Members Since 2002 Susan is a school counselor and lives in a charming cottage on a friendly street in Newport Beach. Susan has been a member of the Educators Bed and Breakfast Network since March of 2002. 
I was able to spend six nights in Canada for the price of 186.00, the
cost of one night in a good hotel during the summer season.
Saving money, however, was not the only benefit I experienced using the
Network. As a single woman traveling alone, I felt safe and comfortable
staying in other educators' households, and had a common interested in
teaching from the start. I now know two families on Vancouver Island:
Joyce and David of Shell Beach near Ladysmith, and Marge and John, whom
I consider friends.
The two homes couldn't have been more different,
each with their own beauty. The mitchells' hilltop home overlooks the
harbor near the quiet town of Ladysmith, and is surrounded by over an
acre of the most amazing garden I've seen. David Mitchell, a retired social
studies teacher, aided by his wife, Joyce, who works with alternative
school for young people, have created a "working garden: filledwith
flowers, trees and shrubs in complementary color chemes. The garden is
well-known in the area, and has been the subject of garden club tours.
Davie says there is always a new species of shrub, or flower to try out.
His roses, hostas, and "rhodos" are especially stunning, and
their scenic deck is visited by hundreds of hummingbirds. They've put
in a hot tub on their new deck, and have a living room telescope where
I was able to watch an Eagle's nest down the hill.
Joyce, David and I "talked shop" in the evenings,
and realized we shared many interested and concerns about education. Their
district, like mine, has been hit with budget cuts, for example. We had
a salmon dinner with fresh island greens and home baked bread, and these
kind folks drove me to a beach where I was able to go kayaking. David drove
me to a scenic train which goes all the way down to Victoria, my next stop.
While Ladysmith is a small, artistic town filled with artists, small
shop owners, and good vibes, the Pauls' house in the Oak Bay section of
Victoria wa salmost a complete opposite, similar only in friendliness.
Imagine going from a hilltop mountain cabin-like home to an antique-filled,
intricately decorated home made of "found" lumber from torn-down
homes. The Paul's house is in a posh gard-filled suburb of Victoria, three
houses down from a seawall looking out to the Olympic Peninsula Mountains.
John is a land surveyor, and Margaret teaches third and fourth grade,
and enjoys hosting foregin students from the local universities.In this British-feeling home, I had a downstairs private suite with my own bath, bridge and microwave, TV and separate entrance. My rooms were filled with leather couches, an alcove bed, and beautiful art on the walls. The Pauls gave me tips on good jogging routed in the area, and gave me a ride to my bus in the Swartz Bay ferry back to the Vancouver mainland. 
My knowledge base of British Columbia has improved exponentially as a
result of this trip. (It had nowhere to go but up!). When I asked for
the Mitchells and the Pauls as hosts last spring, I had never even heard
of Vancouver Island; I thought it was a little spot you could get to by
an overhead bridge or walkway, not a 90 minute ferry. I also had no idea
how vast the Island is.
In returning home, I had an in-depth introduction to two areas of "Van
Isle" and one of the least expensive, most rewarding trips I've taken.
There is nothing like a locals' eye view of a place, and nine educators
to "come home to" in the evening.
Maybe next year will be your turn to experience the fun and friendship
of the Educators B&B. |
Educators Bed and Breakfast
PO Box 5279
Eugene, OR 97405
800.956.4822
Fax: 541.686.5818
Others: 541.465.4822
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