/gastown_002.jpg
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/gastown_001.jpg
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/thewinethief.jpg


Beat Street records.. the main funnel to where most of my money goes.
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/beatstreet_001.jpg


Some rock action. The Nons are the first band up.
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/nons_004.jpg


Channels 3 + 4 are up next
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/ch34_002.jpg


MIXERCAM.. during LeCoq's great set at the Media Club
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/mixer.jpg


Next day... off to Nanaimo

SAM
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/sam.jpg


Waiting for the express bus to Horseshoe Bay -- the West Vancouver terminal where one grabs a ferry to Nanaimo, across the Georgia Strait to Vancouver Island. Right by the bus stop is the Scotiabank tower, which I think is the tallest building in downtown Vancouver.
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/scotiatower.jpg


On the ferry, trying to take photos outside in the clear, windy, biting cold. This is a peak north into the Howe Sound
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/horseshoebay_005.jpg


Looking behind at Horseshoe Bay
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/horseshoebay_004.jpg


A small island just southwest of the bay
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/horseshoebay_003.jpg


A look east towards the end of the bay, a distant downtown Vancouver skyline, and (I think) Mt. Garibaldi behind it.
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/horseshoebay_002.jpg


A look west to Apodaca Provincial Park
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/vancouver_feb2006/horseshoebay_001.jpg


Nanaimo, Feb 16th, 2006

B.C. Ferry lands in Departure Bay in Nanaimo in the late afternoon...

A look in the harbor of Departure Bay
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/nanaimo_feb2006/departurebay.jpg


Here's the ferry that just dropped me off
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/nanaimo_feb2006/ferry.jpg


After taking a bus ride with a causticly strange busrider to downtown Nanaimo, I walk around to find where I'm supposed to stay. I end up in old town Nanaimo, and see this...
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/nanaimo_feb2006/radiators.jpg


Fitzwilliam St., the main street in old town, offers a view looking east.
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/nanaimo_feb2006/fitzwilliam_st_002.jpg


The Occidental
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/nanaimo_feb2006/occidental_inn_001.jpg


Thee Hostel...

The Cambie Hostel
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/nanaimo_feb2006/cambie_hostel.jpg


Some ancient markings left from ancestors who once habitated the hostel
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/nanaimo_feb2006/cambie_hostel_graffiti_003.jpg
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/nanaimo_feb2006/cambie_hostel_graffiti_002.jpg
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/nanaimo_feb2006/cambie_hostel_graffiti_001.jpg


Making things with light, next door to the hostel.
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/nanaimo_feb2006/jesussaves.jpg


NOMEANSNO and Removal at the Queen's -- across the street from the hostel.

Removal! "Yoooou aaaaareeee feeeeellliiiiing reeeelllaaaaaaaxxxxeeeed"
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/nmn_nanaimo_feb2006/removal_verysleepy_002.jpg


The Wrights
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/nmn_nanaimo_feb2006/wrights_001.jpg


Rob Wright in mid neck motion
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/nmn_nanaimo_feb2006/rob_001.jpg


After the show...

Someone apparently either throw a rock or tried to shoot a small bullet into the front door of the hostel since I arrived, as I see this on the way back from the show. It breaks only one layer of the glass. I take a photo from the inside, only to have a woman briskly walk up to me asking me very loudly and politely "EXCUSEMESIRDOYOUHAVEAMATCH?", all within the span of three seconds. Had I only delayed the photo for that long.
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/nanaimo_feb2006/bullethole.jpg


Victoria, Feb 17th to Feb 19th, 2006

NOMEANSNO/REMOVAL at Sugar

The band, playing to a large audience
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/nmn_vic_feb2006/band_001.jpg


The pit!
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/nmn_vic_feb2006/pit_001.jpg


The next day or so walking around town

Parliament Building, downtown Victoria, and the Olympic Mountains (WA, USA) behind them
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/victoria_feb2006/parliament_olympics.jpg


Delta hotel in Victoria Harbour
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/victoria_feb2006/esquimalt_hotel.jpg


The Esquimalt Rd. bridge
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/victoria_feb2006/esquimalt_bridge.jpg


Ah, A.D.... ok
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/victoria_feb2006/erected.jpg


Fat Phege's Fudge Factory
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/victoria_feb2006/fatpheges_003.jpg
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/victoria_feb2006/fatpheges_002.jpg
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/victoria_feb2006/fatpheges_001.jpg


De Fries
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/victoria_feb2006/defries.jpg


The central sculpture in Market Square
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/victoria_feb2006/marketsquare.jpg


Johnson St.. ok, lower right.. INSULATED LARK!
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/victoria_feb2006/johnson_st_002.jpg


More of Johnson St.
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/victoria_feb2006/johnson_st_001.jpg


Chinatown... well, Chinablock
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/victoria_feb2006/chinatown_002.jpg
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/victoria_feb2006/chinatown_001.jpg


"Four Winds" sculpture. I'm not sure... what.. this means.
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/victoria_feb2006/fourwinds.jpg


SAMPO
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/victoria_feb2006/sampo.jpg


