Stop 6: Vancouver

A mere twelve hours after the indefinable success that was the Portland show, Taddle Creek and Mike Christie, accompanied by the Mike Christie family, Cedar and baby August, started the not-too-long drive to Vancouver. Aside from nearly being detained at the border when Mike told the guard that he and the editor “met on-line,” it was an enjoyable and uneventful journey, featuring quick views of the Space Needle and the Boeing plant, and no real traffic until the outskirts of Vancouver.

Vancouver, incorporated in 1886, is, of course, Canada’s third-largest city, with a population of nearly 600,000 (and a metro population of more than two million). It is home to Stanley Park and the one-time home of Expo Ernie and Expo 86, which the editor’s parents attended without him. It is also known for having the largest number of Taddle Creek readers outside of Toronto.

Twitter was abuzz about the event all day, with many bizarre offers coming in to show Taddle Creek the town. The magazine was looking very forward to this stop on the tour. Aside from an expectedly large crowd, it was also the first stop in which all the talent were Taddle Creek contributors: Mike Christie (the second author to read at two stops, assuming you include Portland), Marguerite Pigeon, and Peter Darbyshire (the third author to read at two stops). (Lee Henderson was again unable to attend due to family issues, but his wife, Anu, was there to represent.) The Brickhouse is a fine establishment in the up-and-coming neighbourhood of Strathcona, and a sizable crowd did indeed turn out, second only to the Saint John event. Readings were top-notch, and the evening extended late.

As with most stops on the tour, Taddle Creek did not get to spend much time in Vancouver (it was off the next morning to Seattle for a well-deserved vacation), but it was nice to see Peter again so soon, and Marguerite, whom the magazine hadn’t seen in person for some time. And Taddle Creek has a new pal in Mr. Michael “Don't call me Mike” Christie. It was so much fun getting to know and hang out with him. The magazine hopes it will be a long-lasting friendship.

Vacation time.