25th Anniversary Trip – Day 1

 – Day 1
Redmond to Victoria, B.C.

Peace Arch

Pretty uneventful drive up to Blaine; a bit of rain but we made good time.  I’ve never been to the Peace Arch – in fact, this will be only my third time in Canada ever in my life.  

We were asked to park and walk inside the Custom’s building at Blaine.  This is a bit scary because, well, it just is.  All kinds of things go through your mind...mistaken identity?  Do I need an attorney?  Random American pick? We grab our Passports and wait.  The agent asks us why we’re in Canada and if we’ve ever been before.  He walks off with our Passports and tells us to sit down.

He calls Russ (only Russ) back up and questions him a bit more.  Apparently, my husband traveled into Toronto 30 years ago (about 27 by our calculations) on a work trip for Honeywell Marine Systems.  He was supposed to be training the Canadians he was working with on a new system.  The "friendly" French-Canadian agent at that time gave him grief (and detained him for FOUR HOURS) because he was doing a "Canadian’s job".  Odd that in 27 years he’s never, ever been contacted about it…


Anyway, the agent in 2014 gets Russ’ story and says “well, you don’t look like a terrorist” and hands him back our passports.  Off we drive, 30 minutes later…but we missed our reserved ferry time so we need to change the time for our afternoon tea reservation at the Empress.

I've been joking with Russ ever since that I didn't know I was married to an "International Criminal"...

We make it for the 1 PM ferry and have a rainy, windy, yet uneventful passage.  Canadian ferries are much nicer and larger than WA state ferries; however, MUCH MORE expensive (even with exchange rates!)  Sunshine as we get off the ferry and we head towards Victoria.

Darth Vader apparently has an off-season gig in Victoria...

Parking is a bit of a challenge; or at least different than we’re used to.  Russ checks in, leaves me at the hotel and parks the car.  Up to the room and then it’s off to the Empress at the Fairmont.  Windy now, but sunny.  We get a table by the window overlooking the harbor (or is that harbour).  It’s a beautiful place.

The "Sticky Wicket"

Russ’s parents spent one night at the Fairmont for their honeymoon 73 years ago (April 3, 1941) and we’re feeling a bit nostalgic watching the handsome cabs, pedi-cabs and tourist buses and boats.  After a delicious and very filling tea, we head back to the room to plan out our next day’s adventures.  We stop by the Royal British Museum and see the oldest elevator in the PNW. We’ll stop back tomorrow for the actual tour.  (we never did actually take the tour...)

Back out after posting photos on Facebook (of course) and changing clothes for something a bit warmer. The wind has picked up and the sun is going down, so shorts are a bit chilly...
We walked around; had a beer at “The Sticky Wicket” and then a late dinner at “The Irish Times”.  In between Russ lit up the cigar he bought at the oldest cigar/tobacco store and we took more photos and stopped at Roger’s Chocolates.  I also got a picture with “Sully”. 

25th Anniversary Tea at the Empress

Sully begged for a photo with me; I graciously agreed.

St. Andrews Presbyterian Church

We met a nice couple with long-haired Weimaraner – didn’t even know those existed.  They recommended we take the Coho Ferry back through Port Angeles on our return trip.  Less expensive and quicker in their estimation.  (not really when you add in the Kingston to Edmonds ferry too...)

Even with the exchange rate, I’m kind of surprised how expensive everything is.  But, it’s vacation, right?  Back to the room, charging phones and posting on FB.  Ready to call it a night and do it all over again tomorrow!