Tag Archive for: car ferry

The last full day of our Northwest road trip began with a ferry ride yesterday.

Northwest road trip

The ferry was to take us from Victoria to Vancouver.

When we arrived for the ferry, approximately 60 minutes early, we got in line with our car – it looks like a bunch of cars stopped on a freeway.  You then turn off the engine and sit in the car or lock it up and head over to the rest stop, complete with restaurant and shops until you are notified to start boarding the ferry.

Northwest road trip

We felt a bit more experienced this time with the process of bringing our rental car onto the ferry (as it was our second time) and walking upstairs to the passenger levels.

What we weren’t prepared for was how huge this ferry was.  There were 3 levels for cars, busses and even semi-trailer trucks.

large cafe and coffee shop.
large cafe and coffee shop.

Food options consisted of a large cafe and coffee shop.

Northwest road trip
Northwest road trip

There was a very large gift shop AND a video arcade – my kids would love this!

Northwest road trip

You could also venture outside to see the beauty of the islands we passed by.

After docking just outside of Vancouver, we promptly headed toward the city.

Northwest road trip

We were somewhat surprised at how much traffic there was and it took a very long time to arrive at our hotel downtown.

Northwest road trip

This morning, after a quick breakfast, we were going to take the city trolley tour so that we could hop on and off to see the many attractions of this vibrant city.

However, we were informed because of the ongoing transit strike, that the tour was delayed.  So, we decided to go out on our own.

We headed toward Granville Island Public Market, which is located in the downtown area.  

Northwest road trip

It is a fun and creative place with artist studios where you watch art being created before your eyes – a definite draw for both locals and tourists alike.

Northwest road trip

Stores offering unique wares are scattered throughout the small island.

Northwest road trip

If you have pets, this shop in a railroad car likely have just the right thing for your 4-legged friend.

Northwest road trip

When I travel, I like to find stores that sell handcrafted items made from local residents.  I found a beautiful Christmas ornament in this little store made by an 80-year old woman.

Northwest road trip

As we walked through the streets of the public market, there was a small dog that was walking about in its own.

He was obviously at home and comfortable with his surroundings.  He paid no mind to us or any other passersby.

Northwest road trip

Now before you think that this is a lost dog – think again.  He belongs to one of the local vendors and has free reign of the market.

Canadian geese

Our attention was drawn to a nearby lake where a family of Canadian geese were swimming.

Canadian geese

On shore, we met up with another feathered family.  I found it symbolic that on our last day in Canada, that we would see Canadian geese.

We had hoped to see more of this beautiful city, but there was so much traffic due to the transit strike and it took a very long time to travel small distances, so we made the difficult decision to cut our visit short by a few hours and head back toward the States.

U.S. border

On our way out of the city, we spotted this community garden.

Vancouver is quite close to the U.S. border and we  soon found ourselves sitting a long line to cross over the border.  We settled ourselves in for a long wait.  

Road Trip Day 8: City Traffic, Border Crossings and a Farm House Garden

As we inched our way closer, we saw this archway at the actual border.  I like this wonderful statement about our two countries.

border crossing.

People anxious to visit the United States took turns taking pictures next to this sign while waiting for their cars to go through the border crossing.

border crossing.

It’s almost our turn!

While we had a wonderful time in Canada, I didn’t like having to pay for an international phone plan, which had extremely limited data (which I went over).

While waiting in line to cross, once we got within feet of the border my phone suddenly got a  ‘No Service’ signal and then once we crossed, my regular carrier took over and I was so happy to be able to use my normal cell phone allowances again.

Bellingham, WA.

Since we had some extra time to fill due to our shortened visit to Vancouver, we stopped by the Fairhaven historic downtown neighborhood in Bellingham, WA.  

Road Trip Day 8: City Traffic, Border Crossings and a Farm House Garden

Many of the stores had garden themed products and while I have no plans on seeing the ‘Fifty Shades of Gray’ movie, I may need to read this book 🙂

Road Trip Day 8: City Traffic, Border Crossings and a Farm House Garden

We spent about an hour shopping, spending time in a clothing boutique, checking out the local bookstore and admiring some really lovely handmade woodwork.

The last night of our road trip is to be spent in Mount Vernon, WA before we leave in the morning for Seattle where we will fly home.

Mount Vernon is known for being the largest producer of flower bulbs.  They also have the Skagit Tulip Festival every April.

