Day 12 - Victoria, BC

Day 12 – Victoria, BC, Canada

Thursday, October 19th and its still misting so we decided to do some auto sightseeing... five people and 3 large (slightly damp) dogs in a minivan. We drove to an area on the island where the salmon are spawning. It was mostly Chum, but Chinook and Coho were counted as well. The Goldstream Provincial Park is a northwestern rainforest that had ginormous red cedar trees and the forest floor was covered in ferns, moss, mushrooms, etc. The Goldstream River was filled with salmon trying to make their way up stream to spawn… and then die.

We had lunch at the 6 Mile Pub which was a stop for the stagecoach and is the oldest pub in Victoria dating back to the 1880’s. Drew had to have the cod fish and chips because his goal was to try the best in the area.

Dinner plans were special… we went to the Bengal Lounge for their curry buffet at the famous Empress Hotel. The ambiance was Colonial British… and we ate a variety of curried chicken and lamb Indian specialties.

By the way, many of the 2010 Olympic planning committee were at a private dinner at the Empress. The 2010 Winter Olympic Games will be in Vancouver, BC. However, the torch arrived Victoria and was carried all over the island the next day.

Photos: Raleigh borrowed Drew's hat, Riley asleep on Drew's shoulder, Chum spawning, group shot, story of the fishery, Liz & Maye, Ritchie & Cora with dogs, view of Goldstream Park in to the harbor, Liz & the black dogs, cool mushroom, cedar in a cedar, Ritchie & Mom