Today we took a day trip to Padilla Bay in Skagit County. It is a bit early to see our wintering Snow Geese and Tundra Swans, but who can resist a nice walk on a warm sunny day?
Of course we stopped for lunch at La Conner Brewing Co.
A great autumn day!
Since our third week ended with a sunset view out of our condo windows after our evening arrival in Victoria, it is only fitting that this final week begin with the same view the next morning.
The view is Victoria’s harbor and Fisherman’s Wharf. The wharf has lots of food choices, piers full of working fishing boats, and these colorful floating homes. The harbor features a large fleet of these little water taxis that flit back and forth all day.
Victoria was a shock. After spending three tranquil weeks in peaceful contemplation of nature around us the noise and bustle of the city was rather unnerving. Seaplanes take off and land outside our window all day long. Ferries and other boats toot. The sidewalks are crowded with tourists, especially when a cruise ship arrives. Everyone comes to Fisherman’s Wharf. Also, our condo unit this year was on the pool side so we got the constant noise of kids yelling and playing in the pool. Suffice it to say that this was not as relaxing as watching sea animals, listening to birds, and walking in the forest. However, there is a wonderful oasis in Victoria…Beacon Hill Park. Although there often are many people this park’s acreage provides plenty of quiet spaces to enjoy the flowers, water scenes and wildlife.
Yes, we did walk downtown, visited Merchie’s Tea, walked to the end of the pier at Ogden Point Breakwater, and walked in the James Bay neighborhood as well. After a week it was time for one last visit to the Beacon Hill before returning home.
We hope you have enjoyed our Vancouver Island sojourn.
Paul and Jean
Our third and last week at our little cottage by the sea gave us more flowers…
Some great hikes into a nearby wetland at Seal Bay Nature Park…
A day high up in the mountains hiking the meadows and around a lake at Paradise Meadows on Mt. Washington…
More visits from wildlife…
And the ever-changing view of the mainland mountains across the saltwater…
We ended our third week by leaving our happy temporary home and moving to our timeshare in Victoria. A sunset across the harbor and Fisherman’s Wharf with its colorful houseboats greeted us as we settled into our condo.
On to city adventures.
Paul and Jean
Our second week on the island’s eastern shore began with trying to see the northern lights. Although the maps showed that we were just on the edge of possible viewing and the nights were clear, we didn’t see them. However, Paul did snap this picture at 3:30 AM facing due north. Twilight was predicted to begin at 4:30 AM and sunrise at 5:30. Northern lights or a very early sunrise twilight?
Beautiful whatever it was!
As we have in past visits here, we went walking at Nymph Falls Nature Park and sat for a bit by the falls. The forest provides great walking trails and the benches by the falls are nice for taking a break.
We took more walks at Seal Bay Nature Park with its beautiful forest. One time this woodpecker entertained us on nearby logs. She had a youngster with her and seemed to be teaching how to seek insects in the log. The young one just hopped along and observed. They moved quickly, but we did manage to get a couple of pictures.
Another day we drove to Campbell River for a walk and some fish and chips. There is a great walkway along the waterfront, a long fishing pier, the Campbell River Visitor Center, and the Campbell River Museum. While we were eating our fish and chips (indoors) a pod of porpoises swam by, so we missed them. However, the walk was lovely with flowers and public art decorating the views of Quadra Island across the channel.
2-6 cruise ships passed our cottage every day. Some were in daylight and some in the night. The most picturesque were those passing at dusk.
Of course much of our time was spent just watching the ever-changing view out our patio door.
And our neighbors. We saw a large pod of porpoises swim past, but they were out of sight before we got our cameras out. Seals and eagle entertained us as well. However, our most consistent visitors were Great Blue Herons who loved to fish in the tide pools in our front yard.
A relaxing change from city life.
Paul and Jean
A year has passed since we last visited Vancouver Island so it was time to return. In the first week of June we returned to the Comox Valley and the wonderful little cottage on the seashore that we rented last year. Jean enjoyed a hot chocolate on the ferry from Vancouver to Nanaimo.
Late in the afternoon we arrived at the cottage between Comox and Campbell River on the shores of the Salish Sea. Across 15 miles of saltwater we could see the snow capped mountains of British Columbia. However, due to the curvature of the earth we could not see the opposite shore. Our view only included about 4 miles of water and then leapt to the mountain sides.
