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Canadian Princess

Not until I looked closely did I realize this boat is stationary and now part of the Canadian Princess resort in Ucluelet, British Columbia. The boats in front are for fishing excursions during the day. One thing is for sure, the fish you get here is fresh, much fresher than anywhere save another fishing town. Food aside, I don't know why but when I see this boat I imagine it on the open seas and then I can't help but hear Gordon Lightfoot singing about the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. That can't be a good thing.

Not until I looked closely did I realize this boat is stationary and now part of the Canadian Princess resort in Ucluelet, British Columbia. The boats in front are for fishing excursions during the day. One thing is for sure, the fish you get here is fresh, much fresher than anywhere save another fishing town. Food aside, I don’t know why but when I see this boat I imagine it on the open seas and then I can’t help but hear Gordon Lightfoot singing about the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. That can’t be a good thing.

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Daphne Inlet

If you walk to the back of Butchart Gardens in Victoria, you'll come upon Daphne Inlet. Not that I know anything about it, it was just a pleasant surprise. I love little surprises tucked away. You walk down a path, through some trees and plants and it opens up into an inlet, kind of like a scene in a movie only for reel. Sorry, bad pun. In any case, most of the surprise today were in the grounds of the gardens, the biggest being that plants and flowers held my attention for an entire day. You really must visit if you ever go to Victoria BC because if I (Mr. Dont-know-nothin-about-gardning) liked it, then pretty much anyone would like it. I'm not sure that came out right but you get my drift.

If you walk to the back of Butchart Gardens in Victoria, you’ll come upon Daphne Inlet. Not that I know anything about it, it was just a pleasant surprise. I love little surprises tucked away. You walk down a path, through some trees and plants and it opens up into an inlet, kind of like a scene in a movie only for reel. Sorry, bad pun. In any case, most of the surprise today were in the grounds of the gardens, the biggest being that plants and flowers held my attention for an entire day. You really must visit if you ever go to Victoria BC because if I (Mr. Dont-know-nothin-about-gardning) liked it, then pretty much anyone would like it. I’m not sure that came out right but you get my drift.

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California Wildflowers

I noticed these while walking along a path to the ocean in California. I was on a stopover from New Zealand so I still had that magic streaming through my veins. If you look closely you can just see the fairies trying not to be noticed. I think I caught them off guard.

I noticed these while walking along a path to the ocean in California. I was on a stopover from New Zealand so I still had that magic streaming through my veins. If you look closely you can just see the fairies trying not to be noticed. I think I caught them off guard.

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Cottage at Lake Hays

In between Queenstown and Arrowtown in New Zealand is Lake Hayes. This cottage sits right on the lake and can be rented. I was staying at a hotel but I have my eyes on this for the next time. When I go on vacation I like to wake up in places that are spectacular and take me far away from normal life. This is one of those places so it's high on the list. The little hill reminds me of a cottage my grandmother used to have. When I was four or five I used to ride a red wagon down the hill full speed, quite often crashing at the bottom. It was so much fun that I'd get right up and do it again. Isn't that a kick in the pants. ;-)

In between Queenstown and Arrowtown in New Zealand is Lake Hayes. This cottage sits right on the lake and can be rented. I was staying at a hotel but I have my eyes on this for the next time. When I go on vacation I like to wake up in places that are spectacular and take me far away from normal life. This is one of those places so it’s high on the list. The little hill reminds me of a cottage my grandmother used to have. When I was four or five I used to ride a red wagon down the hill full speed, quite often crashing at the bottom. It was so much fun that I’d get right up and do it again. Isn’t that a kick in the pants. 😉

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Skippers Canyon Ridgeline

While in New Zealand I was with a group that hiked down Skippers Canyon road not far from Queenstown. When we started in the morning it was chilly but by the time we hiked back the layers were peeled off as the sun rose above the mountains. This ridgeline was opposite the road we traveled and from this vantage I could begin to get a sense of the scale. Just behind this ridge was an extreme mountain bike trail and while I didn't see anyone on it, I could tell that on a scale of one to ten it was an eleven. The only thing more exhilarating might be bungee jumping which by the way was available at the bottom of the trail. And if that wasn't enough you could finish the day with a raft ride down some class three rapids. Lets just say Kiwis know how to have a good time.

