The Mighty Coho turns the big Five-Oh!

Living on an island one becomes quite enamored of the ferries that link us to the mainland. The M.V. Coho, filled with 1950s character, not only provides a link between Victoria B.C. and Port Angeles, Washington but also provides a link to the past.The Coho was built in Seattle at a cost of $3 million - privately financed by Black Ball Transport.Since 1959, the Coho has transported 21 million passengers and five million vehicles over the 22.59 nautical miles between Victoria's inner harbour and downtown Port Angeles.A 2006 study showed the Coho, which can accommodate 1,000 passengers and 120 vehicles on any one sailing, ferried more than 205,000 return passengers and brought $123.7 million into the Victoria economy.And as a a deckhand explained to us before boarding on a very stormy day, "Oh, yes we're sailing. There's no seas rough enough or waves high enough to stop this ship."

Happy Holidays from parking enforcement

Oh, no – what's that ticket under my windshield wiper?
It's not a ticket at all, but some interesting poetry and holiday wishes from Victoria's parking enforcement - considered one of the quickest to ticket in the world. Click on image to enlarge.

Niagara Falls, Goldstream Provincial Park B.C.

Yes Niagara Falls is its proper name and is not to be confused with that little trickle of water somewhere back east. If you are traveling north on Highway 1 you need to stop at Goldstream Park then walk north towards the interpretation centre from the parking lot. The access to Niagara Falls will be along the path and through a tunnel under Highway 1 - assuming that the water level is low enough. When we went there, quite a bit of ice had accumulated around the base of the falls.

Tuba Christmas

Tuba Christmas is an international event that began with a concert in New York City's Rockefeller Plaza Ice Rink on Sunday, December 22, 1974. In Victoria, this annual event brought together over 50 tuba players from across BC and the Pacific Northwest to play traditional Christmas music at the old Market Square downtown.

Google Street View Victoria is online!

Finally, Google street view Victoria is online (http://maps.google.com/)! Google appears to have done some retouching though since most of the views appear as if the weather was sunny.

Salmon run at Goldstream Park nearly over

It's a bit gruesome to witness. The salmon run at Goldstream Park is nearly over. Hundreds of salmon carcasses scattered along the river's edge will now provide food for seagulls, wolves, raccoons, and eagles. And after they've been dragged into the woods to be eaten their remains will provide nitrogen to fertilize the soil.

The Garage Sale-A Lesson Learned

After weeks of purging, from attic to basement, I recently held a garage sale. Once the sale was over it was time to count the proceeds. While emptying my pockets of collected coins and bills, I discovered half a ten dollar bill. My initial reaction was to search for the other half thinking that it had probably been folded so often that it had weakened and fallen apart. I searched but didn't find the other half. It took me a while to realize what had actually happened. Someone had given me that half bill in payment. I am glad that deceit was not my first assumption. I am trusting and want to stay that way, but everything that happens has an effect and I have been trying to understand what this has taught me. I found a helpful quote.

Master Kan speaking to Grasshopper in the Kung Fu TV series:
Those who deny evil in man remain weak and defenseless.
Deal with evil through strength - but affirm the good in man through trust.
In this way, we prepare for Evil, but we encourage Good.

So I will continue to be trusting and I suppose somewhat naive, but when given a folded bill in the future, I trust I will always unfold it.
Susan

Memorial wreaths in Uplands Park

In remembrance - the poppy house

Salmon run at Goldstream Park

This year we finally arrived at Goldstream Park in time to see the salmon run that we missed last year (HERE).

The chum salmon are almost impossible to see (or photograph) since their colouring is so similar to the river's gravel bottom.


This short video makes them a bit easier to spot:


Click arrow to play video
In the end, after spawning, they will end up as food for seagulls, bear, and raccoons.

Once whatever's left starts to rot, the eagles pick up the scent and will swoop in for the leftovers.

When you've got something to say...

...it might be a good idea to write it out and edit before publishing otherwise, as in this case, the message may get lost.

Mimicking nature

This fellow set out in Ross Bay to place his crab trap. Balancing on his board somewhat like the heron balancing on seaweed while hunting for its dinner of small crabs.

Robinson Crusoe lands at Harling Point

Well, maybe not Robinson himself - perhaps his man Friday? In any case, a fine looking raft with comfortable seat is tied up on the rocks at Harling Point.

A consideration - the private public park

At 177 Oliver St, a vacant private property has been transformed by its owner into a lovely public park replete with a rustic seating area.

And the band played on - Sydney, BC

The Naden Navy Band from CFB Esquimalt played to a packed park this past Sunday.

Not gonna fade away

Once there were likely metal house numbers on this wooden telephone pole. Over time, they protected the wood behind them as the weather eroded the pole and as they rusted away. Now, their legacy remains as the house number "805" standing proud from the background.

Advice for Zucchini

"Help Yourself Zucchini" suggests the enigmatic sign.
On the other hand, it may simply be a free zucchini for passersby from an over productive vegetable garden.

Ephemeral art at Harling Point, Oak Bay, BC

An Andy Goldsworthy-like creation has appeared on the rocks at Harling Point. Perhaps the same artist was also responsible for the construction posted earlier HERE

Hanging out in Ross Bay, Victoria, BC

A temporary contraption attached to a piece of driftwood provides hang time for this windblown adventurer.

Courtesy Bench

At the steepest part of Johnson Street at the corner of Camosun is the "Chez Beau Soleil" where bicyclists can take a moment to rest beside the memorial of Marcel the cat and enjoy a copy of the "Village Vibe" before resuming their peddling.

Dog of the Day

Meka cools her paws during this very unusual heat wave by riding a surfboard on Beaver Lake.

Scooterpeople

We can always tell when tourist season is in full swing because suddenly there is an influx of what we refer to as "scooterpeople." Traveling in packs like a strange version of motorcycle gangs, these are folks who rent a scooter from one of the many rental companies to simply go sightseeing at maximum 40 kmph throttle.

Annual Victoria MG Club car show

The event was held this past Sunday at Gyro Park in Cadboro Bay with some 40 beautiful examples of British automotive engineering.

First Annual Oak Bay Night Market

More like a sidewalk sale, the First Annual Oak Bay Night Market attracted merchants and artists alike. Of course, given the average age of Oak Bay residents, it's not surprising that it started at 4 pm and ended at 8 pm.

Moss Street Art Walk

The incredibly popular annual Moss St. Art Walk was held this past Saturday, July 18th on the eight or so blocks from Dallas Road to Rockland Ave.
This year many of the artists demonstrated their painting techniques to the appreciative crowds:
Not only were the visual arts on show but also the talents of local musicians:
And at the end of the day, art that had not sold was spirited away in the artist's trunk: