Last Days of our Holiday

When we began our vacation, we made a list of things which we felt we must accomplish. Well, suffice to say, it must have been a true holiday as much of the list did not get done with some items never more than vague ideas. However, our plans to golf, entertain family, and make/renew friendships did happen.

On Friday, August 5th, we met with our friends, Diane and Tony, to spend the day together in Sooke. It was a warm morning in Victoria but when we reached Sooke, the fog rolled in and the temperature dropped. I hadn't brought a coat so knew I'd be freezing on the beach.

French Beach was our destination since we missed seeing it with the grandkids. We hoped to see whales but the place was pretty much deserted both on the sand and in the water. There were large kelp beds off-shore but despite our searching, we didn't see any sea otters. The beach did offer some photo-ops and Tony lent me his jacket so I was warm.

At the end of the long beach, was a rock formation with fantastic tidal pools. Large anemones and mussels crowded out huge barnacles. The pattern and textures were amazing and something my camera had trouble capturing. At first, the anemones looked like elastic bands buried in the sand (see picture) so we felt we'd enter some foreign landscape. I've never seen them so big in the wild.

After exploring the pools, we relaxed on a driftwood log and watched a bald eagle dive into the surf to rise with a fish in its talons. It was great seeing such majesty. It reminded us that noon approached so we returned to Sooke and the Stickleback Restaurant. By this time, the sun had burned through the fog so we enjoyed the patio overlooking the calm waters of the cove. I ate 'The Bank' which was pieces of halibut on a homemade burger bun while Glen feasted on their West Coast Club made with fish and seafood.

Later, we chatted to the man who ran the kayak rental store, Rush Adventures, next door and learned all we needed to know about how his kayaking/adventure business works. Tony and Diane are avid canoeists but wanted to do some paddling on the sea. We also thought it would be a fun venture for the next time we're in Victoria.

Packing was next on our agenda after we left Diane and Tony. When you live in a place for longer than a week, you tend to spread out to fill the space. I gathered together all the stuff we wanted to take back to Calgary and packed two boxes and our golf clubs. Saturday, I did a laundry then packed our suitcases. After lunch, we walked to Willows Beach to have one last look at the ocean. On the way home, we stopped at our favourite butcher, Slaters, for some steaks for supper then Glen packed the car.

Sunday morning, we cleaned, laundered sheets and towels, and prepared the condo for our departure. We caught the noon ferry and had a very pleasant crossing. Usually we leave later, staying in Tsawwassen to rise early the next day to make the 10 hour drive home. This time we decided to drive to Salmon Arm, breaking the journey into two.

We stayed at the Best Western Salmon Arm. Little did I know the place was close to the highway and Glen's favourite gas station. It was 7:00 pm when we arrived but we'd made reservations so had no fears of not having a room. The place filled up pretty quickly after that. A nearby pub, the Hideaway, offered 10% off to motel guests so we went there.

Our server, who called himself Uther, was very good and ended up telling us about his young son and his own vacation. He had a new tattoo which we admired. The food was good -- Glen had spaghetti and meatballs and I had jambalaya made with penne pasta and chorizo. The garlic toast was a taste of heaven.

Since the air conditioner in our room was noisy, we didn't hear any traffic noise or the sound of the nearby railway. We rose at 7:00 am and ate our complementary breakfast in a small nook in the lobby. We battled everyone else for food and a table. That's when I realized the last time I had breakfast in a Best Western, it was in Harbin and I ate with chopsticks.

We were in Golden, BC by noon so stopped at our favourite bistro, the Whitetooth. Normally it's winter when we eat here so really enjoyed their outside tables where we could watch the town's comings and goings. We both had the Deli Special which involved lots of veggies, cheese, and turkey on toasted panni. I had an excellent fish soup with mine.

We were home in time for a small supper then the unpacking began.

Farewell to Family

Tuesday, July 26th we said goodbye to the grandkids and their parents. We got to the ferry terminal early so they could get good places in the pre-boarding section. I picked up a free magazine and read the articles to Glen while sitting in the van. We wanted to see them leave and close that chapter on our vacation. Their journey home was uneventful but they did travel in a car, a ferry, a train, and an airplane so utilized many modes of transportation.

The nice thing about the condo is it cleans up quickly. We soon had everything back where it should be and a beach's worth of sand sucked from the carpets. It was then Glen decided to paint the dining room. We got paint chips from the local hardware store and chose a yellow-green that would blend nicely with the other greens in that area of the apartment.

