Thursday February 26, 2009

 

 

Monday

Taking the Ferries to Vancouver Island

 

We left Don and Darlene’s house in Abbotsford at 5:30 a.m. – to be in line to board the first ferry at Horseshoe Bay by 7:15. 

 

Internet stats and photo of Queen of Coquitlam

Carries:  360 cars, 12 semis, 1,500 crew and passengers

Horsepower:  11,860  –  Max speed:  20.5 knots  –  Built:  1976

 

 

This was our route on Monday (green = travel by car, dotted blue = ferry):  Travel from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale by ferry.  Drive to Earls Cove.  Travel from Earls Cove to Saltery Bay by ferry.  Drive from Saltery Bay to Powell River.  Travel from Powell River to Comox by ferry.  Drive to Victoria. 

Don scheduled this route for our scenic pleasure.

 

 

We have not traveled by ferry for many years, and discovered that ferries have been greatly updated.

 

 

A store on the second deck.

 

 

By this time we were ready for our first cup of coffee.  Darlene and I made great traveling partners, as we prefer eating light.  When we couldn’t decide if we wanted more than coffee or tea, I asked if she would like to share a banana and a yogurt.  She liked that idea.  I’m not sure what the men had.  It looks like Cerwin had a muffin.

 

 

Looking toward the dining area (left) and a viewing area (right).

 

 

 This is where we are headed.

 

 

 A view from the stern.

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 A view from the bow.

 

 

 Then we were back in our cars.  We off-boarded at 8:00.

 

 

 A “drive-by shooting” of a row of seagulls.

 

 

 This time I asked Cerwin to stop the car.

 

 

 Our next stop was Earls Cove – to wait for the ferry.  (Earl Sauder, I took this picture for you!)

 

 

 There was one truck and two cars ahead of us, so we knew we would make this ferry.

 

 

 I had plenty of time to walk around and look for photo opportunities.

 

 

 This area is like a rain forest – with moss growing on everything.

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Don took this photo of me walking back toward the car after taking the previous pictures.

 

 

 Here she comes – Island Sky.

 

 

 

Don took this picture of me standing on a picnic table – to get the next photo.

 

 

 Internet stats of Island Sky

Carries:  125 cars and 450 crew and passengers

Horsepower:  4,416  –  Max speed:  15.5 knots  –  Built:  2009

(Several regular travelers said this was their first ride on Island Sky.)

 

 

 A few pictures from the upper (outside) deck.

 

 

The stats on this one didn’t mention how many semis fit, but there were some on board.

 

 

 This pretty view got my attention and called for a closeup shot.

 

 

 

 

We were a bit concerned that we would miss the Powell River ferry, and have to wait two hours for the next one – which meant it would be dark for much of our drive from Comox to Victoria.  This woman lived at Powell River, and gave the men some ideas of things to see if we had to spend two hours there. 

 

 

We got to Powell River as they were beginning to load Queen of Burnaby.

 

 

 Internet stats and photo of Queen of Burnaby

Carries:  192 cars and 659 crew and passengers

Horsepower:  6,000  –  Max speed:  16.5 knots  –  Built:  1965

 

 

We had lunch on this trip which began at noon and ended at Comax at 1:15 p.m.  I had a cup of delicious beef-barley soup.

 

~~~

 

Because we live in a landlocked area, I never realized how much island people depend on ferries – or how time-comsuming they are.  You want to arrive an hour ahead of time (even on the off-season) to be guaranteed a spot on the ferry.   

There are restaurants and waiting areas at most loading docks, so you can get out of your car and go inside until it is time to board.

It appeared that frequent travelers have leaned to use their time wisely by working at workstations, reading, studying, taking their children to the play areas, or eating.