Last week, to celebrate our 37th anniversary, Bruce and I took a ferry from Anacortes, WA to Sydney, British Columbia.

The Washington Ferry system is amazing. The staff is courteous, well-trained, and the loading and unloading of cars and trucks and walk-on passengers is efficient and quick.

Our three-hour ferry ride wove in-between  lots of misty islands, and we saw an occasional eagle. But no whales, unfortunately.

About two thirds of the way toward our destination we docked at Friday Harbor. Too bad we didn’t have more time to explore, but next trip we’ll definitely hit this tourist spot.

How exhilarating to stand outside, leaning onto the Ferry bannisters and feel the sea air drag at your face, almost like the current of the deep waters below.

On the map, the sound looks so tiny. But those open spots on the map translate into really, really open and enormous seas when you’re actually viewing them from a ferry’s vantage.

Sailboats dotted the waters and fishing boats and whale sightseeing boats chugged by, slow in comparison to the speed of the Ferry.

At one point, a boat got too close as it tried to cross the Ferry’s designated path. The captain blew five ear-pounding blasts to warn it away.

We finally docked at Sydney and waited to clear the border crossing. Then, on to the Butchart Gardens, a spectacular British Garden that’s been around for over 100 years. I had visited the Gardens when I was just sixteen, but never forgot the charm and beauty of the place.

Highly recommended if you like flowers! And waterfalls, and fountains, and manicured lawns, and lots and lots and lots of foreign tourists…of which I’m one.

We ate dinner at a rather nice place called The Keg, right across the street from Victoria’s harbor. How fun to watch the sea planes take off and land just a football field’s length away.

We stayed at a wonderful Bed and Breakfast called the Beaconsfield Inn. Built in 1905, the entire home is furnished with period antiques and offers lovely room-amenities, like jacuzzis, and bathrobes for lounging, and antique books, written about the early years of the city of Victoria. A lovely breakfast capped off our stay there.

Then back to the Ferry for our trip back to the States.

Later, we drove up to Mt Baker and took a couple of shots. Still lots of snow up there, and the vistas are gorgeous. Different from the Colorado Rockies. Greener topography. The peaks are craggier, more Canadian in appearance. But not so high in altitude. And only an hour from our house!

I hope you enjoyed my little travelogue. The state of Washington, in general, and the San Juan Islands, in particular, should be on everyone’s bucket list to visit. And a trip to Canada is always scenic and interesting, especially when you get to converse with Canadians. They’re charming, but they talk funny!

I’ll be out next week. I mean, out to Colorado to visit family. So, most likely will not be posting until the following week.

Comment on my post if my words and photos have given you the “bug” to see my neck of the woods. Have a great week!