After an emotional goodbye in the morning, it was time to move on to the ocean.
Hugs and goodbyes all around, it was great seeing my cousin again, and the hospitality of her family was legit. Her hubby was a great guide, her girls (to be honest, I barely saw them as they kept Hunter and Ainsley entertained for hours on end) I just can’t say enough about, and her son Michael was a spark plug of entertainment. Never have I enjoyed so much being referred to as “bro”. I still laugh remembering it.
We made our way to the Port of Twassseasnfjsjbskajfuhsjisn to catch our ridiculously overpriced ferry ride (like legitimately, it was $105 one way) to crossover to Vancouver Island, home of our friends, the Curls and my cousin Paul (Wendy’s “bro”).
It has been millenia since I’ve been on a ferry. So long so that I don’t really Even remember. It was an amazing trip though, crossing the Strait of Georgia to Swartz Bay, just north of Victoria. Kathy didn’t like it much, but it was gorgeous nonetheless. The water, wind, sky, smell of the ocean was perfect.
When we arrived on the island, we dropped into the info centre looking for souvenirs. Another disappointment. I wonder how much money the government could take in to offset all of the pamphlets they print, wages they pay, buildings they maintain if only they sold a solid selection of official souvenirs.
Anyway, we learned that just down the street in Victoria, was Mile Zero, a marker that was to be the end of Terry Fox’s great Marathon of Hope, also featured another statue and tribute. My ignorance was astounding, and I decided we needed to see it before heading to meet with the Curls. It should’ve been a short detour.
We also took the opportunity to dip our feet in the ocean here, just in case we couldn’t make it to our goal destination.
As Kathy has learned for the second time in her life, the ocean tide hates her. It attacked her on the shore of PEI just less than 2 years ago, and here it nailed her as well. Kathy hates the ocean.
Remember I said short detour? Yeah, no. People of Victoria are terrible drivers and rush hour was nuts.
It took us way longer than it should have to ascend upon the Curl family. However, we did arrive in time for a supper.
We were greated warmly by the family of CAF Cpl. Curl and his wife Melissa, a wonderful baker and hostess.
We had a tasty and plentiful supper in a picturesque house in the deep woods of Victoria Island in the mountain before being escorted to a wonderful looking park that had become a notorious hang out for Pokémon Go trainers.
Like serious, there were numerous Pokémon and Pokéstops all in one location.
It was a gorgeous park though.
Afterwards, we were brought to Fort Rodd Hill to a glorious sunset and apparently more Pokémon.
Melissa found the elusive Psyduck.
After that, it was time to hit the hay.
Notes:
- Don’t mess with BC Ferries. They know how to break the bank.
- It was a gorgeous ride though.
- Melissa Curl is a wonderful host and entertainer, along with being a brilliant chef.
- The Pacific West is glorious.
- There are a lot of pot shops in Victoria. And everyone looks like they were at Woodstock.
- The original Woodstock.
- And I guess the younger people may have been at Woodstock v.2