No falling back........

Well it's been over a month, but the memories are still vivid. One of our adventures included going to the Butchart Gardens in Brentwood Bay, close to Victoria. It did not disappoint.

 

....the colour.....

......and the company! We took Ritsue's family for a one night jaunt to Victoria.

Well there's a funky little shack.......

......is someone afraid of heights, or just enthralled with the gardens?

'twas quite a view indeed!

Spotted this lizard. (Apparently an European wall lizard, not native to the Island.)

Once a poser, always a poser, nice pic!

Ritsue and her nephew in front of one of two totem poles brought to the Gardens in 2004 to celebrate the 100th anniversary.

Got lucky with the iPhone, wow, not bad, the bee's knees!

Spent the night at an Airbnb in Victoria. The view from the 14th floor.......

.......and the view as we navigated our way through some narrow alleyways in Chinatown.

Our destination! What a beautiful evening at Victoria Harbour and the B.C. Legislative buildings.

Looking back towards the iconic Empress Hotel, which opened way back in 1908. I got to stay there for 5 nights back when I was on the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay team.

It's a beaut, eh?!

The next morning we scooted over to Fisherman's Wharf, such a beautiful morning.

Happy posers!

One last look, time to hit the road........

A quick stop at Whippletree Junction in Duncan don't you know. (Not much to say, not a lot going on, I think it may have seen better days.)

Saving one of the best touristy things for last. That would be experiencing Rathtrevor Beach Park when the tide is out!

It was a little cooler on that day, but the rain held off and we had a lot of fun.

.....one last look...

.....then it was off to Beachcomber Regional Park in Nanoose Bay.

......"A" for effort?

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!

Ta-da!!!

That was almost the perfect day..........

.....and this made it the perfect day! All that adventuring made us awfully thirsty, so, where else to quench our thirst? Mount Arrowsmith Brewery of course!

.... without even my prodding, they ordered the Smokehouse feast all on their own. My goodness that is one trough of food!

.....and just like that, time was up, and off they went on the Hullo ferry back to Vancouver.

Parksville, Ritsue, and I are anticipating our next guests......

Will I see you in September.........

Well I did see this in September, ahhh, one of my favourite beach access points......

 

The sun rising on Doehle Ave, beauty start to the day!

Try to get down to these beaches at least once a day.....

......always something different......

Recently had a chance to see the Oceanside Generals hockey team. The are a junior A team in Parksville that play in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League. It was a pretty fast game, was impressed. (..and they beat Kerry Park 4-3 in OT, nice!)

Went to the game with this fellow on the left. Greg and I have been friends since we were 14. We met while we were both washing dishes at the same restaurant in Penticton. (That was more than a couple of years ago, wow.)

Him and his wife Gaye came all the way from Innisfail, Alberta just to see us! (Okay, that's a fib, his sister lives close by in Qualicum Beach, so he got to kill two birds with one stone.....)

Well, well. I came home from the hockey game and found all this on the dining room table, could it be?........

....and there they are! (Yes, we saw them in September.) Ritsue's family came from Japan for a visit. Let the games begin!

Took Ritsue's mom and sister for a walk in the hood, which includes the 104 step Doehle Beach Access grind!

Of course happy hour at the Bayside Resort was a Parksville must. Great deals and what a view of the Georgia Strait!

Ha, don't know why I'm trying to hide.......

The, every time they are or will be in town, this Bayside Resort photo op, pic.

Oh my, this is going to be good! Ritsue and fam picked up fresh salmon fillets at the French Creek Seafood market. Thanks to Ritsue, our kitchen is quickly becoming the best restaurant in Parksville!

One guess where we went exploring the following day. It was a beary nice start to our visit.

The second time here for Ritsue and I and it did not disappoint.

It all happened so fast but they got a quick glimpse of an Orca, yay! (Ha, it was gone by the time I went back to the truck to get binoculars.)

Does not look like it, but Alberni inlet feeds out into the Pacific, how beautiful!

Stopped at Cathedral Grove on the way back. So majestic!

.....and there's a majestic family right there!!

......leaves one a thinking, at least it does for me. Next up.................tbc.