Visiting Victoria, B.C.

Victoria is absolutely beautiful. I have to start by saying that I especially fell in love with Brentwood Bay. While most people choose to stay in downtown Victoria, I opted for the quieter, peaceful part of this Vancouver Island and I am so glad I did. My stay at Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa was the highlight of my entire trip. I have never felt such serenity away from home. Much of that was due to the gracious staff at the Resort, but the scenic views from my private & very large balcony didn't hurt. Everything at this Resort was spectacular. From the welcoming champagne and personal tour upon my arrival, to the relaxing pillow spray at my nightly turn down service, my stay at Brentwood Bay was truly picture perfect.

The heart of downtown and it's main attraction, the Fairmont Empress, are truly impressive as well. Although, not exactly my "cup of tea" (pun intended) for a place to stay, I enjoyed walking around the grounds and taking photos of all the grand events that take place at this monumental landmark. Stunning would be an understatement. A walk through the Empress will leave you feeling like royalty. And yes, I visited the Tea Parlor. As expected, it's fit for a Queen.


My favorite of the many Victorian houses was Gatsby Mansion.  Located in the inner harbor, the Mansion is a beautiful boutique hotel and fine dining restaurant. There are three houses on the property, the Main House (shown here), the middle house, & the Judges house (also known as the Haunted Mansion) It is decorated in Queen Anne style and the beautiful wrap around porch with hanging flower baskets makes this the perfect stop for afternoon tea.

Bastion Square

Chinatown

Fan Tan Alley

My favorite way to get around the Inner Harbor has to be by water taxi. Much like the gondolas in Venice, the water taxis move about the harbor stopping at favorite tourist spots. The best view of the Parliament buildings are from the water and it's a cool and refreshing break from walking. The drivers are friendly and informative and the mere fee of $5 makes NY taxis seem like limousines. Make sure to take one to Fisherman's Wharf. The wharf is lined with floating houses and fantastic eateries like Grilligan's where I had the best Vegan hot dog ever!!

Call me a movie geek but the float houses here reminded me so much of Sleepless in Seattle, I kept wondering why they were in Canada! There is a walkway all the way from the wharf to downtown that is beautifully lined with flowers and waterfalls. It takes about 30 mins to walk it one way but it's well worth it and there are many benches and places to stop and just enjoy the view. My best advice is make sure you explore outside the downtown lines in Victoria. There's more to this Canadian gem than a few government buildings.

 I kept hearing about how Victoria is so much like England that I just had to search out castles. The first one I found was Craigdarroch Castle. Located in the hills above Victoria, the castle was built in the late 1800's. You can tour it's more than 20,000 square feet inside for a $14 fee. It's worth it once you make it to the top circular sky room that has 360 degree windows overlooking Victoria, the strait of Juan de Fuca, & the Olympic Mountains.

Across the strait and through the woods to Hatley Castle we go... Located on the grounds of Royal Roads University, this majestic beauty was completed in 1908. The castle itself may be smaller, but the gardens here are quite lovely. Tours are booked in advance so plan accordingly. You can walk to the water from this castle too so make sure to bring a picnic with you.

Not far from the castle stands Fisgard Lighthouse. It was built by the British in 1860 before it officially became Canadian property. The Esquimalt harbor on which it stands is part of Fort Rodd Hill, one of the most photographed spots of the area. When standing out by the lighthouse, it feels like you're in another world, and all alone. Stay until sunset if you can, you won't be disappointed!

 You can hardly visit Victoria without going to this tiny little place called Butchart Gardens. Okay, it's huge and I could put up about 200 of the most amazing photos I've ever taken but I won't. Instead, I'll share with you my favorite of the MANY gardens here, the Italian Garden. Let me be frank, if you want a picture like this without hundreds of people in it, you better be there first thing when they open and run, I mean walk quickly. All kidding aside, this place is breathtaking. It's on your bucket list, right? Just do it.
If you're up for a different garden adventure, make a stop at The Butterfly Gardens. They are not far from Butchart and you'll be glad you did. I've never seen so many of these fluttering beauties in one place. You have to watch your step here, because they are everywhere! Remember, they live in different climates so it's humid inside their world but oh so gorgeous!


Last, but certainly not least was my visit to Sidney, more commonly known as Sidney by the Sea. A quaint little harbor town, Sidney was the perfect finalization of my time in Victoria, B.C. I shall forever remember this place as the land of flowers & water, both of which can't survive without the other. There is a definite sense of camaraderie on the island here. And in case you're wondering, yes, Sidney does sell sea shells by the sea shore!

