There used to be a lovely light display in English Bay every winter. An orca, a heron, a tree. Also a bear and a beaver that I never got around to photographing.

But those beautiful lights did not come back last year, nor this year. I don’t know why they’re gone, but I sure do miss them.

Last year, feeling bereft, I went looking for an alternative light display. I found one, all the way out in Coquitlam. Lights at Lafarge is the largest free outdoor holiday light display in Metro Vancouver and is held every year at Lafarge Lake, a small pond created from an old quarry.

I convinced two friends to join me and one evening we rode the Skytrain all the way to the end of the line. The lake and its light display are located next to the station.

The trail forms a loop just over a kilometre long. Its flat and paved surface means it is both wheelchair- and stroller-friendly.

I didn’t get myself organized in time to post these photos last year, so I’m posting them for this month’s season of light. Although taking the Skytrain all the way to Coquitlam is a bit of a trek compared to walking down the street to my beach, Lights at Lafarge is definitely worth the trip.