Consider this a postcard. Yes, we had a great time and we wish you were there! Pete, Davyd and I spent last week on Vancouver Island. I have thought about going there since 1978.
We took the Anacortes ferry to Victoria, British Columbia and explored the southeast quarter of the island. Riding ferries always adds a romantic notion, who doesn't love cruising archipelagos?
We were smitten by the small farms around Cowichan Bay and fell in love with the artisan cheeses and breads at Hillary's Cheese Shop. Walking the labyrinth at Demali Lavender Farm was a sensory delight. My favorite B&B was Arbutus Bluff on Gabriola Island (yes, another ferry ride). We were surprised by a pod of Orcha's just a hundred feet in front of us along the beach there. Next, the origin of my curiosity - Strathcona Provincial Park. We took a seven-mile alpine hike to add to the beach walks on the smaller islands. In between, we ate plenty of fish (halibut-yum) and chips with Canadian ale. A day in Victorian and then Seattle paled compared to the quiet island pace, though I did enjoy the Seattle Art Museum.
If your curiosity is roused, you can get reasonably priced direct flights on Canadian Air from Chicago to Victoria. One could easily make a long weekend of it. Next time, I would definitely stay at Arbutus Bluff again, and add a night and Damali and splurge to stay at Brentwood Bay Lodge/Spa. Don't miss the the bread and cheese in Cowichan Bay enroute. I'd be tempted to make it a couple weeks though to explore the whole island.
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