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.

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This mural shows the early waterwheel in the town.

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