Back to Winter!

10 days of waking up to fresh powder every morning!  Yahoo!

10cm one morning...15 cm another....25...then...35cm one mornin!

Hurry with that shovel so we can get the car out and go skiing!

Visiting Victoria

A week away from Whistler....

Clear blue sky and sunshine made for a scenic ferry journey through the Gulf Islands from Tswassen to Swartz Bay.

Gulf Islands

Unusually cold weather resulted in some interesting ice formations in Victoria, which is generally not this cold.

Oak Bay Village fountain

I stayed with Mary in Oak Bay, and enjoyed walking along the shore, breathing in fresh, sea air.

Willows Beach

Oak Bay Marina

oak trees in winter

Despite low temperatures I also joined Mike for a day-hike in the Sooke Hills.

wet mossy areas were frozen

view from Sugarloaf summit

emerald forest

with Mike on Mike Hill

arbutus, my favourite

I enjoyed many delicious dinners, walks, social times, and even some city shopping as well as creative water colour painting sessions with Mary.

Thanks to everyone!  It was great to spend the week in Victoria!