Lighted Ships Parade

The Victoria Harbour Authority sponsored a Lighted Ships Parade in the harbour this year, and it was totally fun! We were a bit hesitant because last year's event was pretty lame, but this year there were 16 or 17 boats, and they all looked great. The Wind Walker won SECOND PRIZE, for 'Most Colorful Display.' Although the picture doesn't really do it justice, it looked pretty good -- Santa and a 6' tree on the canvas roof, a couple of smaller trees on the cabin roof, an 8' candy cane on the swim grid, and LOTS of 'icicles' and lights all around! Our prize package was a round trip for two on Harbour Air from Victoria to Vancouver (so our daughter will be able to come home from Whistler for Christmas, for sure!) and a night at the Coast Harbourside Hotel ... which we'll use in January for our 28th anniversary.

But even if we hadn't won, it would've been a great party ... we had our grandson River (he's 6) and my son Jason and a few of his friends with us, and everyone was invited on to the Northwind after the parade, for hot chocolate.

Then we took advantage of the free moorage at the Wharf St. docks overnight, and cruised back to our marina in the fog yesterday morning!