Sunday, July 31, 2016

Today Justin and Lauren took us to an amazing bakery for breakfast.  It’s a popular bikers’ spot with really good pastries and coffee.

From here we wandered downtown to check things out.

Our destination was the Maritime Museum of British Columbia. 

We knew they had a model of the Argonaut II as well as the little organ that lived on the boat most of its life and we were looking forward to seeing these things for the first time.  Unfortunately, the museum recently had to move into a much smaller facility and these things were now in storage.  But…they were most helpful in finding some files with articles about the boat that we had not seen.  So it was a successful visit after all.

Victoria was just beautiful in preparation for their big celebration.

While wandering back to the boat Chris and Justin spotted an older boat docked in the harbour and spent time talking to the owner who knew the Argonaut II very well. 

He gave us some great suggestions as well as more people to contact who have worked on our boat in the past.

We eventually regrouped back at the boat for a delightful lunch of hearty barley bread (from the bakery) with smoked salmon cream cheese and really good beer from Philips Brewing Company up the street.  (Sorry I keep talking about food but it was all so good!)

Justin, Huckleberry and I went for a row where Huck

met Larry for a romp in the water.

By the way, this is what a wet doodle looks like.  He likes to keep his hair dry on top.

Later, after Justin barbecued zucchini and burgers

and we had a quick dinner, we headed out for an amazing evening.  In honor of British Columbia Day the Victoria Symphony will be performing a free concert on a barge in the Inner Harbour.  This is an annual event and will be attended by over ten thousand people.  People sitting all along the seawall and in front of the Empress Hotel and covering the lawn in front of the Government Building. 

The best part of all is the hundreds of small boats floating in front of the stage.

This was so much fun bobbing around amidst all the other floaties.  

What a great way to attend the Symphony.

Near the end of the concert was the 1812 Overture complete with cannons so we chose to skedaddle back to the boat so we wouldn’t loose Huckleberry over the side. 

Once safe and sound on board we were just in time for the grand fireworks finale where we had a ringside seat. 

And it was a good thing we were on the boat ‘cause poor Huckle was scared @#%less.

Soon all was quiet and Huckle was content once again.  What a fun day.