If walking along a long 100 year old suspension bridge with breath-takingly beautiful views swinging high above a river captures one's interest, then the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park in Vancouver, Canada will be right up your alley!

There is more to this park than just the suspension bridge...

The same day that my mother, niece and I went back to revisit the Queen Elizabeth gardens in Vancouver, we started our sightseeing at the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park.

We had picked up a brochure and in 1989, the time of our visit, it stated that they were celebrating 100 years of the Capilano Suspension Bridge. The photo of the suspension bridge high over the water looked intriguing.

The park has a number of totem poles and they offer totem and nature park tours. One can even watch a Master Indian carver at work.

One of the signs that I photographed had this written on it:

Totem poles are largely of three types: (a) memorial poles, which stand in front of houses or villages, (b) mortuary poles (grave markers) and (c) house poles which were incorporated into the structure of the house. Groups of carvings on the poles frequently became family crests. These crests were inherited, gained by conquest or occasionally obtained as payment for services. The figures composing the crests were derived from history and folklore. They represented birds, fish, animals and spirits. Figures that were half-human and half-animal represented spirits capable of taking either form.

We were to see other totem poles in Vancouver, but this was an interesting and colorful collection on the grounds of this beautifully landscaped park.

My mother took one look at that bridge and decided to stay on terra firma.  I'll admit, the views are a bit daunting!

The suspension bridge is 230 feet up from the Capilano River and sways 450 feet across the length of the Capilano Canyon.  

We found out that the Capilano River is the major source of fresh water for Vancouver. 

My niece and I decided to be brave and walk the length of the bridge.  Cedar planks offer secure footing and there are Steel railings to hang onto with a steel mesh screening that is probably about 3 to 4 feet in height to make sure that people do not step off of the bridge by accident.

It does sway! 

Personally I was happy to have that railing to hang onto as we both joined many others who were crossing from one side of the canyon to the other, and of course, back again.

Apparently the very first bridge was built using wood and hemp.

The current bridge is anchored by 13 tons of concrete at both ends.

The views are wonderful!

Since we were there, there have been other suspended bridges added as one can continue walking among the trees exploring more of the wooded area from an elevated perspective. 

The videos I have selected show more of this.

The Capilano Suspension Bridge is certainly the longest of its type that I have ever walked across!  I was counting on that massive amount of concrete on both ends plus the steel cables to keep the bridge secure as were the many other thrill seekers walking the bridge that day along with us.

Outdoor seating is available for lunch...

After my niece and I rejoined my mother who was enjoying the ambiance of the beautifully landscaped park, we decided to have lunch there so that we could enjoy the grounds a bit longer.

The weather was so lovely that we decided to dine outside. They have many umbrella tables and the Bridge House Restaurant was where we chose to order our food that day because they offered more choice.

I had a very good salad with chunks of Indian smoked salmon in the mix.

On the grounds was also a casual outdoor salmon barbeque place.

Obviously salmon is readily available in the Northwest and is not only very fresh but served in many different ways.

There is a log cabin Trading Post on this site where local Indians offer totem poles, Indian jewelry and other carvings.

The Canyon House Galleria had souvenirs from around the world. Touristy do-dads.

The experience of walking across the Capilano Suspension Bridge and enjoying the adjacent park with totem poles was a nice start to our day of sightseeing in Vancouver.

The natural setting of the magnificent trees and the rushing water of the Capilano River below the swaying Capilano Suspension Bridge certainly made a lasting impression on the three of us.

Would this vacationer recommend seeing and experiencing the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park in Vancouver, Canada to others who have not yet been there? The answer is an affirmative "yes!"