Good Times in Victoria

A Canadian Capital

I love Canada’s Pacific Coast. I’m glad John and I had the opportunity to travel back to Victoria, the capital of the Canadian province of British Columbia. Victoria is also known as “The Garden City” and it lives up to that name. It’s located on Vancouver Island’s southern end.

Wednesday makes for an early start for a weekend

It’s not always a straight shot to the airport. After smooth sailing up Interstate 25 and most of the way up I225, all traffic was being diverted off the highway at 17th Place. We had to travel west to Peoria and north to I70 in order to get to the airport. Then after parking way out in the economy lot and walking all the way through short term and the garage, we got our bags checked in and were met by four long lines at security funneling into the two open stations. I guess that’s the downfall of an early flight. Snacks have to come out in security now but, whew, I was glad I had them all in one plastic container.

We flew Air Canada from Denver to Vancouver with just 20 passengers total on our airplane so there was plenty of room to move about the cabin. This enabled us to move forward to the exit row for more leg room. We napped a bit the first half of the way to catch up from our 1:45am alarm. I finally got some much needed coffee after our flight attendant forgot it – twice.

We then took a small plane over to Victoria. Flying so low and close to the landscape allowed us to take it all in. The last time we visited Victoria, we came from Vancouver via ferry. It’s nice to try out the alternate means of transportation. The ferry was fun and leisurely but the flight was so much quicker. We took a cab from the airport since our friends we were meeting would be arriving with their car this evening. This trip we stayed at the Strathcona Hotel on Douglas Street which is right in the center of the action.

The Strathcona is an old Victorian hotel in a great location downtown. The rooms were dated but clean and parts of the hotel were being renovated. Our room looked down onto the rooftop patio which was closed at the time since is was October. There was on-site dining and various pubs which was nice. We tried out the Sticky Wicket, The Clubhouse, The Games Room and Big Bad John’s during our stay. The Distrikt was a nightclub that we didn’t go to that features music and lights.

Exploring Victoria

After getting settled in, we ventured out. We eventually decided to look for a place to eat. Our lunch was a tasty treat at The Local followed by a couple beers at the Sticky Wicket. The Inner Harbour was close so we walked around there to get our bearings of the area. Chinatown was only a short walk away as we came up from the water’s edge. It is the second oldest in North America after San Francisco’s. It was small but had a sampling of all things you would expect to find. We also checked out the Victoria Public Market at the Hudson and Bastion Square.

After taking a short break at the room, we headed back out since we are not ones to just hang out in the same place for long. We popped into the Sticky Wicket for a tasty beer and some hockey viewing – the Colorado Avalanche vs the Penguins. Quite the treat as not all games are aired at home. Sadly the Avalanche lost. Not sure what time our friends would arrive, we munched on some yummy cauliflower tempura for dinner.

Now to walk it off. We passed the Bug Zoo and a restaurant called the Courtney Room on Courtney Street. I know a Courtney that loves to travel. Maybe she will dine here some day. After that we walked back down by the harbor and took pictures of the docked boats as well as the government buildings all lit up. The Fairmont Empress Hotel had lights as well. I can’t believe how early it gets dark in October.

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We came upon a statue called “The Homecoming” down by the water that depicts a Canadian sailor returning to his daughter after deployment. Quite touching. There were a few other interesting additions as well.

On our way back to the hotel there was a Horror Escape Room Experience. Maybe we will have to check it out. I just did my first escape room on a girl’s trip in September. It was fun even though we failed to escape.

We had planned on picking up our fishing licenses at Island Outfitters but found out our fishing trip was a no go – due to weather – or so we were told. I guess John isn’t meant to fish the Canadian waters. Second try-second miss.

There is always room for an alternate plan

Thursday was now open to discover more of Victoria. We met up with Railin and Jenia for continental breakfast at the hotel. They arrived late last night via the ferry from Seattle. The decision was made that we would go to Craigdarroch Castle.

The castle was quite interesting. It is amazing how much history one place can have. It played so many different roles throughout time. The castle was not a huge place so we were done exploring it by noon. We still have a lot of daylight!

The fall colors here are amazing! So many more deep reds and oranges than we are used to in Colorado. After driving by Beacon Hill Park, we stopped for lunch at the Beagle Pub. A sports pub – and John has on his Avalanche sweatshirt – in Canada! Well that made for a fun time as the locals were booing him and giving him a hard time. Our waitress even instigated a practical joke on the owner as she provided John with his cell number so he could call in a complaint. When we were leaving he was yelling at us from a second story window…. and inviting us back at the same time. Good beer, good food and good times!

