Chapter IV -- Victoria's Secrets

No, this is not a post about fancy underwear but about those hidden places Victoria has that are missed by tourists and yet are gems to visit.  I've written about some of them before -- see Hidden Gems and Hidden Gems II.  This time we explored part of the Lochside Trail (29 kilometres) that winds its way through Saanich, Central Saanich and North Saanich (and yes, these are three different municipalities) linking Victoria with Swartz Bay (the ferry terminal).  The Galloping Goose Trail (55 kilometres) begins in Victoria and goes to Sooke so there is no part of the tip of Vancouver Island that can't be explored on foot or by bicycle (Geoff rode part of the Galloping Goose Trail -- see Sooke, Puke, & Spit)

The Lochside Trail was originally a passenger railway line running between Victoria and a steamship dock at Patricia Bay (with transport to the mainland) until the 1920s when the Canadian National Railway bought it for use in transporting freight.  It is a multi-user trail so hikers, bikers, and horse riders share it.  In some places, it uses farm lanes so one must give way to working farm equipment including tractors and ATVs.

Our stroll through the countryside began at Michell's Farm Market.  We have passed this Island Farm icon many times on our way to the ferry or airport.  A huge pumpkin patch greets us in November which becomes a small lake around Christmas time.  Never have we left the highway (see photo) to explore it but a letterbox adventure spurred us to stop at this market.  It was a 3 kilometre walk from here to a pig farm where the box was hidden along a section of the Lochside Trail.

We walked passed pickers harvesting cauliflowers, zucchini as far as the eye could see, pumpkins and wheat.  Tall teasel plants nodded beside the road as did giant black berry bushes.  We felt as if we had stepped back to when farming neighbours walked country lanes to check out who was growing what.  We weren't alone.  Despite it being Monday afternoon, there was a constant stream of bike traffic and several hikers enjoying the fresh air of farmland so close to the city.

I love pigs!!  I worked with them when I graduated from university and they still have a special place in my heart.  At our destination, one pig had buried itself in a muddy wallow while others lay in the shade of an open shed.  A rooster crowed making the moment truly magical.  Glen quickly found the letterbox and we stamped in before a group of cyclists stopped to check on the ripeness of nearby black berry bushes.  Only a few could be picked as they are late this year.  We then returned to the market for coffee and to buy strawberries, blueberries, eggplant, and potatoes.  All island grown.

The rest of the week we golfed again at Mt Douglas (with Ken and Bruce), Cedar Hill (with Stanley and Paul), and The Ridge.  We also entertained our friends, Diane and Tony, for lunch on Friday.  I made bean salad, rice salad, tomato and boccocini spears, devilled eggs, vinegar beets, and quiche finishing with strawberries on fruit cups with whipped cream.  We enjoyed Garry Oaks Winery's Pinto Gris and Zeta and wonderful conversation.

Saturday, we headed down to Finest at Sea to buy more Sea Angel oysters and Salt Spring Island Mussels which we had for supper.

Chapter III -- Much of the Same

Last Monday morning, I wrote the last blog post then we headed to an area of town we'd never seen before.  We wanted to find a letterbox on Christmas Hill.  The hill is part of the Swan Lake conservation area in Saanich and protects a meadow of endangered Garry Oaks.  The first Europeans to the Island thought these were natural areas but really the Coast Salish natives cultivated the meadows as the oaks protected a wildflower they used for food.

The hill is 109 meters above sea level and you basically climb that to reach the summit.  Rock stairs make the ascent easy and when you reach the top, the views are incredible.  My camera could not capture the panoramic vista.  I tried to enhance this photo so you can imagine how we saw Mt. Baker from Christmas Hill but the 360º view can only be seen to be believed.

Tuesday, we were back golfing at Mt Douglas and played a round with Darryl and his nephew Dan who was two weeks away from being married.  They were nice people and I wished I could emulate Darryl's easy swing.  Turns out he lives in a condo two block from us so we may see him again when we are out and about.

