Embracing Autumn in Victoria

I love summer.  I am a summer gal through and through.  The warm lazy days that stretch late into the night.  The smell of barbeque in air.  The sound of lawnmowers and the smell of fresh cut grass.  The feel of the sun warming your back.  There is so much to love about summer.  Did I mention the long summer days?  How could one not feel on top of their game with so many hours of daylight energizing you through long lists of tasks and engagements?  …So what happens when the leaves start to fall, the wind carries a bite, and the clocks fall back?  Halloween comes and goes with a stir of excitement, and then I catch myself whispering of summer’s distant return.  But I am determined not to live half a life, one that not just thrives when the sun warms you from above and the wind is at your back, but one that can be equally as rewarding in darker (wetter) days.  I am a firm believer that there is a silver lining to everything, even the seasons.  With the arrival of Autumn comes an opportunity for change, reflection, and growth.  Growing up, Autumn marked the start of a new school year, a chance to meet new friends, take new classes, and try new things.  A fresh start if you will.  That feeling has instilled within me to this day.

So as much as you may long to stay in bed with a good book on a rainy day (and there is something to be said for that), this post is about inspiring you to get outside and experience some fall friendly activities on our treasured Vancouver Island.

1. Goldstream Park.  Running mid to late October through to early December, Goldstream Park is home to the world class salmon spawning stream with thousands of Chum Salmon returning every year.  Did you know that salmon see reds, purples, and pinks very well?  Avoid wearing these colours to get an up close look at fish actively building nests and watch for spawning behavior.  Make a day of it and bring something to cook up on the BBQ pits in the day use area along the river.  The forest canopy provides a natural umbrella in drizzly weather.

2. Craft fairs.  Many Christmas Craft Fairs begin in November, and why not get a head start on your list by supporting local artisans at the same time?  Who doesn’t love some hand knits, preserves, and Christmas baking?  Check out:

3. Pamper yourself at the Spa.  Everyone deserves a little pampering every once in a while.  Victoria hosts some incredible spas, and my personal favourites are located just outside the city: Sante Spa at Bear Mountain (http://bearmountain.ca/Westin-Hotel/Spa) and Brentwood Bay Spa (http://www.brentwoodbayresort.com/spa/spa-overview.htm).  Also worth noting are the Spa Magnolia, Spa Sereine (the 30 minute Indian Head Massage is incredible), Sapphire Day Spa, and Silk Road.

4. Take a winery tour.  You need look for farther than our own backyard to find some incredible wineries.  Just a short drive to Mill Bay (mini-roadtrip!) will bring you to one of my favourite wineries, Cherry Point Estate Wines.  Although the bistro closes at the end of September, tours and tastings are offered year round.  Do not miss the chance to try the Cowichan Blackberry Dessert Wine.  It’s like summer in a glass.  Oops, there I go again….  http://cherrypointestatewines.com/

5. Take a cooking class. Fall is the perfect time to learn a new recipe or two.  Companies such as the London Chef, Cook Culture, and Olive the Senses offer classes for foodies and beginners alike.  My husband came home the other day from a corporate team building day at the London Chef with a pocket full of Eastern recipes.   Being the one who normally does the cooking, I just about jumped out of my skin with excitement.  And that got me to thinking, wouldn’t this be a fun idea for a birthday party?

6. Shop (for weather appropriate clothes).  I grew up in Ontario where the seasons were extreme.  If it wasn’t too cold to go out, it was often too hot, too humid, too stormy.  To prevent us all from going stir-crazy in the house, my mom would load us kids up into the Chevy and take us to the mall.  A change of scenery did us all wonders, and a little retail therapy never hurt either.  I have come to learn that owning a comfortable, quality, water-proof jacket is KEY to surviving winter in Victoria.  That and a pair of rain boots.  I have not put my feet into rubber footwear since elementary school, and that is nearly 20 years of wet sneakers and soggy leather boots.  I stand converted.  If you do not have a pair in your current collection of footwear, make that be your next investment!  If you are looking for a place to shop, I encourage you to branch outside of the malls for a taste of locally designed men’s and women’s fashion boutiques found on trendy Lojo (lower Johnson St).  You can also find an eclectic mix of independent delis, boutiques, bookstores, toy stores and more at the seaside village of Oak Bay Avenue.

7. Walk the breakwater.   Cozy up with hot chocolate and lots of layers and go embrace the elements.  The 850 m. iconic breakwater was built between 1914 and 1916 to protect the Ogden Point piers which were being constructed simultaneously in anticipation of a trade increase due to the nearing completion of the Panama Canal. Yes it will be windy, wavy, and wet… but that is the point! (refer to point #6)

8. Plan a trip.  The internet is great for researching destinations and reading reviews, but I strongly encourage you to get out of the house and go visit a travel agent.  Let them tantalize you with exotic destinations, load you up with glossy brochures, and build you a custom itinerary.  Even if you are not ready to book just yet, the process will bring you that much closer to making it a reality.  In the meantime, it doesn’t hurt to dream a little dream…

9. Leaf through the volumes in Booktown.  Sometimes there’s just something about wandering around a bookstore and discovering new things that Amazon can’t beat. Visit Munro’s Books on Government Street — recognized as one of the 10 most beautiful books stores in the world.

10. Be a tourist in your own town.  I went out yesterday and bought a travel guide book for Victoria.  I have also lived here for 20 years.   Yet, there is so much yet to discover, this I am sure.  Venture somewhere new, or revisit a long forgotten site and see it through new eyes.  I must mention one of Canada’s most beautiful and diverse heritage estates, Hatley Castle. Built in 1908 for coal baron and Premier, James Dunsmuir, this 40-room mansion is a classified heritage building.