While in New Zealand I was with a group that hiked down Skippers Canyon road not far from Queenstown. When we started in the morning it was chilly but by the time we hiked back the layers were peeled off as the sun rose above the mountains. This ridgeline was opposite the road we traveled and from this vantage I could begin to get a sense of the scale. Just behind this ridge was an extreme mountain bike trail and while I didn’t see anyone on it, I could tell that on a scale of one to ten it was an eleven. The only thing more exhilarating might be bungee jumping which by the way was available at the bottom of the trail. And if that wasn’t enough you could finish the day with a raft ride down some class three rapids. Lets just say Kiwis know how to have a good time.

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Kennedy Lake

When you drive through the mountains to the west coast of Vancouver Island you pass Kennedy Lake. There's not a lot of places to stop here and from what I understand the lake is mostly used for hunting and fishing. What caught my eye midday was how calm the water water was. I just had to pullover to capture this scene. I think that's kind of theme with me, must be some meaning in there somewhere.

When you drive through the mountains to the west coast of Vancouver Island you pass Kennedy Lake. There’s not a lot of places to stop here and from what I understand the lake is mostly used for hunting and fishing. What caught my eye midday was how calm the water water was. I just had to pullover to capture this scene. I think that’s kind of theme with me, must be some meaning in there somewhere.

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Ucluelet Lighthouse

While here I visited the lighthouse several times looking for different angles and light, but my most memorable time was the first day. The locals call the month after July

While here I visited the lighthouse several times looking for different angles and light, but my most memorable time was the first day. The locals call the month after July “Fogust” and for good reason. It could be clear and within thirty minutes everything is blanketed and then maybe an hour later it goes away, thus the lighthouse. So there I was climbing on the rocks just past the “do not climb on rocks” sign and the fog started to roll in. I’m fifty meters in front of the lighthouse contemplating the beautiful mist when out of nowhere the automated fog horn sounds. Those horns can be heard for miles, and possibly a few of the swear words I uttered in response as I grabbed on to a rock to keep from falling over. Yup, that’s me, stoo-pid tourist.

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Walk in the Garden

If you ever make it to Vancouver Island In British Columbia, be sure to visit Butchard Gardens. I was unprepared and very pleasantly surprised when I finally made it after being told the same by others. The gardens here are as exquisite. Unlike my wife I'm no gardener, and quite frankly the thought of spending a day in a garden, while relaxing, is not at the top of my list. Butchard Gardens changed that and after about eight hours of walking the grounds, I wished I had more time. Anyway, I was just sitting by a walkway taking a break when I snapped this.

Took this after a brief rain shower in Butchard Gardens, Victoria, British Columbia

If you ever make it to Vancouver Island In British Columbia, be sure to visit Butchard Gardens.  I was unprepared and very pleasantly surprised when I finally made it after being told the same by others. The gardens here are as exquisite. Unlike my wife I’m no gardener, and quite frankly the thought of spending a day in a garden, while relaxing, is not at the top of my list. Butchard Gardens changed that and after about eight hours of walking the grounds, I wished I had more time. Anyway, I was just sitting by a walkway taking a break when I snapped this.

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Elk Lake

It's a good omen that not ten minutes after we landed by ferry in Victoria we happened upon Elk Lake. And then a few minutes later we found Beaver Lake, and so it goes. High fives all around and wide grins, we headed for the hotel with a glimpse of what's in store. The week is over, the weekend begins, now it's time to have a little fun.

It’s a good omen that not ten minutes after we landed by ferry in Victoria we happened upon Elk Lake. And then a few minutes later we found Beaver Lake, and so it goes. High fives all around and wide grins, we headed for the hotel with a glimpse of what’s in store. The week is over, the weekend begins, now it’s time to have a little fun.

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First Morning

On my first morning in New Zealand we were something like eight hours out of sync and so waking up early was pretty easy. I went outside before dawn and was rewarded with this. I've seen a lot of beautiful sunrises and sunsets in Florida and this rated way up there on the awesome scale. Maybe it was just a bit of luck but it felt supernatural. And supernatural magic seemed to follow us each day, it's hard to explain but while we were there it seemed very real. That is one trip you should put on your bucket list. I'm putting on my redo list.

On my first morning in New Zealand we were something like eight hours out of sync and so waking up early was pretty easy. I went outside before dawn and was rewarded with this. I’ve seen a lot of beautiful sunrises and sunsets in Florida and this rated way up there on the awesome scale. Maybe it was just a bit of luck but it felt supernatural. And supernatural magic seemed to follow us each day, it’s hard to explain but while we were there it seemed very real. That is one trip you should put on your bucket list. I’m putting on my redo list.

Click on photo to obtain print.