Oct 06 2008
Best $400 I Didn’t Spend
Do you know who Owen Meany is? If you don’t, bring your forehead really close to your monitor. Ready?
*wap*
Go read it. Now. Come back when you’re done. I’ll wait…
If you do, imagine if The Cure wrote a song about him You’d have this:
Those are the Sunken Gardens at Buchart Gardens on Vancouver Island. Mr Buchart and family established a limestone quarry on Vancouver Island in 1904, and when that quarry was exhausted, his wife began the huge undertaking of turning that spent quarry into the garden you see there. And here. Because why not?
She and her husband traveled the globe, collecting artifacts and animals and plants from around the world, and they eventually expanded their garden into the Japanese Gardens.
And then they grew their gardens larger, and created the Italian Gardens where their tennis courts once stood.
And then they took their kitchen garden patch and turning into the biggest freaking rose garden you could ever hope to see. Like, an Alice In Wonderland Queen of Hearts rose garden. Like, even someone like me who almost hates roses was left slightly speechless. She did all of this…for fun.
And today, the whole thing is a stunning display of some of the most exquisite, stunning naturally beauty you could ever hope to see that I had no fucking clue I lived anywhere near until 3 weeks ago.
When my mother in law (can we just call her Sarah? Her name is Sarah) got here, she said the only things she wanted to do were snuggle my kids and see those gardens. We said, “Huh? Gardens? There are GARDENS?” Thank god for google, man. We cancelled 3of3’s birthday party last Sunday (for a number of reasons) and took advantage of the sunshine to head on over. Her treat. Thank GOD.
Except, it’s a 2 hour trip away from here. BY SEA. So, we rented a mini-van, piled everyone in the car, and hopped on the ferry. Which, truth be told, was totally awesome in its own right and we could have turned right back around and came home after and been totally satisfied with our outing.
Did you know I’m a boat person? I’m a boat person. I could live a long, happy, fulfilled life on the deck of a boat. I was In Heaven.
I’ve I ever go missing, you know where to look. We sailed through the Gulf Islands and saw seals in the water, but no whales. I guess you can see whales if you go on the right day. Sucks to be us. Anyway, no one got sea sick and we all got a big reminder of the fact that we live in a really rad place.
And in the interest of keeping this slightly shorter than On The Road, I’ll continue tomorrow…
Comments close after 5 days. Because Spam sucks. 41 Comments to “Best $400 I Didn’t Spend”
Oh wow. I want to go there. How beautiful and kind of whimsical.
Once upon a time, Cordy wrote..Why it hurts…
I used to live on Saltspring Island (which you probably passed on the ferry!) and we hit those gardens a few times while I lived there. GORGEOUS! I love the Japanese garden with the water features . . . so peaceful.
Glad to hear you got along with your mother in law (though a $400 trip doesn`t hurt, now, does it?)!
Once upon a time, Expat Mom wrote..Not the Vacation I Had In Mind
I LOVE A Prayer for Owen Meany. It’s one of my all time favourite books - I read it at least five times. And we’ve been to those Gardens too - amazing. And I agree, the ferry is almost the best part. We have yet to take our kids but will likely be doing it soon. Great pictures - looks like you guys had a fantastic day.
Once upon a time, Shannon wrote..Friendses, I got my lenses
So cool. I wish I had the time and money to something as elaborate as that “for fun.”
Once upon a time, Lisa wrote..Meet My Man
I feel ripped off that I’m stuck in the “the middle” of the Country and have never been to the East or West coast. *sigh* One of these days.
That sounds like an awesome trip.
Hey Lady! Owen Meany? So strange you should mention that………..I watched Simon Birch on Saturday……Peace, Mike.
Oh I love gardens like those! We have some similar, but no where near as big, as that. And a boat ride to boot? You guys definitely know how to have an awesome outing!
Once upon a time, tracey wrote..Tears from the past… Part 2
i observe that not once did you refer to her as MIL…but mother in law and even sarah. i’m just saying. coolest pics and lovely trip. gotta go there. will be in vancouver in november. would i be close?
That’s it. I am moving to Vancouver.
If I look at another cornfield I might just lose it.
Once upon a time, OHmommy wrote..The end of an era
Why do I live in DC?
I know who Owen Meany is!
Once upon a time, sizzle wrote..Whole New Meaning to Making a Deposit
Gorgeous. I still prefer “A Widow For One Year” though.
Once upon a time, Ellie wrote..Take Me Out
That looks fantastic. It’s amazing what sights are usually close to us that we never know about.
Once upon a time, Jim wrote..Pet Extravaganza ‘08
I’m with you on the boats. I did live on a cruise ship for a while. It totally did not suck.
Once upon a time, April wrote..Weekend Wrap-Up
I could totally see how you might feel like Alice there, it’s beautiful! I really appreciate flowers being as that I kill them all the time.
Once upon a time, amy wrote..Gridiron Gals
It’s on my “places to see before I die” list. Lucky you and fam!!
Em
Once upon a time, Em wrote..My scary libido needs a jump start.
A Prayer for Owen Meany is one of my favorite books ever.
My late friend Julie (whose growth was stunted from cancer treatment) adored that book and John Irwin signed a copy in her memory for her mom after she died…
Once upon a time, Don Mills Diva wrote..Let him be
Wow. Now I’m wondering why I haven’t been there. Turns out that my dinner guests that night cancelled due to illness, so we totally could have gone with you, too. Damn. We could have had a minivan caravan. ;)
Wow, that looks like… a garden. heh
Looks like you all had a bunch O fun.
