September 2017 - On the Road
Cheyenne WY Sep 2017
Six Word Saturday
We left Spokane WA at 8:30 and headed to Port Angeles WA
Lunch was in the pretty town of Snoqualmie.
We check into the Olympic Lodge in Port Angeles and it was wonderful.
We thought about going out to dinner but we both felt like putting up our feet!
Dinner was pizza from Gordy's which was very good, but folks, I'm Canadian, I want my toppings under the cheese!
Sunday
inSPIREd Sunday
One Word Sunday then a break until Oct 1
Shadow Shot Sunday
Up bright and early at 6 AM to catch the 8:30 Black Ball ferry to Victoria. You have to be there by 7:30.
Passports are checked, we pay our return fare and then assigned a lane.
Passports are checked, we pay our return fare and then assigned a lane. Then we go for coffee.
On board we settle with our books. Note to self: bring an extra sweater, it was cold.
We disembark, clear customs and head to Butchart Gardens. This has been on my bucket list for years! It is not cheap !! $32.60 per person.
It was a rather chilly and it eventually rained kind of day.
The Butchart Gardens is one of the top tourist attractions in Victoria, British Columbia and ranked by USA Today, CNN and National Geographic as one of the top display gardens in the World.
John had no idea this was on the list for this trip! He thought they were magnificent as well.
From there we drove to Sidney for lunch at the Surly Mermaid. My delicious fish and chips and John had fish tacos, both with snapper.
It was raining by then and we had been up since 6 so we were gland that we could check in early at the Wyndham in Victoria right nect to Fisherman's Wharf.
This is a gorgeous 2 bedroom condo with every amenity. We decided to go to the grocery store and cook in since that is the point of having a condo and it has a BBQ so steaks it is.
Plus I was able to get our laundry done.
Got a sunny photo later.
Monday
Monday Mural
Good Random Fun
Foto Tunes
Wordless
Travel Theme - STEPS and we did plenty in Victoria
Monday was a sunny day and we headed out to explore. We didn't leave until 10 as we enjoyed the condo and drinking coffee!
Click here for a really long post with lots of photos of Victoria!
And here is our day in a few photos!
Carriage ride $100 plus $20 tip for thirty minutes to tour James Bay, not bad but not a great tour.
A couple of signs on Government St.
John is just blooming!
Chinatown.
A fantastic lunch in FanTan Cafe with a gluten free menu!
We can across this handsome guy at the bottom of Johnson St.
The tourist map says Craigdarroch Castle is a mere 15 minutes away, nothing about the steep hill nor the fact that they meant 15 minutes driving! It was Monday and I was wondered they wouldn't be open...
No worries they took our senior rate of $13.25 each (a whole dollar off the regular price) and we really enjoyed the castle.
Craigdarroch Castle is a historic, Victorian-era Scottish Baronial mansion with 39 rooms.
You'll have to wait to see the inside!
Some of the food on display in the castle.
Definitely easier going down the hill back to the condo with some stops on the way.
Finally we sit and put our feet up before going out for dinner, fish and chips, 1 gluten free, from Fisherman's Wharf which we took back with us.
Tuesday
Tuesday Treasures Seattle 2008
We are taking the ferry today back to the States, Port Angeles to spend the night in Olympia WA as John really wants us to go to see Chihuly Glasshouse and Gardens in Seattle. What a guy!
Click here for our ferry ride, Port Angeles and the drive.
The ferry ride was much warmer than going over. We drank our cappacinos and read.
Then a look around Port Angeles at their murals and sculptures.
We stop in Safeway for some food for lunches and dinners. I think we have this eating on the road down to an art!
Wednesday
It is a dark and gloomy wet morning as we head into Seattle but it soon clears up and we have a perfect day to visit Chihuly Glasshouse and Gardens. Cost is $21 US per senior.
We've been up the Space Needle so no need to do that.
No waiting at the border and an easy crossing.
We checked into one of our timeshares Rosedale on Robson in Vancouver and walk to Gastown. We both been to Vancouver before, together and separately but years ago.
Our unit was great.
We did room service for dinner, fish and chips and a gluten free burger!
Thursday Doors Victoria
I pick up smoothies and bananas at 7-11 and then we decide to take a drive around Stanley Park before heading out.
Next stop Kamloops BC.
We're in a Hilton Doubletree, on points, but what a difference to the customer experience in Spokane. We were treated like Honors guests and received all our perks including breakfast.
I wrote a letter of complaint to Hilton about the Spokane debacle.
Sunset
Friday
Weekend Reflections Victoria
Friday Finds
After a mediocre (free) breakfast, I certainly would not have been happy to pay $15 each for it we decided to check out Kamloops murals.
WOW as we cross into Alberta we are blown away by the scenery.
We are booking into the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, our splurge of the trip. It is not cheap! The rooms are cabins dotted around the lake. Views - incredible!
Having a well deserved Jack's after the drive on our deck.
We both have the steak and frites in the Emerald Lounge for dinner at the resort. Exceptional service.
SHARING WITH:
Beth hosts Weekend Cooking where you can post anything food related.
All so interesting. I know exactly where you were standing to take the photo of the totems on the northern side of Vancouver Harbour. I have tried to pick up which ferry port you arrived at and departed from on Vancouver Island from Port Angeles? I should have suggested you visit Big Bad John's Bar in Douglas Street, Victoria. As bad as it was, it was great fun.
ReplyDeleteI always love to see all the street art you find. I'm American, but I like my pizza toppings under the cheese too. I really love Washington and British COlumbia -- I've not spent much time in Alberta; perhaps I should remedy that.
ReplyDeleteI'm a Seattle native, so seeing your photos from Snoqualmie, Port Angeles, and Victoria reminded me of childhood trips - so great! The food looked good too. :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots- especially to see Jasper.
ReplyDeleteI wish you hadn't put the notion for tamales in my head, Jackie! We're having meatball pasta. Ah, well- maybe tomorrow? Many thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOh, wow, I love this. This makes me want to pack my suitcase and hit the road again. I've never been to any of these places.
ReplyDeleteThis is my third try - blogger keeps saying "you don't own that identity" Have to say you know where to travel with great accommodations! Love the Burkhart Gardens! and the mural is one of the best I've ever seen!
ReplyDeleteHi Jackie, Lovely photos as ever, you do get around and as for the food? I like your choices! I used to believe that pizza toppings belonged under the cheese, but since trying pizza from a local bakery shop, I do enjoy their's with the filling on top.
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up with the #MMBC.