Sitting by the Dock of the Bay

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.