Thursday, July 17, 2003, we drove to Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend, Washington, where we enjoyed the views of Mt Baker and the Straits of Juan de Fuca and collected colorful stones from the beach. We learned that "An Officer and a Gentleman" was filmed there. We walked up the beach to view the Point Wilson lighthouse and were lucky enough to see an old schooner sail by. Great place, and we plan to visit again.

After leaving Port Townsend we headed for Sequim where I took a couple of photos of lavender fields on Angel Farm. The 7th Annual Celebrate Lavender Festival would begin the following day.

After checking into our room in Port Angeles, we drove to Olympic National Park and made the scenic drive to Hurricane Ridge. We saw deer (including spotted fawns), glacier lilies, avalanche lilies, and spectacular views of the Olympic Mountains, Cascade Mountains (especially Mt Baker), and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, which we would cross by ferry Friday to reach Victoria. On a sign overlooking the Strait we read this very appropriate quote by Henry David Thoreau, �Simply to see a distant horizon through clean air�is wealth enough for one afternoon.�

Friday, July 18, we boarded the ferry around 8:15 a.m. and enjoyed the smooth ride to Victoria, BC. Spotting a couple of dolphins was fun! It took 90 minutes to travel 18 miles. During a horse-drawn carriage tour of Victoria, our favorite sights were the heritage houses and Beacon Hill Park.

A special treat for us was High Tea at the Empress Hotel. We were lucky enough to sit at a table on the veranda overlooking the harbor where we could feel the fresh breeze and were serenaded by a house finch. First we were served fresh strawberries with cream and topped with a gooseberry (complete with leaves). Then lunch arrived - in three tiers. The lower tier held two each of four types of sandwiches on different breads (with crusts removed). We had smoked salmon with cream cheese, deviled egg, cucumber with cream cheese, and carrot-ginger. All delicious! Moving to the second tier, we found shortbread and golden raisin scones with strawberry jam and jersey cream. By now we were full, but we indulged on the sweet treats from the third tier including truffles, fruit tarts, lemon cream puffs, and chocolate sticks. Of course, our teacups were continually refilled during the course of the meal. A great once-in-a lifetime experience!

After an incredibly busy day Friday we relaxed Saturday by visiting the lovely Willows Beach. We marveled at the incredible views of the Olympic and Cascade Mountains and we gathered many colorful stones for our rock garden. We also visited the Fisgard Lighthouse at Fort Rodd Hill.

Sunday was another busy day. We rose early and drove to Schwartz Bay where we would board the ferry to Vancouver on Monday. We then drove a scenic rural route to reach the Victoria Butterfly Gardens. I shot an entire role of film there!

From the Butterfly Gardens we drove just a few miles to Butchart Gardens. My favorite garden spots were the sunken garden and the Ross Fountain.

On Monday, July 25, the 9:00 ferry took us on a 90-minute smooth and scenic ride to the Tsawwassen/Vancouver ferry terminal. From there it was a 22-mile drive to Vancouver BC. Along the way we saw three eagles and constant views of the mountains.

After finding our room at Gouse Inn, we drove to Grouse Mountain to see what we could see. Then we drove scenic Marine Drive to West Vancouver and Lighthouse Park where we hiked through an old growth forest to an overlook of Point Atkinson Lighthouse.

Tuesday already? We drove to Grouse Mountain (the Peak of Vancouver) and took the mile-long Skyride to the top. What fun to see the Birds in Motion, the World Famous Lumberjack Show, the grizzly bears, the video presentation �Born to Fly� shown in the Theater in the Sky, Glenn Greensides' 16-foot tall chainsaw sculptures, and ride the ski chair lift three times just to rest and view the beautiful scenery surrounding us. We enjoyed a fine lunch while seated on a patio overlooking Vancouver and the majestic mountains.

That evening we celebrated Dave�s birthday at Amici's, a wonderful little Italian restaurant in West Vancouver. After dining, we walked to Ambleside Park to watch a magnificent Canadian sunset.

We had a marvelous time and saw so much - but we are glad to be home. Not for long though � as we are now planning trips to Denver in June 2004 and to New York in September 2004.