Part 4 – Weirs Beach RV Resort, Victoria (Vancouver Island) British Columbia

Saturday, September 21, 2024 – Weirs Beach RV Resort, Victoria (Vancouver Island) BC – site 10

Our site backed up to a beautiful pond complete with ducks, geese, and a stately blue heron.

The pond through our back window.

The beach just across from our trailer.

Our own driftwood fortress.

Got on the road by 10:00 am. Thought we would arrive at Weirs Beach by about 3:00 pm but instead didn’t arrive until 4:45 pm. And why the delay? Well of course we had to stop for a potty break. Then gas, then lunch. But the main reason we got into camp later than expected was because the main coast highway between Parksville and the turn off to the southern shore of Vancouver Island, has traffic lights every 10 yards. OK, not that frequent, but when you are trying to get from point A to point B, it sure seemed like it!

And then, after passing the small burg of Crofton where we had landed by ferry from Salt Spring Island, we were completely dumbfounded at what we found. Neither of us had ever traveled from this point south to Victoria. (Or north for that matter!) So, instead of a 4-lane highway, it was a windy, slow, at sometimes 2 lane mountain road with of course the obligatory road construction. What? Weren’t we just a few klicks from a major city? How could the road be so rural appearing and like we were in the middle of freaking nowhere? Like I said – we were flabbergasted.

But finally, we were able to head southwest towards our destination. And even then, it felt like we were a thousand miles from civilization. Two lane roads with very poor signage. But Mr. C. couldn’t get lost if his life depended on it. He just instinctively knows how to find where he needs to go. Amazing.

And once again, I didn’t get behind the wheel. Too many places where the good drivers pulling a trailer that we are, pulled over to let other cars pass us. But the pull-outs were narrow and seemed totally too short and scary to me. So, poor Mr. C. did all the driving. And I must say, he was a very good sport about it. (But I still feel guilty.)

And then we got to camp. Right on the water with a beautiful sandy beach with our big back window facing away from the water. But it’s OK. We can sit on the beach that is barely a cars width from our trailer. And it’s quiet here. So, sleeping and relaxing will be the order of the days to come. Well, along with going into Victoria to visit the Royal BC Museum and Butchart Gardens, I may even try to twist Andy’s arm to take me to high tea at the Empress Hotel. The options are endless. I love Victoria.

Sunday, September 22, 2024 – Weirs Beach RV Resort

After a late breakfast, we decided today was perfect for a ride. Since neither of us had been on the southern shore of Vancouver Island (VI), except for Victoria itself, we felt duty bound to go west Mr. and Mrs. Carr, go west.

So, at about 11:30 am we hopped in our truck and headed for Sooke. Of course, along the way we took various offshoot roads because, after all, we were exploring. First stop – Rocky Point. And if ever a place was properly named, Rocky Point is it! But then, every place name on the entire southern coast of VI should start with Rocky. Rocky Metchosin, Rocky East Sooke, Rocky Sooke, and even Rocky Jordan River. Because I have never seen such hilly, rocky landscape in my life. The fact that any animal can actually live off this land is amazing to me. Yet there are signs to watch out for deer, bear, and wolves all along the road, and I do mean road (singular), because there is only one paved road in this area. What could these poor critters possibly be finding to eat? Boggles the mind! And as far as 2 legged critters, there’s not much for us to eat along the way either. Very few dining establishments. Our next main diversion was to leave Rocky Point Road and turn left onto Sooke Road and head to East Sooke. Nothing really there, except a magnificent view of the waterway into Sooke.

So, finding ourselves at a dead end, we turned around and headed north on Gillespie Road until we turned west on highway 14 and on into the tiny burg of Sooke. But before actually going through Sooke, we turned right (north) to follow the Sooke River Road to check out Sooke Potholes Regional Park.  Due to a wildfire located north of Sooke Potholes Park in July of this year, the park was closed until further notice. But it was still a lovely ride as far as we could go. Then back to Sooke and on west to Jordan River. Which of course we just had to cross. Because the Jordan River has since biblical times been imbued with powerful symbolic meanings: it is a boundary and a crossing point, a metaphor for spiritual rebirth and salvation, and a source of holy water.

Now I’m pretty sure the “Jordan River” referenced in the bible is not now nor has it ever been in British Columbia. But it’s never smart to ignore every opportunity to hedge your bets! So, after crossing the river we immediately turned around and crossed it again. It’s called double indemnity.

But the real reason we turned around was because we were starving. And a few klicks back we had seen a sign for Stoked Wood Fired Pizza. Well, by golly, we ate every bit of our Spicy Pepperoni pizza. In fact, the box it came in was almost in jeopardy.

After filling our tummies, it was back to the trailer for a bit of a read outside. For me that lasted about 5 minutes because it was a little bit too cold for my taste. So, inside and onto writing today’s trip report. About 6:00 pm Andy decided he’d had enough nature for the day and came inside to prepare our evening libation. And that’s where I will close for now. Happily sipping a martini while Andy enjoys his Manhattan. M & M’s a pair.

After dinner, more of the same. Read, write, sleep. Not a bad trio.

