Kastle's Journey: Our winter adventure is finally here! Victoria September 18 & 19

Victoria, Salish Sea RV Haven

Last look this morning at the lake before doing our final pack up.

We were all loaded up and were busy hooking up the car by 10 am. Can you say excited to get going? :)

Of course we arrived very early at the Salish Sea RV Haven, but the traffic this early on a Sunday is minimal which is what we wanted. Almost every weekend there seems to be an accident around the Malahat for no reason stopping traffic, so we wanted to miss it all. Set up by 12:00 and then out for a drive to Songhee Point for Ray to take some pictures.

View of the little Harbour Ferries towards Fisherman's Wharf.

Empress Hotel

The totem pole was 180-ft 3-in tall was raised on August 4, 1994 at Victoria, British Columbia, Canada prior to the Commonwealth Games taking place there. On August 26, 1997 the pole was partially dismantled for safety reasons and now stands 40 feet tall.

Through the initiative of the Songhees Nation, a totem pole was made to recognize the three major Native languages of Vancouver Island. the totem pole was raised during the opening of the 1994 Commonwealth games. the totem pole was dismantled in 1997 and reconfigured into four positions. Two positions of the totem pole will remain at Pallastsis Point and two portions at the Songhees Reserve. The Songhees Nation named the project "The Spirit of Nations" to acknowledge the unification of all visiting Nations. the totem pole symbolizes friendship between the Songhees and visiting Nations to the Lekwungen Territory. Pallastsis Point remains a scared meeting place for Nations to unite. May it always bring long life to Songhees Children.

"The totem took approximately 3 ½ months to complete; and was made from one red cedar tree that was over 500 years old.

There were 11 people who worked on the project, (as artists) and many more who helped in other capacities.

In 2001 it was trimmed down to 40 feet because some of the local authorities figured it was an air traffic hazard. As well, many waterfront residents didn’t appreciate the two sets of oversized cables that held it up.

With my big beaked Raven now sitting proudly on top of the totem, looking over the beautiful Victoria inner harbor, and the remaining 140 feet of the totem now displayed on the Songhees Indian reserve, the memory of that proud cultural experience lives on. Divided in two areas of the Salish territory, but unified in the hearts and memories of all who experienced the true meaning of the `Spirit of Lekwammen`."

Johnson Street Bridge

Next up, a fabulous lunch at our favourite brew pub, Spinnakers. After lunch Ray rushed out to see if he could get a picture of the Coho Ferry that we will be taking Tuesday morning.

Lots of picnic tables for take out.

The Coho Ferry

Ray is in his happy place popping in and out for pictures all afternoon and evening. The afternoon run of the Coho Ferry entering the harbour, Ray took this picture from our campsite.

At 4pm I noticed a cruise ship coming into port, Quantum of the Seas, so Ray popped out again for a picture.

After having take-out Chinese, Ray waited for dusk before heading out for his night shots.

Empress Hotel

Johnson Street Bridge

A close up of the bridge. During his shoot, a steady stream of people walked over it. Beautiful architecture.

Parliament Buildings

His last shot of the evening is the cruise ship again.

Monday morning we moved sites as I picked up a cancelled site yesterday by luck. This new site, #6, faces out on the water so a much better view. Of course it is under the flight path so we saw lots of float planes up close and personal. lol Fortunately they only fly daylight hours.

After settling in we headed out in the car to downtown so we could go to Murchies for a morning snack.

On the way back to the car we came upon the Queen's Funeral March. Unexpected but interesting.

Here is a short video that Ray took finishing with the lone charger symbolizing a death of a soldier. The military portion is followed by several of the NDP caucus and then a hundred or so citizens.

Up next we drove along Dallas Road so Ray could get some pictures of Trial Island. He managed to find quite a few spots with trails down to the beach. A lovely warm sunny day.

McMicking Park

In the pictures below, you can see Trial Island and Race Rocks Lighthouse with the Olympic Mountains in the far distance. The current sure moves through here at a good clip.

Mount Baker

Victoria Golf Club

On the way back we stopped at Trafalgar Park.

We stopped at Oak Bay Marina for lunch, but the restaurant is closed on Mondays. Ray snapped a few pictures of all the boats. Many years ago, Ray's Uncle Tibi, used to take him to dinner here as he was a member of the club.

With the marina restaurant closed, we decided to eat at the Penny Farthing Pub. Another old style English Pub.

With our bellies full, it's time to go back home to relax for the rest of the afternoon in the sunshine at the RV park. First we waited for the bridge to come back down as it opened for a tall ship to go through.