During lunch we decided that although John and I had been to Butchart Gardens we wouldn’t mind seeing it again with friends, and oh how happy I am that we did! The last time when John and I came it was in July, and it was beautiful, but October had a surprise in store! As I said, the fall colors have been amazing and the flora at the garden would not disappoint.

The Broncos were playing the Chiefs this evening so we went to the sports bar called “The Games Room” at our hotel to cheer on another of our Colorado teams. The Broncos were skunked. It was such a fun night with our new travel buddies. Drinking and visiting and planning for the next day.

A road trip to Spirit Bay

Friday was a cloudy, cloudy day. After meeting for coffee at the hotel, we decided to head to one of the many Tim Horton’s for breakfast. They are extremely abundant around Victoria – we have spotted several. Tim has a pretty large selection of food and it was pretty darn good.

It was still cloudy as we arrived at Chenuh Marina in Spirit Bay where we were to leave from on our fishing excursions. Apparently boats had gone out that morning, just not our boat with Good Time Dave – how disappointing. The boat was there tied up to the dock in the calm water. I would have loved to gone out even for a shorter trip. There were some seals playing near the boat ramp and some birds to entertain us. We visited with a few people and were told that October is not a good time for halibut fishing anyway.

On the way back to Victoria, we stopped at the trailhead for the Trestle Bridge Hike. It was sprinkling so we geared up and grabbed the umbrellas. That is when the clouds decided to open up and pour down on us in torrents. No hiking today. Thanks for driving through the storm Railin.

Heading back into Victoria, we stopped at Fisherman’s Wharf Park on the other side of the inner harbor. An area with a lot of B&B houseboats and restaurants – meh – not too exciting. It may have a different ambiance on a sunny day where you could sit along the water and enjoy some food and beverages while watching the seals.

A late lunch at Finn’s was a highlight of our day. I had to have halibut instead of Fish & Chips like everyone else as the oil they use is for a variety of shellfish as well. The halibut was super yummy so I was not sad in the least bit. Other than I could have eaten more. The rainy view of the harbor was nice.

After lunch, we went to get a closer look at Chinatown, stopping in a few of the shops and navigating the narrow alleys. Fan Tan Alley is named for a gambling game and at one point is only 35 inches wide, the narrowest street in Canada. John bought a bike sculpture, his usual travel souvenir. Railin and Jenia found a few things as well.

Upon returning to the hotel, we freshened up a bit and met in Big Bad John’s – full of peanuts on the floor and bras hanging from the ceiling. We were allowed to carry our beers to the sports bar next door where we hung out for the evening. We ordered the Mac and Cheese as recommended by a girl the day before and it was quite yummy. There was a keno-like gambling game that provided a little excitement. Danced past 11:00pm before heading off to bed.

Saturday in the park

Breakfast was eaten at the hotel and we said our goodbyes to Railin and Jenia. They are leaving us this morning. They are taking the ferry back to Seattle.

We walked past the Royal BC Museum and saw most of the park before realizing we had walked right past the museum. On our way in the right direction, we stopped at Thunderbird Park – full of totem poles, a village house and monuments. The museum was not very crowded and we learned a lot about the area we were enjoying. I bought a couple ornaments made by a local artist in the gift shop.

Bartholomew’s Pub is where we ended up for lunch. John had the meat loaf and I had Mac & Cheese. I know, I just had some last night but, hey, it’s good up here. Canada is another place, like Europe, that doesn’t provide free refills on sodas or ice tea. Our waitress informed us there would be a charge each time John asked for more tea. She didn’t want any trouble.

We went back to the hotel for a short nap and John popped downstairs and brought peach cobbler and a brownie with ice cream to the room from the Sticky Wicket for us to share for dessert. So yummy!

It seems too soon to go home

Although we came up here to fish for the weekend and those plans got scrapped, we still had a wonderful time. We checked out of the Strathcona, which is being renovated, and headed for the airport. It would be interesting to see what they do with the place. It was currently a little dated but comfortable.

The airport food for breakfast left a lot to be desired. John’s cinnamon roll was hard and his oatmeal, not so tasty. I was glad I only ordered a latte.

We made it to Vancouver and had a bit of a layover. I went to check our flight status on my phone and there was nothing. Somehow we had gotten unchecked in even though the two flights were on the same itinerary and we had already completed our first leg. I’m so glad I happened to check. We got it all straightened out but our seats weren’t together.

We ate burgers at the Canuck Grill which were good but expensive. I know, Avalanche fans should not be eating at a Canuck’s establishment, but that’s all that was available. John was seated next to a couple on the flight so we were unable to switch seats and sit together but it’s a relatively quick flight back to Denver anyway. We got back early, collected our luggage and headed out. There was an issue with credit cards to exit parking. Thank goodness we had cash. Headed home after a great long but quick weekend.