times of rest and recreation.What a change of pace and scenery lay before us!
After a week at the Uni in the Midwest US, we headed west to Vancouver Island via Seattle.
First stop, Victoria, where we met up with sister Britt & brother-in-law Don.
On a rainy day, we ventured through the countryside to Butchart Gardens. Wow. For a few wonderful hours, we explored this extensive cacophony of color with eyes wide open, thinking what we could do to make the Botanical Garden at Kabul University look so spectacular!
Have you heard of High Tea at the Fairmont Empress Inn? Since traveling to Victoria in 2002, we've been dreaming of one day having a dignified high tea at this most anglophiled establishment. To you all, we raise the china cup and crumpet, waving our pinkies high.
Having a fill of city-living, we wound our way through the rainy, chilly countryside to Canada's surfing capital, Tofino, and then crossing the interior to Campbell River & Quadra Island. Miles of temperate rainforests of redwood/hemlock/cedar, conifered rocky out-croppings, sandy beaches, crashing surfs, and long views greet the onlooker to awe & inspire.
It is nature's art with broad strokes and intricate points, such as this surprising cloak of seaweed upon a barnacle dressed oyster.
The Northwest, where seaplane travel rules.
And kayaking allows the enthusiast an up close view of shores, waters, and the incumbent inhabitants: seals, starfish, eagles, grizzlies, and whales.
Not neglecting the beauty of the interior: snowcapped mountains, stunning waterfalls, glacier etched lakes, vibrant meadows, living forests.
With a grateful sigh, we departed this outdoor playground. It has left a smile upon our memory.We are also gratified by the heart-warming times we spent with friends and family during these weeks of reprieve from the wiles of live in Afghanistan.
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