Washington Wine Country

Wine Country in Washington is quite different than the wineries found in California. Grapes are grown in regions such as Walla Walla, Columbia, & Yakima but many tasting rooms are located just 30 miles east of Seattle in a relatively small town called Woodinville. The benefit? There are over 50 wineries to choose from and most are within walking distance. If you really want to taste a variety of Washington wines, Woodinville is the place to be.


Woodinville is home to a few big wineries such as the beautiful grounds of Chateau Ste Michelle. One of the few tasting rooms that actually has vineyards, the Chateau is a beautiful spot for a lovely picnic lunch. If you're lucky, you will see some of their gorgeous peacocks running about. Their tasting room also houses one of the best gift shops in the area. And of course the wine here is undeniably good.

     

 With so many wineries to choose from, how do you pick which ones to visit? Well, I did a bit of research first, talked to folks along the way and got recommendations, & at times, I just got plain lucky. The one thing I must admit to is there was not one single wine I tried that I absolutely could not drink. In other words, I was extremely impressed with the quality of Washington wines, coupled with the price, I was purely amazed.

 Trying to comment on all of them well, would make for a very long blog, so I'm going to highlight my top picks. Catapulting to one of my favorite white wines ever has to be Poet's Leap Riesling. One of seven distinct wines from Long Shadows Vineyards, the 08 Riesling from Columbia Valley is juicy, vibrant, & clean. It just leaves your taste buds screaming for more. Receiving a well deserved 94 pt rating from Wine Enthusiast, I'm only wishing I came home with more than 3 bottles. I can confidently say I can't wait to see what this winemaker does next!

My top pick for Reds came as a bit of a surprise, even for me. My visit to the islands not only brought out my adventurous side, but enlightened my admittedly obscured view on where to find the best wines. My first thought would never be an island, let alone a small one off the coast of Seattle known as San Juan... that is until I walked into The Island Wine Company in Friday Harbor, Washington. I was greeted and kindly offered a tasting by the owners themselves. The whites were quite lovely, but the Merlot really got my attention. I had to try it twice in order to believe how complex and rewarding it was. I shipped home a case and it's nearly gone. Enough said.

If you can't make it to all the tasting rooms, check out the Purple Wine Bar. With hundreds of local wines by the glass, you're sure to get some top picks. A few I have to mention are Andrew Will "Mays" Discovery Vineyard 07 Cabernet, Mark Ryan  09 Dead Horse, and any vintage of Gramercy Cellars Syrah you can get your hands on. I could go on and on, but while you're here, you'll need a place to stay...

Welcome to Willows Lodge. The perfect location in Woodinville couldn't be more beautiful. With wooden beams & black iron accents, the lodge has a very rustic and relaxing feel to it. The rooms are quite spacious, and the Lodge has mastered the art of catering to wine lovers.  The Fireside Lounge has many local wines available & two of the areas finest restaurants are located here including the Barking Frog which serves up the best huckleberry pancakes!

Right across the way lies the most enchanting place known as The Herb Farm. A themed wine and food pairing extravaganza, the Herb Farm offers up a 9 course dining experience you are sure to never forget. Make your reservations early because this place is the creme de la creme of Washington. Just wait til you see what's inside....


Spending time in the Pacific Northwest and experiencing such high quality wines made me want to learn more about the industry here. I searched out the perfect learning material and came across this book which is a fascinating read. Cole Danehower has spent a lot of time in the vineyards with the winemakers and I felt like I was right there with him. The book is knowledgeable, resourceful, and entertaining, especially if you're a wine enthusiast. When I first began my Pacific North West wine adventure, I had a similar reaction to Cole, "a typical American wine bias: California was the only real wine country in North America." Nothing could be further from the truth. I'm excited about exploring this territory a whole lot more. Next thing you know, I'll be living there ;)

San Juan Islands

Who knew island life existed in Washington state and just 40 minutes from Seattle?! Welcome to San Juan Islands. There are four islands in all - San Juan, Orcas, Lopez, & Shaw. I spent most of my time in Friday Harbor on the "big" island of San Juan. It had such an island vibe from the shoreline restaurants to the boutique shops, everything was sunshine and ... whales. 

Orcas, commonly referred to as killer whales live in the waters of the Salish Sea and are often seen around the islands.

