Back at home tonight.

I finished up my visit to Vancouver today, returning in the late evening. I explored Vancouver itself today, wandering around the town in the rain (safely hidden from the elements in my rental car, for the most part). I've grown accustomed to thinking of Western US cities as having newish suburbs, unlike the Eastern cities with suburbs that are much older than any town in the West. Vancouver disproves that, being roughly 180 years old. I'm a lazy thinker in not realizing this (the West Coast cities are much, much older than the Mountain West), but at least I'm attentive enough to notice!

However, outside of an older downtown and an historic park (complete with a re-created fort), Vancouver is very much like the older suburbs in the Mountain West towns. The homes are primarily modest wood-frame buildings--in fact, I didn't see any "McMansion" homes until today. I imagine I may have missed some wealthier neighborhoods in my wanderings, but the town seems nicely free from that sort of suburban "backfill" development we see in the Denver area. As time goes by, the huge houses that fill empty areas in the suburbs and urban centers disturb me more and more as eyesores and enemies of sensible urban design.

Outside of the residential neighborhoods, Vancouver has a large port facility on the Columbia river--complete with a big railroad terminal--and a downtown that looks like it has seen better days. The neighborhoods belie this bit of decay with large retail "power centers" anchored by busy discount stores and plenty of smaller retailers. As much of an urbanist as I feel I am, a town like Vancouver makes me think that maybe the downtown isn't needed. On the other hand, I'd need to see a thriving cultural scene before I withdraw my view that suburbs are for raising kids safely and economically, but cities are for living and vitality.

My friend's home, which I visited several times, is a really good example of how suburban living is good for the kids. His home is on a cul-de-sac, the dreaded bane of urbanists everywhere, where it appears to be the smallest home on the block. That's always ideal for property values, since the other, more expensive homes tend to push up your home's value. Even better, his house backs up to a spacious public park, which has gotta be the best situation I've ever seen. It's a great place for him and his family, even if it can seem a bit small with two energetic kids and a few pets running around. I envy that!

CDs listened to today:

• William Schuman: Symphony No. 9
• Bill Frisell Quartet: (eponymous)
• William Schuman: Symphony No. 10
• Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5
• Aphex Twin: Richard D. James Album
• Remy Shand: The Way I Feel
• Alban Berg: Lulu Suite
• Ingram Marshall: Hymnodic Delays
• Robert Russell Bennett: Symphonic Songs for Band