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Post by Political Incorrectness on Sept 1, 2008 21:44:24 GMT -8
I am very sure flugel that the fixture is most likely a dumpster until otherwise proven, the mystery remains. Look again. I'm talking about the bridge-superstructure of the ship behind & to the aft of the New Westminster. From the angle of ShipRider-16's picture, it appears that the other ship's bridge-superstructure is sitting on top of the New West's upper aft lounge. Whoops, I did not notice that. |
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Post by Starsteward on Sept 9, 2008 11:04:01 GMT -8
What you guys saw in the Queen of N.W. pic from the VM shipyards was the funnel and stack pipe of a cargo ship that was up in the dry dock right beside the Q. of N.W. No dumpster or other foreign object. I was at the docks yesterday afternoon and work is still continuing, at waht pace, I'm not sure on the Q. of N.W. but I wish they would get it painted so it doesn't look quite so boxy and barge-like.
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Post by Scott on Jun 16, 2009 19:34:29 GMT -8
Today, coming back from Squamish, I took the Marine Drive exit from the new highway which is just the old highway that goes along the mountainside above Horseshoe Bay.
Before, this stretch of road was part of the Sea-to-Sky and was usually busy and probably had a 70 or 80km/h speed limit (at least that's how fast people were driving it). Walking along the road was a bit "dangerous" in spots and the best viewpoints required some minor rock climbing in view of all the cars going by (unwanted attention).
Now, though, it's just a "side road" with a 50km/h speed limit and very little traffic. The spots where you could climb some rocks for awesome views over Horseshoe Bay are still there and it's a bit safer to get there and you don't have to do it in front of a bunch of passing cars. Also, further to the north? as you get close to the junction with the 99, the view is clear over Howe Sound and the entrance to Horseshoe Bay.
I'm not sure if there's a place to sit and watch the ferries go by or a sidewalk, I'll have to take a closer look another day. But due to the construction on the 99 there are now some good new vantage points near Horseshoe Bay that deserve some investigation.
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Post by Ferryman on Jun 16, 2009 21:15:06 GMT -8
Hey John,
I'm surprised I didn't run into you today, since I was on my way home from Squamish this afternoon as well. The open section of the side road that dips down like a roller coaster, providing excellent views was constructed as a detour around the overpass they were building in that section. I've stopped and parked my car at the Pasco Rd (I think that's the name of that street), and taken photos from that vantage point a number of times. One of these days though, I will park my car at that street, and walk up the hill on the new route to go up even higher to see Howe Sound from another perspective. I swear you could likely look straight down at the Horseshoe Bay terminal if you look over the barrier. It's definitely a real treat going through that area on a nice sunny day, just as a ferry is pulling out of the bay, and you're in the perfect spot along the road to see it. I can't remember how many times I missed really golden photo ops for lack of preparedness and foresight to capture the moment.
Oh well, perhaps you might have seen me cruise out of HSB on the 3:00pm Oak Bay this afternoon?
Cheers
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Post by Scott on Jun 16, 2009 21:53:04 GMT -8
Once or twice a month, I do a delivery to the Home Depot in Squamish. Usually I go in the morning and today I caught the Queen of Surrey departing on my way there and again on the way back.
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Post by Scott on Mar 6, 2010 21:04:53 GMT -8
I'm pretty sure I asked this question before, but I can't remember the answer or find it through the search function. It may have been a few years ago too, before anyone had a knowledgeable answer.
Is there any shortcut to Jack Point Park from the Duke Point ferry terminal or do you have to walk 1 or 2 km back down the road just to access the park from the parking lot?
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Post by Ferryman on Mar 6, 2010 23:56:45 GMT -8
I'm almost 100% certain that you can only enter the trail about a KM south of the terminal. The last time I ever walked that trail, was before Duke Point was even opened in 1997, and there was once a parking lot right at the traffic light where the road forks to either toll booth lanes, or foot passenger drop off/pick up. That is where we used to enter the trail at, and I'm pretty sure that there's a massive fence there now. So I think the only way of getting on to the trail now is right at the beginning of it just the highway makes the final approach down the hill as you're coming alongside the Sawmill. Also might be worth having a look at the fencing along there on Google Streetview to find out for sure. But that program is giving me grief right now and isn't working properly.
