Trip to Victoria

Our flight leaves at 11:30 tomorrow morning. Looking forward to having Anajitos at Montanas before we board the plane!

Slight detour but made it safely to the airport thanks to our very skilled driver.

Edmonton Airport

On the plane

Not long after meeting up with Aunt Evelyn, Cathy & Auntie Jeannie arrived! I'm sure everyone around us wondered what was up, lots of hugging and laughing. Cathy sure loves her Aunt Wanda & Uncle Ray, and the feeling is definately mutual. We were still missing one of our soldiers so off to get Uncle Leonard. And, once again, frenzied hugs and many... "you haven't changed a bit". Although everyone is a few years older and wiser (?), and despite a few more wrinkles, a few more pounds, the new hips, artificial limbs, the "where's my glasses?", "are we in Victora?" etc., everyone is still the same.... I love to hear Auntie Jeanie's laugh, and Uncle Leonards emphatic "Good for you. Good for you". Dad (and Uncle Leonard) still love to tell their stories, and Mom and Auntie Jeannie still cringe. It was great to catch up on everyone's lives.... Mom and Aunt Evelyn talked John Grisham and other books they have in common, my parents got the update on the what's up and the who's 10 feet under in Ontario, we got caught up with the updates for Karen & Jon, and Jeff, Cameron, & Christine (and really...that needs it's own blog.... summer camp, rugby, acting, University, humane society, travel, running, golf, skiing... you get the picture). Not to mention, Cathy's new obsession with Christian & Anastasia?!

Linda and Ray

Linda and Auntie Jeannie

Catching up

Ray, Cathy and Linda

After an incredible meal, with great food and conversation; and yes, I had steak (surprise, surprise - well it was a steakhouse), the salmon and kobe burgers also looked very impressive, ... anyway, after that incredible dinner, a walk along the ocean was in order. Victoria is a beautiful city.. horse drawn carriages, scottish bag pipes playing (well, sometimes that's not so beautiful; a bit of an acquired taste), incredible architecture, history, very British ...it's almost like being on Coronation Street (not quite, where's Norris? hmmm, or Jason or Tommy?!). My final destiation for the evening was the incredible Bengal Lounge at the Empress Hotel; listening to live jazz music, relaxing with a glass of wine and reflecting on the great day, that, I believe was had by all.

The Empress Hotel

Parliament at Night

Started our day with a great buffet breakfast. Our plan was go go Whale watching, but the weather wasn't the best and the tour we were looking at was full, so whale watching was postponed until tomorrow. Auntie Jeannie & Aunt Evelyn headed to Butchart Gardens and the rest of us spent the morning walking around the Harbour; watching the float planes and the dragon boat races. A great spot to people watch. Cathy bought us waffles from the Wannawaffel cart (as seen on the Dragon's Den). Uncle Leonard and I went to see the Underwater museum and dive show.... lots of fish, and a HUGE octopus.

Hanging out at the Harbour

Dragon Boat Races

Orcas out of the water

Met up with the gang for breakfast, then made our way to the harbour for our whale watching adventure. Dad and I braved the elements and sat up front (the bow?) for the first part of the journey. Not the warmest place to be seated that's for sure, but stuck it out and a great view once we found the whales. Lots of Orcas, but not as close as we would have hoped. Moved inside to warm up a bit and saw more whales, seals, and spectacular scenery. I think we might have been near where Dave took me sailing a few years back. We headed back to Victoria, mom picked up her cozy sweatshirt that she found earlier. On Aunt Evelyn's suggestion went to Sam's Deli for lunch. Great pick; busy little place with fabulous dill pickles. The sandwiches had too much "goo" for Dad, and Uncle Leonard definately has an enthusaitic eating style. After lunch, Mom, Cathy & Aunt Evelyn each went their separate ways while Len, Jeannie, Dad and I made our way leisurely back to the Hotel.

At the harbour

About to go Whale Watching

Len and Ray at Sam's Deli

Ray and Len out for a stroll

The family met in the hotel lobby and we made the short walk over to the Harbour House; what a great place. We received a warm welcome, a table by the window, and Aunt Evelyn received a beautiful corsage. Ambiance is very quaint, waiters in tuxedos (not quite older than God, but maybe Moses?!) Steak and lobster was a big hit, well the lobster anyway. I had the dill salmon and loved it. It was a great night to visit with one another. Birthday cake arrived and was accompanied by a few interesting renditions of Happy Birthday.

Ray, Evelyn, Len - 2012

Ray, Evelyn, Len - 1958

Arriving at Dinner

Mom and Waiter

Mom and Dad

The Whole Gang at Evelyn's B-Day dinner

Ray, Evelyn and Linda at dinner

Evelyn Blowing out the Candles

Enjoyed our last breakfast together, then time to say good-bye to Cathy, Jeannie & Len. Shuttle bus to the airport arrived and we said good-bye, hugged and shed a few tears. Turns out there was no need to say good bye so soon.... mechanical difficulties with their plane meant a long, long day stranded in the Victoria airport, as the rest of us spent more time enjoying Victoria. Little did we know, it would soon be our turn for delays. We had a little rest, then Mom, Dad, Aunt Evelyn and I went for a walk along the harbour and stopped at the Coast Hotel for Clam Chowder; it's also a nice spot to sit and watch the float planes and of course, the tower crane. We took a short (very short) cab ride back to the hotel to grab our luggage. Our shuttle bus arrived and we said our goodbyes to the birthday girl. Off to the airport to catch our flight. Our plane took off and landed on time but there was a severe lightning storm in Edmonton. And, although we were lucky enough to be on the last plane that was allowed to land, our luggage wasn't so lucky; too dangerous for the baggage handlers to be on the tarmack so we had to wait for clearance to have our bags unloaded. The lightning storm was not passing anytime soon, so, Todd took dad home and mom and I stuck it out to wait for the luggage. Finally, clearance was given for the baggage to be unloaded. Mom and I got our bags and made our respective way to our homes. It was great to see Jackson, and my own bed, and I'm sure Blackie was very excited to see mom. All and all a great trip!! Hope to keep in touch and see everyone again sooner rather than later.

Saying goodbye

sitting watching the float planes land

Bubba patiently waiting at the airport