More Rain Per Year Than You Are Tall

Think as we might, we just couldn't find anything that needed doing today. I can't blame the one-hour change to the clock or much else.

Although this picture was taken from the balcony yesterday, not much has changed in the way of the weather. It remained just about as dark even though, perhaps, a tiny bit drier.


The weatherman on one of the local news channels has a weekend photo contest for different cities around our province. Viewers email their favourite, personal photographs which are then shown on air.

This morning, one of the highlighted cities was Port Alice, BC over on the northwestern section of Vancouver Island. We stopped there once on a big road trip, We got over to the island, headed up to catch a ferry from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert, and finally looped around through Prince George on the mainland to return home. We put 3,300 KM on the truck's odometer. It was in the spring thirteen years ago and I had my first digital camera.


An interesting thing about Port Alice is its annual rainfall totals. The town sees 3.4 meters, or about 11-1/4 feet, of precipitation per year. That is a lot of wet. So, learning this sort of put details about the Lower Mainland into a literally, clearer perspective. Now, I don't feel as though I should complain about the last five or so weeks in New Westminster.

Go West, Old Man!

I've been thinking about where we could go on a two or three day break over Christmas. With the day falling on a Sunday, we won't have the luxury of taking a whole week as we've so successfully accomplished in the past. That has sort of limited my pondering to an urban area which is an easy drive from here. Unfortunately, that criteria leaves relatively few choices.

We could go as far south as Portland, Oregon in six or seven hours of I5. Seattle'd be half that, of course. Ho hum. Or we could go over to the Okanagan, but going west might require snow tires. Even further west would bring us to Calgary which could be best done in an overnight Greyhound. Oh my back though! There's not much to see by heading north as I'd venture a guess that not much will be going on in Prince George over the holidays. We could ferry over to Victoria but we did that during the New Year.

Oh wait. There are other places over on the island. It is a 12,000-square-mile hunk of rock, after all. Yeah, perhaps we could escape to the city of Nanaimo for a few nights. It'd cost about a hundred bucks to take the pickup over and back on BC Ferries. Yet, if we arranged to stay right in town we could just take buses to the ferry terminals and then board as foot-passengers.

As there are only 80,000 people in that city, the selection of hotels isn't vast. We really cannot be considered hotel snobs by any means. For example, we spend several months during most years in hotels and we aren't ones to frequent brand names. Not that there's anything wrong with knowing what to expect; it's just we like the adventure of authentic lodgings. I noticed information about The Painted Turtle Guesthouse.



Oh, Internet, you've made discovering things so easy! The Guesthouse looks well ranked on TripAdvisor and it is right in the middle of town. Hum, that is something to think about, isn't it?

Bright Sun and TROFF

My feet are a little tired from all the walking we've been doing. We are also not used to weather that is near freezing. It seems very cold to walk around. Yet as the cold is here due to the clear skies, it seems worth it. It was lovely today.



This evening we went to see the new TRON in 3D. What a bit of a disappointment! It had a few special effects but for the most part was pretty light-weight. The original, back in the day, was cutting edge. I missed seeing the bit which could only say YES or NO. After all, he was binary. There was nothing near nerdy enough to please a person old and smart enough to have liked the original movie.

The Travel Makes the Trip

When it dawned on us we'd not been over to the Island since 2006, we decided we'd use a few days of promised sunshine to visit. Vancouver Island is off the coast of the Mainland BC. It is just about 300 miles long. We are now at the tip further south than the 42nd Parallel that designates the border between Canada and the US.

The capital city of our province is over here and we're in Victoria right now. Getting here today was effortless. We took the SkyTrain over the river into Surrey and boarded a Bus #620. We had one transfer but were dropped off at 10:40 just in time for the 11 o'clock departure of the BC Ferry. The trip takes one hour and thirty five minutes. After exiting, buses were waiting to take us the hour trip down into Victoria.

We are staying in a hotel called the Rialto. There are pictures of Venice on every wall. It's a boutique hotel which essentially means it is fancy updates to an old building. We really like it as it's on Pandora Street and within walking distance of everything in town.

Here's a picture that includes some of Victoria's Inner Harbor. In the opposite direction is the big BC Legislature.

Playing Local Tourists

So far this week, we've stayed close to home. Yesterday, it was great spending time in a tropical garden right in Vancouver. I do love the Bloedel Conservatory in Queen Elizabeth Park. The 70 foot high, clear dome was built in 1969. In it are mature tropical plants from all over the world. The Vancouver Parks Department owns the tourist attraction but it's now run by the VanDusen Botanical Garden Association. After taxes it costs just over five bucks to visit. On a cool, grey, rainy, December day in Vancouver it is priceless to spend a few hours beneath the tropical canopy accompanied by parrots and other avian. It honestly felt like a tiny vacation sitting in that small jungle.

