Day 4 family vacation: Beaver and Elk Lake Regional Park
September 7, 2005 | Tips from Us > Victoria, Beaches & Swimming Victoria, Beaches & Swimming
Sometimes I can be a really lazy tourist. I get up and just want everything to be easy: no planning a detailed itinerary, no making sure I’m at the right place at the right time; just let the day happen.
Well, today was that lazy day that just fell into place. With the Minivan bursting with aquatic toys and food, kids, dogs etc…we set out for the Beaver Lake end of
Beaver and Elk Lake Regional Park . This is only minutes from downtown Victoria and a real haven for families. One can easily spend hour after hour here, enjoying the warm water, sandy beach, picnic area, playground, walking trails and playing fields. We arrived mid-day and didn’t leave until after 6 o’clock. I guess we tried to leave but the kids wouldn’t let us. Wow, just when you think nothing matters to kids other than a PS2 or X Box, along comes an inflatable raft that provides hours of joyful bliss. Who’d a thunk? Again, I am the coolest uncle in town.
Tip: many stores in Victoria reduce their summer beach stuff up to 50% off part way through the summer so it is quite affordable to pick up some toys, coolers, etc... when you are here. (I’m having a flashback of a disastrous attempt to carry a beach umbrella onboard a flight once).
You know kids. We packed a refrigerator-sized cooler of food for the day but one of the wee folk spotted the concession stand and it was all over. I can’t compete with French fires and ice cream. In any case, you won’t go hungry at this park.
This is another example of a park for all ages. While the kids played, the dogs and my sister and I did the 10 km (6 mile) loop around the lakes. I don't think she heard me but I was kind of whimpering at the end: this is a long haul so I’d recommend decent walking shoes.
Tip: do not set out on the 10 km walk with a pair of flip-flops. That space between my big toe and the other guys felt like a watermelon by the end.
Evenings are s
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