Road trip to Victoria with the Motorhome Part 1 July 20 to 22

 Tuesday, we were on the road by 10:15 after fueling up at the Co Op. Another gorgeous day. An uneventful trip thankfully. Arrived at the Salish Seaside RV Resort at noon. 

Our campsite #33. Large sites with a nice concrete patio.

After a quick set up we headed out to the Spinaker's Pub for lunch, only a few minutes away. Our view from our table on the patio.

We noticed across from us that there was an inflatable dinghy stuck on the rocks. The guy with the hat must have notified the Coast Guard because they came and rescued the boat. No sign of the occupant? Anyways free entertainment. lol

Bailing out the boat

The guys was eventually able to paddle out to the big boat where they towed it away.

Back at camp we spent the rest of the afternoon outside enjoying the breeze. Ray did a little scouting around for where he could get skyline pictures from the property and pictures of the marina and houseboats.

Here are some pictures of the West Bay Marina next door to us where they also have a houseboat community.

This boat has a floating flower garden.

The little ferry also comes to these docks for pick up and drop off.

Next to the marina is a beautiful little garden park where you can take your pets off-leash. This house is right beside the park and was part of the property at one time from the late 1800's. The detail is amazing.

Wednesday we decided to go to Goldstream Provincial Park and search out some waterfalls Ray did research on. The first one is the Bridge Waterfall. Well, we did walk over a bridge and down a short trail, but of course no water at all with the drought conditions. You can see the huge granite wall where it does come down though after some heavy rains.

Huge cedars along the walk.

The falls... or lack thereof. lol

Me taking a picture of Ray taking a picture. :)

Gives you perspective how big they would be.

Massive cedar tree along the trail.

We jumped back in the car and drove to the other end of the parking lot to the Visitor Centre.

More huge cedar.

While Ray took this picture, he noticed walking toward him are Malc and Kathy!

Goldstream River

Back in the car we decided to drive further up the highway to head for the U-turn route so we could park at the trail head to the Little Niagara Falls. First though, we drove down to the little marina on Finlayson Arm.

Shortly after we turned around and parked at the trail head. A fairly easy trail other than the first part. It's not too far to the falls. There were kids jumping in the water at the base of the falls, so Ray waited until they left for his pictures. I did not climb down the bank into the creek as it was about 30 feet down and I did not think my knees would like the climb back up. :) The Little Niagara Falls is actually so names as it is the height of the actual Niagara Falls at 51m/180 ft.

There was even an "arch" in the rocks that Ray noticed because some kids climbed through it.

After about half an hour of just taking it all in we walked back towards the car. Ray did a short jaunt through the tunnel under the highway, while I went back to the car. He saw the Nature House which is currently closed and the Gold Stream Estuary.

Nature House

After our adventure it was time for lunch so we decided to eat at the Four Mile Pub. We ordered 4 appies and shared it with leftovers for Ray's dinner. What beautiful gardens they have in the old Tudor Style Pub that is 150 years old.

Back home to "rescue" Freya and take her for a walk. The rest of the afternoon we had a relaxing time outside enjoying the views.

Thursday we were out the door by 9 am for our walking tour of the East Side of the Gorge Waterway. Several years ago we had walked the west side of the waterway. Another gorgeous day. Freya had not been feeling well this morning and woke us up at 5 to throw up! That continued for an hour or so ... so out came the Kaeopectate. She would not eat so after she had been walked I just left her food out and off we went with fingers crossed that she would not get sick again. 

We started from Admiral Street and I was able to drive along the gorge and stop at quite a few parking areas as it was early in the day so we could walk parts of the trail and Ray could take pictures. The planted shrubbery was gorgeous.

First stop was the Craigflower Schoolhouse.

DESCRIPTION OF HISTORIC PLACE

Craigflower Schoolhouse is a two-story, gable-roofed building on Admirals Road, just north of the Craigflower Bridge in Saanich, BC. The land on which the schoolhouse sits is on the shore of the Gorge Waterway, and includes an ancient archaeological site.
HERITAGE VALUE

Craigflower Schoolhouse remains as the oldest school in British Columbia, and is a rare example of a nineteenth century schoolhouse in western Canada. Constructed in 1854 by the Colony of Vancouver Island for the children of nearby Craigflower Farm and the surrounding area, this school is a significant monument to the early educational system in British Columbia, which was based on the principle of free non-sectarian education for all.

Craigflower Schoolhouse is valued as the oldest surviving public building in British Columbia. As one of British Columbia's few surviving structures which predates the 1858 gold rush, this school is an excellent example of early vernacular building construction in the province. Architecturally, its value lies in its utilitarian form, large massing, simple construction, and understated detailing, which provide insight into the functional nature of the Province's earliest public works.

We started down the Gorge Waterway. Absolutely gorgeous.

Further down the walkway we made about 3 other stops.

Last stop before crossing Tillicum Road was the Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club. This club is over 50 years old and is a non-profit organization.

Back in the car across Tillicum Road to see the Reversing Falls. The trails on this side of Tillicum are well maintained gravel with the little paths to the gorge not as well-maintained. The tide was going out so the falls were going towards the ocean. Last time we were here it was going the other way and we saw an outrigger canoe go through.

Here is a picture of last time we visited the gorge.

Next was Curtis Point. On the trail to the point we passed a community garden with rented plots. Lovely little spot.

Further down the trail to Curtis Point were a bunch of condos. Those people have a great view of the gorge.

Looking back towards the reversing falls.

We saw lots of rowers along different spots in the gorge waterway.

Next up the Selkirk Trestle on the Galloping Goose Trail.

Deadman's Island (Halkett Is) in front of the trestle.

The water taxi comes here as well.

Selkirk Rowing Club

This art installation is right outside the Glo Restaurant where we had our lunch.

The boardwalk continues around the restaurant.

Lunch at the Glo Restaurant was delicious on their patio.

Forest mushroom flatbread with gorgonzola cream, roasted garlic and hazelnuts.

Japanese Sesame strip loin steak with garlic mashed potatoes and mushrooms.

Pistachio crusted salmon with orzo.

Back home to Freya and relax outside for the afternoon. Fortunately she was feeling better and had eaten all her food we had left out for her. I think she must have ate goose poop! lol 

We purposely had leftovers from lunch so dinner was just a reheat. lol