We took Don Yonko to Butchart Cove. There is a dinghy dock there and a gate to Butchart Gardens. There was not an attendant, but a call button. We waited a bit, and a couple of gals came down and sold us some tickets and let us in. They showed us how to get back out at the end of our stay.
The gardens were stunning. We were expecting it to be a cloudy day, but the sun was out and so were the crowds. We enjoyed our tour and took our time enjoying the fruits of a LOT of labor. Hyacinth are FRAGRANT! They must be related to lilacs. It is early yet, but what was blooming was spectacular, and you could see so much more that will be blooming right around the corner.
We were going to eat there but the restaurant we wanted to go to was closed. Bummer. So, we decided to get the bus (from inside the garden) and head to the pub and have a burger. I confused two routes in my head, so it took us A LONG time to get there! We had some food and I was forgiven 😛 Our only goal was to make it back before the gardens closed. Otherwise, our dinghy would be trapped inside and we would have to find a hotel or borrow the abandoned dinghy on shore (with no oars). But, as you can tell, we made it with time to spare.
By the time we got back, the forecasted clouds had moved in and with it a stiff wind! We pretty much had the garden to ourselves on our way back through. The attendant mentioned that you can show your ticket the next day and get into the garden again for a “small fee”. They also have an annual pass that I would for sure purchase if I lived in the area.
Starting in June, they have fireworks every Saturday night. A fellow tourist told me that he has been coming for 38 years now and said the whole lawn is filled with thousands of folks sitting on blankets and it is a site to see and worth the while to make the effort to come.
We had 20+ knot winds even in this inlet last night. Our first blow and we stayed put!
Chores today, we might rent a car to do a Costco run and other shopping, just trying to figure out where to park it overnight. I have a few ideas.
Talk Soon.
Sooo gorgeous, easy way to get your steps in!