We launched an early start to the weekend by heading up to the North Shore mountains yesterday morning, and then down to West Vancouver’s Whytecliff Park  in the afternoon.

Watching sailboats, ferries and other watercraft pass by this spot near Horseshoe Bay, we met some gracious Argentinians who spoke with sincerity about our mutual good fortune to be living in Canada. Making our way down to a sheltered cove where divers and sun seekers shared the setting with some harbour seals, we paused by this rocky outcrop and tree.

With most of its leaves gone or crumbling, the tree’s lovely lines are exposed.