Portland is right across the water. It’s full of awesome-hipster-coolness, like food carts and Powell’s Bookstore and general weirdness.

In my opinion, sometimes Vancouver is thought of as the uglier, less-cool sister. I can’t even say bookish or nerdy, because Portland has that market too. Vancouver is just…less. It’s connected to the coolness by two busy, busy bridges. Like two arms, or tentacles, desperately reaching out, in an effort to absorb some chic.

However, we continue to find awesomeness on this side of the river too. For example, this past Saturday we went to the Vancouver Farmer’s Market, which is generally already impressive. We were  surprised to find out it was also Firefighter weekend! A giant fundraiser for some of my favorite, every day heroes.

There was live music and booths and balloon guys and so many happy people (because the sun is actually shining here!). And Mo may have been the happiest one of them all.

She sat in a firetruck, with an actual fire fighter!

She built a hanging planter (well, she helped…a little).

She got her face painted.

She ate ice cream and peaches.

It was a day full of win! And sun! And sugar! And I couldn’t help but look around and truly enjoy Vancouver.

I’m sure there’s plenty more awesomeness still to discover on our side of the river.

…

In the interest of full disclosure, the next day we did go to the zoo. In Portland.

Because Portland has a zoo.

It’s cool like that.