Mike and Beth's Adventures

We visited Butchart Gardens the end of July.  I'm going to "interview" Beth about our visit. Q: Why did you want to visit Butchart Gardens? A: This time of year flowers were in bloom that we had not seen when visiting earlier in the year. For example the zinnias, the dahlias, the begonias, and the roses.  I also wanted visit later in the day,  after 5pm, as the tour busses have all departed by that time reducing crowd size.  We also timed our visit for Saturday evening as live music and fireworks were scheduled. "Ketchup and Mustard" rose Q: Where did you stay for your visit? A: There is a back cove at Butchart Gardens with 4 mooring balls.  It is located at the base of the Japanese Gardens.  It even has a separate ticket booth.  Boats can stay free for 24 hours, so the moorings are a hot commodity.  They are also limited to boats less than 40 feet in overall length.  As an alternative, if the mooring balls are full, boaters can anchor in Tod...

Butchart Gardens is world class.  Simply stunning! It must be seen to be believed.  100 years ago, the wife of a cement manufacturer converted a limestone quarry into sunken gardens for their own enjoyment.  This began with the 1907 construction of a Japanese garden.  The sunken gardens were completed in 1921, the Italian garden in 1929, and the rose garden a short time later.  Descendants of the Butchart family retain ownership of the Gardens and continue to guide its ongoing growth and development. The Butchart Garden Cove through which boaters may access the Gardens. It is at the base of the Japanese Garden. \ Mike on the boat dock with Amy Marie moored in the background The boat dock entrance to Butchart Gardens We arrived at the boat dock, at the base of the Japanese garden, shortly after 2pm.  Small vessels are allowed to tie to mooring buoys for up to 24 hours.  There is room for ~ 5 boats under 30’ in length.  At the top of the dock ramp t...