Thanks for coming!

Over the past few weeks, Lisa and I have been lucky hosts to some great friends who have journeyed North for a visit to the ‘couve.  At the beginning of April, our friends Jess and Tik (some call her “Tara”) Williams came for a weekend getaway and enjoyed one of our first non-freezing weekends of the spring.  Of course, our requisite visit to Granville Island was a must-do:

We crammed the rest of the weekend full of adventure…and even though Tik is currently “great with child,” she somehow managed to keep up with the group ALL WEEKEND LONG.  Go, preggo, go!  We enjoyed great meals, we chatted about life, and we took a quick trip to the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge.  Why?  Because it’s FREE!  

AND it’s exciting.  Well…sort of exciting.  Let’s just say, it’ not the longest or highest suspension bridge in the universe…but it IS more exciting than walking on the sidewalk.  Plus, our stroll through the surrounding wilderness gave me a chance to practice a few model poses for my Male Modeling portfolio.

Tik and Jess are great people…they have such refreshing perspectives on community and living simply, and they are LOTS of fun.  Thanks for coming to Vancouver, friends!

Two weekends later, four of my greatest friends from the SPU days journeyed from far and wide (San Diego, Boise, Federal Way, and Wallingford) to enjoy a weekend in Vancouver for our second annual get together.  And, now that I’ve typed that last sentence, I am wondering if our “get together” needs a better name?  Any suggestions?

Anyway…Lisa spent the weekend with her parents in Anacortes while the five of us guys relaxed, caught up on life, and toured around town.  Once again, we started with the classic Tour-de-Granville Island:

Always good.

Next, we had lunch at a great little spot that has become a new favorite for us.  It’s this little trailer called “Go Fish”…some call it the BEST fish and chips EVER.  To that claim, I would say, “yes…I agree, indeed.”  They basically catch fresh salmon, cod, and halibut, walk it up the dock from the marina, and throw it in hot oil…SO GOOD.  And did I mention the cole slaw?  Or the fish tacos!?  Or the BBQ Salmon Sandwich!!??  I mean…wow.  SO good. 

Yes, it was indeed the perfect lunch.  Good food…good chats…good sun…good view…ahhhhh…

Next, we took a quick tour of Regent, then headed over to Jericho Beach.  The sun had faded a bit, but the view was still pretty amazing.

Apparently, the old self-timed photo brings out the best in all of us.

This weekend was a HUGE breath of fresh air.  I feel so incredibly lucky that I not only met and befriended such incredible guys during college, but that our friendships have continued over the years.  These are people who truly know me, and I am a better person because of them.  Thanks for the good times, guys!