Its called Redfish Blue fish well worth the long queues.

When we went to Van island last year we drove out to Port Renfew to go to Avatar Grove to see the gnarliest tree, it was so cool, really enjoyed that excursion.

Coffee / lunch / dinner on The Drive in Van . . .will meet you

I had a day trip to Seattle recently and found it disappointing, not as big or vibrant as I was expecting. It was lovely and scenic driving in, but then a bit grim when I got there. Downtown is OK, the market area too, this is where the original Starbucks and the guys throwing the fish around are, nice little place with some interesting stalls in the market, buskers etc. You can do it in a day.

Did you go to Ballard? Capitol Hill? I used to think the same about Seattle until I started frequenting those areas.

On my first trip to Seattle I remember being very disappointed by the market. It was my own fault though. I let everyone tell me how good it was, forgetting that markets in general are somewhat of a novelty to North Americans! I did like seeing the cheese churning place there though.

When I was 16 I went down to 2nd and Yesler near the Seattle waterfront and it was a bit of a war zone. I could of bought a Colt .45 auto for $50 no questions asked.

yeah me too. It was sort of like a big craft fair with people throwing fish and odd people strumming guitars; colourful.

We're only going so we can soak up the vistas from Grey's Anatomy.

There are a few boat trips you can do to some "crafty/artisany" islands (although the names of them escape me!) - that would give you those special "Greys" Vistas!

The tour around the BC legislature is quite interesting. Butchart Gardens is a must-see really. If you're driving down Hwy 95 then it's worth having a look at Lake Coeur D'Alene.

If you're in Seattle you need to go up the Space Needle and the EMP is next door: http://empmuseum.org - that is definitely worth a visit, I would have thought your daughters would like that.

Do you though? You get a better view of the city from the Columbia Center Observatory.. You can even see the Space Needle in your view! and it's almost half the price.

Had a nice holiday on the Island. Didn't go to Seattle in the end, swapped the itinerary around to do Tofino instead.

Random observations :

Holy moly - there's a lot of traffic in Victoria. So busy. And bloody tourists everywhere

Love the sunken cats eyes in the road. Calgary, pay attention. The snow ploughs could cope.

Never seen so many over-head cables - everywhere. It's like spaghetti in the sky.

Big trees. Enormous trees. That growing season sure boosts the trees. But sometimes (like when I'm visiting the UK), it can feel a bit claustrophobic to me now. And you'd have to clean gutter a lot. But you can grow monkey puzzle trees so that's good!

Winding and curvy roads. Ooh, the prairies soon knock that driving skill right out of you. And what's with all the proper kerbs and telegraph poles 12 inches from the side of from the roads? Trying to scare me, huh, make me breath in more?

Victoria and surroundings seem so walkable. Lots of local produce and markets everywhere. Great variety of fresh stuff. Well done on your peaches BC.

I anticipated lush green lawns and saw burnt-to-a-crisp brown dead grass everywhere, just the same as Calgary in winter. And Victorians don't waste water on pointless irrigation. But it's just not pretty folks.

Tofino. Mmmm, wasn't sure actually. Every single person told me I had to go there. Yes, it's wild, the beaches are magnificent, it's cutesy. Maybe I needed better weather and more time to get into the mood. I found the twisty drive there annoying in the end (!), but mostly cos daughter number two gets motion sickness so complained or slept most of the way. Weird sea mists - would tire of that pretty quick. But I do get it - it's wild and pretty - just don't think I was able to muster up my inner middle class dude in good time. Thank you to JohnBoyE for TinWis accommodation recommendation. Perfect spot. Kids learnt paddle boarding, and loved that.

Housing stock - mostly older with a lot of need for renovation. Don't get much for your money. Maybe compared to Vancouver proper, it's better value. But it's pricey nonetheless. And apartments are too.

Recycling abilities with kerbside collection. Fiddly for sorting and separating but bloody excellent. Recycling generally, even in a mall is very advanced!

The sea smells gorgeous.

Saw a mamma seal with a baby trying to both get on a rock - how bloody cute were they? Mamma was fine thank you, with the baby struggling to wriggle itself onto the slender plinth. You just want to swim out there and give it little boost up!

There are real life younger people and families here after all. I was led to believe the place was full of more seniors. Mind you, never seen so many health related clinics. That is a growth industry for sure, as the population does age here. (Went to the movies last night and it was like Seniors night out, the lighting bouncing off all the grey hairs!)

You have no Safeways out here. Who knew?

That's my little bit of nonsense for the day. Heading out to drag two teens around Butchart Gardens - wish me luck!

We did have Safeway until a couple of months ago! They were bought out by Sobeys, but because Sobeys also own Thrifty's, they had to sell off some of the Safeway stores to Save on Foods.

Yup, if you want to see green grass, you have to come in the spring or early summer! Yesterday was the first rain for weeks.

Hope you survive Butchart with the teens!

We still have Safeways In Van