Vancouver Island

We took the opportunity (excuse) while my parents are visiting to visit Vancouver Island. We have talked about doing it from the first time we came to Vancouver in 2008. But the time of year, that is weather, just didn't really work, so we hadn't been. That is until today.

We borrowed a Dodge Caravan from our friends in North Vancouver and headed for the ferry. Two reasons for borrowing the car, it is a little more space for 4 adults and 2 kids in car seats, and it is shorter than our Ford 350 dually truck. After a certain length the ferry charges you by the foot so it was cheaper in the shorter vehicle. Which is just as well, as we hadn't done our calculations right and when we got their found out it was $90 each way, not for the round trip! None the less we were committed and we made the trip. The ferry is huge (in ferry terms). It has a double decker car area and then a huge seating area with an extensive cafeteria and big screen tvs. The saturday we went was a big canucks hockey play off – so the TV area was packed with cheering fans.



Turned out to be the perfect day weather wise. About 22C and blue skys. We explored around downtown Victoria for a little while. Kids scootered through a treed park and then we walked along the waterfront where there is a lot of local crafts for sale.

Found the tourist shop and bought a pin or two for our collection. Madison taught herself to spell Canada from reading it on a glass sign on the outside of the shop (Note: 2 months later she can still spell it). Denver is getting less and less fond of entering shops – any shop – so we waited outside while the pins were found and purchased.

We went back to Butchet gardens, which we briefly stopped at on our way from the ferry to Victoria. The kids were free but adults were $26Canadian a pop. Gramma and Grampa took the kids and had an enjoyable 2 hours wandering around the world famous gardens. Le and I headed to the local store, where I discovered the national favourite “slice” nanaimo bars. We had been told of their legendary status in BC culture by friends at OK falls, so we had to try them. And I have to say – they are the richest slice I have ever tasted. One slice is enough (well you need at least 20 mins between pieces if you are a die-hard chocolate eater!).

As we had our own car we kinda meandered around a little. It is a very lush, green place. We went to a few different beaches – which already I can't remember the names of.

We only had a day there, and only saw a smidge of a very large island. We definitely need to go back and probably take the camper and spend a summer there. There are 250 small islands in between Vancouver Island and the mainland too … it is a very beautiful unique place to explore.