If you look at a map, Vancouver Island is located across the Straits of Juan de Fuca portion of the Salish Sea from Port Angeles WA.  And the southern tip of the island near Sooke, BC is about 50 miles below the common 49^th parallel border of Canada and the US.  So, a portion of the State of Washington kind of wraps around the southern tip of the island. 

We were taking the Black Ball Ferry MV Coho from Port Angeles, WA across the strait to Victoria, BC and had already checked out the terminal and the boarding procedure.  We have been on several ferry rides with The Boat and Moonshadow, so we know the normal procedures.  It was only a 22-mile crossing and was expected to take 90 minutes.  We found some seats at the front of the ferry and settled in.  We did go out at the beginning and the end to see us leave Washington and enter Victoria. 

FYI, we Googled who was Juan de Fuca and discovered an interesting fact.   He was not Spanish as you might expect but a Greek maritime pilot who sailed for the Spanish crown and is given credit for originally “discovering” the area in 1592 although it was never documented.  His name in Greek is Ioannis Fokas although some records show that his actual name was Apostolos Valerianos.  He may have later adopted the name Johannes Phocas, and therefore the Spaniards called him Juan.  Hence Juan de Fuca.  That’s not the whole story but you can check Wikipedia yourself for more clarity!   It’s interesting history.

Anyway, we crossed it!  And we got dropped off at the dock in downtown Victoria.  We drove through the Immigration line and had a pleasant greeting from the Canadian agent.  Then headed into downtown afternoon traffic.  Not my favorite kind of driving with the RV and the Jeep but there was no other choice. 

Our RV park was just on the northern edge of town in Saanichton, BC which we found was a very nice park but in a weird neighborhood with lots of speed bumps.  We got hooked up and, because the forecast for the next day was rain, we headed to the Butchart Gardens before it closed.  Although we didn’t get there until 4:00, we still had 5 or 6 hours of daylight remaining.

These botanical gardens are listed at the top of the “must see” places in Victoria. And they did not disappoint.  Jennie Butchart began to create the garden in 1904.  She transformed an abandoned limestone quarry into the sunken garden and created a rose garden, a Japanese garden, and an Italian garden.  There are also several fountains throughout the property. The gardens change with the seasons and in the summer over 265,000 annuals are planted including 900 varieties. There are 280 varieties of roses, 70 begonias and over 100 dahlias.  It is quite exquisite and Gail was in her element.  The Ross fountain, which was added in 1964 by Robert Ian Ross (grandson of Jennie and Robert Butchart), performs a 3-minute water show and at night they add lights.  Gail apologizes for so many pictures!  But I agree.  The place was beautiful.  And we did walk over 5 miles that day.

Up the next day for a walk in downtown Victoria.  We had been there a few years ago with our Vancouver sailing friends, Howard and Lynn, for a day trip prior to our Alaska cruise.  So, we were a little familiar with the highlights. We found parking right downtown and we walked to the water and passed the Empress Hotel and the Parliament buildings. Victoria is the capital of British Columbia.  And the Parliament buildings are quite imposing!  Further down the waterfront we stopped at the bakery in the Inn at Laurel Point.  I decided on a Cruffin (a cross between a croissant and a muffin!) and coffee to warm us up.  And it was very good!

Then we added a walk down the Ogden Point Breakwater pier in the harbor to the lighthouse.  This is a 1-mile round trip on an iconic granite and concrete pathway that is quite scenic as well when looking back at downtown Victoria in addition to the cruise ships docked.  Along the side of the pier is a Unity Wall mural depicting “working together as one” and features indigenous art of the local Nations. 

Back at the start of the pier, we rested a bit and I hailed one of the bicycle taxi rickshaws to check their rates and routes.  We selected a short ride up to the Beacon Hill Park.  Interestingly, these bike “cabs” are now electric.  The drivers don’t have to work nearly as hard as before.  Our lady driver was full of info and of course wanted to take us further!  But it was still fun and relaxing!

Beacon Hill had a bit of a surprise as there were peacocks there showing off for the tourists.  We, of course, see them all the time at our house in Miami so it was not as much of an attraction for us. But still a surprise!  Another surprise feature was the giant watering can.  It is a15 ft high stainless watering can that will spray you with cold water (in different patterns and volumes).  But no one, including us, was curious enough to use the can today!  There were also gardens, pelicans roosting in the trees (couldn’t get a picture but that was a first for us!) and deer.

Finally, back toward where we parked, we stopped at The Bard & Banker pub for a light dinner and to watch some World Cup Soccer.  It had been recommended by a friend of Gails’s and was quite good.  And Japan lost to Sweden.  So, a full day in town and we walked another 6 miles!

With more activities planned for the day after, we took the next day to relax in the park and take care of business, go to the farmers market, and add a walk on the beach.  But it was an easy day and should have been a foreshadow of what was to happen in the morning! 

We got up with plans to catch the Swartz Bay ferry to Fulford Sound on Saltspring Island to meet up with the Bradbrooks who were sailing over from Vancouver.   The ferry works on a “first come, first served” basis so there was no rush.  But we had to prep the RV and go get in line.  But when we tried to raise the leveling jacks on the RV nothing happened.  You cannot drive with the leveling jacks down, and they definitely would not raise up! 

We contacted our friends and warned them we would be late if we made it at all.  We checked with the RV park and asked for a late departure.  We tried all kinds of trouble shooting.  We call the leveling system manufacturer tech line.  We tried to get a local tech to come by.  It was Saturday.  No one was working except for phone tech.  To boil it down, we determined that the house batteries were just dead. 

We called the closest Canadian Tire store, and they had the ones we needed.  We rushed over and actually upgraded to a better battery and rushed back to install them.  The “kids” working the battery counter were very knowledgeable and helpful.  We got back to the RV and realized we couldn’t remember how to reconnect the wires!  But one little photo that I had taken of the old battery gave me a clue and Voila!   The batteries were installed, we did not electrocute ourselves and the levelers came up!!  We immediately got in line for the 5:10 ferry!  

Our friends are sailors and members of the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club.  The club owns properties around the sound for use by the members.  And Saltspring Island has one of the marinas.  Located at the end of Long Harbor on Scott Point Dr., the marina was quite protected and full of amenities.  And there was Swift Current!  Howard and Lynn and a grandson and girlfriend were aboard and had dinner prepared.  We spent the evening telling stories and catching up.  Great and patient friends!  Thanks a lot!

The next day we picked them up and went into the little town of Ganges on the island.  The girls shopped around while Howard and I mostly wandered around outside the shops.  We had a nice lunch on the deck at Moby’s Pub and followed the Canada World Cup match against South Africa from the cheers inside as they won.  After lunch, we had a special challenge to find my sunglasses.  Turns out it was easy because they had been found at the register in the first shop we had entered.  It was so good to get them back especially so easily! 

To end our visit, we took a quick drive out to Ruckle Point for a view of the sound with both the US and Canada in view.  Very nice.  We sat and talked some more about our plans then called it a day.  We took them back to the marina, said our goodbyes, then headed to the Boat!  

What could have been such a disaster ended up a very nice visit.  The next day the levelers worked (!) as hoped and we headed to the ferry from Vesuvius to Crofton.  We got a nice surprise to find out the cost for trip off the island was included in the fee for the ferry onto the island.  And we just made it to the 10:50 ferry with no waiting in line.  Life is Good! 

That’s half the story about our time on Vancouver Island.  For the next half, you’ll have to wait a bit longer.  But I promise it will be worth it!  Hang in there.