Morning came and I had to leave the beautiful Island of Vancouver.  So many, “I wish I had known” thoughts go through my head.  I wish I had known how much there was to see and do in Victoria where I was staying.  Had I know I would have stayed longer at the Airbnb there.  The island is beautiful with lots of forests, wonderful shops, the farmer’s market, downtown Victoria, The Empress Hotel, the wharf, and oh so much more.  But…I accomplished what I went there for and I will never forget my day at The Butchart Gardens.  And so soon my time at the lovely Airbnb drew to a close.  After leaving the residence where I stayed I drove down to Victoria, walked around on the wharf, bought two entrees to eat over the next couple of days and then headed out to the BC Ferry.  I missed getting on the Ferry that was next out by one minute.  So I waited an hour in line and took the 1:00 p.m. ferry back to Vancouver.   The ferry layout is very interesting.  The Highway you are on actually ends at the ferry yard.  You drive through one of many ticket booths, pay your fee (for me it was $71 one way which included my car.  You are then instructed to go to a certain lane number.  The ferries stop at more than one place and how you are loaded is how you are discharged so you better be in the right lane to get where you want to go.  I ate my lunch in the car while I waited, used the restroom and it was soon time to load up.  The crossing takes 1 hour and 45 minutes. The road on the opposite shore begins where the ferry drops off.  As soon as you get out of the ferry yard you are on the highway and away you go.  Missing that first ship was my first delay for the day.

I never think it is going to take long to get someplace but I can always count on adding about two hours to any trip tick time.  And it was more than true yesterday.  I arrived late evening to the little town of Hope BC.  My host, Ruth, was a single lady with three sweet cats, none (referring to the cats) of which took a liking to me.  That was too bad because I love cats and they really missed out on some good petting.  Because my car was loaded with “stuff” my host allowed me to park in her garage.  Apparently there are a lot of drug users in little towns scattered in the back hills and she did not want anything to happen to my “stuff” while on her property.  I thought that was very considerate of her. Ruth was an excellent host and interesting to talk with.  She is a passionate woman and has some decided opinions.  I found it very interesting to listen to her and get a better understanding about what is going on in Canada and its environment and the political arena in regards to the environment.  I only wish I could have talked with her longer.

Ruth had created a wonderful retreat for me.  Her yard was lovely and she had lots of blooming window boxes full of flowers on her back deck.  Everything was charming.  She showed me her garden and guess what!  She picked raspberries out of her garden for my breakfast.  WOW! More fresh garden fare.  She also baked some delicious carrot/pineapple muffins without sugar that tasted delicious.  She also made some delicious granola bars for me to take with me.  They had some chocolate chips in them but ate around the chocolate and enjoyed every bite. I didn’t have much time to enjoy her house and grounds as I was there late, up early and had to leave again.  It was a very comfortable place to stay and the bed was wonderful.

If you read this Ruth I want to thank you for opening your home to me through Airbnb.com. Everything was lovey.  I enjoyed our short time together.  Who knows, I may be back your way someday!