Victoria, Day 2 - Butchart Gardens

Trip Start May 09, 2009
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Trip End Ongoing


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Where I stayed
Goldstream Provincial Park

Flag of Canada  , British Columbia,
Sunday, August 23, 2009

On our second full day in the Victoria area, we drove through the rural area of Saanich Peninsula. Our destination was Butchart Gardens, but we took some back roads to enjoy the scenery.  The area has been described as similar to Provence in France, but unfortunately, the summer's unusually dry conditions had turned many of the fields brown.

However, with a good supply of water, the dry conditions had not affected Butchart Gardens.  We were amazed at the beauty of these gardens which were started by the Butchart family in the early 1900s.  The Butcharts owned a cement factory on Tod Inlet and when the limestone was all quarried, Mrs. Butchart had the idea to turn the remaining quarry pit into a Japanese Garden.  Employees from the cement factory brought in tons of top soil for that first garden.  Over the years, the gardens grew to its current 55 acres. 

It’s hard to describe how beautiful the gardens are – even towards the end of summer.  If you are lucky enough to get to Vancouver Island, this is a must-see stop.
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