Sister Love

If your sister lives close and you really like her, is it too obvious that you might want to visit her as much as possible?  And, really, it’s only a ferry ride away. Well, Anacortes has such a friend–our sister city of Sidney, British Columbia.  I’ve done trips there, but mostly just to get to Victoria.  Rarely did I take the time to linger.  So when one of my photos was to be on display at their Art Center (Blue Door photo), I lingered and lingered– and such a worthy pastime. Camera Club member, Leslie Dorn  and I wandered their Thursday night  gathering when the town closes its charming main street for fun vendors and arts and crafts.The artists’ reception at the beautiful Aquarium with our mayor and their town crier was enhanced by extremely gourmet desserts.

There is a large boating and marine industry in the area, ranging from marinas to boat builders and marine suppliers, just like home. It serves as a starting point for  the southern Gulf Islands National Park Reserve and is superb for whale watching, migratory birding and so much more, a boating paradise like Anacortes.

“Sidney is officially Canada’s only book town with 12 ! It also has almost as many coffee joints and cafes to sit and read in.”

Boutiques aplenty! Leslie and I couldn’t stop (looking, that is!) And two days later another friend came to join me-but we were good, we didn’t buy too much! Its population is about 12,000, but there are so many more commercial streets packed with so many shops it makes it look bigger than home.

Anacortes Women: Hop that ferry and have fun!!   http://www.flushbath.ca/  A spendy Paris-inspired shower curtain, organic bath towels—fun, fun! Then there’s Waterlily-a  trendy shoe shop you don’t find very many places-you’ll need to save up for its fabulous offerings.  A warm and friendly staff at Sidney’s Waterfront Inn was superb.

Christmas boat parades, close-by Butchhart Gardens, proximity to the airport, a short drive to Victoria, so many complimentary amenities similar to our town,.

You’ll find visitor moorage in boating guides, other marinas to the north, another ferry to Gulf Islands, water slide for kids-the list goes on!

So take up the invitation and go see our sister!