Victoria 12/23-24/2025

Merry Christmas Eve! Sammie and I arrived yesterday afternoon in downtown Victoria, B.C. It has been almost 26 years since I was here last; in that time, a lot has changed, yet, things are very much the same. It is nice to be back after so long, and so many life changes. I will post pictures when I have time to sit at a computer…not with a phone or pad.

I met some folks on the Ferry, who were from the Portland area, we spent the entire crossing talking. At the end of the crossing, we agreed to try to connect in Victoria during our collective stay. I received a text this evening that confirmed we’ll be connecting for brunch (tomorrow) Christmas day.

We arrived yesterday evening, promptly checked into our hotel room, then scouted the streets close to the hotel for some time looking for a dog friendly pub or restaurant to have dinner and a cider, or two. I spent some time before our trip doing the necessary research to help in my efforts in locating such an establishment. To my utter dismay (and much like the range anxiety with our Ford Lightning), those restaurants that claim online that they are dog friendly…really mean that they are only “Service Dog Friendly!”.

A disappointing reality. We pressed on in our search, and when I was ready to give up, I found a restaurant, “The Commons”…ironically, across the street from our Hotel, which would accommodate both Sammie and myself for food and drinks. Nick, the bartender was outstanding! I am hopeful he will be there again on Boxing Day.

We slept in this morning 12/24/2025, then got up, ordered breakfast, and called the Valet for the truck. I took Sammie over to Macaulay Point Park in Esquimalt, where my family spent many trips though-out my youth…and into my 30s staying at a hotel that has changed hands a few times in the last 26 years. The park is just three blocks from the old hotel we would stay at. The park is an old Royal Canadian Navy Base, Pre WWI and WWII Beach Gun emplacement, and a small inlet-bay for local fishing boats. I would go to the park, climb rocks and play in an on the old gun emplacements when I was a child, when my brother was old enough…we would go together. And years later, my baby sister would as well. It was refreshingly nostalgic walking the trails and taking photo’s of a place that captured my childhood imagination and provided a playground away from the adults while we were visiting.

For the two or three yearly trips to Victoria my parents made most years through my youth, I found it amazing how well I can navigate around without the use of navigational aids. More amazing that I could do so after a 26 year gap!

After our hours long walk at Mcaaulay Park, Sammie and I took Babar II (Toyota Tacoma) up to Sannichton, our destination was Sea Cider Farm and Ciderhouse. We had a lovely Bree and cracker appetizer, accompanied by a glass of Ginger Perry. It was so good I purchased a few bottles to take back to the hotel, and a case to take home.

Back to the Hotel for a short nap, then dinner at the Commons, again.

When we got back to our room there was a black box on the bed with a gold and silver Christmas bow. Inside is an assortment of Christmas cookies. I wasn’t expecting that (though, now that I think of it, I should have)…Victoria might as well be the official birthplace of North American Christmas Tradition! It is the only place in North America that exudes Christmas!

My only regret is that Lisa and I never made it up here together. We had this trip planned twice in the last two years, sadly it just couldn’t be.

But, Sammie and I are here now, and it is delightful! It’s like I am back at my second home. 😉

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