We enjoyed our first sunset.
Our mornings usually consisted of enjoying the ever changing view as the tide swept in and out, seals and otters hunted in the surf, and ships passed by in the distance.
The familiar cast of characters were in residence. Although sea otters swam in the waters and one even crossed our patio one morning, we never captured a photo! Seals hunted and played in the waves. One day a large group of porpoises swam past. Eagles, herons, ravens, and gulls patrolled the rocks and in the air.
In the afternoons we took walks in the forest. One of our favorite places was Seal Bay, just a mile from our cottage.
We also walked at Miracle Beach, a bit further up the coast.
One afternoon we stopped at Kitty Coleman Beach Provincial Park. It is home the the largest Douglas Fir tree in the Comox Valley.
Flowers blossomed everywhere.
Our R&R was off to a great start!
Paul and Jean
Yes, we spent last week on the island as well. Alas, we have now returned home. The last task is to assemble photos of the week and create a post. Our VRBO cottage was outstanding…ample room, great amenities, just 50 feet from the shore, and on a dead end road. We already miss it and hope to return to this oasis.
I first want to say a few words about the Race To Alaska. As you saw in the Victoria post of 2 weeks ago, this race began with a qualifying race from Port Townsend, Washington to Victoria, BC. As I outlined then, the boats must be human of sail powered. No engines are even allowed, so have been removed. What if there is no wind? Oars, paddles, and various mechanical apparatuses (usually involving bicycle parts) all are allowed. The link above has more info, video clips of the crews, and a live tracker to see where the boats are. Yes, now 2 weeks after starting there are still many boats out on the inside passage trying to make it to Ketchikan before the July 1st deadline. Here is a page with pics and a little info about all the entries. You also can find videos and links on their Facebook page. Just look for Race to Alaska or R2AK. The current talk is about which human powered boat (no sails) will be first in. The winners overall was the team We Brake For Whales, taking 5 days, 18 hours, and 59 minutes to travel the 607.8 miles. I spent lots of time watching the race trackers and then videos of the finish. One of my favorites was Pestou, and single handed trimaran manned by Eric Pesty. He finished 3rd overall, set a record for single handed time (7 days, 23 hours, 19 minutes, and 45 seconds), and coming into the harbor at the finish he sailed in a circle, dropped his main sail and set a jib within 150 feet of the dock and then calmly sailed to the pier. Enough of that for now.
Our second week at our Bates Beach cottage was pretty much a repeat of the first one. We went for hikes in the nearby forest, watched the wildlife in our front yard, saw countless boats of all kinds pass by, read lots of books, etc. Here are a few pics from June 15th.
The next day we went to Seal Bay Nature Preserve. It is only 5 minutes from our cottage by car and kept luring us back. The forest surrounding a deep ravine is magical.
Of course we also spent time watching the water and the passing traffic.
At the end of the day some seals came by to fish the incoming tide among the rocks in front of the cottage.
June 17th we took in the forest once more.
Reveled in the ever changing sky and water.
Had a rainbow moment.
And shouted hurrah as one of our favorite racers to Alaska paddled right past our front door. Team Lillian’s Vacation is just one woman and her tiny rowboat. She has been in last place since the beginning of the race and that’s just fine with her. To her this is just a splendid way to take a summer vacation. As of June 23 she is still out there headed north! Three cheers for Lillian!
The next day we drove over to Courtenay to walk the waterfront trail that we loved the last time we were in these parts, four years ago. The house we rented that time was at the southern terminus of this trail, called Millard Lookout.
June 19th was more of the same. June 20th we went to Nymph Falls for a hike through the forest and to these lovely falls. We got a bit turned around (never lost!) and walked further than intended. Note the man made fish ladder for returning salmon. Click on the video below to watch the falls and hear their soothing sound.
June 21st we hiked at Seal Bay Nature Park.
Watched more boats.
Had a visit from two eagles dining on a large salmon.
And enjoyed a beautiful sunset on our final evening in the cottage.
June 22nd we had a long trip back to Seattle. We left at 11 AM, waited 2 1/2 hours for the ferry in Nanaimo (had lunch during the wait), rode the ferry for 2 hours to Vancouver, waited for 1/2 hour at the border, and finally arrived home at 8:30 PM. No pics.
That’s all for our summer trip to Vancouver Island!
