Canada Day on the Gorge - Street Hockey

In many countries where I have lived, if there was a game going on in the street it was usually soccer (or football as it is known everywhere except in North America). But here in Canada the game is more likely to be street hockey. The match pictured above was taking place on Gorge Road as part of the Canada Day on The Gorge Picnic and it was a very vigorous game.

Canada Day on The Gorge

Hands up everyone who recognized this car from the picture above? Yes, you're right, it is a splendidly sumptuous 1958 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible, a car with no environmental conscience whatsoever but a thing of beauty nonetheless. Love those tail fins! It was one of many immaculately restored classic cars on display on Canada Day on the Gorge. There were lots of other interesting things to see and do there on Canada Day and we'll have a look at some next week.

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I was curious as to how much a car like this is worth nowadays - online I found an identical car sold at auction in 2012 for $88,000 - probably 2 or 3 times the original price!

Cadillac Country

The above Cadillac from the early sixties was one of the classic cars displayed on Gorge Road on Canada Day and I thought it would make a good image for today's Independence Day Celebrations in neighboring USA. This vehicle harkens back to the days when we all dreamt that there was an endless supply of raw materials to satisfy our needs and when we had little understanding that one of our most cherished customs, that of driving everywhere, could result in spoiling our planet. Those bubbles have burst and most of us have some regrets for the excesses of those times. But that era had some good dreams as well and some splendid, exuberant creations such as this Cadillac (and the Corvette pictured a few days ago). Greetings and best wishes to our friends in the United States of America on their Independence Day today.

Canada Day on the Gorge

Usually I spend Canada Day out in one of our nearby wilderness areas because, much as I like my fellow Canadians, I don't enjoy the huge crowds that assemble on our national holiday. However, this year I decided to try and taste a more neighborhoody celebration and went over to the Gorge where Gorge Road was blocked to traffic for much of its length and turned into a large block party. There were sauntering groups of families and friends, displays of various kinds, including classic cars such as this Chevrolet Corvette, lots of food vans, and driveway bands providing music. I particularly enjoyed this 1960 Corvette because of its Canada Day red and white colors but also for its splendid classic style. This car looks as good now as when it was produced, a work of art.

Wish You Were Here....

After listening to Clay George and Dave Harris jamming (see yesterday's post) I walked through the warm evening air to the observation platform above the Causeway and paused to take this postcard shot of Victoria's most photographed view. Today (July 1) is Canada Day and today this same Inner Harbour Causeway will be wall-to-wall Canadians wearing red. There'll be lots of visitors from other countries as well, of course.

Red

Over the years since the familiar red and white Canadian flag was adopted in 1965 it has become a popular tradition for Canadians to wear something red on July 1, Canada Day. It can be a sun visor or a pair of socks, a t-shirt or maybe a bit of body-painting but almost everyone manages to sport a bit of something red while out on July 1. These photos were taken on the Inner Harbour Causeway here in Victoria on Canada Day 2012.

Canada Day Fireworks

Canada Day would not be complete without fireworks! And like old barns and sunsets, if you have your camera in hand you can't help but try and take a few shots. I like this one with the totem pole silhouetted by the fireworks, it's a nice juxtaposition. -Fern