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Post by lmtengs on Mar 7, 2010 20:54:37 GMT -8
Is there a way to get up onto the big hill just south-west of Horseshoe Bay, or is that all private land?
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Mar 7, 2010 22:19:50 GMT -8
Is there a way to get up onto the big hill just south-west of Horseshoe Bay, or is that all private land? You're referring to Tyee Point. Get onto Wellington Avenue, which you access from Marine Drive. Follow it until it makes a U-turn and becomes Madrona. At that point there is a rough trail which leads up the hill to the Telus installation, and a couple of pretty good viewpoints into the bay, up the sound, and out to the strait. Google Street View will show you the spot, at 6686 Wellington. The trail is to the right of the driveway with the blue box that curves upward to the left. According to the signs, it is private (Telus) property. Like Dorman Point on Bowen, the viewpoint was much better thirty years ago before those darned trees grew up. |
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Post by lmtengs on Mar 8, 2010 17:05:01 GMT -8
Thanks!
Why don't they ever top those trees at both Dorman and Tyee?? It would improve the view so much! Are there laws against topping them, or do they just not bother? Who would be in charge of that, anyway? The Parks board?
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Post by Nickfro on Mar 9, 2010 11:04:01 GMT -8
Thanks! Why don't they ever top those trees at both Dorman and Tyee?? It would improve the view so much! Are there laws against topping them, or do they just not bother? Who would be in charge of that, anyway? The Parks board? If you read what Neil mentioned, Tyee is private (Telus) property. Therefore, it's up to them to do what they want with it. Since it affects nobody of particular importance, there's no point topping the trees. (Unfortunately, ferry buffs are not important people in this scenario) It's not a public trail up to a public lookout, and it's not a park. I remember hearing in the past that some helicopter company offered a romantic trip where they fly a couple to Tyee, drop them off with a 5 star catered picnic meal, then comes back a couple hours later to pick them up. Not sure if they still do that, but is there a landing pad there? |
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Post by Neil on Mar 9, 2010 12:08:57 GMT -8
I remember hearing in the past that some helicopter company offered a romantic trip where they fly a couple to Tyee, drop them off with a 5 star catered picnic meal, then comes back a couple hours later to pick them up. Not sure if they still do that, but is there a landing pad there? Yes there is. It's right in front of the very romantic looking Telus building, with its multi-hued graffiti, and its lovely metal fence topped with barbed wire and razor wire. There is also a handy fire pit nearby, complete with informal garbage dump from previous tourists. For background music, there is the dull roar from the highway and the throb of the ferries in dock. But yes, the views are nice, at least what's left of them through the trees. Jeez, I should be a travel writer. Maybe not the best way to drop a paycheque or two on an exotic meal, but still worth it for a few photos, and a stop at Baskin Robbins afterward. |
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Post by FerryDude2012 on Aug 11, 2010 22:47:53 GMT -8
Reviving this old thread: An EXCELLENT place to ferry-watch in Tsawwassen. At Fred Gingell Park, English Bluff, Tsawwassen, BC. Located on English Bluff Road near 3rd Avenue, this is a lovely park, with a viewing platform of the Tsawwassen Terminal, and it's ferries. At the top of the hill, it's the park, where many love to take in the scenery. There is also a trail and a set of stairs that go down the hill that leads to Tsawwassen Beach, which also provides un-obstructed views of Tsawwassen Terminal and the ferries. WARNING: There may be slightly obstructed views of Georgia Strait because of the tall trees and bushed in the area, but you have a clear view of the terminal, the ferries and the Gulf Islands. Location(courtesy of google maps - right across from the Tsawwassen Tennis Club) maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&q=Fred+Gingell+Park&ie=UTF8&ll=49.008544,-123.087108&spn=0.00639,0.019205&z=16 My own photo of this place: www.flickr.com/photos/ferrydude2010/4839465673/ The view: www.flickr.com/photos/ferrydude2010/4833527696/ The Beach area: www.flickr.com/photos/ferrydude2010/4832956923/ |
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Post by lmtengs on Aug 12, 2010 8:22:57 GMT -8
You're absolutely right, Jason! I think I'll pop down there sometime soon to stalk the Queens....  |
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Post by Kahloke on Aug 12, 2010 19:12:49 GMT -8
You're absolutely right, Jason! I think I'll pop down there sometime soon to stalk the Queens.... Yeah, that's a great vantage point. Here's a pic I grabbed from the bluff last year, capturing CC in Berth 5, New West in Berth 4, and of course, Alberni in Berth 3:  |
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Post by FerryDude2012 on Aug 12, 2010 20:03:51 GMT -8
Also, you can hear the ferry horns echo over English Bluff, almost like the effect in Horseshoe Bay.
