Monday: July 12, 1999

Off to what was for me, a side trip of fullfilled expectation, the Butchart Gardens. These gardens were once some sort of quarry upon which a metamorphisis had occurred. Oh how I wish I could have even a hint of this floral glory in my back yard; a perfect mix of formal and informal landscaping.

Steve was frustrated by what must have been 1,000's of tourists, each with a camera and a human subject to supplement the surroundings. Nathan simply acted bored and detached from the entire activity (although he admitted to liking the Japannese gardens the best). I was hot, hot, hot, but could have spent more time.

Then back to Victoria to catch the Royal British Columbia Museam - a pleasently surprising attraction. Among other exhibits, the top floor of this fascinating building housed a realistic frontier town, complete with train station, saloon, hotel and silent movie theatre featuring Charlie Chaplin. (Nathan and I could have watched these flicks for the remainder of the day...more a concession to the state of our feet than the quality of the movies.) Even the smells and noises were expertly simulated to render the experience as realistic as possible.

While I think at least one party member wanted to head back to Butchart Gardens for the evening festivities, the rest of us needed just that...REST! In anticipation of a long day ahead, we settled for a drive up the coast, and an early bedtime.

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