On both sides of the Juan de Fuca...

June 27, 2009

Victoria, BC

Butchart Gardens

Sequim, WA

That’s “squim” to those who have never been to or heard of the place. Arrived at Gilgal Oasis Park in the middle of town. Spotless park, very nice management. Free DSL which doesn’t seem to like our computers, so the dish is up.

Yesterday found us taking the 8:15 ferry to Victoria, BC for the day. A beautiful city, virtually untouched by the economic downturn. First stop, Butchart Gardens, on a bright sunny day. They were spectacular, but this is a place that is a thrill on the first visit, and just ‘colorful’ thereafter. Hope Julie was thrilled, though she loped along the paths like a gazelle, leaving Janice and me in the dust. Next stop, downtown Victoria, where we first gobbled a lunch (Julie needed a fish and chips fix—she has been eating like a palomino since the Ironman.).Window-shopping followed, with a few visits to the curio shops for postcards and the obligatory magnet. Can’t help but wonder who is going to buy all the crap in these shops, especially the T-shirts, which typically feature uninspired designs or phrases that would guarantee their placement in the bottom of a drawer. Nevertheless the nimble seamstresses in China and Honduras keep cranking ‘em out.

Just as I was getting over the passing of Ed ("Hi-Yo!") McMahon, Farah Fawcett expired. Before there was even time to shed a tear for her, renowned musical artist and child-molester Michael Jackson OD'd on Demerol (and a plethora of other uppers/downers and in-betweeners). As our tour bus returned from Butchart Gardens, we passed the municipal arena which sported a digital information board out front posting all the news that's fit to print. I glanced out the window to see a news headline on the board: "Michael Jackson dead at age 50". This was immediately followed by a banner that read: "Public urinal location approved." Gee whizz.

We stuck our noses in the Empress Hotel, but were quickly sent around the side to the hoi-polloi entrance. No high tea for us. Next to Parliament, where we enjoyed a group tour—it’s the only way to get inside the building now. A long stroll along the waterfront followed, ending with a folk-performer “Akron” who we donated a “Loonie” ($2) to. It was our last Canadian money--left over from a $20 bill we neglected to exchange at the end of our last trip several years ago.

We arrived home foot weary at 8:30, greeted by Annika who had been dog-sat all day by one of the park residents. She endeared herself to all and is a local celebrity.

Up early today, we began with blueberry pancakes, then headed west to Olympic National Park—specifically Hurricane Ridge, a 6000+ foot peak in the park with views north to Victoria across the Juan de Fuca Strait (bet Juan took a lot of ribbing as a kid, huh?). A short hike to the top of the mountain (without Annika, who is banned from trails in national parks) featured a family of mountain goats, who grazed on pine needles as the tourists clicked cameras. All in all, a very good stop with great views---though the presence of pollution hazed the view looking south.

Leaving the park we drove east to Lake Crescent, where we ate at the lodge—Julie snarfing a hamburger and fries, while Janice and I split a berry pie ala mode. Big crabfeast planned tonight, so we were saving room.

On the return leg we stopped at the fish market on Chicken Coop Lane where we purchased 3 barely legal Dungeness crabs at $7.99 a pound---well over our normal price point for crabs, but this is Julie’s final dinner with us on this trip. The crab will be accompanied by French bread and asparagus, and a splash of chardonnay. Can’t wait.

Signed up for 2 more days at Gilgal, having re-arranged our return plans somewhat. Will spend the day in Seattle with Julie before putting her on a plane at 6, then driving/ferrying 2 hours back to ‘camp’. The weather is beautiful, so we might as well take advantage of it. Much more to see around here.