There's only one way to get to the islands that quickly and it's by seaplane. My first thought when I saw the little 6 seater plane was oh my, what have I gotten myself into? Is this thing safe? The staff and pilots at Kenmore Air were quick to put my mind at ease and I'm telling you, this was an experience I will never forget and one of the most fun and adventurous days of my trip! The picture above was taken from the seaplane and I guarantee the views are like nothing else you will ever see. Spectacular!!

Now about those whales.... once you've enjoyed time on the island, get aboard one of these beauties courtesy of San Juan Safaris and venture out to sea. Each journey comes complete with your very own Naturalist on board to help you locate, understand, and relate to all the wildlife the islands have to offer.

Photo by Lynda Eatchel

We saw sea lions playing on a rock, a bald eagle resting in a tree, & a grey humpback whale coming up for air, all of them, beautiful. 

Photo by Lynda Eatchel

It was very clear to me that the people here have nothing but respect and love for these animals. Every precaution is taken in order to protect them. To see them in their natural habitat was purely amazing. Many thanks to Lynda for the beautiful photos!

Photo by Lynda Eatchel

Go See Seattle

When I first set out on my solo 10 day excursion of the Pacific Northwest, I must admit, I was a bit nervous. Within minutes of walking the streets of downtown Seattle, Washington I felt at ease. This city has such a homey feel to it. The people were friendly and easy to talk to beginning with my one of my best big city hotel experiences ever at the W Hotel. We all know that W Hotels are modern, vibrant, &  trendy, and although they rank among the 4 and 5 star hotels, I'd say their genuine concern and care for their guests would put them high above many of their other 5 star contenders. If you want personal attention, thoughtful consideration, and service that goes above and beyond, take a weekend trip to Seattle and stay at the W. You won't be disappointed!

First necessary stop in Seattle is Pikes Place Market. Yes, it's crowded but well worth the visit. The Market has a unique street vibe and the goods sold there resemble it. Everything from "flying" fish & beautiful floral bouquets to local art & farmed goods. Although famous for their apples, cherries, & grapes (wine talk in future blog), Washington is also home to  many lavender farms and you can find all this and more at the Market. And Pikes Place is right along the waterfront so it's scenic as well.




At the far end of the Market lies the original Starbucks. Being the insane coffee drinker I am, I made this stop a priority and I was glad I did. The gentlemen playing out front made the trip worthwhile and the 30 minute wait in line a whole lot more entertaining! Whether you're a coffee lover, a history buff, or just a passer-by the walk down this lively street will surely put a smile on your face.

Standing tall in Fisherman's Wharf is the new Seattle Great Wheel. Much like the famous London Eye, the Great Wheel here offers outstanding views of Seattle and the islands nearby. The wheel had been in thought process for nearly 30 years and when it finally became a reality, it took less than a year to construct. Tickets cost $13 for adults, $11 for seniors, and $8.50 for kids 3-12, children 3 and under are free. If you're really feeling extravagant or want a more personal experience, you can purchase a VIP gondola for $50. It's the only way to go solo (without other parties sharing your gondola). I highly recommend it.

When I travel, I always look for that one unique shopping experience- something that is true to it's surroundings. What could be more fitting in Seattle than an umbrella store? And not just any umbrella store, but the most elegant, trendy, cool, & fascinating umbrellas I've ever seen. It all hangs in a little  corner store called Bella Umbrella. You can order from their website too, but if you get the chance, this store is simply one you must see in order to believe.

Of course, what's a trip to Seattle without a visit to the Space Needle. Well, I got lucky and happened to be there to witness two great events. Being the 50th Anniversary of this majestic tower located at the City Center, the gift shop was bustling with anniversary memorabilia - everything from ties and art to t-shirts and calendars. So what's it like at the top? The observation deck sits 520 feet in the air which makes the 360 degree view phenomenal. The structure weighs 9,550 tons and was built to withstand an earthquake with a 9.1 magnitude so you know it's safe up here. However, when the Blue Angels decide to do a flyby, it will get you're heart racing! 

Right below the Needle sits one of the most unique gardens you will ever visit. This is home to the new Chihuly Gardens. If you've ever visited the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, you already know Chihuly glass art but I guarantee you, you've never seen it like this! Pictures don't even do it justice. A walk through this exhibit is like stepping into a whole new world and a very colorful one at that.