I was | | close to getting a boat when I lived in SD. I am so with ya on the boat gig.
That’s it. I gotta get up there and check it out.
Once upon a time, Kate wrote..Chalk It Up
I am all about the boats too… There is nothing better than being on the water.
Once upon a time, Miss wrote..She keeps inviting me back….
um…yeah…i just bought a photo of Butchart gardens for one of the book we are publishing! too funny! i’d never heard of it before! it’s beautiful!
Once upon a time, ali wrote..i gotta poof. or that’s so magic.
did you know that UBC has amazing gardens too - just down the road from us? yup. Nitobe (GORGEOUS Japanese Gardens) Rose & Botanical. Seriously hard core goodness.
Once upon a time, colleen wrote..Crystal Head Vodka
I used to live in Victoria, and what I wouldn’t give to be back there again! Butchart Gardens is fabulous, glad you got to go see it!
Once upon a time, Linds wrote..Manic Monday
Looks pretty frikkin awesome…especially the Japanese Gardens. When I win the Lottery on Wednesday, I plan to do what I have always wanted and turn our house and yard into a Japanese Garden. Sort of like Mr Miyagi’s.
Question: Sailboat or Speedboat!
Comment: Nice wrap.
Once upon a time, Matt wrote..Healing
I never actually finished that book in high school…
But those pictures are great and I’m so glad you had a good visit with the MIL. :)
Once upon a time, Jaina wrote..Fall is Falling
Oh wow, what an absolutely incredibly beautiful place, and the trip looks like it was very exciting too!
Once upon a time, Jeanette wrote..My first family photo shoot
I had been there with Joshman a lifetime ago and it was extremely beautiful then! I have some pictures of his little guy that will charm your uterus off!
Once upon a time, Kristin wrote..We got third again!
Two things.
A prayer for Owen Meany? SO good.
And I just went to Buchart for the first time, and I LIVE in Victoria. So beautiful.
Once upon a time, coral wrote..Self Imposed Break
wow. that’s an awesome find.
Once upon a time, the planet of janet wrote..Weekly Winners: September 28-October 4
Holy crap. When my boys are bigger we really need to hit Vancouver.
Your family is gorgeous.
Once upon a time, Maria wrote..karaoke, ur doing it wrong
Amazing. What a great gift from Sarah!! So beautiful.
Once upon a time, Nola wrote..Miss Marple, She Isn’t
Holy crap. It’s beautiful! You’re beautiful! (All five of you!) Jeez, lady.
BEE-YOO-TEE-FULL!
I still want to go…
Once upon a time, flickrlovr wrote..This Is Not A Poem*
You do live in a rad place. Can I move in. Only temporarily. Pinky-swear.
Once upon a time, Ree wrote..Cousins - Past in Polaroids 9
# 1. Owen Meany is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE characters in any book I have ever read.
# 2. I just found your blog and it effing rocks, so thanks for that.
# 3. You are gorgeous and so are your children and your daughter looks kinda like what I imagine my 2-year-old daughter will look like in a few years
# 4. I now totally want to come to your neck of the woods and see those gardens–incredible!!!
Thanks for the post!
I am also adding you to my blogroll and reader so I can come back and bug you some more…I hope you don’t mind. Feel free to come visit me over at my blog!
Once upon a time, Petra a.k.a. The Wise (*Young*) Mommy wrote..Just Call Me Mrs. Jackson–Humor Carnival Post # 1
What a fun adventure for you all.. Your pictures came out breathtaking.. The one and little man came out BEAUTIFUL..
Once upon a time, Kim wrote..JIC WINNER!!! Who Won the Peanuts DVD?? Find out!
My sister went there with my dad. she said it was beautiful.
I want to go. totally.
she gets to go to all the cool places. I eh, I take my adventures in the ice-cream aisle at the local Stop and Shop.
Gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous.
Once upon a time, Chris Cactus wrote..Crutches
I’ve read A Prayer for Owen Meany several times, but it’s been a while, so I can’t remember the connection to the gardens. The gardens look amazing, BTW, and ferries absolutely rock. I think a trip that included gardens and a ferry ride would be heaven for me! Sounds like a fun family time. Thanks for including the happy pictures!
Once upon a time, Marie wrote..The Simple Woman’s Daybook 100208
Sorry. I really didn’t read your post. At all. Becuase I read the first line and had to scroll all the way down just to tell you, “Do I know who he IS? Are you fucking kidding me? My SON-OWEN-is NAMED after him!” and that is God’s honest truth. Paul Owen Meany has been like THIS with-and I mean TIGHT-since I read him at age 18 when I thought I knew everything. I have waited for EVER to have a son I could name after him. Since neither of the husbands are literate (I meant, um, literal), it took until my Steve to find a guy who would read the book and let me name the kid Owen. REally. Did I tell you yet how much I love him? and you for even knowing who he is?
Once upon a time, Kori wrote..In Which I Am Called a Hero
My Dad grew up in Victoria, my g-parents lived in Parksville and I used to live on Gabriola Island (near Nanaimo) so I rode those ferries a lot! Looking at your ferry pics made me remember… Ah, the boys I met and friendships I formed (in my imagination), the stories and adventures I came up with - I love those ferries! You can be anyone for a few hours! Thanks for the flashbacks.