It is time for our run up to Victoria and the “Splash”. It is so much fun, there is so much to see, and it is just a beautiful place. Heading north, we like to overnight in Redding, California. It is about a six hours drive. In summer, we worry about fires. There was a big one raging and it swept through Redding the day after we left.
The fires were terrible and a real worry as we passed to and fro Northern California. Little did we know that the worst was yet to come.
We next stopped in Salem to join up with friends and get some family visiting that was long overdue.
Brother John’s view while receiving chemo. Oregon capitol dome in the distance.
Next we made our way to Port Angeles, Washington. We spent the night, bought some light jackets, and caught the ferry the next morning. Port Angeles is a wonderful place to wander around and look, full of artworks.
A cool day in Port Angeles.This old tree stump had so many beautiful masks attached.Great faces on this stumpI really like this faceCubist pelicans.Pairs of birds.Historic mural.There is so much art work in public places in Port Angeles. A pretty blogger out taking photo’s.Totems of the Pacific Northwest greet us at the entrance to a group of small shops.Tucked away, in the back of a commercial area, so beautiful.Just a unique curved stair with 3D art paying homage to the sockeye salmon.The ferry coming to get us.An uneventful ferry ride, we arrive in Victoria. The much beloved/hated sea planes.Such a busy harbor.A way cool draw bridge that is finally finished and functional. It stands up from left to right. The large curved counter weights on the right are rotated clockwise and the narrow portion stands straight up.We checked in just fine and enjoy this view from the patio.Larry and Renee’s room.TV’s in all the rooms.Edie’s favorite.Lovely dining area.Very comfortable beds and furniture.Nice bathrooms.View out our bedroom.Fisherman’s wharf is such a fun collection of houseboats.A small but very functional kitchen.Comfy living room.The hot tub is what distinguishes it as a “Penthouse”Pretty woman on a water taxi at Fisherman’s Wharf .Cracks me up every time.Sign says it is handcrafted from an oil barrel in Haiti. Pretty impressive artist.Lots of interesting masks here.A very artistic community.They are all just fun.Orca graphics.The Empress, holding on to glory days with huge refurbishing investments.Parliament building in the background.The Orca is greatly admired here.
We decided to take a side trip to see Hatley Castle. We had all seen Craigderroch Castle, built by Robert Dunsmuir, and this one was built by his son, James Dunsmuir, to outdo his father.
Larry and Renee, wonderful travel companions.This is now a national park and part of a military academy.Glad we didn’t know the family history when we took this selfie.Busy bees hard at work on the lavender plants.This is James Dunsmuir’s retirement home. He inherited a coal mine monopoly and great wealth.Mr Dunsmuir is not a heroic figure by today’s standards. He violently fought union efforts, paid the lowest wages, ran the most dangerous and deadly mines in the world. Miner deaths per million tons of coal mined were three times higher in his mines than the next worst.Looking out from Hatley Castle.I just hate taking Edie to places like this. She always asks, “Why can’t you make our property look like this?”Great planning, beautiful gardens.The interior was closed to the public today, looks grand inside.In 1910, it was the largest private residence on the west coast.Ponds and a grand scale to everything.Great symmetry.I can’t calculate the man hours required to maintain such a place.
Two places we love to eat while here, Finest at Sea and Il Covo. Both great and an easy walk from the Worldmark.
A little trailer puts out a fantastic product.They have a sense of humor.Our favorite fish market and fish n chips.Il Covo Trattoria is wonderful – a bowl of classic creamy risotto.Rare seared sesame crusted Ahi tuna served with arugula. Lamb shank slowly braised in a Chianti wine sauce, topped with toasted almonds & served with seasonal vegetables.Not sure, lost in notes…I see noodles, a brussels sprout and parmesan cheese.
It was finally time for the Splash.
Warm up bands entertain throughout the afternoon.The Black Ball ferry comes and goes per its usual schedule.About 40,000 people attend.Caron and Jan baking in the Canadian sun.Beautiful sunset.Sensory overload with cannon firing, music blaring and fireworks firing.The crescendo of the “1812 Overture”It is sad to leave our home again. View of the Worldmark from the ferry.On the ferry, headed out.
