September 07, 2005 | Tips from Us >
Victoria, Beaches & Swimming
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Sometimes I can be a really lazy tourist. I get up and just want everything to be easy: no planning a detailed itinerary, no making sure I’m at the right place at the right time; just let the day happen.
Well, today was that lazy day that just fell into place. With the Minivan bursting with aquatic toys and food, kids, dogs etc…we set out for the Beaver Lake end of
Beaver and Elk Lake Regional Park. This is only minutes from downtown Victoria and a real haven for families. One can easily spend hour after hour here, enjoying the warm water, sandy beach, picnic area, playground, walking trails and playing fields. We arrived mid-day and didn’t leave until after 6 o’clock. I guess we tried to leave but the kids wouldn’t let us. Wow, just when you think nothing matters to kids other than a PS2 or X Box, along comes an inflatable raft that provides hours of joyful bliss. Who’d a thunk? Again, I am the coolest uncle in town.
Tip: many stores in Victoria reduce their summer beach stuff up to 50% off part way through the summer so it is quite affordable to pick up some toys, coolers, etc... when you are here. (I’m having a flashback of a disastrous attempt to carry a beach umbrella onboard a flight once).
You know kids. We packed a refrigerator-sized cooler of food for the day but one of the wee folk spotted the concession stand and it was all over. I can’t compete with French fires and ice cream. In any case, you won’t go hungry at this park.
This is another example of a park for all ages. While the kids played, the dogs and my sister and I did the 10 km (6 mile) loop around the lakes. I don't think she heard me but I was kind of whimpering at the end: this is a long haul so I’d recommend decent walking shoes.
Tip: do not set out on the 10 km walk with a pair of flip-flops. That space between my big toe and the other guys felt like a watermelon by the end.
Evenings are s
September 04, 2005 | Tips from Us >
Victoria, Beaches & Swimming
Find more information about Victoria - Beaches & Swimming
Good news! I ended up getting a Minivan after all! I waited at the rental agency for an hour and a half and just as I was leaving the lot (literally), in pulls the blue 7-passenger hotrod of my dreams! sometimes you just get lucky I guess! Remember: book it in advance! Today was an easy day because everyone is tired after last night's late arrival. We headed to Thetis Lake which just happens to be a five-minute drive from our house although we took the long route because I was still so ecstatic about procuring the Minivan that I had to show it off. Luckily, just about every route you take in this city has something beautiful or of interest to see. Thetis Lake's Main Beach is by far the most popular local hangout for Victoria's young crowd so I thought taking the kids there first would show that their uncle is somewhat in the know with the youth of today. Warm, clear water, surrounded by a towering Douglas Fir forest and a network of trails made if a bonus choice. While dogs aren't allowed to stay on the beach and picnic area during this time of year, they can be off-leash along the trails and the rest of the park. So while some kids (namely the 16 year old) opted to hang at the beach with the locals (I think her name was Melanie) the rest of us hiked around the lake, dogs at our heels and worked up an appetite for the perfect picnic. Not a bad way to sleep off an afternoon of jet-lag and for me to recover from the near Minivan fiasco.
Travel tip: Air Canada offers a non-stop from Toronto to Victoria daily, arriving at 10pm. Everything else seems to connect either via Vancouver or Calgary. Sure makes the trip shorter if you can get this one.