ROPE
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/victoria_feb2006/rope.jpg


The Cooked Piece Of Cheese Trees in Victoria Harbour
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/victoria_feb2006/cheesetrees.jpg


The Empress
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/victoria_feb2006/empress.jpg


frozen hotel pond
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/victoria_feb2006/frozenpond_hotel_2.jpg


Leaving back to Seattle from Victoria on the Clipper

I catch this near sunset above the west side of Vancouver Island
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/victoria_feb2006/vanisle_001.jpg


A plane leaves right behind us
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/victoria_feb2006/plane.jpg


The sun sets over the north end of the Olympic Mountains
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/victoria_feb2006/olympics_004.jpg


Mt. Baker glows red on the other side.
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/victoria_feb2006/mtbaker_005.jpg


Oh, right

Mission Get Cheap Canadian Whiskey For Really Cheap accomplished... ($12US, duty free, bich)
http://www.mackron.com/bctrip_feb2006/victoria_feb2006/canadianclub.jpg


Stay tuned for more adventures!

Da Na Not! (donut), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 05:16 (nineteen years ago)

Ah yes, home. I saw No Means No about 11 years ago at the now-defunct New York Theatre.

Thanks for dropping by our frigid, arctic wasteland of tundra and oxen.

Freud Junior (Freud Junior), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 05:24 (nineteen years ago)

Wow! It's so beautiful and bright right now - it was dreary over Christmas, but still lovely, it being "home" n' all. The Victoria ones even made me a bit nostalgic (I went to UVic but haven't been back since, er, 99?). Great photos, thanks for posting them :)

(haha, omg, the New York Theatre - I saw one of my first small-venue shows there, 1991: The Dream Warriors!)

rrrobyn (rrrobyn), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 05:56 (nineteen years ago)

Nanaimo is a giant smoking crater made of heroin and crystal meth.

fields of salmon (fieldsofsalmon), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 06:09 (nineteen years ago)

So what's the downside?

Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 06:09 (nineteen years ago)

Well, it may be a giant crater of heroin and meth, but it's a crater that has a record store where I was able to pick up the following for no more than $5CAN each:

* Devo's Shout CD (on Zero Infinity)
* Wire's Behind The Curtain comp
* Pigbag's "Everybody's Got A Brand New Pigbag" 12" (with Paul Hardcastle cover on flip side)
* World Domination Enterprises' "I Can't Live Without My Radio" 12" (Sealed)
* Lady L's "Ice Cream Dreams" 12"

...among other things. Thank you, Fascinating Rhythm.

Da Na Not! (donut), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 06:14 (nineteen years ago)

The idea of finding a Wire record in Nanaimo is grimly fascinating.

fields of salmon (fieldsofsalmon), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 06:45 (nineteen years ago)

Andrew MacGregor, who now works at Father Yod in Massachusetts, used to run a record store called Blackball records on Fitzwilliam St in old town Nanaimo... it was a tiny store, but had amazingly out-there stuff... at the time, you couldn't find a store like that anywhere in the PacNW.

I'll grant that the core of the city kinda has that outer-Olympia/Eugene/Aberdeen creepiness to it, especially at night, when all the cracked out shrews are out... but there are definitely cool people in town -- or used to be in town.

Da Na Not! (donut), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 06:58 (nineteen years ago)

heh heh....i spent the first 21 years of my life in nanaimo.....great place to be from.

thanks for the pics,donut!

william harris (drone/a/sore), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 00:02 (nineteen years ago)

I've been to vancouver, nanaimo and victoria and have nothing to show for it

RJG (RJG), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 00:07 (nineteen years ago)

Great photo diary! I almost missed the traffic light in Chinablock.

Pleasant Plains /// (Pleasant Plains ///), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 00:15 (nineteen years ago)

See you all in 2010, suckers! (I we lose to the Russkies tomorrow, I will cry.)

Freud Junior (Freud Junior), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 01:51 (nineteen years ago)

Awesome photos! I miss B.C., I haven't been up there since last January.

lyra (lyra), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 04:12 (nineteen years ago)

that's mt. baker behind vancouver's skyline from the ferry. mt garibaldi is north of horseshoe bay, close to squamish. lovely photos, though!
i was at the media club just last night to see archer prewitt.

derrick (derrick), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 08:28 (nineteen years ago)

Yeah, I just realized by looking at maps.google that looking SE, that would make most sense... it's just that I refuse to believe Mt. Baker is THAT omnipresent.. haha. I think I've now seen it from every angle except from the east.

Da Na Not! (donut), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 21:44 (nineteen years ago)

incredible fotos!

Anthony Easton, Thursday, 23 February 2006 02:04 (nineteen years ago)

haha New York Theatre ca. 1986 Husker Du, NoMeansNo etc. I was literally a child. First time I smelled clove cigarettes. I miss Vancouver more each year.

Thea (Thea), Thursday, 23 February 2006 03:38 (nineteen years ago)

Where did you go to high school, Thea?

Freud Junior (Freud Junior), Thursday, 23 February 2006 05:24 (nineteen years ago)

....why don't I live in the Pacific Northwest?

gbx (skowly), Thursday, 23 February 2006 06:00 (nineteen years ago)

ADVERTISING WORKS: I just booked my flight to Vancouver.

Huk-L (Huk-L), Thursday, 23 February 2006 14:59 (nineteen years ago)

five months pass...
Where o where r those pictures?

Rufus 3000 (Mr Noodles), Wednesday, 16 August 2006 02:18 (nineteen years ago)

ADVERTISING WORKS: I just booked my LIFE to Vancouver.

Huk-L (Huk-L), Wednesday, 16 August 2006 14:01 (nineteen years ago)

When do you move?

Rufus 3000 (Mr Noodles), Wednesday, 16 August 2006 15:14 (nineteen years ago)

a week from tomorrow. PANIC.

Huk-L (Huk-L), Wednesday, 16 August 2006 15:29 (nineteen years ago)

feel brave enough to hang out aka "FAP" with us one night Huk? we'll (Zac n' me) be there sept 11 to 17. double dog dare ya!

Kim (Kim), Thursday, 17 August 2006 00:15 (nineteen years ago)

congrats huk--ill be out in jan!

anthony easton (anthony), Thursday, 17 August 2006 01:45 (nineteen years ago)

woah.. hey, this felt like so many years ago even though it was just a few months ago.

Huk and Anthony in Vancouvah! And Le Coq! And the Sym Sym! Awwwwwww shit! :)

wrapped up like a DOUche in the middle of the NUT (donut), Thursday, 17 August 2006 06:30 (nineteen years ago)

And Kim and Zac!

But I'll be stuck in Seattle from Sept 11th to Sep 17th. Get this:

Melvins/Big Business: Sept 11th
Nomeansno: Sept 13th
The Decibel Festival feat. Speedy J, Bola, Thomas Fehlmann, and many others Sept 14 to 17.

:( Kim, you feel like dropping down to Seattle for a little maybe?

wrapped up like a DOUche in the middle of the NUT (donut), Thursday, 17 August 2006 06:31 (nineteen years ago)

Also,

Acid Mothers Temple, Ruins, etc: Sept 7th
Dandys/Brian Jonestown Massacre: Sept 8th
Devo: Sept 9th
Wolf Eyes, Dead Machines, Double Leopards, etc.: Sept 10th

Maybe you want to come visit Seattle a tad earlier first? :D

wrapped up like a DOUche in the middle of the NUT (donut), Thursday, 17 August 2006 06:33 (nineteen years ago)

plz to come to seattle vancouverites

jergins (jergins), Thursday, 17 August 2006 07:16 (nineteen years ago)

vancouverists

jergins (jergins), Thursday, 17 August 2006 07:17 (nineteen years ago)

Yikes, that's one hell of a weekend.

Rufus 3000 (Mr Noodles), Thursday, 17 August 2006 10:26 (nineteen years ago)

daaaaamn. this is my first trip out there - how long does it take to go between Van and Seattle anyway?

Huk is a chicken obv. bok! bok!

Kim (Kim), Thursday, 17 August 2006 23:20 (nineteen years ago)

two and a half hours to three, depending on the border.

jergins (jergins), Thursday, 17 August 2006 23:53 (nineteen years ago)

omg new york theatre omg. one of the first shows i ever saw was DBS there. i somehow lost one of my shoes in the pit. someone grabbed it and threw it at the band, and i had to walk home barefoot. good times. i think it turned into a bollywood theatre a few moths later.

Sym Sym (sym), Friday, 18 August 2006 00:57 (nineteen years ago)

What am I a chicken about?

Huk-L (Huk-L), Friday, 18 August 2006 18:58 (nineteen years ago)

look up, look wayyyy up, about 11-12 posts ago.

Kim (Kim), Saturday, 19 August 2006 15:01 (nineteen years ago)

oh. Totally missed that post!
Of course I'm brave enough!

Huk-L (Huk-L), Saturday, 19 August 2006 16:16 (nineteen years ago)

well all right!

we'll be staying at the metropolitan hotel, but i have zero idea where to go for drinks - vancouveriteses pls advise and/or join us.

Kim (Kim), Saturday, 19 August 2006 16:25 (nineteen years ago)

It's not a matter of where to go get drinks as much as where in downtown and what else you'll be enjoying while you have drinks.. bars in downtown Vancouver = too many to count.

If only the Luv Affair were still open, you could relive memories of old X-File episodes and that Club Berlin feel in After Hours, what with the chain link fences and leather cage girls. (I was lucky to go to the Luv Affair once, just before it closed. It was awesome.)

wrapped up like a DOUche in the middle of the NUT (donut), Saturday, 19 August 2006 17:54 (nineteen years ago)

wow none of our Toronto FAPs ever had leather cage girls. (that i can recall)

Kim (Kim), Saturday, 19 August 2006 18:08 (nineteen years ago)

oh, if we put LeCoq in charge of this, we could probably have a FAP with leather cage girls, instead of just seeing them do their thing.

wrapped up like a DOUche in the middle of the NUT (donut), Saturday, 19 August 2006 18:18 (nineteen years ago)


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