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Post by Retrovision on Sept 2, 2008 4:44:58 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 2, 2008 19:02:08 GMT -8
Here is someone else's solo trip report, which I lifted off of an internet blog. Yes, it's former contributor "Biff Fisticuffs". He uses some unusual words in his blogging, but you should be able to get the gist of what he's trying to say.
I know that we have some strong feelings about Biff's photo-stealing ways......but his farewell trip report here shows that he's still a ferry fan, deep-down somewhere.
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Queen of Vancouver / Saanich Farewell Trip - Aug 25 2008
I never thought I'd ever post about saying goodbye to these 2 ships, but as time marches on, I guess it's inevetable that even BC Ferries get retired. I almost didn't go too, as when I woke up, it was pouring rain. A classic Vancover Summer day. But when I reminded meinselbst that this would be the last chance that I would ever have to be able to sail on these 2 ships, I found the motivization to go. First order o' business was Coffee! When it's raining this bad, you need the extra motivization, so I ducked into Blenz & shortly after, I was on mein way on this Rainy Sunday morning.
I caught the bus & ended up making better time than I expected out to Tsawwassen Terminal. My hopes for different weather out here were dashed as it was a car wash out this way as well. Oh well. I had bigger problems to deal with. Like hunger. My 4 - sugar Large Coffee was coming back to haunt me now, as mein body said: "SALT! I need SALT!" I quickly bought mein ticket, strategically planning mein entrance so as not to get caught with the crowd, & I proceeded into the terminal to what has now become Tsawwassen Quay Market
Yes, the ferry terminal has become big now, with so much traffic, that it can support it's own Market. Who would've thought. Seeking something, ANY place that served breakfast, I would soon have to settle for something in between. I located a place called Frankie's Barbecue Grill, where I maw'ed down (2) Chili Dogs, & quickly discovered that this was the place that all those classic Bc Ferries Chili Dogs had gone to, since the Invasive Takeover of the food Services by McWhite Spot.
After basking in the glow of a food high, & enjoying the cozy setting, proteced from the perfect storm outside, I headed down toward the McFoot Passenger McWalkway & here, I have to admit some disappointment in my Social Anxiety recovery, as I chose to stand outside in the pouring rain, rather than join the huddled masses inside the waiting area. But soon enough, the Saanich arrived & I boarded her & gently held the rail & whispered: "Hello old friend."
As I watched the lemmings file inside the ship to the Cafeteria, I took up a spot under the covered deck & began snapping pics in earnest
Soon enough, we were underway & I remained outside on deck, knowing I would be for the most part alone, I took in the misty, rainy sea air & savored the moment. Knowing full well the best time to make mein photographic assault on the McCafeteria would be when we entered Active Pass, as this is when all the Tourists always rush out on deck to snap pics of the passing Islands, I did just that & began snapping
After I was done here, I next proceeded upstairs to the Boatdeck Aft Lounge. Ah, the Boatdeck Aft Lounge. The great experiment that never came to be. It WAS a good idea though & would have been nice if they had ended up selling meals there. Oh well.
Well before you knew it, we were approaching Swartz (that's SWARTZ - NOT SCHwartz Bay! - GOD I hate people who pronounce it SCHWARTZ!) Anyhoo, we were coming in & I began frantically racing around ship, taking as many pics as I could
And just like that, it was over. I had my final trip on the Queen of Saanich photographed & a lifetime of memories of this ship summed up on camera.
NOW. The problem was, I had made such good time, that I had a couple of hours to kill off, while waiting for the Gulf Islands ferry. You see, I had decided to make a day of it & combine a Gulf Islands Day Trip, in between my farewell voyage. DESPITE the rain, I was gonna make the trip worth my while.
Eventually, the Gulf Islands ferrry did arrive & I found meinselbst boarding the Queen of Cumberland - hereafter referred to as: "The Q-Cumber" & once again, chose to stay outside, rather than interact with the masses inside
Finally, I could stand to be outside no longer & I went inside. It was here that I met with the most charming lady at the Cashier stand. I went to purchase some batteries for mein Power hungry Camera, & when she started asking me what I was up to, she quickly found out what an avid Ferry fan I was, & she too remembers the good old days of Bc Ferries. She was a lovely & warm person & really made my trip enjoyable.
Despite my having such einen wonderful time aboard, this trip too ended & I thanked her for such a wonderful time. There are still some good people in the world.
Once again, I was faced with the spectre of killing time. In fact, I would be taking a bit of a chance here, as the Queen of Vancouver was TENTATIVELY scheduled to sail at 11 pm, but on the same schedule last night, apparently she had been cancelled, due to lack of traffic, so if I waited until the last sailing at 11 & it got cancelled, well... I would have to spend some pretty big $$ to find accomodations for the night. But I decided to take the gamble & once back at Swartz Bay, decided to visit another old haunt. The Swartz Bay Cafeteria.
Oh the memories - where to begin? Well, it was here that in 1974 I got mein 1st taste of Science on a day much like it was today, raining & my dad ducked into the then brand new Coffee Shop & got a coffee. Upon returning to our car in the lineup, he placed the open cup of Coffee on the dashboard & it began to fog up the Windshield. Unfortunately, I was an avid fan of the T.V. show EMERGENCY! at the time, & being neive of the ways of the world, I was convinced that the car had caught fire & quickly expressed mein concern to the folks. Dad calmly explained the phenomenon of Condensation & I was that much wiser after that.
It was also here in 1981 that i fell in love with the Arcade Game Wizard of Wor. At the time it was quite the novelty, the mechanized voice of Mr. Wizard & the flashing screen & sound.
Flash forward to 2008. God, can that much time REALLY have gone by? The Cafeteria is still here, just like every square inch of BC Ferries property, this place too has been "Coastalized" to adhere to the uniform design of the entire company but sadly, the Wizard of Wor game is long gone
It was only past 8 pm, & I was getting restless & after an unsatisfying bowl of Vegetarian Chili - WTF is up with THAT? I went down to the dockside at Berth 1 & sanpped some pics of some ferries as they came in
And, just to drag out the wait even longer, because it wasn't even 10 pm yet & she wasn't to sail till 11pm, she tied up, so I would have to likk off yet ANOTHER hour. Thank You BC Ferries Union. Finally though we were directed to board & I headed straight to the Cafeteria & back in time
As we entered Active Pass, I was surprised to see the Saanich passing. I guess she too was making a late crossing
As we entered the home stretch, the day was finally catching up with me & perhaps I wasn't as motivizated to take as many pictures as I should, but I got off as many as I could under the circumstance.
Then, it came. The call for all foot passengers to head down to the cardeck to disembark. This was it. The last few minutes I would ever spend on this ship.
And all too quickly, we were hustled off the ship & that was it. The last time I would ever travel on this ship that had been a part of my life for 30 plus years.
Farewell old friend. May we meet again someday. =========
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Post by Queen of Nanaimo Teen on Oct 1, 2008 7:22:08 GMT -8
Just thought I'd mention that I am already planning a trip for next summer! This is going to be an actual solo trip, as I am going without my parents for the first time! And it is going to be 10 days long!
It is going to be a northern trip: to Prince Rupert (Nicola ride hopefully if it works out) Ferry to Queen Charlottes (overnight and Kwuna)- Will it be the Northern Adventure at this time? Ferry down to Port Hardy- I'm assuming it will be the NorEx Ferry to Bella Coola and Back- We still don't know which ferry this will be, eh? I may do some routes on the island, but i haven't gone into that much detail.
Altogether it is going to be around $1500.00. I'm starting to save now!
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Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 28, 2008 20:13:56 GMT -8
I took the M/V Mill Bay tonight, from Brentwood to Millicent Bay.
I was the first in line for the 5:55pm sailing, because I was the first person turned-away from the 4:45pm sailing that was full.
Unlike those cars behind me who turned around to drive the long-way around, I stuck it out and enjoyed an hour of peace & quiet on the jetty.
Once aboard, I checked out the upstairs outside-deck by the wheelhouse, and the downstairs pax lounge. I particularly enjoyed the photo / clipping collage of the S/S Cascade/Brentwood. There were lots of interesting news clippings and pics of the original ship and of H.Kennaird who was one of the originals who started the service.
I enjoyed travelling on the route today, that was pioneered by Mr. Kennaird so many years ago. Thank you, sir.
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Dec 4, 2008 22:40:47 GMT -8
Not really a solo trip but a trip with a special someone I did tonight a route 5 9 and 1 trip. Took the the Cumberland over to Otter Bay then we hopped on the Queen of Nanaimo to Tsawwassen then headed back on the SOBC. Nice sunset and evening for a ferry trip!
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Post by Curtis on Dec 28, 2008 22:19:18 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on Dec 28, 2008 22:42:21 GMT -8
Curtis ShipRider 16:
While on the NIP or at Westview terminal, did you happen to hear anything about the mechanical problems with the Q-Burnaby yesterday? I'm curious what the problems might have been.
By the way, I really enjoyed viewing these photos. I like the 2nd batch of the Burnaby pics (some have forum banner-potential).
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Post by Queen of Nanaimo Teen on Dec 28, 2008 22:57:02 GMT -8
Thanks for posting these Curtis!
There is some awesome shots and there, and it makes me very jealous of your location! Glad to see that you ride your local ferries often!
I think it's really cool to see those shots of the Nimpkish sitting at Blubber Bay. Never seen that ship before, and I'm beginning to wonder if I ever will!
All in all, I think all of those pictures are very well taken!
Sean
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Post by Curtis on Dec 29, 2008 6:53:47 GMT -8
Thanks for the comments, guys. Curtis ShipRider 16: While on the NIP or at Westview terminal, did you happen to hear anything about the mechanical problems with the Q-Burnaby yesterday? I'm curious what the problems might have been. Unfortunately, Flugel, I didn’t remember ask someone yesterday; however, I'm going over to the Island on the Burnaby later today and will make an attempt to ask a crew member.
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Post by Curtis on Dec 29, 2008 21:15:55 GMT -8
Well I've been back from the Island for a few hours now, and surprisingly I'm in the mood for posting a few highlight photos again. Fortunately though, it didn't take me as long as it did last night. Fixing up the photos takes quite awhile. CAUTION: More Photos Ahead! Anyways. It was a very interesting day on the Island...Everything from chilling slushy snow to new pairs of shoes. It started out quite interesting. Right off the bat, the North Island Princess was coming into the dock when the Burnaby should be coming in... We immediately discovered it was a medical emergency as we could see an Ambulance aboard. But about 8:00, when they should be readying for departure, the NIP pulled out of the dock. Then the Burnaby sailed in when she should be departing... Unloading took a bit longer than I expected, I counted 42 vehicles aboard. So then loading began and we departed around 8:35, 25 Minutes Late. The sailing was a quiet one with not a lot to do aboard. Though the excitement was plentiful outside... For example, the Christmas Tree on top of the Bridge... (You might notice it in my photos of the Burnaby from yesterday) And a photo-op at the bow. Just one of the many examples of myself getting cold hands from handling my camera too long over the last two days... So, we arrived in Comox baffled by the amount of huge snowflakes falling...Did not expect that. We arrived at Courtenay Toyota right on time for the truck's servicing. We then were offered a ride down to the Superstore by one of the employees. But stopped at a few stores in the area before that. By the time we were called for the pick-up by Toyota at the Superstore, the snow had stopped. So after getting the truck back we made our way over to Wal-Mart and Future Shop. We bought a few accessories for some of our electronic devices. Around 2:00 we were debating weather or not to wait for the 7:15 or go for the 3:15. We decided to head for the 3:15 and get our wet feet out of the slushy parking lots. This proved to be good for some of these next photos. So we arrived a short while before the 3:15 started loading, fortunately the Burnaby was waiting for us... So we then boarded, and left the slippery slush affecting the Island behind... Then I spotted a Plane that probably belonged to the Canadian Armed Forces. I then proceeded to take some interesting shots... The scenery was once again awesome... And an array of unique and traditional shots were taken... This Concludes today's photos...and my trips for 2008. And a response to the result of the canceled sailings the other day...It was caused by a pipe that was letting salt water into the engine room because of a crack in the pipe. So they ended up canceling most of the sailings for the day. I believe that is correct, but some of my information might be wrong, because the crew member explained it quicker than I could remember. Peace!
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Post by corporalrabbinoff on Dec 30, 2008 13:12:32 GMT -8
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