Thanksgiving Weekend and we just had to take the boat out on a cruise. The weather was sunny and cold with high winds out in Georgia Strait, so we thought we would cruise Indian Arm (Coward's Inlet). Departure from Rocky Point boat launch in Port Moody is easy but costs $18 per day to launch and park. We slowly motored down Burrard Inlet, passing the Burrard Thermal Plant which burns natural gas to generate electricity. It only kicks in during peak power usage, which is a good thing as it is a significant emitter of pollution. Our next sight-seeing target was Deep Cove, a picturesque part of North Vancouver where many beautiful houses hang on the steep cliffs and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Further up Indian Arm but on the eastern shore is the Buntzen Powerhouse, Vancouver's first source of hydroelectricity. Although it is still functional, it supplies a mere 5% of Vancouver's present day needs. Our ultimate destination was finally reached: Granite Falls Marine Park. There was one other boat at the small float. We tied up and wandered ashore to stand at the foot of the beautiful falls. Late fall, there is not much volume and we easily waded across the shallow creek to walk around the larger part of the park on the south side. The park is in some disrepair because of government cutbacks. It is also very busy due to it's proximity to the city, but on this day there were only four people including Rosa and myself. That night, we enjoyed a fire under the stars in company with the crew of the second boat. I was animated by memories of a few kayaking trips I had made to this spot with some very good friends. Next day we proceeded down the arm and back into Burrard Inlet. We motored through Second Narrows at full throttle but only made 4 knots as we were bucking a flood. Then we slowly cruised along the Vancouver waterfront and arrived at First Narrows on the slack. Passing under the Lion's Gate Bridge is a spectacular event as is the unveiling of English Bay with it's many freighters at anchor. We hug the shoreline on our port side which is Stanley Park (a jewel in Vancouver's treasure chest). It guides us into False Creek which is a jewel in it's own right. In early times, it was an industrial zone but became the site of Expo '86 and has since been redeveloped extensively. In the summer of 2012, a Gray Whale entered this small inlet and spent a few hours feeding there to the delight of Vancouverites who had not seen such a spectacle in living memory. This is perhaps a good sign that the population, which was hunted to near-extinction is making a comeback. That is, of course, the whales that I am referring to. Tying up at Vanier Park, one can go see the Maritime Museum, the Planetarium and generally stretch one's legs. At this point, we met up with son Michael and his fiancée, Anna. We took them on a cruise of False Creek, going all the way to Science World at the head and then stopping at Granville Island for dinner. There is 4 hour free moorage next to the Aquabus dock so that mariners can entertain themselves, reprovision, etc. It should be mentioned that an anchoring permit is required to anchor within False Creek overnight. These are free, but come with certain restrictions as to the number of days one can spend anchored there. The impetus for this came from the many complaints over people living aboard vessels in False Creek. The next day we were awake and underway early in order to traverse First Narrows on a slack. We passed beneath the bridge with the morning sunrise in our eyes and what a beautiful sight it was. By the time we got to Second Narrows, it was flooding and this time we were motoring at 14 knots. Our crab trap had two "keepers" and at home we savoured them and our weekend in "Coward's Inlet".