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Welcome to the Weekend: Let the Holidays Begin

We’ve packed up our trailer and begun the long drive back to California. We’ll miss celebrating Canada’s 150th birthday with friends and family but will be home in time to celebrate the 4th of July. As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, I wore a lot of black and white for this trip and yesterday was no exception. It’s just so easy!

Before we left, I took a walk along the breakwater wondering if we should buy a spot in this Rv Resort…because we love the area so much.

coast side at Parksville BC

There’s nothing for sale on the water today, but we know a few will be comingĀ on the market soon. We’ll be discussing this all the way home.

dockside in Victoria, BC

We drove to Victoria to take the ferry to Port Angeles. I love the charm and character of Victoria and yesterday it did not disappoint.

leaving from Victoria Harbor
SilverĀ Hoop Earrings

dockside in Victoria, BC

The sky was crystal clear, the flowers were in full bloom and the harbor was beautiful. Sailing out of Victoria Harbor is nothing short of magnificent.

sailing to Port Angeles

Lucy sat on the deck with us and enjoyed the attention she got from all the kids on board. She fully expects everyone who sees her to be enamored… and is seldomly disappointed:)

sailing out of Victoria harbor

We suffered the obligatory fruits and veggie search at the border which always strikes me as silly. Especially when they don’t even question whether we’re transporting guns and alcohol!

Our campground in Sequim, Washington is all decked for the 4th of July. This area is just gorgeous and we hope to enjoy some Dungeness Crab which this area is famous for.

holiday decor for the 4th of July

We’re driving down the Olympic Peninsula to avoid Seattle. Having driven this route hundreds of times we know its trafficĀ can be a nightmare and add hours to an already long drive. I hate that we’ll be on the highways over part of this busy weekend, but sometimes things just work out that way.

 

Have you got anything fabulous planned for this holiday weekend?

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

24 Comments

  1. Hi Jennifer,
    I am pleased you had a good time on Vancouver Island (mind you, very hard not to!). If I missed it, I apologize, but would you be willing to share the name of the camp site you stayed at. Thanks and Happy July 4th!

    1. We stayed at Surfside RV Resort in Parksville. It was fabulous. Call early to make reservations! Happy 4th to you too Nancee!

  2. I started reading your blog just as you were packing up to move back to California.
    Hope you move north again. Travel safely….????????????????
    Ali

    1. Thank you!! We love it there so it’s always a possibility.

  3. Hi Jennifer
    Do you have any suggestions for really casual clothing that covers the arms (three quarter sleeves) for the really very hot weather?
    Thanks Libby

    1. Hi Libby. I like loose knit linen sweaters in the very hot weather. The fabric breathes and the open weave gives a very casual look. Nic&Zoe makes some great ones as does Eileen Fisher at a higher price point.

  4. My grandparents used to live in Victoria. So I grew up visiting often. Such a lovely place.

    I hope a waterfront lot comes available. It looks ideal!

  5. Debbie Z. says:

    I love Victoria! My husband and I went there for our honeymoon 42 years ago and went back again on our 20th anniversary. The beautiful buildings, the ambiance, the antiques!! Our honeymoon was in December. We stayed at the Olde England Inn and it snowed. It was so romantic. You have brought back wonderful memories. Enjoy your trip down the peninsula and south. I agree with you about Seattle and Portland- the traffic is awful. Safe travels to your and your husband.

    1. That sounds so idyllic Debbie! I know they don’t get snow often but when they do it just adds to the picturesque beauty. Thank you!

  6. We have two little dogs and I wonder how you manage travelling with yours. I looked into renting an RV to see if this would be a way to travel with our pets but none allow dogs! I suppose they have had one bad experience similar to what condo base their ‘no pets’ restrictions on.

    Some hotels state they are ‘pet friendly’ but charge $25 a day, per dog. This although they only clean the carpets at the end of the stay.

    The B.C. ferries require that dogs remain on the car deck either in your vehicle or in a small, not cozy pet area. I’ve spent the two hour ferry trip behind the wheel, stationary, too many times surrounded by a sea of cars.

    1. Lucy travels very well with us. She has a car seat in our car for when we are driving. For the BC Ferries, I give her a nice long walk before boarding, then leave her in the car with the windows cracked for several short periods between walking her around the deck. They are allowed on deck. It’s not optimum but she’s used to the ferry now. I dislike pet friendly hotels because many do not smell clean, but they are a necessity sometimes. A trailer is cleaner and she can sleep in her own bed!

  7. Carolyn Lassonde says:

    Hi Jennifer,

    Do you ever review the best bathing suits for women 60+? I haven’t bought or worn one in years. Some high school friends are now having swim parties and I’m terrified about wearing a suit again. Any suggestions are welcome!

    Carolyn

    1. Hi Carolyn. I have been just thinking about bathing suits this week! I don’t wear one often but will put together a post on how to choose and wear one with confidence.

  8. Thanks for the awesome pics of Victoria. 15 years ago in July we were married in the Empress rose garden!! Hope your holiday is a great one.

    1. It’s such a gorgeous spot. It must have been marvelous to married there, Judy. The rose garden is magnificent. Have a great holiday weekend.

  9. I missed your visit to Victoria!
    We were down at the Inner Harbour enjoying the festivities leading up to Canada’s 150th birthday.
    I feel very fortunate to live in Victoria as it is a beautiful place and the city is not too big.
    Hope that you get that crab feed before heading home.

    1. We always seem to miss each other Leslie. You’ve got a great spot there and live in a fabulous place. Happy Canada Day!!

  10. Hi there,
    Thanks for stopping by in beautiful Victoria. Today is July 1st and Canada is 150 years old – still pretty young. Today myself,hubby grand children and their parents will head down to the Gorge. are you familiar with the area? It is beautiful and once a year on Canada Day the street gets blocked off. It is a wonderful place to bring children, lots of space to wander,food vendors, artists, games, various local talent in the banshell. Then of course there is the best fresh strawberry shortcake and ice cream loaded with fresh strawberries served in the kayak club building overlooking the gorge. All in all it is a lovely relaxed place and atmosphere. I find down town Victoria on Canada Day too overwhelming with small children but we’ll watch the sky tonight for fireworks. Enjoy your 4th of July celebrations and thanks for sharing – I enjoy your blog very much. Dawn

    1. I’m not familiar with the Gorge. Is it a street, or area of town? It sounds lovely. We really love Victoria and wish we could have afforded to buy nearby. Happy Canada Day Dawn!! Thanks for reading.

  11. Who can resist a sweet little lady like Lucy!

  12. We love that drive! It’s amazing how close Victoria looks from Dungeness Spit. The peninsula really does avoid I-5 and the Seattle craziness. My husband gets cranky if we have to drive through Seattle or Portland and we really enjoy the coastal towns. Have a safe and sunny drive home! Happy 4th of July!

    1. We love it too Joanne! The traffic in Seattle and Portland can take years off your life. We’d much rather see trees and breath fresh air out the window!

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