Thursday, we golfed again at Mt. Doug, this time with two young guys. Glen said he was sure they were not happy to be teeing off with old folks but that's what you get at Mt. Doug. My first tee shot was within 50 yards of the hole, far past their efforts so that showed them we could keep up. I swear the average age of the golfers on Mt. Doug is 75 so young'uns must know they'll be matched with older players.

Friday morning we walked downtown to meet Glen's grad student, Claudia, and her family. We were expecting her son and husband to be there but instead were introduced to her two sisters, a sister-in-law, brother and niece and nephew. They had done a tour Glen suggested the day before but wanted something a little different from us. We took them to Fan Tan Alley, then across the Johnson Bridge to Esquimalt where I showed the kids some tidal pools. We found hundreds of baby crabs hiding under the rocks which sent them into gales of laughter. They wanted to check out Fisherman's Wharf so we walked back along Wharf Street, past the Empress Hotel, the waterfront vendors, the Legislature Building, and the ferry terminals until finally reaching the wharf at lunch time.

We parted company so they could enjoy fish and chips on the wharf. As we walked back, I suggested we stop for lunch at a place which had air conditioning. It was a hot day and I had forgotten my hat (I ended up buying a hand-painted one near the legislature). I knew I couldn't eat outside. We ended up at the Irish Times pub and I had a veggie wrap and Glen had pizza, both delicious. We walked home then went to buy our paint.

Saturday, we headed back to Finest at Sea to buy some salmon, oysters, and mussels. Glen then prepped the dining room for painting. We had a fantastic supper although at one point there was a small fire in the BBQ. One bizarre moment came when I had an odd tasting oyster. It's the first time I've had an oyster taste funny but I thought nothing of it until I lay awake that night feeling quite ill.

We had planned to hit the driving range on Sunday morning but I couldn't look at breakfast so went straight back to bed. I slept most of the day while Glen painted the dining room.

Monday, I felt better so we headed to the driving range. Glen then did some touch-up painting after lunch but that went badly so after golfing on Tuesday at Mt. Doug, he repainted the entire room.

Wednesday, we did some chores then had a wonderful lunch at Christies with our good neighbours, Cynthia and Ray. We did a lot of laughing and the staff let us linger well past the lunch hour.

We decided to do coffee at Starbucks in the Fairfield shopping centre then see if we could find a letterbox without Melissa. I had my stamp kit and the directions so we plunged into the Ross Bay Cemetery in search of two boxes. We found one which was well worth the hunt.

This morning, we were back golfing. This was the last time on Mt. Doug until next year. We met up with two couples with whom we've golfed this summer so it was like a reunion of sorts. But today, we played with Doug who was a retired military man. He had quirky sense of humour which suited us well. I still struggled with my putting but did smack a drive 180 yards (according to Glen's measuring) and I hit the ball on the green on the last hole and nearly put it in the cup. Glen has begun to relax so his drives are sailing out there. It is so nice to watch them arch over the course. Of the seven games we've played here in Victoria, he's won four but hasn't beaten me by much.

Double-double Day

Geoff wanted a relaxing day as a prelude to their trip home. Well, I don't think there is such a thing when Armstrongs are on holiday. The boys decided for their last day, it would be double donut day. Since the closest Tim Hortons (famous for double-double coffee--double cream, double sugar) was downtown, we piled into the van and headed there. We took a detour through Market Square before reaching the donut shop.

There was a great deal of time spent deciding on which donut to choose but finally decisions were made. We bought a dozen donuts and a couple of coffees. The place was full so the boys enjoyed their treat on a separate table. I can't remember the last time I had more than one donut but it left me with a sugar high.

After lunch, the kids were expected to nap (they didn't) while Mom and Grampy slept. Geoff wanted to do lattes at Moka House so he and I walked to the one about a block away. We came home to everyone wide awake.

Barbecued chickens were on the menu for supper so Melissa and Geoff headed out to buy a lovely bottle of wine to compliment them. The boys had double drumsticks for supper topping off double-double day.

Sooke, Puke, and Spit

Okay, I realize the title sounds vile but it actually describes how we spent Sunday, July 24th. Our first task was to drive Geoff to a bike shop, Coastal Cycle, on the Galloping Goose Trail. Here he got outfitted with a bike, helmet, and toolkit for the ride to Sooke. He felt it would take him 2 hours to reach this town southwest of Victoria. In the meantime, we would drive there and explore French Beach which my sister, Lynda, had recommended.

All was going according to plan until we hit the winding roads approaching the town. Elijah said he felt sick so we pulled over to the side of the road (they are narrow so there isn't much room). He tried but nothing was forthcoming until we resumed our journey. Fortunately, we had some cloth grocery bags which were pressed into service. We stopped at the Sooke Information Centre to mop things up and give Elijah some time to bounce back. I did some Christmas shopping in the gift shop and Melissa bought a souvenir.

