Jim and Lyndi's 2018 ZR-1 Road Trip to Glacier NP, Western Canada and the Rocky Mtns

[QB93Z]

We are in Victoria, BC for Canada Day. A big party!!!

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[QB93Z]

Day 12 - On Saturday we drove from Christina Lake, BC to Vancouver, BC. On this trip we decided to save touring in Vancouver for another trip. So the stop was just to wait for the ferry to Victoria.


On the way to Vancouver we drove through the City of Osoyoos, an interesting lake town that because it is surrounded by mountains, is technically a desert. With irrigation, the town has become a major producer of fruit and wine. There are a lot of resorts and boating activities. Property values are high for water front areas.








We stopped at a fruit stand that was offering 40 lbs of cherries for $40 (Canadian). I enjoyed looking at all of the "historic" farm equipment:





Since we didn't need to haul 40 lbs of cherries home, I had the bright idea to ask for a cherry milk shake. I got a weird look from the cashier who had never made a Cherry milkshake before, but she said she would give it a try. After 15 minutes of hand pitting a load of cherries, she spun up a very refreshing milk shake:





Jim

[QB93Z]

Day 13 - On Sunday, July 1, we boarded the BC Ferry at the marine terminal at Tsawwassen. I had reservations for the 9 am ferry to Victoria. We wanted to be at the ferry plenty early so we arrived at the terminal at about 7:30. After paying the fee, the attendant remarked that we could be on standby for the 8 am departure. Well that worked because we were the last car on the ship:








We live in Westminster, Maryland and were pleased to discover that the ferry was named the "Queen of New Westminster".





The ride to Victoria was cool and windy but we braved the storm and spent some time on deck. Lyndi got a picture of this nice lighthouse at Georgina Point, Victoria, BC:






Another navigation light as we approached the Swartz Bay ferry terminal:





to be continued....

[QB93Z]

After we arrived in on Vancouver Island, our first stop was in Sydney. We discovered that we had not realized that Canadians make a big celebration for Canada Day, July 1st, their 151 birthday as a nation. The streets were lined for a parade and many people were dressed up for the occasion:










Canadians honor their veterans. We enjoyed sitting with this statue of a veteran soldier:







We drove on to Victoria where a large celebration was in progress. We enjoyed the people, the food, the shopping and the music:








Later in the evening, we watched the fireworks from our room. HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!


Jim

[Weeberone]

I'm finding your road trip very entertaining and I love all the pictures!

If you guys are heading up north island, judging from your previous posts you may find the Nanaimo Bastion an interesting stop.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...mYdymiUEtZOuWc

[QB93Z]

We will not be able to run up to Nanaimo on this trip, we are boarding the ferry at 6:10 am tomorrow morning. I will add it to the bucket list. I am sure we will come back to Vancouver Island.


Jim

[HAWAIIZR-1]

I’m so jealous Jim! What an adventure and lifetime of memories for you and your wife. Thanks for sharing and safe travels.


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[QB93Z]

Day 14 - Sight-seeing in Victoria and Vancouver Island. Our first stop for the day was at Butchart Gardens which is about 45 minutes north of Victoria. The gardens were begun 100 years ago by the Butchart Family and is situated on a 55 acre abandoned limestone quarry. Many people recommended visiting the gardens and we agree that is worth the visit.





The gardens are very impressive, well laid out and visitor friendly.


After seeing the gardens, we drove around the east end of Victoria and enjoyed the view of Oak Harbor and the Victoria Golf Club. Lyndi took a nice picture of the Trial Island Lighthouse:





In the residential portion of Victoria there is a "castle" built by Robert Dunsmuir, a Canadian coal baron, railroad and shipping businessman. Craigdarroch Castle was built in the late 1800's:





As we drove along the coast road we stopped at Clover Point Park to watch a kite flying outing taking advantage of the off-shore wind:





We visited Canada's oldest China Town near the center city:





We returned to our hotel, the Days Inn on the Harbor for some adult beverages and dinner. From the Days Inn we watched the sea planes taking off in the harbor:





Jim

[G-Sting]

Great pics!

[QB93Z]

Day 15 - We drove from Victoria, BC to Tacoma, WA. After a wonderful time in western Canada, we got up at 4:00 am to be lined up for the ferry to Port Angeles, WA at 5:10 am. After a US Customs check, we boarded the Black Ball Ferry MV Coho.


The harbor was very calm as we headed out:





As we left Victoria, we passed an inbound cruise ship. The cruise industry brings 400,000 visitors a year to Victoria:





As we crossed the Straits of Juan de Fuca we saw the Olympic Mountain Range in the distance:





As we entered the harbor at Port Angeles, we spotted a group of seal lions frolicking in the surface:





As we neared the pier, we returned below decks to the car deck:





We drove south from Port Angeles to Tacoma, WA, a pleasant drive through the bays and inlets surrounded by fir forests. In Tacoma, on the coast of the Puget Sound we found a very busy grain elevator tha t was unloading grain cars from trains and loading a grain ship:





Jim