The other day we glanced out of the kitchen window in time to see one of the most stunning rainbows we have ever seen. The colors were incredibly vivid against a dark gray sky. We could clearly see the "end of the rainbow" right by our neighbor's barn. At times we could even see two rainbows right next to each other.
A well done trim job on this mature tree.
We enjoyed the lovely scenery of trees and meadows and the fresh air. The island is a very quiet peaceful place to take a bike ride. Every so often a car would pass by us (maybe everyone was in Portland at the Rose Parade). 
There were lots of these Painted Daisies (Cinerarea) planted in many of the flower beds. Butchart Gardens was started a little over 100 years ago by the Butchart Family. The property was a worked-out limestone quarry that was once used for cement making. It started as a family hobby to beautify the acreage by using plants they collected from all over the world. There is a Rose, Japanese, Italian, and Sunken Garden.
The tulips were in full bloom in the gardens with lovely English Daisies (Bellis) growing beneath them.
Mary Ann viewing the Ross Fountain where the water rises 70 feet and changes fountain patterns often.
A lovely combination of pink tulips with little blue flowers.
Posing by the Painted Daisies.
Enjoying the Sturgeon Fountain by the Rose Garden.
Blue Poppies with salmon colored Azaelas.
One of the many waterfall inside the Japanese Garden.
This was one of Mary Ann's favorite spots in the Sunken Garden.
We enjoyed a delicious anniversary dinner of fresh halibut and scallops. They gave us a complimentary lemon tart dessert as a gift for our special occassion.
Since we had a rental car we were able to tour the island. 
A view from the front of Poet's Cove resort.
Several float planes took off and landed during our stay. One evening two float planes delivered about 25 people for a company dinner at one of the resort's restaurants. On Saturday night there was a lovely wedding and reception taking place at the resort. We enjoyed dancing to their music close to the harbor.
While we were at a restaurant with Blaine and Marissa and Mylee, I whipped out my cell phone and snapped this photo. Sorry that it's kind of blurry, but it was a very cute scene. Mylee is so expressive and vocal these days!
On Saturday, May 3, we invited Blaine and his family to join us for a meal at a favorite Thai restaurant. It was the last chance we would have to go out for a meal together before Melinda would head back to Provo for the summer. Baby Mylee was so cute. She sat at the end of the table, sometimes by herself, and sometimes in her little high chair, and just enjoyed looking around, playing with toys and being the center of attention. She was amazingly good natured.
The food was actuall not as good as we had remembered. In past visits, the chef had kept things quite mild, but this time they put in too many red peppers and dishes that we had enjoyed before were a bit too spicy. We didn't finish everything, and didn't bring home any leftovers. Oh well, it was still great to be all together.
After our meal, Mary Ann and I took the girls to see "Be Kind, Rewind" at the local discount theater. Even though it starred Jack Black, it was a real dud. Mary Ann ended up sleeping through most of the back half.
