Capilano Suspension Bridge

Capilano Suspension bridge, built in 1889, spans 450 feet across and 230 feet high. Below is the beautiful Capilano River, and at the end is a lush rainforest filled with old cedars, hemlocks and Douglas firs, some as old as 500 years.

The walk across the bridge is a little frightening, as it sways from side to side, making it difficult to keep your footing. But Jim and Mary Wallitsch of Wallitsch Garden Center in Kentucky (pictured on the bridge) and I made it across, one wobbly step at a time!

It was all worth it at the end, where we got a fantastic nature tour and learned all about the history of the First Nations (the area’s indigenous people). Interesting tidbit: banana slugs (which can be up to a foot long), found in the area, have yellow slime that acts as an anesthetic. If you touch it, your finger will go numb. The First Nations would simply slap a little of that banana slug slime on their teeth if they had a toothache and not feel a thing.

Fortunately (or unfortunately?), we didn’t encounter any banana slugs while we were there.