Foggy Victoria

Debra and I were driving back from Costco with a view of the Esquimalt harbour and you could see the fog moving in. The picture is not mine, it is off of the local #yyj (Victoria) twitter list.

To reduce congestion

I was in the local Safeway grocery store to buy a few things when I noticed these poles with their signs. Considering even 2 people standing in line would be crowded, it made me laugh and I had to take the picture. Not sure how many people could mess up these instructions.

Blushing Lucy

This is the view from our kitchen window. This climbing rose, ' Blushing Lucy ' is growing up through the Lilac tree.

Karma chased the bushy-tailed rat

After some hissing and snarling, this mean looking squirrel finally came out of the tree. I think Karma wisely decided this one was too much for her.

Top of Whistler

The Olympic legacy lives on with this giant Inukshuk

Thanks to all for the Birthday wishes

Thank you for your calls, cards, emails and comments on blog posts. They are truly appreciated.

Lunch in Steveston

We had fish and chips at PaJo's on our way to the ferry. Steveston is a great place to visit, shop and eat. It is a very historic part of Richmond and we enjoy coming here.

Summer in the village

The pictures do not do justice to the hanging baskets and planter boxes throughout the village. It gives a totally different feel to Whistler in the summer. People everywhere walking, hiking and biking.

Bear on Blackcomb

We went into the Rendezvous restaurant at the top of Blackcomb for tea during our Peak 2 Peak Alpine Experience. When we came out, Debra spotted this guy just to the side under the Solar Coaster Express.
Debra was like a tour guide informing everyone with a camera that a bear was there. Of course people were thrilled. Especially the ones from other countries.

Peak 2 Peak Alpine Experience Loop

Debra and I went on the Peak 2 Peak Alpine Experience today (a treat for my birthday). We started at the base of Whistler mountain and took the Whistler Village Gondola up to the Roundhouse at the top of Whistler.

Beautiful mountain range views on the way up.

Looking across to 7th Heaven on Blackcomb mountian. 7th Heaven is one of my favorite parts of the mountain to ski.
This is a view to the Peak of Whistler mountain from the Roundhouse (restaurant). As you can see, there are lots of people taking advantage of the beautiful weather and views. From Whistler, you take the Peak 2 Peak gondola to get to the top of Blackcomb.

Behind me is the Jersey Cream Express chair and run on Blackcomb. To get back down the mountain, we had to take two different chairs. First was the Solar Coaster Express and then switch to the Wizard Express. Both of these are quad chairs. It was a bit chilly on the top going down, but you could feel it getting warmer the lower we went. The temperature in the village was around 25 degrees - nice :).

At the bottom of the Wizard chair we were greeted by this sight. Not one you see too often at the bottom of a ski lift.

Still skiing and boarding on Blackcomb in July

The Blackcomb glacier offers summer skiing. It looks very appealing and maybe next summer might be something to try.

Whistler and the bike park

Look at that green mountain. Not used to seeing it without snow.

Excalibur Gondola in hibernation

This group is preparing to go on the Zip lines. Safety First!!

Apparently, the mountain biking on Whistler mountain is the best. I would definitely like to do this next summer. We will be back!

On the side of Blackcomb

Just a short walk from Paul and Anne's condo takes you onto the side Blackcomb mountain. It is amazing to see Whistler~Blackcomb in the summer. It is a very busy place and they have certainly made it a great summer destination.

Thanks Jenny and John

I received a great birthday card in the mail today from Jenny and John which included a bunch of these tattoos. Don't I look tough now?

PS the kids don't think so. :))

Spain win 2010 World Cup

Spain defeated the Netherlands 1-0 AET (after extra time). Enough said.

Oh ya .... 33 degrees

A Streetcar named Desire

Debra and I are going to the opening night performance tonight. I won tickets from the Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre's Twitter feed. All you had to do was to ReTweet their Tweet and if you were one of the first five, you win!

Karma on Rueb's bed in 30 degree heat

Cats just love it!

Getting better...

Yesterday it hit 31.6 degrees. Today is supposed to equal or surpass that high. Clayton is off to the lake to beat the heat and later Debra and I will be going to Costco to pickup some groceries. Can you say air conditioning?

The only negative is the forecast for next week..... 17 degrees??? You have GOT to be kidding.

Records mount for Final-bound Dutch 3-2 over Uruguay

Two of Hollands scorers: Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Wesley Sneijder

The Netherlands are celebrating after reaching their first FIFA World Cup™ Final in 32 years.

Trista tells me she is not at all impressed with this.

We in Victoria are promised temperatures around 30 degrees this week. I can't wait!!

Ya think?!?!

Debra and I stopped in at the new Shoppers Drug Mart in the new Uptown Shopping Centre (formerly the Town and Country). As they are building it in stages and keeping some of the original buildings until the new ones are open for occupancy, the parking lot is not quite finished. We could not resist taking this picture. Thankfully they warn you to stop before you hit the rock wall. LOL

Public Market - Government Street

Debra and I headed downtown after lunch to walk around. This public market is a great spot to buy clothing, jewelery and other unique odds and sods. Although the weather was on the cool and windy side, we are in for the hot stuff starting on Tuesday. Yippee!

Canada Day at the Inner Harbour

Lots of boats in the Inner Harbour

Perfect spot to be to listen to the performers on stage in front of the legislature and also to watch the fireworks at 10:20 pm.

Getting ready to make a human flag in front of the Legislature Buildings

He was just too cute not to take a picture of.

HMCS Nanaimo was open for tours but the line up was looooong.

Anniversary lunch at the Bengal Lounge

After the walking tour, we decided to celebrate our anniversary one day earlier and have lunch in the Bengal Lounge. If you are regular readers of our blog, you will know this place. We usually go here to celebrate Debra's birthday in January. The curry buffet is awesome.

The Empress Walking Tour

Our host Wanda dressed in period costume from 1910

The walking tour group at the front of the Empress

The Tea Room - for afternoon or high tea.

The Whispering Hall

The Grand Ballroom