3 June 2014
Departed on the 11:00 AM BC Ferry to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island. The 1 1/2 hour ride took us via Georgia Strait around the Southern Gulf Islands. Swartz Bay is a 30 minute drive north of Victoria near the town of Sidney on Hwy 17. The OW ferry with car is $88.50. We left our motorhome at the campground in Aldergrove BC and stayed at a Comfort Suites that we booked through Booking.com. We found this to be a very friendly site with no booking or cancellation fees. Seems strange to stay in a motel after all these years..could not remember last time. Found this location convenient for things we wanted to see as we did not want to stay downtown and deal with the parking. Room was very comfortable. Since this was our 6th visit over the years to Victoria, we did not do the usual tourist things, but instead concentrated on visiting historic fort sites for John's website.
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| Ferry Route |
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| Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal |
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| Island Scene |
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| Nice Place to Live |
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| BC Ferry |
Our first stop was downtown at the site of Fort Victoria which was a Hudson Bay Co post. Only plaques remain showing the area of the fort which encompassed the area from Wharf to Government and Broughton to Bastion. The city of Victoria has partially outlined the location with colored paving stones and building markers. The fort was built in 1843. Indians came to trade furs, salmon and berries in exchange for blankets and other goods. The fort was demolished in 1864 to make room for the expanding town and lots auctioned off.
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| Fort Victoria Plaque |
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| Plaque Showing Blockhouse |
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| Wharf St Plaque for Fort Victoria |
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| Customs House on Wharf St |
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| Arriving Ferry From Port Angeles |
We then drove to area around Beacon Hill Park to explore defense locations dating from 1878 thru WW II. No references remain except for Finlayson point battery. Our searching provided for a good hike and views of Juan de Fuca Strait and surrounding bays.
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| Finlayson Battery Marker |
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| View of Ross Bay |
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| Hang Glider Clover Point |
We then walked to Ogden Point site of WW II Battery, but no references remain.
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| Ogden Point Pier/Breakwater |
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| Murals on Pier |
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| Ogden Point Lighthouse |
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| Victoria Clipper from Seattle |
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| Cruise Ship Terminal Ogden Point |
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| Sea Plane over Ogden Point |
We had dinner at Boston Pizza. When we returned to motel, I took a long,hot bath. Felt really good.
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