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Post by EGfleet on Jul 12, 2010 16:08:53 GMT -8
And don't wear your sunglasses. Customs officers like to be able to see your eyes.
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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 Jul 12, 2010 22:13:33 GMT -8
wow that is rediculas if that's true! Seems kinda insane! I might not even do it so we'll see, it was just an idea!
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Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 22, 2010 16:06:52 GMT -8
I am in planning-stage for a 2 or 3 night trip that includes the Sidney-Anacortes ferry. It would go something like this, in October:
- from my Nanaimo home, down Vancouver Island, to the BC Mill Bay ferry. - afternoon at Buchart Gardens. - evening at Sidney to explore the waterfront shops, overnight at Sidney. - Day 2 morning to take the WSF ferry from Sidney to Anacortes. Arrive in Anacortes at 3:00pm. - Drive over Deception Pass bridge, looking for photo-op area to park and enjoy the views of the passage and bridges. - Drive down Whidbey, and stop at Keystone Harbor to get picture of Chetzemoka entering or leaving the tiny harbor, from the vantage point of the entrance to the harbor. - Take the ferry from Keystone to Pete Townshend. - Drive to Port Angeles - Coho ferry to Victoria. - Drive back up Vancouver Island.
I'm undecided as to where we'd be spending Night #2 on our trip. Either on Whidbey, or some where between Port Townsend and Port Angeles. One of the deciding factors would be my desire to sit at the edge of Keystone Harbor and wait for the perfect Chetzographic opportunity. With sunsets to also consider, I might be best to stay the night on Whidbey, so that I could do an evening photo stakeout at Keystone. Sunset is likely approx 6:00pm by mid October, and there's a 6:00pm sailing from Keystone (yeah, Coupeville). - For a motor-inn style of accommodation, is there something near Keystone?
For an October weekday, do I need to worry about sailing-waits for Keystone-Townsend?
ps: What are my chances of a "Pickens sighting" on the ferry from Sidney to Anacortes?
Thanks for any advice you may have.
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Post by Barnacle on Aug 22, 2010 17:45:44 GMT -8
ps: What are my chances of a "Pickens sighting" on the ferry from Sidney to Anacortes? None. He doesn't work there anymore.
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Post by Kahloke on Aug 22, 2010 20:16:01 GMT -8
I am in planning-stage for a 2 or 3 night trip that includes the Sidney-Anacortes ferry. It would go something like this, in October: - from my Nanaimo home, down Vancouver Island, to the BC Mill Bay ferry. - afternoon at Buchart Gardens. - evening at Sidney to explore the waterfront shops, overnight at Sidney. - Day 2 morning to take the WSF ferry from Sidney to Anacortes. Arrive in Anacortes at 3:00pm. - Drive over Deception Pass bridge, looking for photo-op area to park and enjoy the views of the passage and bridges. - Drive down Whidbey, and stop at Keystone Harbor to get picture of Chetzemoka entering or leaving the tiny harbor, from the vantage point of the entrance to the harbor. - Take the ferry from Keystone to Pete Townshend. - Drive to Port Angeles - Coho ferry to Victoria. - Drive back up Vancouver Island. I'm undecided as to where we'd be spending Night #2 on our trip. Either on Whidbey, or some where between Port Townsend and Port Angeles. One of the deciding factors would be my desire to sit at the edge of Keystone Harbor and wait for the perfect Chetzographic opportunity. With sunsets to also consider, I might be best to stay the night on Whidbey, so that I could do an evening photo stakeout at Keystone. Sunset is likely approx 6:00pm by mid October, and there's a 6:00pm sailing from Keystone (yeah, Coupeville). - For a motor-inn style of accommodation, is there something near Keystone? For an October weekday, do I need to worry about sailing-waits for Keystone-Townsend? ps: What are my chances of a "Pickens sighting" on the ferry from Sidney to Anacortes? Thanks for any advice you may have. This should be a fun trip. Regarding accommodations for night #2: I don't think there is too much near Keystone, but I'm not certain. You will certainly find more in Port Townsend, and Port Townsend is quite charming. there are also accommodations in Port Angeles. I guess it depends on which Coho sailing you want to take on Day 3. If you want to do the first one at 08:20, I would recommend staying in Port Angeles. Otherwise, it probably doesn't matter. As far as the PT-KEY ferry goes, you will certainly have better luck of showing up and getting on versus this time of year. It still depends on the day. If it's a weekend, they will fill up, even in October, but it won't be as bad as the summer. If you know, even a few days in advance, which sailing you want to take, I would suggest making reservations. It doesn't cost anything, so why not just do it?
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Rhody
Chief Steward
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Post by Rhody on Aug 22, 2010 22:13:21 GMT -8
- Drive over Deception Pass bridge, looking for photo-op area to park and enjoy the views of the passage and bridges. One of the deciding factors would be my desire to sit at the edge of Keystone Harbor and wait for the perfect Chetzographic opportunity. There is a trail called Lottie Bay before Deception Pass Bridge, great place to get pics of the Bridge, quiet also Fort Casey is nearby, great place to get photos of the ferry as it approaches Keystone.