Choosing Mount Vernon for the last stop of our trip was largely due to its proximity from the Seattle airport AND a small garden that we wanted to visit.

LaConner Flats Farm & Garden

LaConner Flats Farm & Garden is an 11-acre display garden of a large family-owned farm.

The gardens are free to visit and you are welcome to walk around on your own.

LaConner Flats Farm & Garden

The centerpiece of the garden is made up of circular beds of rose bushes surrounding a gazebo – an ideal place for a wedding.

LaConner Flats Farm & Garden

The backdrop for the roses and gazebo are formally shaped shrubs underplanted with flowering perennials.

LaConner Flats Farm & Garden

However, it was what was behind the formal garden space that really interested me…

LaConner Flats Farm & Garden

Behind the formally-pruned shrubs were the more informal areas of the garden.

LaConner Flats Farm & Garden

Trees, shrubs and perennials were planted in a carefree mixture, tied together by pathways of green grass.

LaConner Flats Farm & Garden

To be honest, there were plenty of weeds intermixed with the flowering shrubs and plants.  But, it is this untamed, natural type of garden that I like best.

LaConner Flats Farm & Garden
LaConner Flats Farm & Garden
LaConner Flats Farm & Garden

Several, large flowering shrubs provided vivid displays of color.

As we were admiring the flowers, we rounded the corner and came face to face with four little goats…

LaConner Flats Farm & Garden

They were busy eating the fresh green grass and initially paid no attention to us.

LaConner Flats Farm & Garden

A little robin stood in our path and was quite friendly.

LaConner Flats Farm & Garden
Road Trip Day 8: City Traffic, Border Crossings and a Farm House Garden

He didn’t move until we got quit close and then hopped to the fence. Robins are rare in my neck of the woods, so I always look forward to seeing them when I travel.

Road Trip Day 8: City Traffic, Border Crossings and a Farm House Garden

The goats finally noticed our presence and came over to see if we had any food to share.  Sadly, we didn’t.

Road Trip Day 8: City Traffic, Border Crossings and a Farm House Garden

I crouched down to take a picture of the friendliest goat and didn’t realize how close I was until he licked my camera’s lens.

Road Trip Day 8: City Traffic, Border Crossings and a Farm House Garden

Even though we didn’t have any food for them that didn’t stop one of them from following my mother as we walked along the path.

Road Trip Day 8: City Traffic, Border Crossings and a Farm House Garden

The pathway along the goat’s enclosure was just on the other side of the formal garden, which was separated by large shrubs.

Road Trip Day 8: City Traffic, Border Crossings and a Farm House Garden

Alongside the pathway, I saw a plant that I have rarely seen before – holly!

Road Trip Day 8: City Traffic, Border Crossings and a Farm House Garden

As we neared the end of our tour of the garden, I looked back toward our cute little friends and was trying to figure out how I could possibly talk my husband and HOA into letting us have goats 😉

Road Trip Day 8: City Traffic, Border Crossings and a Farm House Garden

This garden is surrounded by fields of wheat and the Cascade mountain range can be seen in the distance.

Road Trip Day 8: City Traffic, Border Crossings and a Farm House Garden

It is well worth the visit if you ever find yourself traveling in Northern Washington State.

We have had so many wonderful adventures during our fifth annual road trip.  But, I am excited to come home and see my husband, kids, grandkids, dogs, garden – you get the picture…

Day 5 of our Northwest road trip was filled with a wonderful adventure and for the first day since we left I didn’t spend any money in gift shops, which was a welcome respite for my wallet.

Our day began in Port Angeles. Since our hotel didn’t provide breakfast, we headed to out to eat.

Chestnut Cottage with was an English-themed restaurant

We ate at the Chestnut Cottage with was an English-themed restaurant that had a fabulous menu.  It took me a while to decide what to eat, but at the end, I knew that I just had to try the giant apricot scone.

It was delicious!

Now at home, I am fairly healthy in my eating habits.  But when on vacation, part of the experience of learning different regions, is to try out the food.

After breakfast, we headed out to the Olympic National Forest, which takes up the majority of the Olympic peninsula in Washington state.

Olympic National Park

After driving to the Olympic National Park’s Visitor Center, just outside of Port Angeles, we decided to take one of the nearby trails into the beautiful, lush forest.

