Roadtrip-Pacific Northwest

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

You're fast Mike! I will post photos from that party when we get home and get them loaded.

Just so our Gentle Readers know, the first picture in Mikey's line up was actually the last picture-I'm covered in "tattoos" at that point. The artist being my lovely daughter, who got bored and decided she needed to draw. Seeing as how there was no paper (actually, I'm sure Mike would have provided some) she chose me as her canvas.

I have photos loaded partly now, but they go back in time to Wednesdsay, July 28th. We're about to head back towards White Rock (in about 15 minutes!), so what better time to post about our arrival there.



We approached the border in the late morning.





There was essentially no line to get into Canada, but you should have seen the line up to get out! This surprises me, as after visiting Canada, I don't want to leave!

Here's the view while awaiting the crossing.


Great landscaping.





The Peace Arch.





Once over the border, we were informed that B.C. Canada is...



We agree!

We visited with Jamie's grandparents in White Rock, staying with his aunt and uncle, right across the street from the beach and promenade (which his uncle designed-the promenade that is, not the beach!).

We swam in the beautiful, warm, shallow waters all afternoon. We saw jelly fish, regular fish, a crab and a log was captured by the children. No pics of this idyllic time, bacause Jamie was too paranoid to take the camera out into the water (and I agreed!)



Here's the White Rock










We went for a nice walk along the promenade (leaving the kids with their great aunt and uncle)







And we got two new birds (a Mew Gull and a Ringbilled Gull)

Here's the fearless hunter, scanning the horizon for birds.





Everyone we passed was so nice and friendly! We got many comments of "Hey, Macleod!"



There was a young man balancing rocks along the shoreline.








That's all we have of White Rock. Next up will be Victoria, but those photos are not yet loaded and we have to start our run down the coast. We'll be home in 2 days, so I'll be on again then!

Be well,

Star

[shawhighlander]

Thoroughly enjoyed these pics! Your family is so well dressed...quite the grand display of kilts. Thanks for the tour!
Eoín

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

I've been driving I5 for 37yrs. I stop in Weed EVERY TIME for fuel, a snack or a smoke. It's tradition!

That big cinder cone mountain next to Mt Shasta is called Black Butte.

Well, we'll just have to stop on our way back home!

We got our photos loaded after all (we're back in Portland now and will be leaving very early tomorrow morning to try to make the run all the way back to San Jose), so maybe I'll do a bit tonight...


Where were we, anyway?

Ah, yes, the ferry to Victoria. Tea at the Empress. The Royal B.C. Museum, with docent Steve Ashton. A visit to Freedom Kilts. An amazing dinner and pool party with Macman and his gracious wife. Nursing a hangover and going to Butchart Gardens (these ones aren't loaded yet though).

I may have mentioned that we aren't big travelers. We've never been on a ferry, let alone the huge ones that travel between the mainland and Vancouver Island in BC. So, this was exciting for us!



Waiting in line for the ferry (luckily, we did have a reservation, since it was right before BC DAY and apparently the waits can be from 1.5 to 6 hours!)





One of the ferries, taken from the deck as we passed. We were on the Spirit of Vancouver Island. This one is the Spirit of BC, but I believe it's essentially the same ship.






The family on deck.







Sinbad, channeling a Golden Retriever in a car






Many tourists wanted their picture taken with us, well, with Jamie anyway. He finally got sick of the paparazzi (yeah, right!).




We enjoyed watching the ramp come down, so we could drive off the ferry.





We then drove straight to Steve and Bobbie's. Actually, we drove straight to their neighbor's house, since Jamie had written the address down wrong, but we soon got things sorted out! There, we quickly got dressed up for....





Tea at the Empress, etc, to follow soon...

Be well,

Star


More to come

[Alan H]

Fun stuff, Mikey!!!

...and I am enjoying the F-H.C.A.G's matching blouse to coordinate with Panache's hose. on the ferry!

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

I always do try to be a good accessory to my dear husband's outfits!

More pics to come tomorrow, but since we traveled over 13 hours (and nearly 700 miles!) today, I think I'll let things wait until tomorrow.

Be well,

Star

[McClef]

Great shots Jamie.

I have watched a lot of satellite views of border crossings and there is never a queue into Canada but there always is the other way around, also confirmed by personal experience at the Rainbow Bridge at Niagara Falls.

[McMurdo]

Great shots Jamie.

I have watched a lot of satellite views of border crossings and there is never a queue into Canada but there always is the other way around, also confirmed by personal experience at the Rainbow Bridge at Niagara Falls.

Having sat on that bridge for hours in the blazing sun, I beg to differ, in fact on the news last night they said there was a 3-4 hour wait to get back into Canada on the Peace Bridge.

[McClef]

Entering Canada via the Rainbow Bridge it was straight across, pay the toll a quick look at passport, stamp, and a cheery wave through and the second occasion they didn't stamp it again.

Coming back both times it was double check documents, not only passport but car hire documents but kept waiting for no longer than five minutes though.

Have not experienced the Peace Bridge but the satellite only shows about 16 vehicles in 4 separate rows at Fort Erie and about the same at Buffalo.

Guess some periods can be busier than others and satellite images are fixed moments in time though!

[McMurdo]

Yes some times are busier than others, I've also crossed several times with little problem, it's just that you never know. When I crossed the border to go see Barb and pick up the Royal Stewart, at the Queenston Lewiston Bridge, a woman's car broke down, making it an even longer wait.

There are also all the times I've crossed the border riding the motorcycle, some of those trips were fun.

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

Well, we waited a while on the way back, but it wasn't too bad.


Now, where was I?

Tea.

At The Empress.

It was an experience we had to have, but next time we go up north, we'll have tea at Butchart Gardens, where I've been told it's less expensive.

Afternoon tea was lovely, although warm (if the Empress has air conditioning, they weren't using it in the tea room). Jamie insisted that we dress up nicely for this, and I agreed. We didn't see anyone else dressed up nicely though!



Our party. Now, what you cannot see in this photo is the large coffee mug sitting down on the floor by Steve's left leg. He carried that into the tea room, and between sips of tea, he drank coffee!





Wee Xena was happy with her chocolate cupcake (and her brother's chocolate cupcake too!)




After eating two cupcakes and drinking hot chocolate, she declared, "Mommy, I feel sick!" Well, duh!


Her brother was less thrilled.



But he liked the lumps of sugar.

Who says sugar doesn't make children hyperactive?!







Jamie fit right in. Can you get that pinkie up just a little higher, Panache?





After tea, our hostess brought out cute little certificates, declaring our children to be the Prince and Princess of tea. Unfortunately, due to unusual names, she had our son as the Princess and our daughter as the Prince.

We soon got that sorted out.


We were told we had to visit the Bengal Lounge. We parked the children on the elephants near the entrance and went in to get a peek. Steve caught us on the way out-note how blurry the photo is-maybe a little less coffee?




After tea, we walked over to the museum.

Everywhere you go in Victoria, you see these beautiful hanging baskets of flowers. Apparently there is a company whose sole purpose is to drive around with a water truck and a guy holding a watering wand up on the back to water all these baskets.




We passed this Carillon on the way. I've never seen a musical instrument this large before!



Museum pictures to follow, but maybe not until later today-I've gotta go unpack and do laundry, etc. And we've got to go get our dog, Bella.

Be well,

Star