Calgary Trip

2013 Calgary Trip Day 5 Wednesday August 7

Today's segment of the Calgary trip is between
Port Angeles, WA and Victoria, BC
This is a short ferry ride, 25 miles, and then we explore the area.
This is our entry into Canada through customs

Places Visited Along The Way, Photos, and Notes
Today was not a big riding day. We bade a fond farewell to Port Angeles, WA (A), A nice change of pace. We had hoped that our riding buddies would be joining us today But that was not to be. We loaded the bike onto a Black Ball Ferry Line ferry and rode over to Vancouver Island. We had a reservation for the ferry and were instructed to be there 60 minutes before sailing That was more than enough time. While we were waiting in line we met another couple on a Gold Wing and a gentleman on a Honda Quadra. Good conversation ensued. Bikes are last to load on this ferry. The water was as smooth as can be imagined and the ride across took about an hour. Upon entering Canada, an immigration fellow asked us who, what, where and did we have any fresh fruit of vegetables and then we were on our way.
We parked the trailer at the Days Inn hotel where we will spend the night. then visited Steve Drane Harley-Davidson, the only authorized dealer on Vancouver Island
The Butchart Gardens are definitely not to be missed. They are a unique experience. The color, the landscape design, the breath taking beauty. The gardens are so wonderful, a small camera cannot begin to do them justice. Fortunately, I brought a good camera, my Nikon D90. I have put together a page here for the photos of the gardens
When we parked the trailer, we also checked in at the Days Inn - Victoria On The Harbour They told us a room was not ready, but there would be one after 3:00 When we returned from Butchart, we stopped at the hotel but the room was still not ready. After about 20 minutes, they told us room 103 on the ground floor was prepared. We loaded up our stuff and moved it into 103. When we closed the door, it would not open again. We were trapped inside. Reminded us of Hotel California - guests check in but they don't check out Fortunately, a supervisor of housekeeping was walking by and Carol hailed her out the window. We told her what happened and she came inside and closed the door. Now, there were three of us trapped inside! She had a radio and called for help. The upthrust of it was that they upgraded us to room 209 This room is a harbor view on the second floor. But is right over the lounge. Tonight is bingo night and they are loud.. Sometimes they quiet down around 10:00 We are hoping.
Empress Hotel	The Parliament Building
Victoria, BC (B) is a very pleasant city with way too much to see for one trip. The people were friendly and the buildings were awesome. In the evening, street entertainers were out. A unicyclist, a one man band, a bag pipe player, a tarot card reader, a sandstone carver ... We walked around and really enjoyed ourselves. we need to come back!