119 years ago, The Butchart Gardens, Victoria, BC, was transformed from a quarry to the lush haven it is today. And it is still run by the same family. Jennie Butchart had a dream, and she made it come true – for future generations to enjoy, spending some lovely hours walking here.
The Sunken garden was such a beauty seen from the top of the stairs. And we were lucky to have delightful weather too.
This is the first gallery from our visit, but there are pictures for one more post. I’ll save it for another grey day…
Yes, everything is grey here in Sweden now, rain and sleet, winter knocking at the door. I hope you too had an uplifting and delightful walk in the gardens!
Some memories from a beautiful city – starting with Chihuly of course!
It was also wonderful to photograph something for my uncle’s wife, Ann-Marie. She and my uncle, Kurt, lived over there for 17 years, mostly in Houston, Texas, but they got married in Seattle. At the World Fair in 1962, Kurt hosted the Swedish section, and met some famous people (like Robert Kennedy…) – I don’t know if he met Elvis, but I saw photos of him too at the inauguration of the Space Needle.
I know the young couple tried the monorail, which is still there today, but I could not find the exact place for the Swedish pavilion.
The more I visit cities with high rise buildings and skyscrapers, the more I use B&W. But Pike Market had to be featured in its own colours!
I loved especially the fish market, where fishes were thrown out to the buyers – from one hand to another. A merry market indeed!
Finally something seen from the Space Needle,
and from above the harbour area with all its piers.
I loved the view of the Seattle Great Wheel (opened in 2012) and its surroundings. In morning haze and B&W it emitted the atmoshere of an old movie.
We had booked the world’s largest ziprider, but only my husband went for it – I read that my neck injury would not benefit from it. So, I enjoyed the landscape and environment instead – and took some photos of him coming down.
Amazing views from the top had me photograph a lot, and for once the weather was clear and sunny. The air fresh and cool.
For the ”bear walk” we were adviced to stay together in groups of ten, and to talk loudly. There was a ranger or two watching as well. The introduction though, was held by a Native Tlingit, and all profit went to their Hoonah community.
Some unspoiled wilderness was what we hoped for, and that was what we got. It wasn’t a long hike, because recent storms and rains had made fallen trees block the path in places. As there are more brown bears than people here (so they said), it would have been too dangerous to try.
The landscape was mostly open with sunny grasses and trees – but I must admit to not being totally relaxed during the walk. A week ago there had been a bear attack here. We have many brown bears at home too, but I never hike in their areas.
The beauty was overwhelming, and rather similar to our own mountain areas in Sweden. I loved every minute of this walk, and there was no wind, no rain.
Did I mention the zipride? Here we go!
And down at the beach, we strolled back to the ship, enjoying the abundance of wildlife – sea otters, seals, orcas and humpbacks. Even a squirrel. We saw a bald eagle nest too, but no eagle there now.
The sea creatures swam so close to the beach, there was no need for a boat trip to see them.
This was our most beautiful day in Alaska – and not only because of the weather. Thank you for coming along – sorry I couldn’t tell you how much fun it was doing the zipride…my husband was not impressed though. Too windy he said, and not being able to control anything. But he did it!
A lovely adventure – but tough taking pictures from the train. I had my camera ready for landscapes, but around one of the first bends – I saw a blackbear roaming the colourful grasses! We who were sitting on the right (right!) side of the train had a brief glimpse, but my camera was not ready for this. So, the black blob over there…is a bear. Believe it or not.
I enjoyed the wilderness and the colours, the fog and the random glimpses of blue sky.
The rivers and small pools of water brightened the views and so did the mountains with newly fallen snow.
Now and then beautiful gorges opened up – you had to have your camera well prepared…
And the old train picked up hikers along the trail too. A great service!
Luckily we were not supposed to cross this one…
…but it made for a couple of nice photos.
So, we arrived back in Skagway in one piece. The guide told us she had never seen a bear on this railroad trip before – so she was just as happy as her passengers were.
An amazingly beautiful and colourful trip, and an insight into the hardships of those times – the old path from the goldrush was still visible in some places.