My last stop in Seattle was at Kerry Park. Located in the Queen Anne district, this park is famous for it's view of the city. Many professional photographers and artists sit up here for hours waiting for the perfect shot. Warning. There isn't much parking here but the community is a quaint place to stroll through, just remember where you parked your car. My stay in Seattle was picture perfect. This city has just made it on my list of the top ten cities to visit in America. 

Temecula Balloon & Wine Festival

Up, Up, and away!! Well, that was the idea anyway at the Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival held at Lake Skinner in the heart of the inland empire. And here's how the day went... Up I got at 4am to make it to the launching of the hot air balloons, drove 75 miles in the dark of night, only to arrive and find out the balloons had been grounded due to dense fog. What?!! Okay, no worries, there's always wine and other festivities, but it's 6am and they don't start until 11. Hmmmm... Being the adventurer that I am, I took the opportunity of down time to mosey around the nearby vineyards and utilize the fog as a great photo opportunity. It worked. And along the way, I saw this....


 A plane? A bird? Superman? NO, a balloon!! Apparently, someone thought it was a nice enough day out to fly and I couldn't have been more thrilled. Of course, by now it was nearing 9am and the fog had cleared, and while I was hoping to see more of these bad beauties, this orange in the sky was it. I'll take it. Balloon launch, check. At least some of the wineries were beginning to open and I started my tasting adventure with bubbly from Thornton.
Thornton is one of the first vineyards you'll come to travelling through Temecula and with good reason. It has the best sparkling wines and what better way to start your tasting celebration than with a glass of bubbly! You'll be taken in by the gorgeous grounds here as well which include an herb garden, a beautiful fountain in the center of the main courtyard, and a garden restaurant with phenomenal views of the vineyards.

I could easily spend hours talking about all the vineyards in Temecula, but since I want to focus on the Festival (which I eventually did get back to), I will just touch on my all time favorite, and my new find. First in my book as THE winery to visit while here is Longshadow Ranch. Why? It's simple. Great wine, good people, horse drawn rides through the vineyard, live music stage, and the most beautiful barn I think I've ever seen. If you want to be the classy vino cowgirl, this is the place to be! Want a unique wine, try the Estate Cinsault, it's amazing!

My new place to escape might just be here, at Miramonte. The decor here is divine. A huge deck hosts plenty of cozy sofas, fresh cut flowers, and lots of shade to relax in out of the summer heat. Again, the views are spectacular and the wine is divine. I especially enjoyed the Pinot Gris. It's cool, crisp, and refreshing. Perfect for summertime!



I made it back to the Festival when the heat was becoming unbearable and everyone was hovering under the trees trying to stay cool. My first suggestion here is more shade structures! On the upside, the vendors booths were up and running and there was everything from wine accessories & jewelry to artwork and home furnishings. If only I didn't have to melt while I was shopping.

There were two stages with live music and I will say this, the Festival pulled in some big names like Lifehouse and John Waite. Some of the local musicians performing early on were good as well. It was a festive afternoon and the tastings were yet to come. With all the wineries on hand, why was I craving a beer then? Oh yeah, the heat! Nothing quite cools ya down like an ice cold draft, and beer came with even more fun...


That's right. The Budweiser Clydesdale's were on hand. These horses are beautiful creatures and they paraded around the grounds with great pride. I visited them in their shaded arena where Budweiser was hosting all their festivities. After cooling down with the horses, I was finally ready to do some wine tasting.

To get started, you must purchase a souvenir glass for $15 (which includes 6 tasting tickets). You can visit any winery and taste whatever you want for one ticket per tasting. Rather than critique each one, I'll just tell you who got my gold ribbons. First in Fun goes to Cougar Vineyards. Visiting this tasting booth was a downright good time. I got "lei'd" with a cork & had a few good laughs with the girls.

First in taste goes to Wiens Cellars. Yes, I love reds and boy do these guys do them BIG. The best surprise of the day was at Europa Village. Not only does this place make some beautifully elegant & sophisticated wines, but their events are out of this world! You can join them this summer for Dancing in the Vines & Shakespeare in the Vines. Check out their website for more info. You know I'll be there! All in all, I'd have to say the Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival is a fun-filled, albeit long and hot, day.
Plan ahead, be prepared for anything, you'll be sure to have a soaring good time :)

"The best way of travel, however, if you aren't in any hurry at all, if you don't care where you are going, if you don't like to use your legs, if you don't want to be annoyed at all by any choice of directions, is in a balloon. In a balloon, you can decide only when to start, and usually when to stop. The rest is left entirely to nature"

— William Pene du Bois, The Twenty-one Balloons