Wednesday, we shopped.  We walked to Hillside Mall to hit the Sears for their sale of summer shirts for Glen.  They are renovating the mall and it will eventually house a Target store.  It always felt like the mall was dying but now there is new energy and despite the dust and noise, the food court was packed.

Thursday, we decided to shake the monkey off my back and play Cedar Hill again.  I was not looking forward to it but had rigged Glen's old Ikea umbrella so it would cover me as I walked the fairways.  I called it my 'walking shade' and it made my round enjoyable (and improved my score).  So much so that on Friday, we drove out to Langford to buy a special UV golf umbrella that Glen refers to as 'the tent'.  It is wider than I am tall so it should also keep me well shaded.

Saturday, we were up at 5:00 am to pick up Diane and Tony and catch the ferry to Salt Spring Island to do their famous market.  We came prepared with a cooler full of ice packs as we usually get cheese and fish as well as broad beans (Glen's favourite).  We've found a special parking area in Ganges and by being at the ferry dock an hour before sailing, we could snag it because we were one of the first off the boat.  After wandering the market full of everything from veggies, berries, and cheese to pottery, weaving, and sheep skins, we headed to our usual coffee shop.  While Foursquaring it (a game I play on my phone where I log into places I've been), I noticed there was a special for newbies at the Salt Spring Island Coffee shop, a few steps away.  No Scot says no to free coffee so we went inside and I enjoyed a very spicy Chai latté.

We then wandered up the hill to Harbour House where we had reservations for lunch.  Despite the crowds thronging the market and nearby restaurants, this place was deserted.  Its patio overlooks Ganges Harbour but has enough shade so we could enjoy being outside without roasting.  The food was excellent and not expensive.  We all had their lamb burger except Tony who had a portobello mushroom burger with smoked tofu.  Local beer and wine washed the food down.

We stopped at The Fishery on the way back to the car and bought a slab of halibut.  Then it was off to Garry Oaks Winery to buy our annual case of wine.  We ended up doing a tasting as they had two varieties we'd never had before.  In the end, though, we bought our usual Pinot Gris and Zeta.  Sometimes the tried and true are the best.

We planned catching the 3:50 pm ferry but as we arrived in Fulford Harbour, the 2:00 pm ferry had just docked.  We squeezed into the wait area (one of the last in line) and boarded not 5 minutes later.  That's when I discovered I had lost my custom-fitted clip-on sunglasses.  I've often misplaced them in the past so I guess it was just a matter of time before I'd forget them somewhere.  Once you are on a ferry, there is no turning back.  The menfolk napped during the crossing while Diane and I chatted.

Sunday we decided to play another round at the Ridge.  We arrived to find our friends, Robert and Yonnie, who we've met through golf, enjoying a coffee on the patio.  Sunday is their biking day but I think they really wanted to golf.  We ended up playing behind two sets of boys around 12 so the round was long (2 hours).  The young men who followed us were from Calgary and they joined us for the last four holes.  Simon's father lives in High River so he told us all about the clean-up efforts that resulted from the devastation of the June flood.

This morning the fog rolled in and chilled the air instantly.  It is the first day without sunshine since we arrived so I guess we can't complain.

Chapter II -- Too Much Fun in the Sun?

Saturday, June 6th, we got our new stove.  It is the last major 1980s era appliance that needed replacing.  We bought one with a ceramic glass top and self-cleaning oven and I've enjoyed cooking on it.  There's only one problem -- our 'old' kettle doesn't sit down on the burner so takes forever to boil water.  I know, first world problem.

Sunday we spent the morning at The Ridge par 3 golf course practicing.  I worked on my putting while Glen tried to master his lob wedge on the chipping green.  We played for 2 hours but the time flew by.

