A Visit With Emerson the Elephant Seal

 Victoria, BC

This is Donna, not Emerson.

Coastal Road Trip

Today we got in the car and drove around the edge of Victoria to visit various spots along the coast.  There are many beautiful beaches on Vancouver Island and we saw a few of them today and even got to meet a celerity!  We ran into Emerson, the elephant seal, while he was molting in the sun.  Emerson has decided that Oak Bay is his place to molt every year and no matter what Fishery officials do, he comes back to this spot to molt.  They have moved him to different spots on the island to give him a chance to molt in a less populated area, but he returns to his spot in Oak Bay.  Volunteers have set up signs and keep watch to ensure visitors don't get too close to him.

Signs are posted

And walkways are blocked for Emerson.

Is this driftwood!

Yes!  But it's also Emerson!

Victoria has these chairs that are made here in the city and set up around the area.

We saw Harlequin ducks along with Emerson.

Donna investigates the tide pools.

There was a sailboat race at one of our stops.

and a rock with a hole in it.

Spring has arrived here and there are these pretty purple flowers all over the place.

It was a nice way to spend part of the day and we got to meet a celebrity!  If you missed, Neon Ranch Pinball, check it out.  I played in another tournament in Canada!

Neon Ranch Pinball

Victoria, BC

Purr-fect!

Neon Ranch Pinball Tournament

The other day I drove 15 minutes north to visit The Neon Ranch, a private pinball club in North Victoria.  You can get a day membership for $5 so I went for the day and played.  All of the machines were in great condition and the members were extremely friendly.  It was a really fun, well run tournament.  I didn't do as well as I would have wanted to but I am improving.

The club is in a modern barn type building on an actual ranch.

These machines are in jail waiting to be repaired / restored.

I also bought a hoodie.  I am now the proud owner of 3 pinball hoodies.

Me in the Scared Stiff mirror

They should have used "Your", that would have been funny.

That's it for today.  If you missed, You Clue Let, check it out.  We had a very fancy meal in a small surf town on the west coast of Victoria Island.

You Clue Let

 Ucluelet, BC

I wanted to take a selfie before Donna choked to death.  I got it!

Fancy Dinner 

The other day Donna and I did the 4 hour road trip to Ucluelet (pronounced You Clue Let).  Ucluelet is a small surf town on the west coast of Victoria Island.  It's population explodes during summer.  It really reminded me of Encinitas, CA.  We booked a hotel room and dinner at Pluvio, a top 100 restaurant on Canada's Top 100 List.  It was a very unique experience and if you are in the area and have a budget for a fancy dinner you should go.  Also it's in Canadian dollars so it is reasonable.

Everything about this place was about surfing.

Francis enjoys the sun in our hotel room.

They have 4 rooms behind the restaurant.

The outside isn't fancy but the food inside is.

We got the chef's tasting menu and got to sit at the Chef's Table on the edge of the kitchen.

We got to watch the food being prepared.  It was really fun.

This is the Humdog.  It's a fancy hot dog with squid instead of a hot dog.  It was delicious.

We had to get a cocktail.  Mine was a smoked old fashioned

The Tuna Tartar Wraps were amazing.  Probably one of the best things I have eaten on this 2 year trip.

House made bread.

Delicious trout.

I also added a side of scallops.  

This is a small savory cheese waffle.  It was almost as good as the Tuna Tartar, so the 2nd best thing I have eaten this trip, possibly.

Dessert was also delicious.  

When the bill came, they also gave you one more thing.  They said it was a chance to forage our own food.

Four tasty treats were hidden amongst rocks, shells, and driftwood.

I can see one now!

There was a jelly and a chocolate for each of us.  They were great.

It was a really great meal and a really great experience.  It was well worth the drive.

After dinner we walked to Ucluelet Brewing.

Their patio was right on the water.  It's beautiful.

That's it for today.  If you missed, Bartender Error in Your Favor, check it out.  We got a giant flight of local spirits.