“Bears and Mooses and Jensen, OH, MY!” SweetOnDean’s VanCon Report, Part 1
After that, it was a visit to the dam and the bridge that featured in “Simon Said”, before heading to “Asylum” and Riverview. It’s open, so you can drive through there, but you aren’t supposed to take photos, not that there are any signs or anything. But when we got to the front of the deserted building we did a super slow drive by and took a few quick snaps and….got busted! Some PA who was part of some tiny crew that we had no interest in, came over and tried to throw her weight around. We weren’t fazed. Don’t mess with "Supernatural" fans, lady, we don’t scare easily! Also…learn some manners! Seriously, she was plain rude and there was no need. Anyhoooo, empty threats of calling security on us and bluster completely ignored, we drove through the rest of the complex that is open to the public before heading out to our next location, Port Moody. On the way into Port Moody, we swung by the location for “Plucky Pennywhistle’s Magical Menagerie” Isn’t it awesome? Do you recognise the crazy mascot on the wall that was in the background of some of the scenes?
“Plucky Pennywhistle’s Magical Menagerie”
We checked out the woodchip mill from “Yellow Fever” and the pier from “Wishful Thinking” where Dean tells Sam he remembers Hell. Yes, I sat in the seat….well both seats, as apparently there is a bit of a continuity issue in that scene! We also saw a seal! But he was screwing with us and wouldn’t surface for enough time for us to get a good photo! We then checked out the location of the “Kneel before Todd” scene from “Wishful Thinking” and where Todd sent Dean flying into the garbage bins.
“Yellow Fever”
Next stop was the building from the end of “The Man Who Knew Too Much”. This was a fantastic location. The building is brilliant! It’s an artist’s studio, and when they shot there, they had to remove all the art, as they were worried the heat from the lights would melt the paint. We got bailed up by a couple of huge noisy and harmless dogs, but once they were contained…and after they’d tried to kill us with love… we were able to get some great shots of the location!
“The Man Who Knew Too Much”
After that, it was on to Fort Langley, which is totally location heaven. We checked out the main street which had featured in “Out With The Old” and “Shut Up, Dr Phil” as well as Jared's movie “The Christmas Cottage”. We re-enacted the scene by the river from “Croatoan” and “Hunted” where Dean tells Sam that he might have to kill him. We hung out where Dean confessed his love of “Black Swan”.
“Croatoan/Hunted”
“Shut Up, Dr. Phil”
We saw the “99 Problems” pub and went to the church from that episode and were lucky enough to be welcomed inside. They were getting ready for a wedding, but they didn't mind us having a poke around, and we seriously just lucked out because it’s usually all locked up. It’s an absolutely gorgeous old church with a lovely memorial garden, and yes; we slid into the back pew!
“99 Problems”
Then we headed to a block of shops that doubled as the “Croatoan” doctor's office as well as the location from “The Song Remains The Same” where Cass collapses, and the hotel where Dean takes him and gets offered dope!
We then headed home via the 'apple grove' – actually hazelnut trees – from “Scarecrow “ and checked out the neighbour’s house from “Weekend At Bobby’s” and the patch of grass that doubled as Crowley’s gravesite in Scotland. We also saw the dog that comes out to visit Jensen when he’s doing his walk through as part of his director tech check on that episode! Remember? In that little mini-documentary about his first outing as a director?
“Weekend at Bobby’s” The dog is on the back porch!
It was an absolutely fantastic day and so much fun to see where all these episodes were shot and share the experience with fellow fans that understood ALL the references! And let me tell you, there were plenty of references!
Well, that’s the end of part one… next stop is the convention and all the craziness that ensued!
See you soon(ish…I’m still travelling) for part 2!
-sweetondean
Very nice. Sounds like lots of fun. Thanks for the report.
That was so beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing. It was beautifully written ……….. I totally pictured everything you talked about! Nice tatoo! 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
Totally awesome days! Reading it has made me live it all again. Thanks for keeping it all so fresh!
LOVE the pictures. So cool to see them like that. It must have been so great to go to all of them. Thank you for sharing with those of us who will never get the chance
Amazing report! I went to Vancon last year, but I was only there for the weekend and didn’t get to see anything outside of downtown. I certainly didn’t get to do the location tours or drive around to various places. Next time, I’m doing it right! Great pictures and I’m so thrilled you got to do all that.
Thanks Alice!
Amy, Wonderful report. Vancouver and the surrounding area is beautiful. I have family that lives near there and have been fortunate enough to have had a chance to go and visit them. Anyway, it sounds like you had an amazing trip. I look forward to reading more… 😆
OMG, Amy, i love reading your blogs. i feel like i’m there with you when you go into the details! I love your passion for this show and i’m looking forward to experiencing my first Supernatural Con with you in VIva! Las Vegas Baby! Maybe you’ll write up about my fall-on-my-face moment when i meet Jensen! Ahhhh!! looking forward to part 2!
xx
Will never ever have the chance to get to one of these events so really enjoyed reading your report… would so love to be able to visit all those places. Glad you had such a fab time. Looking forward to your next!
That’s so FUN! Running around quoting SPN and standing (sitting) where Sam & Dean have been – that’s my idea of Disneyland! Thank you for sharing the awesome with us!
Awesome. Love your tat!
Loved your report and seeing the pictures was so much fun. I did a location search once in Vancouve many years agor for Stargate locations, but never discovered as many as you seem to have for Supernatural.Loved seeing how many you found and remembred all the scenes filmed at them.
Thanks for the report – In love your blogs – makes me feel like I was there! Loved seeing the locations pics! Can’t wait for part 2!
That sounded like so much fun! I was trying to save my money to go to the Toronto convention next year, but I just found out this year is the last one! So now, I will be trying to save to go to Vancouver next year. A lot more money, but it sounds like it’s worth it. I would love to know the name of the hotel you stayed at. If I do manage to go to Vancouver, I’ll be staying at least one week, as I live in Montreal, not as far as Australia I’ll grant you, but still a good way off. What better excuse than a SPN convention to travel in my own country!
I’m looking forward to your next posts.
What a fantastic read sweatondean. Can’t wait to read the rest of your experiences.
Wait, you stayed across the street from the Sheraton overlooking the church?? So you stayed in the Century Plaza?? That means we even stayed in the same hotel and didn’t manage to meet up!!!
Had to have been demonic intervention.
OH SWEET JEBUSSSSS! That is the most ridiculous thing ever!!!!! Dang!
Hi Sweetondean!
I understood ALL your references, even though I am a long ways from the area. I appreciate your report so much as I feel I was there as well. Your excitement was palpable and contagious!
Looking forward to your convention reports!
😛 🙂
Sweetondean, just wanted to add my voice to the chorus of people commending you on the article. I too felt like I was there with you. Sounds so completely fun!! I am just across the border in Seattle and hope to attend the Vancon someday before it’s all said and done. Thanks again. Watching for the next reports!
Went to Vancouver in July this year for the pilgrimmage and saw most of the same locations. Its really amazing being there, where it all happens. Wish id run into filming. We were at UBC two days after they filmed there!
This is a fantastic account of a wonderful couple of days we shared, thanks for the memories ladies, it was soooo much fun – we need to do it again sometime, 2014 here we come!!
PS – hmm, I quite like my nickname too, not sure I deserve it though as I had a lot of help with those locations
You will always be Amandica, Amandica! Here’s to 2014!! 😆