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Post by Northern Exploration on Aug 13, 2010 7:24:33 GMT -8
You're absolutely right, Jason! I think I'll pop down there sometime soon to stalk the Queens.... Yeah, that's a great vantage point. Here's a pic I grabbed from the bluff last year, capturing CC in Berth 5, New West in Berth 4, and of course, Alberni in Berth 3: That is basically the view family friends have every day and night. Their house is on the bluff. We need a green with envy smiley face. |
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mrdot
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Post by mrdot on Aug 13, 2010 9:07:01 GMT -8
fred gingel park is a great vueing spot, which i had a part in developing during my planning career at delta, the politics in opening up so called private beaches was a difficult process, and i remember tromping the tsawwsassen beach and being acosted by judge eckhart who knew full well that canadian law did not provide private beaches. that was part of my life after bc ferries! mr.dot.
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Post by mrdot on Aug 13, 2010 9:25:08 GMT -8
further on the subject of great vueing spots, my brother (wettcoast) and I have many times tromped the parimiters of deas dock and over the years have developed many pics. some of which are in his flickr site. one of my most recent visits was to the farewell party of my old ship, qpr, I, met some of my old crew mates, and my chief officer sat with me and remembered way back then, and I gave him a sketch from long ago. mr.dot.
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Post by mrdot on Aug 13, 2010 10:55:16 GMT -8
Lately i have been vueing a james fisher site which features many old pics. that have been lifted from my brothers site, and many others of this forum, i have posted many facebook comments on this caracters site, have a look. my brother has the link if you don't. mr.dot.
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Post by Starsteward on Aug 14, 2010 10:37:28 GMT -8
Hey there mrdot, think you must have been a crewmate of mine on B watch QPR in 1967 and maybe onwards. I spent some time with A watch which was a very different bunch of folks than B watch ever was  I was a Steward, toiling for the affable John Post and Captain John Callan, until we had an unexpected meeting one August morning with Haddington Reef. Had many fun, and interesting days sailing with the likes of Captains Parkinson, Owen-Jones, Arnie Ryles, and my favourite Gerald Ruddick. Hate to see the old QPR laid up now and would really love to spearhead an attempt at another 'life' for her but I've yet to win a major lottery. |
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Post by mrdot on Aug 14, 2010 11:35:42 GMT -8
I was gone before the haddington reef event and I vividly remember the sun newspaper foto of the bosin scotty kisssing the dock when the rupert docked at burrard dd. after the tow in. he was the reason for my moving on, and returning to uvic, and completing my degree, but retaining my bcferries work out of swartz bay. his memory is not a happy one, but sometimes these kind of people help you to a better career path! mr.dot.
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mrdot
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Post by mrdot on Aug 14, 2010 11:47:37 GMT -8
further to my memories of the rupert, I vividly remember the chief s, address to the passengers announcing what sounded like an invitation to poopoo dining room. I shared that memory with mr. post at the reunion at the deas dock retirement recently. mr.dot.
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mrdot
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Post by mrdot on Aug 14, 2010 14:02:52 GMT -8
a further memory from the deas dock reunion of all us old timers at the qpr reunion, was sitting with my old chief mate chamberlain, it was he took the blame for haddington reef, and was gone from bc ferries a fortnight after my leaving for swartz bay, i gave him one of my sketches from way back then. he was also my instructor at navigation school! mr.dot.
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mrdot
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Post by mrdot on Aug 14, 2010 14:56:16 GMT -8
further on great spotting of all kinds of shipping is the lookout platform that our regional parks set up at deas island park, i have taken many pics. over the years at this vantage point, and have met many of my shipspotting friends there, including a great tug boat spotter mike zelt, who has a great website., some of this forum might be interested in. mr.dot.
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