Jean and Paul
After our week in Victoria we headed north to Comox, BC. A stop for lunch at the Chemainus Bakery filled our tummies along the way. Then we continued past Nanaimo, Courtenay, and Comox to our little cabin by the sea. It sits right on the shore with fantastic views of the mainland mountains and the sea lanes. Jean picked her chair and settled in while we enjoyed the views.
Our neighbors came over for visits. And we spotted the first of what was to be a daily parade of boats.
One place we had been to on previous visits to the area was Miracle Beach Provincial Park. This beautiful stand of old growth trees was spared in a giant forest fire over 100 years ago. The trails wind through the mature forest and along the rocky beach. We enjoyed the ocean vistas and the lovely closeups of life in the forest.
Our second safari was to Seal Bay Nature Area, a beautiful local preserve with many trails, a sheltered rocky beach, and ample parking. The trail down to the beach is quite steep and treacherous, so we stick to the forest above.
Back at home we admire the views and watch our neighbors devour a large salmon on the rocks. What entertainment!
Our next day took us to Campbell River. This town boasts a fishing pier with an ice cream shop and a long waterfront paved walking path. We also visited the Maritime Museum. Here’s where we are on the map, right on the 50th Parallel.
Lot’s to see along the water.
A local artist creates driftwood sculptures. We loved this little fellow.
And we were back home for sunset, which is about 9:30.
Another day we walked the waterfront trail in Courtenay. This trail begins just outside the door of the house we rented 4 years ago. That house wasn’t available anymore, but the trail is as lovely as ever. It goes from wild forest to open seashore, and past an air park.
Another day was sunny enough to venture high into the mountains. Paradise Meadows in Strathcona Provincial Park is one of our favorite sites in this area. Although the snows had not melted completely and the flowers were not fully in bloom, we had a lovely afternoon walking through the meadows and forest.
We returned home to more cruise ships and mysterious sunset light on the mainland mountains.
Thus ended our week.
Paul and Jean
Some have expressed interest/confusion/disbelief about pedal-powered sailboats. Therefore, I am posting a couple of short videos of two boats coming into Victoria’s inner harbor after sailing from Port Townsend, WA in the 2023 Race To Alaska. The leader should reach Ketchikan sometime today (Sunday).
Please take note that the cyclist on the first boat is a woman. Also take note that the cyclist on the second boat is backing into a berth at the pier.
Now you know.
Paul
More pics from our week in Victoria. The previous post included pics from Paul’s camera. These are from Jean’s camera. Again we begin with a visit to Beacon Hill Park.
Then a walk toward downtown with flowers along the way and a rest stop at Starbuck’s.
The hike to Ogden Point is long, but the reward at the end is this long pier with a lighthouse at the end and, of course, more flowers and birds.
Next up is a return to Beacon Hill Park. We can’t get enough of this place!
The shorefront walkway to the inner harbor is always available. It isn’t as pretty as it once was because the city had to dig out many tons of toxic waste that was used decades ago to create shoreline. Much of it is barren and we hope they plant something soon. However, looking the other way you can enjoy birds , boats, water taxis and float planes coming and going in the harbor. There are a few places that didn’t get excavated that still have flowers.
This concludes our summary of our trip to Victoria, B.C. With sunny weather and temps in the 60’s it was a great time to get out and enjoy the city.
Jean and Paul
Last week we were in Victoria, BC, one of our favorite destinations. Our first day we went to Beacon Hill Park, a must see in this city. Of course we made a return visit later in the week. The flowers and birds are just splendid.
Peacocks are a big attraction and they know it.
We also sat and did some sketching in the park.
Another day we walked to Ogden Point and out to the lighthouse. This is the entrance to Victoria’s harbor.
The annual Race to Alaska began during out stay. This is an unpowered race from Anacortes, Washington to Ketchikan, Alaska. The first day goes from Anacortes to Victoria as a qualifying trial. We watched them come into the harbor past our condo. They are allowed no power other than wind or human. Also they must carry all provisions for the trip from Victoria to Ketchikan. The entrants range from a 45 foot monohull sloop with a crew of 8 to a single kayak. Here’s an example of the humans pedaling into the harbor.
We are following them on the internet via the Race To Alaska website.
Walks around the harbor provide views of more flowers and birds.
A wonderful week in a terrific city.
Paul and Jean
Travels With Picasso 