Duncan and Chemainus

 The last time we were in Victoria, was in 2005 after a job in Port Alberni, the first time I met our good friends Pete and Vicki Hoffer.
Leaving today, we went up Douglas St. by our hotel which turned into Hwy1 past Langford, skirted Goldstream Park and headed up the Malahat Hwy, which we only see on the news during terrible snow storms. Driving around here for 3 days, I have finally found where Sannich, Sooke and all the other places are, where our friends live.

We stopped in Duncan, the city of 34 Totem Poles. These, in front of a CPR caboose, are beside their Museum, the original train Station.  There are many cute shops, antique or more.

We were directed to their Centennial Park, where there is a totem specially done to honour Rick Hanson, of him in his wheelchair on  his Round the Word Tour holding the world globe over his hed.

 Next was up to Chemainus, which comes from the native shaman and prophet Tsa-meeun-is  (Broken Chest), a man who survived a massive chest wound to become a powerful chief. Founded in 1858 as a logging town, it experienced a severe slump in the 1980's and they painted murals on the building's walls to attract tourists. The statue of H.R.MacMillan, an early logging magnate stands in
Waterwheel Park with the ocean behind.

 Chemainus didn't disappoint with it's 39 murals and 3 new Emily Carr ones just finished.

T

This mural shows the early waterwheel in the town.

You can view all the murals and their history at Chemainus Festival of Murals Society.

More Victoria

I drove to the Bear Mtn Resort which had the PGA last weekend. This ritzy area has the Westin Inn and Sante Spa where I enjoyed a spa overlooking the golf course and an hour long massage.

 I loved this living, growing wall in the Lounge.

More exploring took us around the harbour, cruise ship berths, fisherman's wharf with floating homes.

Mile 0 of the Trans Canada Highway is located on Douglas Street, at the intersection of Dallas Road, near the beautiful Victoria waterfront. The Mile 0 marker is the start of the over 8,000 km Trans-Canada Highway that spans the entire length of Canada. Mile 0 is also home to a statue of Terry Fox. Fox lost his right leg to cancer when he was 18 years old. He started a cross-Canada run to raise money for cancer research, beginning in Newfoundland on the East coast of Canada, and was to end at the Mile 0 marker in Victoria. Unfortunately, Fox's journey ended tragically near the halfway mark when he fell ill and passed away 8 months from cancer.

We wandered through Beacon Hill Park, not realizing the 2 young Royal children of Kate and William, were at the Petting Zoo at that time.
                       We stopped at St. Ann's Academy.

I graduated from St. Ann's in New Westminster and my aunt was a Sister of St.Ann's.
 St. Ann’s Academy is a testament to the dedication of the Sisters of St. Ann who were integral to the beginnings of education and healthcare in British Columbia. Now a national historic site owned by the Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services, St. Ann’s remains one of Victoria’s premier landmarks surrounded by heritage gardens and greenspace to provide an oasis in the centre of the Capital city.

 You can still visit the chapel which unfortunately was closed today due to winter hours. We visited here for retreats in high school.

Picturesque 19th Century heritage buildings abound with brick and stone such as the Legislative Buildings overlooking the harbour.

The Royal B.C. Museum was featuring a Woolly Mammoth Exhibit as well as First Nations, Early Pioneers and Climate Change. You could have spent days in there.

First Nations people have resided here for at least 13,200 years.

I had wanted to go to Butchart Gardens but when I saw it was $64 for 2, I decided to enjoy all the amazing flowers on every street and the Empress Hotel.

                    Missed afternoon tea as it was $75 a pop 

 but loved the waterfront, very busy with planes, water taxis, ferries and the old blue bridge down the way.

Victoria Holiday

Ron and I are enjoying a 3 day holiday in Victoria. We had air-miles we would lose, so on our way, here is the turbulent Active Pass, an S shaped channel  between Mayne and Galiano Islands with 3 ships threading through and not a lot of clearance. Galiano is 27 km long, settled by Salish Natives 3000 years ago while Mayne boasts a shoreline lighthouse and quiet atmosphere.
 
Victoria has the mildest climate in Canada and was voted the 3rd friendliest city on the planet by Conde Naste.
 We walked all over Chinatown, the oldest in Canada started in 1858 with the gold rush, and 2nd oldest in North America after San Francisco.

This place is so authentic that even the trash cans and light  posts feature Chinese.

San Tan Alley was my favorite with the  # 13 1/2 address, in original Chinese characters on the door.
 

 

They had a blackboard with Before I Die, I Would Like To ...... These 2 alleys were only 4 -5 feet wide with many homes from the past and a new care home over on the corner where these people were raised.

 We stumbled on Sager's Furniture Store where a son of our friend's is running the old family business.
The kids have been friends since babies and it was really fun to see Scott C.

 Had a great pub dinner at Bastion Square known for hangings and murders in the early days. The ceremonial entry arch, located at View and Government Streets, welcomes visitors to the original site of old Fort Victoria. The square looks out on the Inner Harbour and boasts some of the finest restaurants, pubs, and cafes in Victoria.

 

Market Square is another lovely spot with old brick and specialty stores. Browse your way through unique, local boutiques in heritage brick-and-beam buildings surrounding an open air courtyard.  I finished my day walking through Trounce Alley, where miners and mariners spent their extra cash on the ladies. The alley is still lit by gas lamps, hung with heraldic crests, and ablaze with flower baskets and potted shrubs. Love Victoria.

ABC with Noreen and Claude

We've barely seen Noreen and Claude this summer so we planned a big party.

These parties go until dark.

Vicki and the Boilermakers Dinner

We had the delight of having Vicki stay with us and go to the annual Boilermakers Dinner.  Look Ma,no glasses for Ann with her 20 /20 new vision.

There were lots of old friends and alas many gone.

Vicki and I hiked down to Peach Arch Park, where she has only driven by many times. So nice to have time together.

Sully and Bridget Jones Baby

We have enjoyed two movies lately. It seems you can never find a good one and then 2 -3 come along at the same time.
Sully was very realistic and very good. It's the true story of the pilot that landed the plane on the Hudson River.

The 2nd was Bridget Jone's Baby. A good comedy and I really like Rene Z.
Bridget's focus on single life and her career is interrupted when she finds herself pregnant, but with one hitch ... she can only be fifty percent sure of the identity of her baby's father.

Goodbye Party for Wes and Lauraine

We went to the Roadhouse for a great time together.

Lots of remembrances over the past 8 years.

They and Bob and Gail are moving to Keremenos.

Gibsons

Suz and I were so busy, I didn't even get to visit in Aug. Sure missed that. Oh well, we threw a party with friends.

and had lots of fun.

Hot tub is working.

and I discovered that I can take my daughter out for an appy and visit. Great view.

Lunch at the WAG

Well, I just can't get used to the new modern name WAG, it's has always been the Washington Ave. Grill, which was the original name of Marine Drive in the beginning of White Rock as a town.

 Cathy and Harry are here from Val Vista.

 and we have a crowd together overlooking the ocean for a lovely lunch and great company.