We just got back from our first driving trip into Canada. Even though Seattle was our intended first stop we did a quick stop at Gig Harbor and glad we did. Charming town to enjoy, walk around and have a bite to eat. Then on to Seattle and it’s environs. A stop at the Space Needle is a must. They have just completed a multi-million dollar renovation and have a rotating glass floor with views of the city down below. The area is also home to the Museum of Pop Culture, Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle Center, IMAX Theatre and various performances and eating venues. Lots to see and do in this area.
Then on to Pike’s Place Fish Market to catch a glimpse of the fish throwing. They were offering a special delivery package to Dodger fans as the Seattle Mariners were playing the Dodgers this weekend. Lots of food stalls and places to shop in the area. We did not go this time, but I highly recommend a tour of the Boeing Plant located about 25 miles north of the city. Be sure to reserve your tickets online ahead of time for this tour.
The next morning we took an early morning drive to Snoqualmie Falls. This has been on my bucket list for many years and it did not disappoint. The falls are spectacular, the drive was beautiful and breakfast at Salish Lodge was over-the-top. Delicious, entertaining and a treat not to be missed.
An easy drive to Vancouver, currently one of the top five worldwide cities for livability and quality of life. There was quite a bit of smoke from the fires in BC but it did not damper our time here. Stanley Park is a must. A public park bordering downtown Vancouver with a little over 1,000 acres of parks, ponds, gardens, restaurants and other outdoor activities. We had a couple very good meals at The White Spot in Vancouver. Looks like a little diner, but with 60 locations in BC and Alberta, they have been doing a real good job of serving delicious food since 1928.
Took the BC Ferry from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay in the morning. Be sure to get reservations ahead of time, show up early and book yourself a seat in the SeaWest business lounge once onboard. It’s a quiet zone, with WIFI, private facilities, snacks and fresh coffee. Worth it. Spent some time exploring more of Victoria than just the downtown area. Butchart Gardens, of course, is a must. Two-three hours of enjoying the gardens and something to eat is perfect. Any time of year is worth a stop here. Then more driving around the island and a trip into the downtown area. If time, high tea at The Empress is quite nice. Many options for getting on the water. Lots of nice food. Victoria and Vancouver have some amazing restaurants, but even the casual dining is worth talking about. You can take horse-drawn carriage rides around town. The hop on/hop off bus tour is a good overview of the downtown and beach areas, too. Beautiful little city.
Black Ball Ferry Line was another stream-lined operation with service from Victoria to Port Angeles, Washington. Not quite as nice as BC Ferry, but got us where we wanted to go. Then a very long but beautiful drive back to Beaverton. Again, we experienced lots of smoke from the fires. Much worse than the days we were in BC. The drive along Hood Canal, through Olympia and back into the Portland area was enjoyable and an easy drive. Happy to be back home and ready to plan our next trip next month to Crater Lake.
Pamela
