Victoria and the Sunshine Coast

 

In Victoria, the harbour is a place that many tourists flock to, and we too sometimes go there for a walk in the evenings or on the weekends.  Here is a colourful scene with assorted sailing boats (there was a race the next day), along with the famous Empress Hotel in the background.

  

 Speaking of walks, one weekend we did a steep climb to a viewpoint (Mt. Finlayson) in Goldstream Provincial park just outside of Victoria. 

 

The same day in Goldstream provincial park, we did another steep climb--it's funny how BC has its shares of steep hikes!--to a trestle bridge affording another great view of the area.  If you will notice only Tony ventured out on the bridge, as it was a bit daunting for those with a fear of heights (or those who have enough sense to stay safely off such lofty bridges).  Eventually, Carolyn ventured out, but only on the promise that Tony would not let go of her hand!

 Here Tony applauds the "running of the goats" in Beacon Hill park near our apartment.  (Actually, that is not Tony, who is considerably older...). The goats are released from the pens promptly at 10am each morning and they race down paths to a feeding area.  It is quite the sight, but make sure you don't get too close or you could be run over!

 On a recent weekend, we took a road trip.  We first stopped in Vancouver where Tony met with a colleague from the University of British Columbia. After Vancouver (a beautiful, dynamic city!), we headed up the mainland of BC to what is called the Sunshine Coast. To get there you have to cross a number of channels by ferry.  It is not a burden to take these ferries as they often are a great way to view beautiful scenery. Speaking of beautiful, here Carolyn poses at the railing of our first ferry, with mountains and ocean in the background.

 The first stop on the Sunshine Coast is a town called Gibson's Landing made famous by the fact that it was the town site for the CBC television show of the 1970s called "The Beachcombers".  Here is a local haunt that the regulars of the show used to frequent--Molly's Reach.  This picture is for you, Brian! 

 

On the Sunshine coast, there a number of towns and sites that we visited, including Sechelt a growing village with lots of retirees. Sechelt was also  a one-time home of  Carolyn's grandparents (Joan's parents), so we visited the area where they used to live.  Another stop was Skookumchuck Provincial park, where tidal effects are dramatic and often create strong rapids and whirlpools. Here a boat navigates up the rapids. 

In the town of Powell River, we stayed in an atmospheric B &B (the old courthouse) set in the heart of the old historic district that includes an old paper mill and lots of old buildings.  Powell River is an interesting contrast of features.  It contains beautiful scenery along with being an old logging town embracing its past but also trying to re-invent itself.    

 

At the end of the road on the Sunshine coast, is the town of Lund. The town actually contains the end of road 101, a west coast highway that starts in South America and, yes, literally ends in Lund (no roads beyond it).  Here Tony surveys the scene from a small tourist booth at the harbour.

 
We have done our share of weekend roadtrips, and on this one to the Sunshine coast we achieved a bit of a milestone (or is it kilometerstone?)  when we reached the 5000km mark in our new car!

Clearly, though, more adventures still await us and our new car. Love to all.  C& T