It is hard to believe that it’s July and the days are flying by faster than ever!
Canada Day was spectacularly hot and sunny.Like many of my fellow Canadians, I donned a red shirt and white pants to wander the few blocks from home to Victoria’s InnerHarbour. The harbour was jam-packed with boats and the streets were grid-locked with people.A wild violinist fully dressed in a black Darth Vader helmet and caped costume, “Plaster Man” whose clothes, hair, hands and face are completely coated in white paint, and a flaming-sword swallower were among the buskers competing for spare change donations.The walkway around the harbour was lined with displays of local arts and crafts. Enticing smells of barbequed wieners, popcorn and candy floss wafted through the air along with the jingling tunes of an ice-cream truck.
By late afternoon, the increasing roar of the crowd could be heard all the way up to my 12th floor apartment.At 1030 pm I stepped out onto the balcony to watch fireworks explode over the harbour. There were helicopters circling overhead and after all was said and done the police helicopter continued to circle, shining a spotlight down onto the street.Every time it looped around, the spotlight eerily shone right into my bedroom. The next morning’s news featured the troublesome drunks, many of them teenagers whose parents were likely not-amused to see their off-springs’ ugly behaviour featured in the media.
To celebrate the 4th of July, my roommate Patti and I invited a few friends over for some all-American food; hot dogs, potato salad and apple pie.When I lamented not being able to find any USA themed decorations, an American friend enthusiastically donated a bag stuffed with all manner of small flags, stars’n’stripes streamers, and even a windsock. Patti acquired a huge American flag and downloaded some American music.As each American friend entered the red, white’n’blue bedecked apartment, the Star Spangled Banner was played and everyone stood up in tribute.
The next morning I walked down to the InnerHarbour to see the Harbour Ferry Ballet.As “The Blue Danube” is blasted out across the water, five little harbour ferries bob and weave amongst each other in time to the music.The ballet is a Sunday morning ritual during July and August, and I decided I better get down there and mingle with the tourists before summer is over and I’ve missed it completely.
The next travel adventure begins on July 14:destination Portland, Oregon, via Amtrak from Vancouver.Although best known for their trains, the stretch from Vancouver to Seattle is travelled via ….dare I say it…..bus.I’m hoping that a person’s “bad bus experiences” are limited to two and that I got my share out of the way.
Originally created chronicle the excellent adventure of a year off from work; this blog is again being called into service as I plot the great California get-away of 2011.
Canada 
Day was spectacularly hot and sunny. Like many of my fellow Canadians, I donned a red shirt and white pants to wander the few blocks from home to 
By late afternoon, the increasing roar of the crowd could be heard all the way up to my 12th floor apartment. At 1030 pm I stepped out onto the balcony to watch fireworks explode over the harbour. There were helicopters circling overhead and after all was said and done the police helicopter continued to circle, shining a spotlight down onto the street. Every time it looped around, the spotlight eerily shone right into my bedroom. The next morning’s news featured the troublesome drunks, many of them teenagers whose parents were likely not-amused to see their off-springs’ ugly behaviour featured in the media.
To celebrate the 4th of July, my roommate Patti and I invited a few friends over for some all-American food; hot dogs, potato salad and apple pie. When I lamented not being able to find any 
he Harbour Ferry Ballet. As “The Blue Danube” is blasted out across the water, five little harbour ferries bob and weave amongst each other in time to the music. The ballet is a Sunday morning ritual during July and August, and I decided I better get down there and mingle with the tourists before summer is over and I’ve missed it completely.
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Oh, man! That "hat" is classic! Did you actually wear it in public???
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