Day 15 - September 9, 2026

Another long day (second longest of the trip) today from Dease Lake to Houston, BC. The day was rainy for most of the day, but I got a few decent scenery shots of some fall colour and reflections. Then the sun came out and we saw a small Black Bear on the side of the road. A few kms later, the show began. We rounded a corner and saw several photographers near a bridge over a creek. I jumped out but the bears (yes, bears, plural) were nowhere to be seen. So I got a couple shots of spawning salmon, some Common Mergansers and then the action started. Another Black Bear crossed the road and a moment later a Grizzly was in the river eating berries. A few moments later a second Grizzly decided to take a bath, have a good scratch and generally entertain the assembled photographers.  I also got a couple shots of an immature Bald Eagle, We spent about 40 minutes there before heading out as we still had six hours driving ahead of us. I am sure we could have spent the day watching them. We were told that in the evenings there can be up to 10 Grizzlies feeding on the salmon.

Day 16 - September 10, 2026

A drive from Houston, BC to Williams Lake, BC. Just a few photos. A beautiful lake, the back of one of 2,814 logging trucks we followed (Ok that’s an exaggeration but it felt like that), a little creek, a couple rabbits and another lake.

Day 17 - September 11, 2026

Wow! Since the opening of the Coquihalla Highway section of the Trans Canada Highway, I have not been on the old #1 highway. I had forgotten just how beautiful it is as it winds through the Fraser Canyon. The day started in Williams Lake, cloudy and cool but it quickly turned sunny and warm.

We passed through the burnt-out areas of the devastating fires of this past summer at Clinton and Boston Bar.  In the worst areas, even the ground was black. I don’t understand how one tree burns and the one beside it doesn’t. We saw several destroyed homes and vehicles but I only took one photo of a burned motorhome.

But on to the positive. Scenery is stunning. Constant trains going in both directions. The rivers, (Thompson and Fraser) are a beautiful blue to blue/green. We took a bit of a hike down to the old Alexandra Bridge. Very nice. A shot of a squirrel, and a Boreal Chickadee complete the day.

Day 18 - September 12, 2026

Finally, an easy day. Just a one-hour drive from Abbottsford to the ferry to Nanaimo. A few shots from the ferry as we left Horseshoe Bay, some from the ferry and a little excitement as we saw a few whales. While they aren’t great shots, it’s cool that I got one of a whale spout with the Vancouver skyline in the background. Upon arrival in Nanaimo, we drove up to Nanoose Bay and walked the shoreline a little bit. A few seals, some very interesting rock formations, barnacles on the rocks, and oddly, a red rose floating just offshore.

Day 19 - September 13, 2026

Short drive… long day (but successful). I took a turn down a small road (duh!) and we found a flock of feral Peacocks.

The drive from Nanaimo to Port Renfrew to Victoria is not long, just 246 kms) but it takes a while.  In our case, all day. Our first stop was Ladysmith. Verna’s parents retired here and spent over a decade here.  We managed for find a coffee shop where they used to go regularly (obviously very different now). There is some interesting depth in photo #4. Then on to Cowichan Lake (very nice by the way) where we ran into a car Show & Shine.  We also took a walk through the old forest to the lake.

Then on to Port Renfrew and Victoria with several stops for short walks in the forest, by little lakes etc. At one point there were several young people on a bridge overlooking a deep canyon (30 feet, maybe) down into a narrow creek. This point has apparently deep water and they were jumping off the bridge into the creek below. They are insane but I took some shots anyway.

Day 20 - September 14, 2026

Victoria, BC. We decided to do the “Hop On, Hop Off” tour. Quite interesting but a tad chilly on top of the bus. Then we walked around the inner harbour, inside the Empress Hotel (very nice!), a few flowers and then we took bike tour (we ride in the back while the guide does the work).  Fisherman’s Wharf, old homes, some dating back to the 1860s and Beacon Hill Park. In the park we saw more Peacocks, even a Peahen with two chicks.  That wasn’t on my to do list today!  My highly advanced powers of ESP tell me I may take more flower photos tomorrow. OK, we are going to visit Buchart Gardens so it’s not that hard to predict that.

Day 21 - September 15, 2026

A very big day. First a few scenery shots from a bay near Saanichton. Then Burchart Gardens. Buchart Gardens is built on the site of a former limestone quarry and cement plant. Simply stunning. It is almost overwhelming. If you like flowers, this is for you. If not, just scroll on by. Then a few shots from a little boat cruise and a few more from the Gardens.

In the evening I took a stroll around the inner harbour of Victoria. It is a beautiful city and it is even more so after dark. Interesting story on the architect of the Parliament Building, Francis Rattenbury. He was only 25 when he put in the proposal for the building and won the contract. He then designed the Empress Hotel as well. I also got a couple other shots from Chinatown and a few others as well. I really like shooting at night in a city. I should do it more often.