Ohh thank you thank you. I've spent many hours there when we lived in Anniston. Its been 5+ years since I've been back. I forgot how beautiful it is. Brings back good memories.

I love the Saanich Peninsula, but I've only been through Malahat a few times, going between Parksville and Victoria. I've lost touch with my friend in Parksville, and I'm a bit worried about him. The Christmas card I sent him was returned as unknown. Great place for having a yacht! I loved sailing through the Straits of Georgia. Lars

OMG . . . I'm on Pinterest?!? I had no idea! Yes, it's my house. Here's a few more pics of my front portal. I designed, landscaped (I'm a master gardener) and decorated it myself. To the left of our front door: Further down still on the left: One side of my terraced beds leading up to my front portal, although there wasn't a lot blooming when I took this pic: I've planted a LOT of Russian Sage and Catmint, as they don't take much water and thrive with our sun and soil. These lights are from San Miguel De Allende, down in Mexico. And, right in front of our main seating I've created this little focal spot. The birds love it . . . and so do my furkids. The tiny arroyo (river rock dry stream bed) actually is a working one and carries the run-off rain from the roof down to the trees and lower beds. I don't know if you can see them very well, but 2 other plants that do wonderfully here are the Gaillardia (Indian Blanketflower) and pretty much every varietal of Agastache (Giant Hyssop) :

I think they are blue spruce, redwood and two Atlas cedars, but I will go back some time and re-photograph.