Elijah felt he was better but we decided French Beach was probably asking too much of him so revised our plans and made our way to Whiffen Spit on the edge of town. We didn't get far when the last food in Elijah's stomach left him. We pressed on knowing the spit would give the boys fresh air and a chance to play.

Meanwhile, we had decided the pub where we'd planned to meet Geoff was not kid friendly. Fortunately, he felt the same way and I received a text from him as we walked the spit. We told him where we were and that Elijah was not ready to get back into the van. Geoff courageously drove along the narrow highway until he reached the spit just as we were making our way back to the parking lot. He stripped out of his gear and we stashed the bike into the back of the van.

We then headed to a drug store to buy some Gravol which helped settle Elijah's stomach although he could only eat soup when we got to the Stickleback Restaurant. This kid-friendly restaurant is on a tiny, sheltered cove where kayakers launch their boats and others come to learn how to paddle. We sat outside in the sunshine and the kids were given a drawing to colour while we waited. Mile's fancy macaroni came in a pirate ship so he was thrilled. Geoff and Glen had burgers which they raved about.

Both Elijah and Miles slept until we reached Coastal Cycle. After returning the bike, we headed home for a quiet evening.

Market Day in 'Gungy' Ganges

Everyone wanted to do another ferry ride and market day in Ganges on Salt Spring Island was the perfect solution. Elijah and Miles rose every day at 7 but we knew to do the island well, we'd have to rise earlier. Good thing we did as the ferry we thought would leave at 9:00 actually left at 8:30am.

Usually we arrive at the ferry terminal an hour before sailing so Glen can get a second cup of coffee and I can snoop around the artisan tents. I do my best Christmas shopping there. Coffee and chocolate milk was bought then we made for the small playground. That's when I noticed everyone in line were starting their cars. We rushed back to the van, buckled the kids in, and minutes later were inching our way onto the ferry.

Neither Melissa nor Geoff remembers ever being on a car ferry and the one to the island is small enough to really live the experience. The crossing was smooth and the weather fine. The only problem happened when the ferry blew its horn. Chocolate milk came very near to splashing over the boys as they clapped their hands over their ears. The captain had warned us but I'd forgotten how loud the horn was.

Once off the ferry at Fulford Harbour, we drove to our 'secret' parking place and walked down to the market. We thought we knew what we wanted but the displays overwhelmed and we got caught up in the moment.

Elijah walked with me and complained he couldn't do the art projects the other kids were doing. The central market area is reserved for young entrepreneurs who sell everything from homemade god's eyes to lemon tarts to original artwork. I had to explain they were working, not having fun. He became quite grumpy that I wouldn't let him help so I quickly steered him into the food market.

Here we saw everything that could come from the island's farms. I stopped at a cheese stall and we all sampled some unique Jersey milk cheeses then we paused to taste homemade jam. Glen spotted broad beans and we had to buy some. Miles wanted carrots. We grazed as we wandered among the stalls. Elijah whispered to me that I was the best Nana to bring him to such a wonderful place.

Once our arms were full, we headed to the playground. Glen and Geoff took the food back to the car where I had a cooler bag with ice packs and Melissa went to check out the stalls for gifts. Every kid not selling wares at the market was in the playground. The boys quickly made a friend and they were off.

We decided an early lunch was best so headed to the Oystercatcher. We easily got a table for six outside although the breeze from the ocean chilled some of us. Service is always on 'island time' so Melissa took the boys for a short tour of the wharf and we watched the sea planes land.

After lunch, we bought two halibut steaks and prawns at The Fishery and a steak for Melissa at Thriftys. Then it was off to explore a part of the island where we'd never actually set foot. We had driven this road before (by mistake) and didn't realize it passed a beautiful hiking trail. We can thank letterboxing for this special find.

The Dunbabin Trail took us deep into a magical rain forest Elijah dubbed the 'Unicorn Forest'. One could so believe unicorns played here. The ferns were lush and the trees immense. The letterbox clues told us to cross three bridges and find a mother stump with two children. Turns out only 3 people had found this particular letterbox since it was planted three years ago, Melissa being the third. By now, I had been bitten by the letterboxing bug and have since bought a new stamp and given myself a new trailname. I'm even logged onto AtlasQuest so I can log my finds.

We caught the four o'clock ferry and were home in time to enjoy a lovely meal of fish and after the kids went to bed, a lively game of Hearts.