Today, was movie day. Generally, movie tickets have become almost prohibitively priced. On Tuesdays, the Empire Theatres in Guildford, BC have general admission of $5.99 and it charges $8.99 for 3-D features. We saw True Grit first. Then, we went for coffee. An hour later, we returned for the most recent Narnia installment which required the glasses.

Tomorrow, however, we'll make a break for it. I just reserved two nights in a Victoria hotel. Rather than driving, we'll bus to the terminal and go on a BC Ferry as foot passengers. The buses on the island will whisk us into the capital of British Columbia.

In Remembrance . . .

I was waiting for inspiration before writing a blog entry today. Unfortunately, none came my way. We didn't go to any Remembrance Day event nor did we really make use of the day off.



This photo was taken in February of 2004 on a 3-day trip to Victoria, British Columbia. The BC Legislature was opening and this picture seemed a suitable salute on this day to those who protect our many freedoms.

We Have to Fly or Take a Boat

If you click this picture, you'll open Street View from Google Maps. As in this static image, you will see the The Fairmont Empress hotel and the inner harbor when it opens. After, you might want to take a look at the British Columbia Parliament Building by rotating to the right. (You may have to move several steps ahead as it will be hiding behind a tree.)

I thought I loved going over to the Victoria. It has been a really long time since our last visit though. I looked online and found it's been a bit over four years! Now I'm resolved to get over there soon for at least a weekend. Perhaps, we'd go more often if BC Ferries were cheaper.

Personally, we hold no grudge against the city for stealing the BC capital from my current town. After all, New Westminster lost that title in 1868. I shall let bygones be bygones.

What to Do Over Christmas?

We've still not decided what we're going to do next weekend. Usually we manage to get away for a short time. The photograph above was taken in Victoria on Boxing Day 2005. Rather than going somewhere, it'd be a good time to paint the bedroom. Nah, I don't think so.

Not Crossing the Strait

The weekend is on its way. Earlier in the month, we thought we might head to Salt Spring Island. After all, we thought, the weather is bound to improve as we get closer to the end of June. It really hasn't. Sunday is due to be a complete washout; therefore, we decided not to make a three day weekend at this time. I begin with a new class on Monday and work only two of the next five Fridays. Jay can take a sick day when the weather on a future weekend promises sunshine.

I don't think we've been over to Vancouver Island yet this year. Last year we cruised through Victoria on a Holland American cruise from San Diego. I think the last time we were on a ship of BC Ferries was after Christmas in 2005. The fares and cost of vehicle seem too expensive to just pop over for a quick unplanned journey!

Find, Scan, and Post

I like taking something ten years old and being able to modify it for use in this blog. In this case a photo from a trip to Victoria in the summer of 1997 has become an entry.

May's Days

The month of May seems as if it has already been quite long but we've still got tomorrow remaining. I added a few entries to my myhistory.doc file. That's the place where I write a single line of actions for each month. I started this word processing document as an aid to help me remember specific occasions of my life. It's been sitting on a hard drive for years and years. The file continues all the way back to 1981, the year I graduated from college. Here are Mays for the past few years:

2006 - SD to Van Cruise (3 htl-5 night ship) Afternoon BCIT (#30), New Sofa.
2005 - One night at Lynne & Joel’s, New York City 7 nights, Weekend BCIT (#24).
2004 - Visited Bret/Joel in Seattle, Bought DV camcorder. BCIT (#22).
2003 - Nothing listed.
2002 - Trip to Tofino, Island, & Sunshine Coast, BCIT Class (#15).
2001 - Took Alaskan Cruise.

ms Veendam in Victoria

Holland America starts its Alaska Cruise season tomorrow. In order to waste time on this repositioning cruise, we docked all day at Victoria. It is a delightful town for tourists as it still seems a bit British. However, it was not new to us as we live just across the water and visit from the Southern Mainland fairly frequently.

Today, we strolled leisurely into town. We bought tickets for Mystic India at the National Geographic IMAX that's part of the British Columbia Museum. The show was worth going to. Everything looks spectacular in IMAX format.

We returned to the ship for late lunch at the final show of the journey. It was nice having a hotel room waiting at the dock.

Something from a Past April

I just completed a quick search of a document called myhistory.doc. It's that one where I try to add something I do each month just to keep long-term track of times that we take vacations, or other events.