Monday, September 23, 2024 – Weirs Beach RV Resort

OK, I was awake several hours last night. FOR NO GOOD REASON. If I was anxious about something or didn’t feel well, then I would understand my new tendency towards periodic insomnia. But nothing was bothering me, and I felt just fine. I had heard that sometimes older folks can’t sleep as well as they did when they were younger, but I never thought it would happen to me. (I never counted on wrinkles either, but I’m starting to look like a dried-up prune!) (But that’s neither here nor there.) (Shit just happens!)

Anyway, I slept in a bit longer than I had planned, so we didn’t leave for Victoria until about 11:30 am. Today’s agenda consisted of the Royal BC Museum. So, after parking about 4 blocks from the museum, my legs were so tired by the time we got to the museum, that I was ready to turn around and come back to the trailer. But once I got into the museum, I was raring to go.

Because I love this museum, and it had been too many years since my last visit. But just as Andy was getting in line to buy our tickets, we read that the IMAX theater was about to screen a documentary on Blue Whales. So, we decided to watch that first before going through the museum. (Plus, I could rest my weary legs before strolling through the museum.) And boy oh boy was Blue Whales an interesting and educational production. We both loved it. Next, we toured the museum. But first, 3 views of Victoria from the top floor of the museum.

Then the museum itself.

One of the current exhibitions is about Stonehenge. Very interesting and informative. And it recalled the time my former husband and I had taken our three younger children to Europe for 5 weeks. And one day just minding our own business, we happened to drive by a field that looked empty except for some large stones seemingly enjoying themselves in the afternoon sun. We looked at each other, and even though there was no sign indicating what we were seeing, we were savvy enough to immediately recognize that what we were looking at was Stonehenge. So, all by ourselves, the 5 of us in 1978 walked through these ancient ruins. It was freaking amazing. And we were the only people there.

Now you practically have to offer up your first born, to even stand behind a fence to view this ancient marvel of engineering.

After touring the museum, it was after 3:00 pm and we decided a bit of sustenance was in order. And right in front of us was The Spaghetti Factory which we had eaten at maybe 30 years ago. So, why not? We had two appetizers. Steamed mussels in an amazing wine broth, and fried calamari. Both were delicious.

Then it was back in the truck to head towards our campground. But first, a bit of provisioning. Then back in camp it was cocktail hour and time for me to write up todays’ experiences.

Then cook dinner and do a bit of hand laundering. Andy was out of socks and clean underwear would be in short supply for both of us after tomorrow. So, with no options available, Patti the laundress was put to work!

Then read for a while and an early to bed for me. My body was a bit tired from walking in Victoria and going through the museum. So, knowing we would be doing some more walking tomorrow, I decided to give in to gravity and lay my tired bones down and give them a long rest. When Andy made it to bed, heaven only know?

Tuesday, September 24, 2024 – Weirs Beach RV Resort

Well, I must have been harder on my body than I thought, because this morning I could hardly get out of bed. So, after fixing breakfast and discussing our options for today, we decided Butchart Gardens was out of the question. My arthritic knees just were not up to the task of walking any distance. That left – golf.

We had seen a nearby golf course (Metchosin Golf and Country Club) on our way back from Victoria on Monday. So, armed with golf clubs for Mr. C. and my burning desire to drive a golf cart, off we went for 18 holes of frustration, excitement, zeal, exhilaration, euphoria, discouragement, and every emotion in between. (And that was just my emotional take on the game from a spectator’s perspective. Andy was calm as a cucumber!)

Nice and easy does it every time.

Hazard! What hazard? (And people wonder why I don’t golf!)

And then of course, there are the moving objects to avoid……

But what a grand time we had. Andy played well, and I actually drove the golf cart with as much assurance as if I’d been trained by Mario Andretti. And no Canadian Geese were hurt in the process. Which is amazing since they were happily wandering the fairways as if they owned the place. And the day was perfect for being outside. Sunny and warm with only a slight breeze to remind us that it is indeed fall.

After skipping lunch, we decided to have an early dinner at My-Chosen Café. Wonderful food and charming ambiance. I had liver and onions, with bacon and gravy which came with garlic bread and a lovely fresh veggie salad. (Even the blue cheese dressing was wonderful.) OMG. If I lived here, I would eat at this rustic eatery at least once a week. My entrée was just that good. Andy had pesto linguini with chicken and garlic bread. He also loved his meal.

Then back to the trailer to get some work done in preparation for tomorrow morning’s departure. (Dump black and grey water, put camp chairs away along with our outdoor tables, that sort of thing.)

We usually wait until the morning when we leave to do all these chores, but the weather report was for rain starting about midnight and continuing during the day tomorrow. And neither of us enjoy doing chores and hooking up the trailer in the rain. So, whenever possible, we do as much as possible ahead of time.

Tomorrow will take us back into Washinton state for three more days of trailering. And our last trip of the year.

It is always sad to say goodbye to our trailer for the winter because after all, it is our second home. And we always have so much fun pulling it along with us as we explore new and exciting areas or visiting places that beckon us back year after year. But our dear Pullwinkle needs time off too.

But we’re not done yet. Port Angeles here we come!  

End of part four. One more to go.