The Butchart Gardens - Victoria, BC

Following a tour of downtown Victoria, lunch and shopping, the tour bus headed for The Butchart Gardens.

I was here about twenty years ago with my son, husband and mother. We took the ferry from Seattle on that occasion.

Every turn in the winding pathway provides a new landscape filled with color and texture.

I really like the colors of this simple rose in the rose garden.

 The bees were busy. They did not appreciate by photography efforts.

 At one point I was walking behind a very serious photographer with a very expensive camera. He had a spray bottle of water in hand. He was misting the flowers before taking his pictures. I snapped this one after he had gone on down the path.

More bee stalking on the peonies.

 Close-up of a beautiful peony.

 Interesting fluffy bloom. I have no idea what this plant is but I really like it.

 Another lovely landscape.

 Sweet bloom. Great color and almost 70ish in design.

 The famous stairway at The Butchart Gardens.

I'll call this one "pretty in pink".

Grand old trees along this walkway.

These ladies seemed to be enjoying their afternoon at the gardens.

Spring at The Butchart Gardens

 

The last day of our visit in Vancouver my husband and I toured the city and Stanley Park. I hope you will join me for that tour in pictures.

 

♥andPeace,Myra

A Day In Victoria, BC

Last week I accompanied my husband on a business trip to Vancouver, BC. While he was attending the conference I booked a day tour to Victoria. About twenty years ago our family visited Victoria while vacationing in Seattle.

After a pick-up at the hotel we made our way to the ferry for the ride to Victoria.

 

I enjoyed the scenery during the crossing.

 

The Inner Harbor, Victoria, BC

The Fairmont Empress Hotel overlooking the harbor.

I took a quick walk through the hotel.

The hotel property is lovely.

The spring flowers were blooming.

 

After a bit of time at the Empress I headed up Government Street.

Our tour guide suggested Sam's for lunch.

I had a cup of clam chowder with an avocado and shrimp sandwich.

The Parliament Building sits near the harbor.

The 25 year old architect Francis Rattenbury designed both the Parliament Building and the Empress Hotel.

There is an interesting story about how he was chosen as the architect for the Parliament Building.

 

After a bit of shopping on Government Street it was time to jump on the tour bus and head for Butchart Gardens. My next post will be about the gardens. I hope you will join me.

 

♥andPeace,Myra

Lunch in The Rock

I spent several days in Little Rock last week.

My husband suggested lunch at The Buffalo Grill.

 

I had the small chef salad with blue cheese dressing.

Just the right size for lunch and satisfying.

My husband had the club with chips.

I sampled the sandwich. It was very good.

The next day we decided to try the new Gus's (World Famous) Fried Chicken.

I've heard it is really good, however, the place was packed and we didn't want to wait. We will go back another day.

 

We decided to go to The Root.

 

The décor is vintage.

There are tables inside, on the patio and out in the garden.

This cheerful mural greeted us in the parking lot.

 

Busy at lunch time.

 

The sandwiches are served with a side salad of fresh greens with a lovely house vinaigrette.

I had the toasted curry chicken salad.

It will definitely make my list of favorite sandwiches!

My husband had one of the daily specials - honeysuckle pimento cheese sandwich. I had to have a bite. It was very spicy.

Loved The Root!

Friday lunch at Zaza.

This is one of our son's favorites.

Brick oven pizza and specialty salads.

 

We shared the Greek salad.

Premium fresh ingredients made to order.

Delicious!

 

We shared the Zapreme pizza.

This may be the BEST pizza I've ever eaten!

I can't say enough about the crust and delicious ingredients.

The brick oven is definitely a plus.

 

♥andPeace,Myra

 

 

Barbeque, Blues and The War ** Helena, Arkansas

The weather was perfect Saturday for a short day trip. I headed down Crowley's Ridge Parkway to Helena, Arkansas.

My first stop was Ray's Dairy Maid on

Highway 49 near Barton.

Check out the menu.

Ray's was featured on Alton Brown's

 "Feasting on Asphalt 2".

 

I believe Alton and his crew enjoyed Nana Dean's coconut pie.

I decided to try the barbeque.

 

 

Helena has a rich musical history.

The King Biscuit Flour Hour

radio show was broadcast from Helena featuring blues artists from the delta.

 

This weekend there was a Civil War reenactment of the Battle of Helena.

 

Helena is located on the Mississippi River.

There is a river walk atop the levee.

Spring brings high water along the levee.

 



Mural on the flood wall.

The Delta Cultural Center Museum

The museum is housed in a lovely old railroad depot.

 Confederate Cemetery

The cemetery is located high on a ridge.

The river is visible from this point. 

Down the hill from the Confederate Cemetery is the Maple Hill Cemetery.

I didn't seen any maple trees but magnolias were plentiful.

The Arkansas champion gingko tree is located in the Maple Hill Cemetery near the entry gate.

 

 

♥andPeace,Myra