Olympic National Park

Everywhere you looked, you could see evidence of lush, green growth as a result of the large amount of rain that falls in many areas within the national park.

Ferns carpeted the ground.

Olympic National Forest

I’ve always loved ferns, especially as their curved ends gradually unfurl their leaves.

Olympic National Forest
Olympic National Forest

Moss also covered many of the exposed surfaces of the trees.

Olympic National Forest

While parts of the forest were very shady – there were also areas where the sun shone through.

Olympic National Forest

Big leaf maple trees added a bright shade of green to the darker foliage of the other trees in the forest.

Olympic National Forest

Did you know that the majority of a tree’s roots grow outward and not downward?

This is the root mass of a large tree that had fallen and you can see how wide the roots grew.

Olympic National Forest

I really enjoy bright green moss and there was plenty of it.

Olympic National Forest

Throughout the forest were fallen trees that were slowly breaking down and returning to the ground. Here you can see fungi that are growing on a recently cut tree. Over time, they will help break down the wood, which will return it back to the soil.

Olympic National Forest

Walking down the path, my mother noticed this tree, which at first glance, appeared dead since it was hollow.

Olympic National Forest

Yet, when you looked up, you could see live branches filled with leaves.

How can that be?

The living tissue of trees or in other words their vascular system that brings water and nutrients up and down the tree is located on the outer portion of the tree – not the inside.

**It might be interesting to some of you to find that the ‘Twilight’ book series was set in the Olympic National Forest and small towns nearby.

road to Hurricane Ridge

After our hike into the forest, we got in the car and took to the road to Hurricane Ridge, which is high up in the Olympic National Forest.

As we climbed, we began to see snow-capped peaks.  

Mount Olympus

18 miles later, we arrived to a breathtaking view of  Mount Olympus alongside other notable mountain peaks.

Hurricanes Ridge

It was cold and windy at the top, but that didn’t keep hikers away.

Hurricanes Ridge

Looking at the trees next to the visitor’s center, you can see the evidence of the hurricane force winds and how they affect the growth.

Olympic National Forest

Adjoining the visitor’s center is a large meadow, flanked by trees. There were several walking paths and we got started on the second hike of the day.

Olympic National Forest

There were a few deer grazing nearby who didn’t seem worried about our presence.

Olympic National Forest

In fact, the closer we got, more came out from the trees to graze.

Olympic National Forest
Olympic National Forest

Wildflowers were beginning to grow with blooms soon to follow.  This lupine will soon be covered in purple blossoms.  In the meantime, you can see where water has collected in the center of the leaves.

Olympic National Forest

Soon, it was time to head back down the mountains in order to catch our ferry to Victoria, Canada.

 Canada

I am not afraid to admit that I am relatively inexperienced when it comes to taking ferries. While I have been on them a few times (another trip to Canada and one in Scotland), this time we were taking our car with us.

We got in line waiting for the ferry to arrive about an hour before it was due to depart.

 Canada

We had to fill out a yellow paper with our names and birthdates, which also listed the items we couldn’t bring into Canada.

Road Trip Day 5: Hiking Through the Forest, Hurricanes and Ferries

The ferry arrived and the vehicles on it drove off while we waited.

I was shocked to see five large trucks coming off the ferry.  Some even had two trailers attached. I know next to nothing about boats, but I was surprised that they could carry so many cars AND big trucks.  

Road Trip Day 5: Hiking Through the Forest, Hurricanes and Ferries

Finally, it was our turn to board.

Road Trip Day 5: Hiking Through the Forest, Hurricanes and Ferries
Road Trip Day 5: Hiking Through the Forest, Hurricanes and Ferries

We were directed into a lane and then told to lock our car and go up to the passenger area.

No one could stay in their vehicle during the voyage.

Road Trip Day 5: Hiking Through the Forest, Hurricanes and Ferries
Road Trip Day 5: Hiking Through the Forest, Hurricanes and Ferries

The trip took over an hour from Port Angeles to Victoria, Canada.

Road Trip Day 5: Hiking Through the Forest, Hurricanes and Ferries

As we approached Victoria, we were told to go downstairs and get in our cars while the ferry docked.

Then we drove off, showed our passports and were on our way to enjoy several days in Canada.

Tomorrow, we will explore the very English city of Victoria, which is also known as the ‘City of Gardens’.