Mt. Rainier and Lenticular Clouds - Dec. 2008 copyright: JMM

May 16, 2007

O Canada!

I love Canada. I do. I've always been fascinated by our neighbors to the north, ever since we went to Niagara Falls in 1975 when I was 10. And of course the story of the Edmund Fitzgerald intrigues me to this day.


Now that the summer ferry schedules have finally been posted, I am in the process of making plans for the annual "It's All About Me" trip to British Columbia. Usually I take the passenger-only Victoria Clipper out of Seattle, and stay overnight. However, that limits me to covering ground on foot, and means that I am speed walking like a crazy woman trying to hit all my fave stores and places. Last summer I drove up to Vancouver and stayed several days, and so I decided I'm going to stay a few days on Vancouver Island, and take my car.

So I'll be taking the MV Coho Ferry, pictured here, out of Port Angeles, WA. The trip is only 90 minutes across the Strait of Juan de Fuca, into Victoria. This ferry's car deck is enclosed; you drive inside the ship from the back.Here's a nice aerial of Victoria, showing the Clipper and Coho dock right smack in the middle of Inner Harbour. I hope that the weather is nice so that I can visit Mt. Malahat north of Victoria; apparently this is what the view looks like! Purty, innit?


And I hope to do the Prince of Whales whalewatch as well. Being from Cape Cod, I have always been very comfortable on boats and don't get seasick. This, however, is a very small, very fast boat so here's hoping I have my sea legs and nothing else.Last time I went to Victoria I paid for the package tour of Butchart Gardens. However they didn't really give us much time there b/f the bus left, so again, I powerwalked the entire place in 30 minutes and didn't get to savour it. This time, I want to take my time.And I'm gonna visit Chemainus, pictured below, home of about 30 some-odd murals. This here is the beach at French Beach Provincial Park. I'll be taking my metal detector with the hope of finding treasure. Finally, I will depart from Sidney, BC, on the Saanich Peninsula, north of Victoria...

...to head home on the Washington State Ferry...(but not the one pictured here b/c you can see Mt. Rainier and I will not see Rainier from the ferry that leaves from Sidney)........which will cruise through the San Juan Islands....
...with views of Mt. Baker in Washington, if I am lucky enough to get a clear day.
The WA State Ferry, which has an open car deck, will arrive in Anacortes, WA (seen below), after a relaxing ride of a little over 2 hours. Thanks to Google Images for all of the pictures.

13 comments:

  1. Sounds like fun1I always wanted (and still do) to visit Cape Breton,the most Scottish place in the world!It was not easy to get to,thus many Scottish traditions were kept in place there,unlike Scotland and their American descendants.

    I would be pleased to go to Nova Scotia as a whole though!

    I hope you have fun (well I KNOW you will) and take LOTS f photos!

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  2. Hey I'd be happy to go to Nova Scotia w/ you! Always wanted to see it.

    As for the pictures, I'll be armed w/ my digital camera, my newer Pentax SLR loaded w/ colour film and my 20 year old Pentax K-1000 loaded w/ b&w film. Just a bit of overkill, but what the heck. All I know is, it had better be nice. Pac NW weather is such a crapshoot, even in the summer.

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  3. Anonymous2:58 PM

    Canada was VERY kind to Michelle and I when we got 'diverted' there for 4 days on 9/11.
    Have a GREAT time!

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  4. Anonymous4:02 PM

    Oh Canada - my home in t-minus four months. :D

    Haha. Eight hours until I'm allowed to drink in Quebec!

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  5. Kathleen - spoken like a typical college-bound student!! ;)

    I hope you realize I feel ancient knowing you are turning 18!

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  6. I have always wanted to visit Saskatchewan. I even sent away for tourist info one year. I can't seem to get anyone else on board for this. I think it would be a fun RV trip.

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  7. Anonymous9:39 PM

    julie....

    byootiful. I bet you are counting the days. I hope the weather cooperates the whole time.

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  8. Anonymous10:01 PM

    Haha, but of course.

    Anytime anyone wants to go to a Leafs game- pssssh, let me know. :D

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  9. Okay, I want to go there and see.

    These pictures are BEAUTIFUL, thanks for sharing these!

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  10. What a trip! Maybe you can meet up with Don when you're there. He's over here from Saturday starting a European tour, can't wait to see him again. It'll be 5 cousins together + spouses.

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  11. Erm - the Edmund Fitzgerald? WTF?

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  12. Anonymous10:25 AM

    I can't wait for your photos - they are always so great1

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  13. your trip sounds great and i'm already looking forward to your pictures.
    i think i should visit the niagara falls when i'm over in the US and hop over to canada for a few days maybe. i'd love to go there and meet all the supposedly nice people. :)

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