Ahhhh, Victoria!

Nicol and I just returned from our trip to Victoria, BC...arguably one of THE most beautiful places on earth...well, North America, at least...Seattle is 85 miles southeast, just to give you a location.

The drive was mile after mile of beauty, and the weather was clear...not warm, but clear! We saw probably 20 bald eagles on the drive out, but you need a good zoom lens to get a picture of them. I only had my little digital with me.

The ferry ride to the island is one hour and a half. I don't know how many cars/trucks/buses will fit on the ferry, but it's a LOT! There are several restaurants and gift shops, and tons of comfy chairs to sit it. You can also access three different decks. I'm sure it's fun to do in the summer, but this time of year, you just look at the view and run back inside!

Mount Baker, USA

We spent a few days with Nicol's friends. Kathy lives here in Calgary; she is Nicol's best friend of 30 years. Helen lives in Victoria. She is one of Kathy's oldest friends. Nicol and Helen were in Kathy's wedding. Barb lives in Nanaimo, just up the coast. She and Nicol have been friends since Jr High...so it was old home folks weekend! (Literally, ha ha!)

Helen has her own band, Curl Girlz. She sings a lot like Janis Joplin, and even has the curly hair to match. On Friday, we went to the Canadian Legion, and listened to her and some friends play. Her significant other, Wayne, is an awesome bass player. She has the most awesome guitar, which is "recycled art". The body of the guitar is an old oil can, and it has a surprisingly good sound.

Barb is a nurse, and a really talented artist. Her medium is watercolor. She was telling me about the pod of gray whales she saw just before she came down. Usually, they see the killer whales, not the grays. I want to live where I can watch the whales! And fish for salmon. And paint beautiful landscapes! And go for walks on the beach.

I think this is where we will eventually live in Canada. Anyway, we had a great trip, and I can't wait to go back! PS: Everyone up there is SMITTEN with Barack Obama!