Monday is always laundry day so I was up early to get it done before our luncheon at Diane and Tony's.  We saw their newly renovated driveway and drainage system then enjoyed a lovely lunch of salads, cold meats, tasty bread finished off with strudel.  The hummingbirds visited their feeders and the bushtits popped in and out of their lovely garden (these tiny birds had left a nest hanging in one of the trees).  Unfortunately, I regretted this fun in the sun because that evening I was ill with sun stroke.  For some reason, I forget I suffer from this so must re-learn my lesson every year.

Tuesday, I woke feeling better so we were off to play golf at Cedar Hill.  Not a wise decision as it turned out.  Despite wearing sunscreen and a hat, I faded quickly until I ended up in tears at one hole.  I could not hit or putt the ball for all the tea in China and even though I tried to stay in the shade and keep hydrated, my body was not happy.  I noticed most of the women golfers on the course had umbrellas up to create a walking shade and I vowed to adopt this sensible idea.  A beer afterwards helped but I was still not myself so when we got home, I took to my bed rousing only when Glen suggested we eat at Christie's.  We shared a plate of wings then I had their Fanny Bay oysters with a huge salad.  Glen enjoyed their spaghetti and meatballs.  The meal and the above photo were the best things of the day.

Wednesday, we holed up inside only leaving to get groceries.  Glen had work to do and I took it easy so I was ready to get back to golfing on Thursday when we returned to Mt Doug.  It was cooler with scattered clouds which kept the crowds down and we golfed alone.  I got my first par of the year on the first hole which set the tone for the game.

Friday, we went fishing.  I'd love to say we hung a line over a pier but actually went to our favourite fishmonger, Finest at Sea and bought Sea Angel oysters and a 4 pound salmon.  We feasted that night!

Saturday, Ocean River Adventures and Mountain Equipment Co-op sponsored a day of learning all there is to know about kayaking from lessons (beginner and beyond) to yoga to demoing boats.  We met Tony and Diane on Willows Beach and had a great morning talking to folks about the various kayaks and watching Tony paddle about as he tried a couple out.  I fell in love with a Sterling kayak, Illusion, as it looked like a West Coast native canoe adapted to work as a kayak.  Tony said it was incredibly manoeuvrable.  Afterwards, we headed to the Estevan shopping area for lunch at the Village Café and Deli.  We had eaten in this sandwich shop 10 years ago with Meg and Mike when they lived in Victoria.  It was run by two retired teachers but it has since changed hands.  The food is still excellent and the service fast and friendly.  We ate outside and I sat in the shade (see I can learn).  We enjoyed Phillips beer--Glen their seasonal lager, Tony and I, Blue Buck.   Diane had a refreshing cider.  She and I ordered Estevan chicken sandwiches while Tony and Glen had their burger.  Glen added a fried egg to his and I said not to get used to it because I wasn't cooking eggs when he barbecued burgers.

Sunday morning we golfed at The Ridge and I nailed my putting which kept my score down (4 pars gave me my PB score).  I also was on the green in one shot on 6 of the 9 holes.  So was Glen making it a good round for the both of us.  We stopped off at Galey Farm Market for strawberries, blueberries, cherries and potatoes, all locally grown.  Their corn maze includes a giant sphinx and a train ride so it'd be a great place to bring the grandkids.

Chapter I -- Summer Holidays

I always wish summer weather began in June but it rarely does in Calgary.  However, this year, we spent the first few days of the month in Vegas (see previous blog post) and temperatures were very hot so it was nice to come back to cool Alberta.  A week later, we played windy golf at the annual departmental tournament, our first of the season (an attempt in April ended with a snowstorm).  Two days later, we golfed at Valley Ridge (I had a 175 3-wood shot of which I am very proud) and did the first nine holes beside the high, fast-flowing Bow River until torrential rains forced us into the clubhouse where we enjoyed supper with Meg and Mike (it was a mother's/father's day celebration).