Thank you for coming along on the train! So grateful for that black bear … it was the only Alaskan bear saw.
On the ship again – towards Glacier Bay. Lovely views of the skies and mountains.
It was of course cold close to the glacier, but well dressed it was no problem. It felt just like home.
When we reached the edge of the receding glacier, there was no clear sight, but it was ok. We don’t know, but maybe this was the last time for us coming close to a glacier – they are all receding and many are already lost. I am grateful to have walked quite some glaciers in my younger days. They are beautiful. I cannot bear the thought of my grandchildren never seeing one or walking one. It is unfathomable.
The beauty of snowcapped mountains – is still there though.
The Mendenhall is obviously a famous glacier, and we took the local bus in Juneau and walked the last miles to see it. The landscape is beautiful, but was almost invisible when we reached the glacier. We waited for some 15 minutes, and there it appeared through the fog. That’s the way of glacier areas. But, it is worth the waiting!
I love the bluish ice and the edges like melted chocolate. The exhibition inside the visitor center showed just how much the glacier has receded over the years – and now almost over the months…
The shining Nugget falls were quite spectacular and the stillness in the air was remarkable. Walking back again to catch the last bus, we realised that the Mendenhall maybe looked its best from a distance.
We left a sunny Seattle and sailed north to Ketchikan. A town with only 8000 inhabitants, but
– The Salmon Capital of the World.
And indeed we saw salmon…lots of salmon. The river was teeming with life, but fishing bears were not in sight, in fact that tour was cancelled due to heavy fog.
Instead we watched seals catching salmon when we walked along the charming Creek Streat.
The lovely old bus was a must photo.
And, of course we left the harbour in sunshine – we hadn’t seen a single ray earlier that day.
I hope you are prepared for more? Here we go, with his magical pavillion and garden in Seattle.
His chandeliers are glorious. We also enjoyed seeing the film on how he and his team works, and how they manage to transport his art for new exhibitions all over the world. Those magical chandeliers made me almost hear Sia Furler’s Chandelier (her great hit from 2014) dancing through the room.
The garden during daylight is of course not the same as the brightly lit night garden. But, that was the only option for us.
And his art speaks for itself. We had a much longed for visit – and we were not disappointed. It matched all our dreams.
Many of you have featured works of Dale Chihuly, and I have longed to see them with my own eyes. In Seattle I finally did. So, I guess he needs no introduction – just enjoy!
Starting with the ceiling:
Floor – Ikebana boat and Niijima Floats.
Both his own boats.
Glorious displays everywhere in the rooms.
Next week I will post some more, chandeliers, from his pavillion and from the garden too. He is an extraordinary artist. They showed a movie on his life, work and exhibitions. I needed that to understand how spontaneous his ideas come up, and how it is possible to transport these enormous glassworks all over the world.
I am back, happy, terribly jetlagged and tired, but sending views from Alaskan waters, the Inner Passage.
We had very varied skies and waters, and beautiful views whenever and wherever we went. Much rain, but with the right gear – no problem. And as we come from Sweden, we were prepared.
Silent and deep blue early mornings – clouds hovering over the white mountain tops. I cannot say how much I loved those mornings.
I had expected more birds, but my last sail was in warmer waters in the Galapagos Islands. Here the colours shifted several times a day – every shade of blue and green.
Seals and sealions were frequent, sometimes waving at us, making me smile every time.
Snowcapped mountains are always favourites, even in rain.
We decided not to take any whale tour, much because we have seen them several times in Iceland, so close and even touching the boats. In the Alaskan seas we saw these impressive creatures every day anyway – orcas and humpbacks. Not that close to the ship though, but they were two or three together every time.
Sunsets and sunrises – we were lucky enough to get one of each – that we could see.
It was an adventure with new sights every day and then some great land excursions too. I brought my father’s jacket and left it there with a note inside. He always wanted to go to Alaska and Canada – his best friend from his youth emigrated to Canada, and they kept calling each other till the end. But my father never got to Canada – or Alaska – though. So, I left a piece of ”him”, together with his story. It felt good. I hope he knew.
Leya 
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