The marina bills itself as a "sophisticated oasis". Each slip is surrounded by at least 4 huge flowering baskets. This area of Vancouver Island is noted for their beautiful hanging baskets. There are a pair of swans floating up and down the waterways. They hang around especially to get the fresh water dripping from hoses. The docks are wide enough for tables and chairs that they set up along the walkways. There are many any boats from far away. Farther than the American Pacific Coast. Nova Scotia. England. And then some from Las Vegas, NV?? and Santa Fe, NM?? Many of the boats were 100' or more. The marina is big. It is a full half-mile from our slip to the ramp to shore.The town of Sidney, that we described as sleepy the last time we were here, is now catering to tourism and bills itself as Sidney-by-the-Sea. A nice downtown with plenty of sidewalk cafes, galleries, and bookstores. And for us boaters, the grocery and marine stores are close by. In the last 10 years, Sidney has been growing as a booklover's paradise. There are 16 bookstores in town. Many of them themed (nautical, childrens, animals, haunted) and some with used and collectible books. Where some towns attract tourists to antiques, second-hand stores, or art galleries. Sidney is Booktown. There are only 4 "Booktowns" in North America. We thought it interesting that the majority of restaurants there are Greek which may describe the population. Some were Greek/Italian. Unique combo.
Sticker shock: Found out the price of fuel when we next fuel up. It takes a bit of calculation to figure out just how bad it is: 1 US gallon = 3.785 liters. Boat fuel is $1.079 per liter Canadian. The Canadian exchange is $1 Canadian to 81 cents US. Therefore, $4.08/gal CDN or $3.30/gal US. Egads!
Sidney Spit 
Sidney Spit has always been one of lower BC's most popular Provincial parks. When the tide comes up, most of the spit disappears and we can watch the freighters heading north along Haro Strait (the border between the US and Canada) toward Vancouver. Sidney and the Victoria airport on one side and Mt Baker and the spit on the other. There are big beaches on the spit especially at low tide and there is a foot ferry that brings city sunbathers over all day. Lots of tanning going on.
Dean rowed us to shore. At the information kiosk we found out that this park and 8 other provincial marine parks have recently been taken over as part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. That includes land on 15 islands and 30 islets or reefs also.
We hiked on the Loop trail down to the hike-in campground and through an area which was formerly a brickworks in the early 1900's. We learned that much wildlife on this island was imported in. Some African deer from Africa originally swam across from a neighboring island and are having to be controlled (think that means hunted?). Also, chipmunks, pheasants, peacocks. It is not unusual in our travels to find that animals have been brought to an island. For cattle, it is cheaper than fencing. For mink and fox, easier than cages.
