"Vacation - happy to get away"

The harbour (harbor) where there is a really nice walk.

Our family in front of the harbour - pic taken by a lovely British couple.

RKZ was very excited about this picture and I promised to post it.

"Victoria" the statue. Buck loves statues and water features. He's a freak about them. This Victoria in NO WAY resembles queen Victoria, whom the city is actually named after.

Mommy & Buck in front of the dolphins and naked lady swimming (Buck's name for the fountain statue, minus the word naked)

The Empress Hotel. They serve 800 people a day high tea here. It's a beautiful place. We didn't stay here.

The view from the Empress veranda. We had a light dinner here and it was such a beautiful, mellow time.

Buck is into trying on Daddy's clothes these days. RKZ helped him buckle the belt. There are some better shots of RKZ trying on Buck's jeans, but they aren't as appropriate to post.

The same architect who designed the Empress designed the Provincial capital building (here). They are right next to each other. Also pretty. We didn't go inside of it but it's lovely at night.

The second oldest Chinatown in North America is in Victoria (first is San Fran). It's a little area but really quirky and fun. Also, the only place in Canada where we've found toys for a dollar (aside from the dollar stores).

Buck and I are back from Victoria, BC (British Columbia - it's another Province in Canada. The one next to Alberta. And no, Canadian friends, I'm not being patronizing to my American friends. I'm thinking some of them don't know). RKZ had to stay for business. I'm hoping that the pictures can give you an idea of what we were up to for our 4 days there. These pictures are just from the first day. Victoria is on Vancouver Island, which is an island off the coast of British Columbia. There are many little islands around Vancouver Island & there are a ton of lakes on the islands. It's a paradise, really. It is very similar to Seattle. Green and tropical (but a bit cold).

We're running out to do some errands. We've been home for a day and 1/2 and I still haven't been to the grocery store. Thank goodness for house sitters.