Birthday at Fort Rodd Hill, and Dinner at the Pub: Stripes Two Ways

Welcome back, my friends! L and I have been greatly enjoying our time off, and planned a special outing for L's actual birthday - we went to Fort Rodd Hill! 

Pacific Ocean beach selfie! 

L had never been to Fort Rodd Hill - Mom and I visited way back here in August 2022.

Clothes first! It's Pride Month, and I can't help it, I must dress in rainbows. 

The rainbow skirt came out to play, and I added stripes and gold to the mix. 

• Fleece cardigan - Agnes B., thrifted; last seen here in April with spots and copper
• Cotton top - Marimekko, consignment; last worn here (2nd outfit) in April for brunch
• Skirt - J. Crew, consignment; last seen here (2nd outfit) in June 2024 for last year's birthday week
• Sneakers - Findlay, thrifted; last worn here in February

I thought it might be warm enough to take the cardigan off while we were walking around, but no.

I didn't take it off at all! Too windy by the water! 

Instead of matching, I picked other colours that toned with the skirt, like this chartreuse fleece cardigan.

It was the perfect weight - I was warm, but not too hot. 

Rock on! 

I'm ready for an adventure! 

Incognito: 

My scarf was on my purse for most of the day. 

Except for when we were driving - it's convertible season, baby! 

Break out the Movie Star Wrap! 

Accoutrements: 

A gold purse and a bright scarf.

• Leather purse - Banana Republic, consignment
• Silk scarf - Marc Rozier, consignment

The stuff; 

No fancy shoes - I knew L would want to climb around and explore! 

Gold bling: 

The three brooches were on my cardigan. 

• Gold mesh bracelet - thrifted
• Orange plastic cuff/ring - Italian, vintage 60s, vintage mall
• Brass leopard ring - thrifted
• Bee pin - gift from Megan Mae
• Bee brooch - consignment
• Moth brooch - vintage fair
• Necklace - thrifted
• Gold hoop earrings - gift from L, 5th anniversary

L opened his gifts in the morning, including 5 shirts that I set aside in my shopping expeditions. 

This is a linen Tommy Bahamas shirt - the pattern is perfectly lined up down the front and on the pocket. *whispers*It was $19.95! Shhhhh!

Before we left, I checked the tree to see if Maple was out there. 

She was! That red fluff is her tail! No other movement, though, and that's the only sighting so far.

But now...PICTURES! You have been warned. 

Welcome to Fort Rodd Hill, L! I hope you like military history.

He does! 

"10-year old me would be freaking out right now."

We popped into any building that was open, looked at all the displays. I'm not going to link other than a general one to Wikipedia here.

Up to one of the battlements.

Well, this is nice. 

Take my picture! 

Welcome! Let's explore! 

The tide was very low.

You can see a couple of sandy areas revealed below.

But we're going underground.

1896! L was absolutely tickled at the access - you can pretty much just wander around and look at what you like.

Ammunition.

There are lots of these semi-restored areas, giving an idea of what it was like to live and work here, while protecting Canada's coast during WWI and WWII.

This area was not lit! I put the flashlight of my phone on, which yielded this very spooky picture.

It's like "The Blair Witch Project." Jeepers, I'm getting nervous, let's go look at a gun.

That's a big one! 

None of this is new to me, so I enjoyed watching L as he bounced around gleefully. 

The big central meadow with the "glamping" cabins. 

They don't appear to be operational right now. 

We noticed a sign for a side-walk to experience some of the wilderness. 

"Let's go!" 

I had a grand time with my Merlin app, detecting some new bird species out here. 

A 1901 bunker. 

Robin on the picnic table! 

The area was full of birds. 

This little sparrow was eating bits from the fir tree. 

I finally detected a bald eagle - very exciting! 

Some gnarly roots.

And...we headed downhill...is that more ocean I see? 

It is! 

So picturesque! 

Even more so! 

Sand, driftwood, rocks, water. 

Can we go down there? 

Yup, there's a path, let's go! 

Deer! 

 I see you. She was still there on the way back.

What is this? 

A giant beach, all to ourselves! 

