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

September 19, 2010

OK. I am SO Going

After reading comment on my last post and comments on Facebook, I decided to throw caution to the wind and just GO. By the time I got done applying the special Facebook discount and my AAA Membership on top of their massive fall sale, round trip transportation and one night at the magnificent Hotel Grand Pacific (check it out!) came to a whopping $140. At first I was hesitant because in the late fall and the Clipper doesn't leave Victoria till 6 pm, and it arrives in Seattle at 8:45. It's a bit later than I wanted, because it'll be dark and I have to walk a few blocks to get to the parking garage. On the other hand, it's never once been in the news that the ferry terminals have a crime problem. The garage where I always park is the one advertised on the Clipper website as the best place to leave your car, and it's open till 11:30 pm. But on the up side, leaving at 6 pm gives me a whole, full day in the City. I don't even have to check in at the ferry terminal till 4.

By the way, do check out The Victoria Clipper website. Watch the slideshow on the home page and the slide after the "Big Colourful Fall Sale" one is a photo of the Gates of Harmonious Interest, by fellow blogger Ben Madison, who is a magnificent photographer and runs the Victoria Daily Photo Blog. It's a unique angle of the Chinatown gates and the text says, "VICTORIA. How long has it been since you've been?" I took that as another sign that I had to go since that particular question was posed on a photograph by someone I know.

Anywho, I have a fairly jam packed and extremely ambitious, itinerary and we'll see what I can actually accomplish. In a perfect world, I'll be taking a Harbour Air float plane tour which is on my bucket list, shooting pics of everything I've already taken pictures of till I drop, doing the Ghostly Walks Tour of Old Town & Bastion Square, hopefully with my friend Moriah who is going to try to meet up w/ me for dinner and the tour. The day I leave, I'll get up wicked early and see what I can do and see. If I rent a car, which I'm seriously considering, I will be free to go to Craigdarroch Castle, the Fisgard Lighthouse and other places. Not sure if I can squeeze in Butchart Gardens or the Butterfly Gardens.

To say I'm wicked stoked would be an understatement. I don't even care if it rains. Thanks for shoving me in this direction!

12 comments:

  1. Modest little hotel then!

    Have a great time - whenever it is you are going. You don't actually say...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Whoa! You go on!

    Looking forward to seeing and reading all about it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Val - Oh yeah! DUH! I am going up on Thursday 10/21 on the 8 AM ferry which arrives at 10:45, then I come home on the 6 pm ferry on Fri. 10/22. And I heard from Moriah and she's definitely meeting me for dinner and the Ghostly Walks tour. Woot Woot!

    PF - All the photos I'll be shooting will be repeats of repeats, but I don't care. As Brian always says to me, 'try not to come back with 600 pictures of the Empress again'. lol

    ReplyDelete
  4. Moriah8:03 PM

    and Moriah can't wait to see you!! (just not too many pictures of her please, you don't want to frighten your blog fans away...) ;-P

    ReplyDelete
  5. No pics of me either Moriah!! LOL

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous8:52 PM

    Excellent JoJo, I admire your spontaneity. Looking forward to hearing about your adventure.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous10:25 AM

    Fabulous - have a WONDERFUL time!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. "VICTORIA. How long has it been since you've been?" It's been over 30 years for me. So go for it, JoJo, and have a wonderful time!!! Ghostly Walks tour sounds like fun. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. You have to wait a month! Great anticipation though.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hell yes!!!
    I'm so happy for you babe! Can't you fit me into your suitcase?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Good for you! I can live vicariously through you. :-D

    Hope you have a marvelous time!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am SOOO jealous of your trip plans!!! I have actually never been to Victoria, but its on my short list of places to visit soon. Have a WONDERFUL time, and take lots of pics :)

    ReplyDelete