Vancouver Island, BC – 8/5/2015

August 5, 2015 (Wednesday)

Jim and Anna left on the 10:30 AM ferry back to Port Angeles, Washington. Larry and Michael had taken a walk on the sea wall but Renee and I stood on the 9th floor balcony and waved to the ferry as it passed by.  I’m sure they saw us (hopefully). The weather was cold and getting colder and we figured they were inside the ferry getting warm.

The breakwater wall.
The breakwater wall.
The First Nations art on the outside of the wall.
The First Nations art on the outside of the wall.
Finally got to the wall.
Finally got to the wall.
We are so toast if the big one slips while we are out there.
We are so toast if the big one slips while we are out there.
Art on inside of Breakwater wall.
Art on inside of Breakwater wall.
They did a nice job.
They did a nice job.
Beacon at the end of the wall.
Beacon at the end of the wall.
Memorial benches at the end.
Memorial benches at the end.
I like his attitude.
I like his attitude.

 

We left our home around 11:00 AM or so and headed up the island. Our plan was to drive about an hour and 10 minutes to The Crow and Gate Pub, have lunch, then go north another 30 minutes to Coombs Market to see the goats on the roof and check out the market. The drive took us longer than we had anticipated because we wanted Larry and Renee to get a “taste” of Duncan and the totem poles on most street corners, and Chemainus and the murals. Lovely drive and we finally found “The Crow and Gate around 1:30 PM. Such a fun little pub.

Entrance to Crow and Gate Pub.
Entrance to Crow and Gate Pub.

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Notice the lantern, top center.
Notice the lantern, top center.

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Love this sign.
Love this sign.
Fun window decoration.
Fun window decoration.

We each got something different and it was all so good. (It helped that we were really hungry by this time.  dunger is the best spice.) After lunch we walked around the lovely grounds and saw their garden. They had one plant (not sure what it was) that was something the dinosaurs would have eaten as it was huge.

My ruben, it was good.
My ruben, it was good.
Renee's soup.
Renee’s soup.
Edie's french dip.
Edie’s french dip.
An interesting potato salad that had a mashed potato quality.
An interesting potato salad that had a mashed potato quality.
Larry had a pot pie.
Larry had a pot pie.
Crows everywhere.
Crows everywhere.
The grounds fall short of Butchart Gardens, but they are big and nice.
The grounds fall short of Butchart Gardens, but they are big and nice.
A cool day threatening rain.
A cool day threatening rain.
We think they do weddings here.
We think they do weddings here.
Larry is 6'5", Renee is not that tall.
Larry is 6’5″, Renee is not that tall.
Grumpy with a pretty woman.
Grumpy with a pretty woman.
This is a prehistoric looking giant thing.
This is a prehistoric looking giant thing.
Renee for perspective.
Renee for perspective.
Edie's hand for perspective.
Edie’s hand for perspective.
They grow some of their food here.
They grow some of their food here.
Lovely on a full tummy.
Lovely on a full tummy.
Back through the pub to leave.
Back through the pub to leave.
Crow and Gate on Door.
Crow and Gate on door.

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It was raining or we would have gone to Old Englishman Falls. Instead, we drove straight to Coombs Market and saw the goats. They were out (last time they were inside their home) and easy to see this time. Glad. We went into the market and went our separate ways so we could all enjoy looking at all the fun and unusual items they have to offer. Larry and Renee bought some hard to find items for their home. We ended up getting some ice cream and could not believe their single scoop was so big. Felt like at least a gallon of ice cream in the cone. I love ice cream and I could not eat the whole thing.

Coombs Market, with goats on the roof. You can hear them walking around when you are inside.
Coombs Market, with goats on the roof. You can hear them walking around when you are inside.
It is large inside and chocked full of the most interesting food and souvenir items.
It is large inside and chocked full of the most interesting food and souvenir items.
Norwegian in origin.
Norwegian in origin.
The merchandise displays are frequently fun.
The merchandise displays are frequently fun.
Inside.
Inside.
The roof is very sturdy.
The roof is very sturdy.
Interesting and good looking meats.
Interesting and good looking meats.

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And cheeses.
And cheeses.
Lots of smoked salmon.
Lots of smoked salmon.

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Good thing we were all full from the Pub.
Good thing we were all full from the Pub.

We were all tired and rested on the drive home. Michael did an excellent job of driving (while we slept) but he was cussing that he didn’t drive up island. He said it was poor planning on his part. We stopped at the Costco in Langford so Larry and Renee could get some Voltaren. They had never tried poutine so we got them some and they really liked it. Everyone needs to try poutine when they’re in Canada. Must admit that the poutine in Costco was much better than the poutine we tried last year in the shopping center food court.

That was our day. Hope yours was great!