Stop Whining

I travel the way I do because I like to pretend I live in the place where I am instead of just being a tourist. So after 24 hours, it's time for me to start pretending.
Actually, I have a very fine home to be living in.

Entry

Very Comfortable and Attractive Home

One Half of Backyard

I am charged with keeping the hundreds of plants alive and healthy! I think I am better skilled at picking up dog poop!
I am living in Sooke for a month, so I had better get out and discover it. Glad to have my bicycle so I can see things slowly and up close.

Rolling Streets of Sooke

Vancouver Island is NOT flat; at least here on the South coast. It is good exercise and I am proud of myself that I have ridden my bike undaunted.
I was glad, however, when when Mr. Danny Heggelund stopped me from riding my bike down the hill to the boardwalk and told me to park it at his house.

Park Your Bike Here

I'm Glad I Was Warned

It is really much steeper than it appears here!
I have included a link to the obituary of Danny Heggelund's mother. Reading it gives you a real feel for the history of standing on this spot.
The boardwalk has steep stairs leading down to Sooke Harbour and then a half mile or so along the beach.

Boardwalk Along Sooke Harbour

Then, the boardwalk zigzags up the hill through the forest.

Boardwalk through the Forest

Floor of the Rain Forest

Stately Stands

Interesting Tree Growth

Boardwalk Arbor

This will be a nice little walk to take frequently.
At one time, there was a lot of money and grand homes in Sooke. Not sure where they are now. Not much of the lumber, fishing, and rum runner history remains.

These Columns Only Historic Remains

The city or someone has provided an interesting touch on all the power boxes (or whatever these things are all over town!) by covering them with historic photographed scenes.

Photos of Sooke's History

Most of the homes appear to be like those in my neighborhood.

Unusual and Highend Homes Along the Bay

Mr. Heggelund's (built on the site of the home described in the obituary) was quite new and stately, but I didn't get a good picture of it.
The city and some businesses appear to be doing quite a bit of landscaping.

Anglican Church Yard

Some Businesses Add an Attractive Touch

There are several restaurants. I ate at Mom's Cafe.
The salmon chowder is excellent and the pie is worth driving all the way from Colorado to have a slice.

Best Pies in North America

There are a couple of good grocery stores, health food store, BC liquor store, and drug store just two hills from my house. The "boutique center" is near Mom's. I visited only one spot to save something for another day.

Boutique Block

Fortunately, I also found the bus to Victoria that has frequent runs during normal commuting hours. I think many folks either work in Victoria or are retirees. I saw a lot of people who looked like me all over town.

How to Get to Victoria

I visited the regional museum, which would probably be of great interest only to me and the only other visitors - a grandmother with her approximately 6-year-old granddaughter.

Regional Museum

745 - 1976

One of the exhibits is this slice of a tree harvested in 1976 that began growing over 1200 years ago. Lumber is still a big business here. Apparently, they used these old growth firs for pilings and railroad trestles.
The visitor center is very useful and one of the workers very knowledgeable. The others not so up to snuff. Didn't know anything about the area and wasn't surprised when my purchase of 6 postcards at 3 for !.25 totaled $16.74. She said "This is the price after tax."
After getting that settled, I have enough gas money and information to head along the coast tomorrow and discover new terrain.