Making Up For Lost Time
Spending time on the water with family in Bellingham, WA and Victoria, BC
Hi Friends,
During the last few weeks of June, and over the July 4th holiday, we were able to spend time with a lot of my family that live on the west coast. We hadn’t seen them since COVID, and frankly, even before COVID, we didn’t see them enough.
We started in Bellingham, WA for a few days where we caught up with each other, went for walks along the waterfront, Lake Pradden Park, and Whatcom Falls Park, and explored downtown Bellingham and the Fairhaven neighborhood.
We had lunch at Avenue Bread in Fairhaven, got take out from On Rice Thai, and pizza from Coconut Kenny’s.
We still have a long list of places we’d like to hit in Bellingham next time we’re there for coffee, cocktails, beer, restaurants, and hikes. Our list rarely gets shorter.
Next up, were Victoria, British Columbia, and the Gulf Islands (also BC). We crossed the border at the Peace Arch crossing (also known as the Blaine-Douglas crossing), and took the ferry from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay.
At the time we entered Canada, the country was no longer requiring a negative test if you were vaccinated, but they were still doing random testing. Lucky us, Chris got picked. 👎
We wouldn’t have been sour about the situation if he had been able to do the COVID test right there at the border. Instead, he was given a PCR test box with instructions to complete the test and mail it to the lab within 24 hours. In order to take the test though, he would need to schedule an online video apt with a nurse who would watch him take the test and certify that he had followed the correct protocol before packaging it up and sending it off to the lab to be analyzed.
There were no appointments within 24 hours though. Chris ended up getting an appointment on our 3rd day in the country and got his negative test results on day 5. We had taken a rapid test on our own that morning, so we knew his results would likely come back negative, but if they hadn’t, the whole process wouldn’t have stopped him from infecting others during those initial 5 days.
Aside from this experience, our time in British Columbia was really special. We had a great time catching up and great weather for most of the week. We stayed on one of the Gulf Islands, at my aunt and uncle’s house, and enjoyed relaxing outside on the deck watching bald eagles, seals, sunsets, and BC ferries pass by, and a walk around the island.
We went into Victoria, BC for two days where we visited the famous Butchart Gardens, walked along the harbor waterfront and downtown, and visited with my cousin and her wife. We picked up a variety of breads and pastries from Patisserie Daniel - a family favorite, and stocked up on more ‘Dark Matter’ beer from Hoyne Brewing before heading back to the island for a few more days of relaxing.
We ate so well on this part of the trip. From the homemade breakfast sandwiches and americanos each morning in Bellingham, to all the food my aunt and uncle bought and prepared to celebrate our time together on the island.
Next up…our time in Vancouver. Take care, everyone!
Glad you tested negative!!!
Enjoyed the read and the photos!