Day 24 Mile 4774
Victoria,
Canada
The word
for today is, “CONTENT.”
Have you
ever had a room on vacation that was so special that you were half-tempted to
never leave the property? You know what I mean- a place where you put on your
plushy robe, use all the wonderfully-scented toiletries and enjoy the thick pillow-top bedding.
That’s our
predicament here in the Pink Dishrack.
It’s not
the Ritz or a glitzy Caribbean all-inclusive resort but the Pink Dishrack is a
special and unique abode. It’s a float house tucked into a marina on Victoria’s
harbor. Yes, a
“Sleepless in Seattle”
float house.
Named for
the pink plastic dish rack given a permanent place of honor in the bay window of
the kitchen, our floating home boasts of a porch with two Adirondack chairs so
close to the water I can lazily toss cheese tidbits to eager geese. In the
harbor, we watch tiny boats ferrying passengers to and fro and in the distance,
cruise ships are in dock. We’ve both
agreed our floating home is far preferable to any stateroom Carnival could
offer. We’ve even made new friends who
had us over for sunset cocktails on their live-aboard (I know, it’s crazy- us
making new friends?)
Before a
wedding last fall brought us to the Pacific Northwest, I’d barely heard of
Victoria. Now, it is hard to get it out of a hearts. We thoroughly love
cosmopolitan Vancouver but smaller Victoria boasts of a special charm and a
kinship with nature. With a temperate
climate, showy hanging flower baskets adorn most streets. Miles of rolling
coastline are lined with bike paths and verdant parks. One path, the Galloping
Goose traverses much of the island and being Canadians, motorists cheerfully
yield to bikers and pedestrians. Jeff was even thanked by a policeman for
walking his bike on a pedestrian-only path. The city’s love affair with the sea
is evident- whale watching boats, SUPs, kayaks and ferries crisscross the
harbor, narrowly avoiding landing seaplanes.
Today was
spent entirely in motion. Beginning with a bike ride to the tony eastside
coastline, we happened into a classic car rally, a farmers’ market and a large
annual art festival. Covering the several mile length of Moss St., artists
shared their talents along a backdrop of manicured Craftsman homes. A favorite
sign alerted visitors that a nearby street also offered live music, chill
space, water & love. Later, we lingered along the wharf enjoying the Busker
Festival. In its fifth year, the event brings together top street performers to
entertain crowds in random locations throughout the city. We enjoyed bubble tea
while watching gymnastic juggler Kate Great perched precariously over torches
and machetes as she juggled. Elsewhere, fire-breathers, acrobats,
contortionists and others entertained the milling crowds.
But on our
last night, we’re happily back at the Pink Dishrack, nursing a wine (or three),
listening to the distant gulls and taking in a final pink sunset- happy and
content.