Victoria in winter

P

Plan C

New member
I almost posted this under the "Moves you don't want to make..." thread, which is progressing interestingly. I liked TR's statement: "One thing for sure, I have quit going out in conditions that are marginal. It is too stressful, potentially dangerous, and just not worth it. I have turned into a fair weather captain that enjoys flat seas and high tides."

The problem is knowing what is marginal, because I'd rather be towards the dege of the margin than stay home when I don't have to.

Friday I headed over from Port Townsend to Victoria BC, on a schedule to meet friends. Turns out they listened to the forecasts and stayed home themselves. No matter, I had a great three days there (as always), moored at the winter rate of 65 cents in front of the Empress Hotel.

Going over: It got a little rough now and again, but never past that marginal point. Temps were in the 20's F, and what I discovered is that you do get a bit of soft ice forming on rails and windows. Not enough that it was a problem, but a gently learned lesson of winter boating.

In the harbor, mush ice formed around the marina. We got 6 inches of snow the second night and 2 on Sunday. Not a problem for boaters. In the time I was there, winds of 50 to 70 mph were forecast for somewhere in the area, but the protected harbor in Victoria was a quiet place to be.

Coming back, conditions were similar to arriving, but NOAA was confusing, with N winds in the Strait and SE winds in Puget Sound. What does that mean half way back? Fortunately, nothing serious, with seas subsiding towards PT.

I called Pt Angeles Customs to raise the Customs guy in PT. When PT Customs came to see me, he said he thought PA was pulling his leg that a 22 foot boat had crossed from Victoria! The truth of it was that conditions weren't nearly as bad as they all imagined.

I could only have improved the trip by coming back today, since last night the James Cotton Blues Band was playing, and I had to miss it. Looks like there is no wind this morning.

Anyway, I have to say, Victoria in winter is as great as any time of year.

Dave
 
Very cool. We went across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Victoria from Sequim once in October, but it was a quick over/back kind of deal. Have to try this sometime in the winter!
 
The Inner Harbour at Victoria is one of our favorites - can only imagine how pretty that city must be in the winter. Got any photos you want to share with us?

Happy Holidays,
Jim B.
 
Pictures. Unfortunately they are only in my head. What I remember, looking south, were the lovely evening lights that outline the Parliament building. Looking north, a couple of tour boats had outlines in blue LED Christmas lights, which reflected also in the water, all while snow was falling.

Also I noted the street lights along the wharf. They were those street light globes, but in addition to white, were blue, green and red. Nice touch. And who can't be impressed with a town that that thinks so well of itself it flies its own city flag.

As much as anything I always enjoy how welcoming people there are, even including Customs. I'm ready to go back!

I saw a poster for a concert to be I think January 5. Dweezl Zappa is playing Frank Zappa. That may be worth another trip!

From Wiki: (they spelled his name wrong, tho) Dweezil's registered birth name was Ian Donald Calvin Euclid Zappa,[4] although this occurred only because the hospital at which he was born refused to register him under the name Dweezil. The name was a nickname coined by Frank for an oddly-curled pinky-toe of Gail's. He was always called "Dweezil" by his family and was unaware that this was not the name on his birth certificate. Upon this discovery at the age of five, he insisted on having his nickname become his legal name. Gail and Frank hired an attorney and soon the name Dweezil was official.

Dave
 
Dave, Glad you had a nice trip. I remember you telling me about how nice Victoria is in the winter. We are looking forward to something on the water in Jan, but will have to wait and see what comes.

Merry Christmas,

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
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