Today, I was looking for something to post from a historical perspective. I just wanted to find something from a prior April. I discovered that we once travelled to Nainamo, BC with friends, Tim and Jiwan. Nainamo is over on the island. We spent a night there and a second in Victoria before coming back over. That was the year 2000. I find it hard to believe it was six years ago! Where does the time go?

The 'Queen of the North'

If you followed the news yesterday, you undoubtedly heard about the sinking of a BC ferry. Apparently, no people were lost or seriously injured.



This was taken aboard the ferry that is now gone. We had just left Port Hardy at the northern tip of Vancouver Island. The Queen of the North was heading north towards Prince Rupert. This was back in April of 2003. People from elsewhere have a difficult time picturing the actual size of this province. We were out on a road trip to see a bit of it ourselves.

Read an email with photos which was sent to friends and family upon our return from this trip.

A Night Out of Town

There's no better way to make one feel great about living in this part of British Columbia than a beautiful ferry ride over to Victoria. We had fair weather with the big storm not coming until we were sound asleep at the Dominion Hotel.

Going and coming completely by public transit proved easy and relaxing, not to mention cheaper. As hordes of people were finishing up their Christmas days off, there were tremendous crowds returning to the Mainland this afternoon. If we had driven, we would have been stuck in a three-ferry wait. Yet, there's always room for foot passengers! We got back a number of hours earlier by taking buses on either side of the 1.5-hour ferry run.

A Boxing-Day Queue?

In Canada, today is Boxing Day. It's the ultimate, post-Christmas, sales extravaganza. So successful in fact, it has changed people's gift-buying habits. Many Canadians hold off their purchases until the sales start.

However, due to the fact there's nothing that we really want that we haven't already purchased, we will not be waiting in queue for a store to open. Rather, we've decided to take a trip over to the Island.

We should be onboard the 10:00 Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay run. For a bit more adventure, we're not driving over this time. For the first time, we will discover if it's easy to connect up using public transit. If you happen by this blog before our departure time, you'll be able to see how many vehicles are waiting in this live webcam. (Just reload your screen to update.)

We'll stay for one night and should be back by Tuesday evening. Perhaps, I'll leave my notebook computer at home this time. I can write the entry for that day after we get back.

The Day Away

Yesterday was a rainy day, not one with just showers, but an almost continuous pouring rain. I'm now officially from the 'left coast' as it seemed very normal and comforting.

The exhibition was interesting. Of course, when you've seen one ivory, early dynastic period, mid-1st Dynasty, reign of Den (ca. 2985 B.C.) plaque, then you've seen 'em all! Sorry, no photos were allowed inside the exhibit. Be sure to click the first and last link in this entry for two other photos though.

There was a geocache at the harbour so we took twenty minutes after eating sandwiches, and found it.

The transport was comfortable and easy. I would recommend Pacific Coach Lines if one is considering driving over to downtown Victoria from the Southern Mainland.

See You Soon, Mummy

We decided that we wanted to see the BC Royal Museum's Eternal Egypt Exhibit. It's only runs till the end of October, and today was a good option.

A trip to Victoria is always fun. Yet, in order to pay a visit to the provincial capital, one needs to first get over to the island. The most practical way is on a BC Ferry. We've always driven but the midweek, round-trip price for the truck and two people now adds up to $88.50.

We noticed that Pacific Coach Lines is running a special that includes a free ferry passage and reserved access to the Museum. We can get to their downtown Vancouver bus station by SkyTrain and they will later drop us off right in downtown Victoria. The cost is nearly the same but there's no need to worry about a line-up at the ferries, traffic, or parking.

We're off for a 7:45 departure and will return, on our open tickets, in the evening. I'll post a couple of pictures tomorrow.

Little Shake

Last night, I thought it was weird that the vinyl blinds were rattling in the middle of the night, as the window was not open and wind could not have moved them. I wondered why I awoke at one o'clock. I muttered something about an earthquake and rolled over and immediately went back to sleep.

The news this morning confirmed there was one centered on the other side of Vancouver Island. It is often true that Vancouverites have more in common with those from San Francisco than Toronto!

Pomp

One week ago today, when we were in Victoria, the Legislative Assembly re-opened for its spring session. The whole affair turned out to be quite a big deal. We heard the sound of the cannons. The crowd on the lawn wasn't too large, but there were several 'protesters' on hand. We spotted the Premier, Gordon Campbell, greeting Iona Campagnolo, the Lieutenant Governor. They climbed the main, red-carpeted stairs. (The Premier's role is similar to that of a US governor and Ms. Campagnolo is the official BC representative for the Queen of England and officiates at important, provincial events.)

The story of why an island city hosts the seat of of government is rather interesting. Maybe I will comment on that at some future date.