Easter Weekend in Victoria 2019

We were able to travel to Victoria as a family for Easter this year. Our boys' Spring Breaks didn't line up so our trip was a short one. We left home on Good Friday. Both boys had school that day (odd for Christian schools) but we decided they would skip in order for us to have a long weekend. We took the Anacortes ferry, as per usual.

We stayed at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel again, even though they have changed their policies and no longer allow anyone under 16 in the pool and spa area. We may not return to this hotel, even though we enjoy it very much, because of this new restriction. The views from this hotel are spectacular. This is the view from our room:

The boys playing cards.

This looks unreal, or photo shopped, but it isn't.

On Saturday we did some shopping in the morning (clothes for the boys) and then in the afternoon we drove along the coast (as per my mom's request) and stopped at many beaches.

One very strange thing happened to us at a beach along Dallas Road. J and the boys were skipping stones. There were some ducks a long way out in the water. J joked about aiming for the ducks. A woman walking by scolded him and said "don't throw rocks at the ducks, they are protected." Good grief! Mind your own business, eh? Why not say (to yourself), isn't that nice, father and son time, out in nature. What a busybody!

My hubby pretending:

Cattle Point:

We discovered one beach and park that we had never been to before (Cadboro/Gyro Park). It has a great playground but our boys are too old for that now. I'd recommend it for families with young kids.

We ate evening meals at Swiss Chalet and The White Spot, good choices for restaurants that aren't too loud. On Easter Sunday morning we enjoyed a very solid sermon from Barton Priebe at Central Baptist where my parents attend. There were props on stage and he used them quite well to tell the story of Peter and his denial and subsequent reconciliation with Christ.

We had some family photos taken at my parents' church. Unfortunately, our photographer cut a head off the best one and I had my eyes closed for another good shot. Here's what we accomplished.

Here's that photo with me and my eyes closed.

We went to the Hotel Grand Pacific for Easter Brunch. The food was amazing. It was a buffet, all you can eat. Breakfast foods, carving table, salads, etc. I loved the chocolate mousse dessert.

We caught the 4 pm ferry from Schwartz Bay (north of the city of Victoria) to Tsawwassen. We stopped at Tim Horton's and then headed for the border. We had no wait at all. We literally didn't stop until we spoke to the agent. That has never happened to us in 20 years of living here.

We didn't get rained on at all during our time in Victoria. Another thing to be thankful for.

I'm so thankful to spend time with my parents.

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Solo Getaway to Whidbey Island

Fort Ebey Beach

My boys' Spring Breaks did not line up this year so we weren't able to go away as a family. However, we will be spending Easter weekend in Victoria. I decided that I needed a break so I went to Coupeville on Whidbey Island for two nights.

I stayed at Anchorage B & B. You can see photos (inside and out) here.

I left at 12:30 pm on Friday afternoon and was able to catch the 1 pm ferry. I arrived at the B&B about 2:15 pm. After checking in, I walked about the town. Coupeville is about the middle point of Whidbey Island. I like Aqua Gifts where I purchased a pretty card to send to a friend.

I stopped for a cup of tea and a lavender shortbread cookie at Lavender Wind Farms. I had dinner (a lamb burger) at Front Street Grill in Coupeville.

I took this photo at sunset.

I'm actually pretty proud of this photo. In the evening, I read one of the many books I brought along.

Saturday morning breakfast at the B&B was at 9 am. A little later than I wanted since I don't really sleep in. My hosts served a delicious crust-less quiche with chicken sausage after yogurt and fruit cup to start. I chatted with the four other guests at the table, two couples.

It was very windy on Saturday morning. It reminded me of Victoria weather. I searched out thrift stores in Oak Harbor. I visited an antique store called Oldish stuff and then Island Thrift where I found a few goodies.

Next I went to Fort Ebey State Park beach and spent an hour or so there.

I saw seven seals in the ocean. My photo was taken without a zoom lens so I had to crop it, in order for the seals to be visible. You can probably see 3 seals in my photo. They weren't far from shore.

I went to a large thrift store in Freeland where I bought a robins egg blue sweater/cardigan. I made a quick stop at Bayview Gardens. They have a famous laburnum flowering arch which will be blooming later in the Spring.

I walked around Langley but most shops were closing since it was now 5 pm. My favourite shop in Langley is Flying Bear Flowers. The smell (of all the fresh flowers) as you open the door is amazing!

I sat outside for a while, enjoying the sunshine, waiting to get into the restaurant. I love magnolia trees and spotted this one.

While walking along, I saw this little guy in the grass in front of a B&B.

I ate dinner at Saltwater Fish House in Langley. I had fish and chips and strawberry mousse for dessert.

The fish was battered just to my liking and the mousse was incredible!

I didn't like driving 30 minutes to get back to my B&B so I wish I had planned that better. Langley is in south part of Whidbey Island. I walked a lot that day so I was pretty tired and slept well.

Sunday morning I got up at 7 am and was on the road at 8 am. I just missed the 8:30 ferry but got the 9 am one. My B&B provided yogurt, a pastry, and a banana for me but I need something more substantial in the morning so I got a breakfast sandwich from Starbucks. I came back in time for 10 am church.


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