Onward to Canada!
Our journey next took us to the town of Port Angeles, WA, the perfect launchpad for exploring Olympic National Park and
a stepping stone to Victoria, BC. Nestled on the northern edge of the Olympic Peninsula, this town is more than just a gateway,
offering stunning views of both the mountains and the sea.
We devoted a full day to savoring the natural beauty of Port Angeles. The highlight was the breathtaking 17-mile scenic drive
up to Hurricane Ridge. With each twist and turn, the expansive vistas of Olympic Mountain Range opened up before us,
with the mountain peaks highlighting the horizon. Arriving at Hurricane Ridge viewpoint, we indulged ourselves with a few short hikes,
which rewarded us with stunning views across deep valleys, lush meadows, and that ever-majestic mountain range.
The Olympic Mountains themselves, rising over 7,900 feet at their highest points, dominate the skyline and
offered some of the best alpine views in the park.
After immersing ourselves in the fresh mountain air, we spent the rest of the day at a more leisurely pace.
Prepping for our upcoming ferry ride to Victoria, BC, allowed us to unwind and savor the calm before the next leg of our adventure.
Port Angeles proved to be the ideal mix of adventure and relaxation—just what we needed to recharge.
 Across the Valley, the Olympic Mountain Range |
 The Olympic Mountain Range |
 Becky hiking right along, looking for what's after the next bend. |
Exploring Victoria: Tea, Museums, and ... Laundry?
After a scenic ferry ride from Port Angeles, we officially left the U.S. behind and headed into
the welcoming arms of our northern neighbor, Canada. Our destination? Victoria, the capital of British Columbia,
where our adventure began with a smooth landing and a drive to the Oak Bay Beach Hotel. This place was a dream—cozy,
elegant, and just far enough from downtown to feel like a true escape. The perfect setting for our first evening's
celebration was Romeo's Hillside, an Italian restaurant that capped off the night. It wasn't just any dinner;
it was Becky's birthday, after all. Let's just say the pasta didn't disappoint.
Day one in Victoria? Lets talk about priorities: laundry and shopping! (Yep, even adventurers need clean clothes and fresh food.)
Sure, it might not sound like the wildest itinerary, but we made the most of it.
On our second day, with clean clothes, we decided to get serious about sightseeing. First stop: the Royal British Columbia Museum.
We explored exhibits ranging from past culture to a special exhibit detailing Stonehenge, but the highlight for me (Tom)?
A vintage car that made me do a double-take—because who doesn't love stumbling upon random treasures?
After soaking in some culture, we headed to a quintessential Victoria experience: High Tea at the Empress.
Fancy finger sandwiches, scones, and tea so good, we forgot all about the morning's museum fatigue and the strain of walking the streets.
If there's one thing Victoria knows, it's how to do tea right. The Empress was the perfect place to relax and enjoy the ambiance
before taking a cab ride back to Oak Bay Beach Hotel, complete with interesting commentary from a delightful driver.
 The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia Welcomed Us to Victoria |
 Royal British Columbia Museum |
 Winner of Best Exhibit, "The Car" |
 The Famous Empress Hotel |
 The Dining Room for High Tea |
 Becky and Tom Enjoying High Tea (just look at those smiles) |
A Whale of a Tale
For our final day in Victoria, and our 48th wedding anniversary, we decided to celebrate in style—with a whale-watching adventure.
Preparing ourselves for potential disappointment (after all, whales don't follow our schedules), we set out with
Eagle Wing Whale & Wildlife Watching Tours on the appropriately named 4 EVER WILD boat. For the first hour,
our captain motored us across the water, and with each passing minute, our doubts started to rise. But it turns out,
he knew exactly where to go. Suddenly, there they were—a pod of five killer whales (or, to be proper, orcas).
Our spirits soared as we watched these playful giants dive and surface, seemingly as curious about us as we were about them.
For 20 glorious minutes, we were captivated, snapping pictures and soaking in the magic.
Just when we thought the excitement might be over, we encountered a different kind of beast—a U.S. nuclear submarine quietly
making its way in for resupply. Our captain assured us that this was an occasional sight, but we were just relieved it didn't
take an interest in us!
As if that wasn't enough, we soon came across another friendly giant; this time a humpback whale. Or perhaps it was more accurate
to say that he found us. While boats aren't supposed to get too close to the whales, this curious fellow had his own ideas.
He swam right over, performed a few graceful dives under the boat, and then proceeded to engage in a staring contest with us.
For about 10 minutes, he continued his little show, finishing with a grand finale—a flip of his tail as he took a deep dive.
We later learned that this particular whale was known as Merlin, identified by the unique marks and notches on his tail.
The entire outing far exceeded our expectations. It was an unforgettable way to celebrate our special day.
And, of course, no anniversary is complete without a great meal. So, we capped off the evening with a fantastic steak dinner
at The Keg Steakhouse—a perfect ending to an extraordinary day.
 Our Vessel, 4 EVER WILD |
 First Sighting of the Killer Whale Pod |
 The Full Pod Hunting Together |
 Merlin Came to Check Us Out |
 A Staring Contest with a Whale? |
 So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! |