I zoomed in on Washington State - those are the Olympic Mountains. 

A fair bit of snow. 

The bridge off to the right takes you to Esquimalt Lagoon. 

Scene of the infamous Swan Attack of 2023! 

I noticed something running near the water.

It's a racoon! 

It ran up onto the rocks and disappeared.

We affectionately refer to them as Trash Pandas. Don't feed them or habituate them to human food. 

Ooh, I see the lighthouse! 

I kept teasing L. "We're going there!"

But first take my picture. 

Good job! We clambered over the rocks for a bit, then went back up to the path. 

Back up on top of another hill, looking down. 

We ended up having our picnic lunch on a bench down there - see my red arrow on the right of the hut?

A tower.

While we could climb on a lot of things, we were not allowed to go up there. 

Another spooky-looking underground lair. 

We'd arrived early, and there where very few people around. 

When we came out, a gaggle of kids were screaming and chasing each other around on the other side of this field. 

The Canada geese didn't seem to mind. 

But we avoided them and made our way down to the lunch beach.

It's like a postcard! So pretty! 

I think these are fishing buoys?

We enjoyed tuna sandwiches, veggies and dip, local strawberries and an Italian lemon soda each. 

And were serenaded by this sweet little white-crowned sparrow.

It was perfect. 

I caught this one digging around in the grass.

The kids were screeching at the top of the cliffs behind us. 

L scoped out Fisgard Lighthouse.

We walked out on the spit to get there. 

We were both relieved that there is a toilet at the end.

Very civilized! 

This lighthouse was built in 1859.

I like that all of this is open, no railings, no ropes. 

Just one very bored seagull keeping an eye out.

"Hurry up, the kids are coming."

We took the long route, around the rocks to the back.

Given the choice between a staircase and rocks...

...rocks win! 

The water was so clear you could see kelp, anemones and mussels due to the low tide. 

It smells like ocean (pretty funky with the sun-warmed kelp). 

We went in the back door - let's go up the stairs! 

The lighthouse has all been restored to make it a mini-museum. 

L was severely disappointed that you can't go up into the tower.

I know, the stairs are RIGHT THERE. 

Looking back where we came from.

I see the two fishing floats, and we could hear people coming. 

Hey, there's an apple on that log, and no one around. 

It's clearly a trap.

We went through some more exhibits - I like the one focused on women at home during the war.

Great outfits! 

Also, did you know that "the Fashionable Spring Suit this year is Khaki"?

Could they not have proofread that? In no instance of English is "your's" acceptable! Gah! 

And now, WE'RE up on the cliff, and lots of people are down there. 

We timed it just right.

Looking back over the park. 

Ready to head home? 

One last farewell to the Red Ensign. 

Canada's flag before the Maple Leaf. 

This fat grey squirrel posed for me, as we exited.

"Say hi to Maple."

I knew it! The Secret Squirrel Network! 

L and I spent a leisurely afternoon playing boardgames and hanging out, then got dressed and walked to Christie's Pub for L's birthday dinner. I changed.

No time for a stair picture (and no time to brush my hair!). 

• Jacket - Adidas, consignment; last worn here in March with my picador skirt
• Top - Marimekko, consignment; last worn above
• Skirt - LA Hearts, thrifted; last seen here (2nd outfit) in June 2024 for a Saturday brunch 
• Sneakers - Soul Speed Duesy, Fluevog; last worn here (2nd outfit) in January to dash off to Book Club

It had gotten a little cooler and we were hungry, so we walked fast.

I love wearing a big swooshy skirt when it's windy.

Zipped up and incognito.

I varied carrying this pouffy bag under my arm (like a Fashion Person) and just holding it by the handle. 

Accoutrements and stuff: 

My feet were happy to be in different shoes after over 2 hours of walking earlier in the day. 

Turquoise bling: 

I pinned the vintage plastic brooch over the Adidas logo. "What's that?" asked L. 

"It's Marcel the Shell With Shoes On," I said. We watched that the other night on Netflix - it was wonderful, and funny and well worth a view.

And now, signing off for a couple more days.

Lighthouse selfie! Love you, my awesome husband. I'm so glad you had a great birthday.