A week later, the front nine was no more.  The "flood of the century" hit Calgary when a heavy rainstorm dumped over 100 mm on Canmore swelling Cougar Creek.  It washed away the Trans-Canada highway as it rushed to join the now raging Bow River.  Meanwhile, the Elbow River tore apart Bragg Creek.  These turbulent waters met in Calgary and flooded most our downtown.  We live on a hill so did not experience the suffering of others in the city.  It was quite surreal.

Our holiday plans were to drive to Victoria in two days but with the Trans-Canada highway closed, it would mean heading north to Red Deer, then west through Rocky Mountain House to Lake Louise.  Normally, the Calgary-Lake Louise drive takes two hours, this route would take us five.  Luckily for us, the highway crews worked around the clock to clear the road of debris and make it safe to travel.  Highway #1 opened the afternoon before we left.

We experienced no real delay in travel time so had lunch at our favourite bistro, the Whitetooth Mountain, in Golden.  I always enjoy their homemade soups so ordered the carrot/almond special--it was thick with almonds and very tasty.  Glen had their Reuben while I went west coast and had their salmon wrap, also very good.

We then held our breath as we travelled though the avalanche sheds on the way to Revelstoke.  Last year, we hit a chunk of wood which made our holiday less than relaxing.  This time we passed through without a problem although were saddened to see the hotel where we took shelter was now boarded up.

We arrived in Salmon Arm around 4:00 MDT but it was only 3:00 pm in this lakeside town.  Fortunately, we could check into the Best Western, then walked to the local mall for coffee.  Dinner was at the Hideaway Pub.  We were disappointed their fiery hot wings were no longer on the menu but did enjoy a cooler version.  Glen had chicken Alfredo with a caesar salad while I created my own veggie pizza.

The next day after a 'free' breakfast, we ate a picnic lunch at the Information Centre in Chilliwack.  Glen began to relax as we boarded the 3:00 pm ferry and enjoyed a heaping cup of 'ferry ice cream' (see photo).  The crossing was perfectly calm and the weather a delight.  It hasn't changed over the week we've had here in Victoria.  Some days have been warmer than others but basically the temps are in the low 20ºCs.

We unloaded the car then went to Christie's for supper (it's a tradition).  Glen had the stuffed yorkie which was huge while I enjoyed a Greek salad and pot stickers.  We drank Blue Buck beer while watching the antics of a bunch of lab techs who were celebrating two retirements.

Saturday involved mundane chores like grocery shopping and getting the van boosted as the battery had gone dead.  In the evening, we met friends from Calgary, Elma and Tony, and took them for a scenic drive around Victoria before dining at Penny Farthing in Oak Bay.  I had a fantastic bowl of Salt Spring Island mussels while Elma and Tony had wild salmon sandwiches.  Glen had fish and chips and again we drank Blue Buck.

Sunday we began to get serious about golf and hit the driving range.  Monday was Canada Day and we ordered our new stove which arrived a week later.  Tuesday we played 9 holes at Mt. Doug with two older women, Ronnie and Pearl.  It was nice for me to actually play with women.  Afterwards we met up with a couple we had chatted with last year, Rob and Yonnie and had coffee with them on the new patio at Mt. Doug.

Wednesday we did a banking run so went to Don Mee's for lunch.  We arrived at noon and I couldn't believe they had run out of sticky rice and sesame seed balls, two of my favourites.  However, they did have dumplings which were new and were shaped like tiny flying saucers.  They were tasty, too!   We then walked up Fort Street so Glen could buy his Cohibas at the Cuban Cigar Store.

We both had work to do over the course of the week and there are always chores that must be done but on Friday, we golfed at Cedar Hill with two Waynes.   They were older gentlemen and kindly gave us tips on improving our game.  I may have hit close to 200 yards on one of my drives.  Too bad my putting sucked.

Other than experiencing an earth tremor which made me feel like the couch had become a 'glider', we've had a pretty uneventful week and it is beginning to actually feel like a holiday.