As always, we have been insanely busy in the past week. Last week, I wrote about some activities we did in Maple Ridge. After that, we did some more activities that are also in the Fraser Valley. So, what did we do that was so fun? We have been looking at wild animals, going on hikes, and seeing majestic waterfalls. All of this is available in the Fraser Valley! Sometimes it is worth it to be staying outside of the big city.
Greater Vancouver Zoo
Last Wednesday, we met one of my closest friends, Rachelle, and her daughter at the Greater Vancouver Zoo. I hadn’t been to the zoo and a while and Daniel has actually never been to the zoo here. It is the perfect place to take a kid, and also a big kid too.
The Greater Vancouver Zoo has animals from North America, South America, Oceania, Africa, and Asia. There is no a “polar region” there which is a bit disappointing since some of the animals looked a bit warm out in the heat—it was about 27 degrees that day.
We got there shortly after lunch and decided to start off the day with the train ride. All kids seem to love the train ride and its a good way to see the entire park in a short period of time. The crew that worked on the train were very knowledgeable about the animals and helped point out where you could see them in their enclosures. 
The zoo has talks almost every hour. They usually talk about the diet and lifestyle of that animal as well as the history of those specific animals that are there at the zoo. We watched the Marmoset talk at 2:00 pm. In the summertime, they have the raptor shows. I would recommend that one since I have seen it before and it feels a lot more like a show.
A smart tip is to take a picture of the map at the entrance of the zoo. This way, you can walk around and know exactly where you are. However, if you forget, there are other maps placed throughout the zoo.
A new feature at the zoo is that you can rent bikes. The people riding looked like they had a lot of fun! If you are allowed to take in your own bikes, then I would definitely want to do that for next time since it looks like an easier way to get around the zoo. Walking in the sun can also be a bit exhausting.
Driving Instructions and Prices
The zoo is technically located in Aldergrove, which is located in the Fraser Valley!
From Vancouver, it takes about 50 minutes to drive there. The zoo is located just off of Highway 1, so it is really easy to drive to. There is parking on site there. Entrance to the zoo cost us $25.50 per person. Since Rachelle’s daughter is 2, she was free. The train costs $5.00 per person. Parking was $6.00 per vehicle and that is valid the entire day. So, for Danne and I, it cost us $67.00 to be there. Prices have definitely gone up, so it was a bit pricey in my opinion. I would recommend eating lunch at home as we did, or bringing as lunch if you will be there longer since the food there is overpriced and not healthy. There are tons of places to eat and a huge park that kids can play at which gives parents a time to rest.
The Abby Grind
I used to do the Dewdney Grind, which is located just outside Mission, but now it has been deforested a bit and the route has apparently been ruined. The Abby Grind is a great alternative and is also located in the Fraser Valley. We hiked the Abby Grind last Thursday.
Daniel had this amazing idea that we should run it. Me, thinking I was in much better shape than in reality, agreed to this challenge. I did run…when it was flat and perhaps the first 2.5 minutes. After that, I could barely walk at a normal hiking pace.
As you can see from my hunchback in the pictures above, I cannot run and hike at the same time. Running is only for flat areas! Daniel did run past me and come back to collect me a bunch, so he ended up adding a lot more distance in our workout.
It was really dry when we went on this hike. It did get a lot lusher and prettier near the top. I did notice a 1/2 way mark, which made me want to die since I thought I was a lot further along. However, on the way down, the 1/2 way mark came way quicker. Go figures, eh?
Hike’s Difficulty, Time, and Length
The Abby Grind is a 330-meter elevation gain and it is about 4 km round trip. This is an intermediate hike and a lot tougher than hiking at the UBC Research Forest. The approximate time it takes is 1.5 hours. We did it in less than that since Danne made me work harder than I usually do.
Driving Directions
There are two ways to get there. You can either drive on the highway or the backroads. We took the backroads on the way there and it was a really scenic drive. However, from Vancouver, you will take Highway 1 there. You take exit 95 for Whatcom Road, which is where Castle Fun Park is. You follow a couple backroads and you are there. Parking is free and there is an unmaintained parking lot which tons of spaces.
Below is the path that you take to get to the Abby Grind Viewpoint.
Cascade Falls and Suspension Bridge
Cascade Falls and Suspension Bridge are waterfalls that are just outside of Mission and are easily assessable by car. We went there with my mom and her husband, Bernie yesterday, which was Monday!
There is a large parking lot with a lot of spaces available. It is only 350 meters distance to the waterfalls, so it is a very easy walk. It is possible to do with small kids, but there are some stairs so it would be difficult to have a stroller on the path.
Danne was really shocked that we had never been here before since it is so close to my parent’s place. It is probably the easiest waterfalls to get to in the Fraser Valley.
The suspension bridge is really cool. And, best of all, it is free. I love suspension bridges since I have a minor fear of heights. Watching my mom cross it was hilarious, though. She has a fear that quadruples mine, so it basically made me forget my fear. Clinging for her own life, she made it across.
Driving Directions
It is pretty easy to get to Cascade Falls. It takes just under 2 hours to drive there from Vancouver. I think that it could be smart to combine the waterfalls with something else in the Fraser Valley.
What Else Did We Do
So, we have also done a lot of other stuff since I wrote in the blog last. We have even been outside of the Fraser Valley!
We ended up doing a quick trip to Penticton to see my grandma and my dad. On Friday, we drove up and then came back down to the Lower Mainland on Saturday. Then, on Saturday night, we hung out with my friends that live in Vancouver and went to Improv Theatre on Granville Island. It was really fun! The next night, on Sunday, we had a family dinner at my mom’s place. Always good to see family!
xx
Jasmine