Saturday, June 8, 2013

Visit to Victoria

Last week I went to Victoria, B.C. for a conference, but here's the city's prime attraction.
 
I didn't actually go inside. I like the idea of a bug zoo; I don't like bugs, not even butterflies. (Don't let those pretty wings fool you. Butterflies still have crawly feet!)
 
Living in Seattle, we don't think of Victoria as being very far away; but it's a schlep to get there if you drive and take a ferry, especially if you drive north in I-5 where the Skagit River bridge collapsed. I took the 3-hr Clipper ride, which is actually a 5-hr trip when you factor in the drive to the pier and the hour wait to get on the boat. Before going to the conference and meeting up with friends after, I focused on the important stuff.


Cute ducklings resting on lily pads in the ornamental pool in front of a hotel.
 
 
After the conference, spectacular views were de rigueur.

 
 
But look at this view. I visited Joanne Helm and her husband Jon, who gave me Alanis nearly five years ago.
 
Airedale Mary, Irish Kelly and Cairn whose-name-I forget.
 
Spree. Alanis' granddaughter (if I've kept them properly sorted out).

Dazzle.


Gypsy, my most admired. Sired by Joanne Helm's  Harry Potter from a bitch in Romania, she has that indefinable Airedale presence. Some refer to it as Airedale mind-meld because you only have to look at the dog for her to take over your brain. I took the photo from a distance because Gypsy insisted on staying on her rock.
 
As an anti-climax, Blogger is refusing to load any other photos. There's also Mary, she-who-must-be-obeyed, lounging with her Armadillo stuffie. I was amazed to see a stuffie that still had all its guts intact.
 
 

9 comments:

  1. The stuffie wouldn't last long here, lol.

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  2. Ha, I think the stuffie wouldn't last long with my sisters dog either!

    We have never been over to Victoria and the ferry is right there..We will need to get to that soon.

    Have a lovely weekend. xo

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  3. OMD!!! I LOVES doggie family tree pics!! Oh, they are soooo cute!! And to see an Irish Terrier ~ OMD! Ma is all goo-goo over it! She says she misses her Maggie the Irish. And, they look pretty close in size there (or is it just an optical illusion?) BOL
    I hopes Blogger is nicer to you and lets you post the rest of the pics! PFFFT! Sometimes Blogger gets a stick up it's arse!
    Kisses,
    Ruby

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  4. You came all the way to Victoria... We should have caught up, it's only 2 hours from here...


    Oh... not the same one.. BOL! Sorry!

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  5. What a fun trip! Our mom would have never wanted to leave Joanne Helm's! What gorgeous pups!

    Love ya lots♥
    Mitch and Molly

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  6. Loved the pics! You're SO right about those creepy feet of butterflies. I'm right with you there. ha! When Pat retires Victoria is on my wish list of places to go. I've heard it's very lovely.
    X-Cassie (the human mama!)

    Miss Sherry,
    We also like the Terrier photos and appreciate that you included an Irish and Cairn too.
    Smooches from pooches,
    BRD & Hootie

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  7. Victoria is beautiful! So glad there was time after the conference to enjoy. And what a great visit to the Helms'!

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  8. Sure Victoria is beautiful!
    Kisses and hugs
    Lorenza

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