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
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Post by Koastal Karl on Aug 23, 2010 8:39:17 GMT -8
I would like to do that circle tour that flugel is planning one day too via Sidney/Anacortes, Keystone/Port Townsend then back on the Coho! I have been to Deception Pass and I actually saw the Victoria Clipper 3 go though there one time! It's a neat little tourist attraction there and would love to get back there again soon!
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,171
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Post by Neil on Apr 11, 2011 15:56:13 GMT -8
Next Monday, I'm going to Orcas Island for three nights, to do some family history research, and explore. My great grandparents homesteaded there in the 1880s, and the family maintained an extensive fruit farm into at least the mid 1940s.
On one of the days, I was wanting to check out either Lopez or Shaw, and I was wondering if anyone had any advice as to which one is nicer. I'm thinking in terms of shore access and viewing vantage points, as well as perhaps a nice little village centre, if any.
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Koastal Karl
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Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
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Post by Koastal Karl on Apr 11, 2011 16:49:52 GMT -8
I would really like to explore San Juan Island and Orcas Island. I have only been to Friday Harbour on San Juan so hopefully one day I can explore the rest of the island and Orcas Island too!
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Post by Kahloke on Apr 11, 2011 17:51:02 GMT -8
Next Monday, I'm going to Orcas Island for three nights, to do some family history research, and explore. My great grandparents homesteaded there in the 1880s, and the family maintained an extensive fruit farm into at least the mid 1940s. On one of the days, I was wanting to check out either Lopez or Shaw, and I was wondering if anyone had any advice as to which one is nicer. I'm thinking in terms of shore access and viewing vantage points, as well as perhaps a nice little village centre, if any. That's cool. My family on my mom's side dates back to Orcas and San Juan Island pretty far. My Grandpa was born in Friday Harbor, and they moved to Orcas when he was six. My mom grew up on the island, and I grew up on the island, too. My dad still lives there, on the piece of land that he, my aunt, and I co-own - and, I should say, on the piece of land I grew up on. I need to get back up to the island. I haven't been there for 7 months.
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KE7JFF
Chief Steward
Posts: 106
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Post by KE7JFF on Jul 12, 2011 18:11:33 GMT -8
I'm taking the ferry to Sidney next month and will be driving up from Portland. I already booked a reservation and from looking at WSF's website, it looks like I should plan to arrive at the terminal in Anacortes at around 7:00 AM ish for the 8:25 departure?
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Post by BreannaF on Jul 15, 2011 22:25:18 GMT -8
I'm taking the ferry to Sidney next month and will be driving up from Portland. I already booked a reservation and from looking at WSF's website, it looks like I should plan to arrive at the terminal in Anacortes at around 7:00 AM ish for the 8:25 departure? That sounds about right. You will want to make sure to leave enough time to get through the line, and remember that 0825 means that the ferry will be leaving about that time -- the loading starts before that. Depending on your budget and time, you might want to spend the night somewhere in the neighborhood near the ferry. As someone who just moved from SW Portland last month, I can tell you that a 6-hour drive is no way to start your day for a nice trip through the San Juan Islands. Just a thought. You might also want to consider a reservation. Have fun! Bryan -- K7BRY
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KE7JFF
Chief Steward
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Post by KE7JFF on Jul 17, 2011 20:35:46 GMT -8
I'm taking the ferry to Sidney next month and will be driving up from Portland. I already booked a reservation and from looking at WSF's website, it looks like I should plan to arrive at the terminal in Anacortes at around 7:00 AM ish for the 8:25 departure? That sounds about right. You will want to make sure to leave enough time to get through the line, and remember that 0825 means that the ferry will be leaving about that time -- the loading starts before that. Depending on your budget and time, you might want to spend the night somewhere in the neighborhood near the ferry. As someone who just moved from SW Portland last month, I can tell you that a 6-hour drive is no way to start your day for a nice trip through the San Juan Islands. Just a thought. You might also want to consider a reservation. Have fun! Bryan -- K7BRY I have a reservation already so I am good. What time does the booth at the termianl open for check in? Six hours? Usually on trips to Vancouver, BC and beyond, I get to Mt Vernon around the 5 hour mark.
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Post by Kahloke on Jul 17, 2011 21:48:50 GMT -8
Six hours? Usually on trips to Vancouver, BC and beyond, I get to Mt Vernon around the 5 hour mark. Add 30 minutes to that for your time to get from Mt. Vernon/Burlington to the ferry terminal at Anacortes, so 5 1/2 hours total, and that should be about right.
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Post by Barnacle on Jul 28, 2011 3:53:28 GMT -8
I have a reservation already so I am good. What time does the booth at the termianl open for check in? The ticket booth is on duty from about four AM--the first sailing leaves at 4:15ish, I think, bound for Friday Harbor.
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KE7JFF
Chief Steward
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Post by KE7JFF on Jul 30, 2011 6:56:14 GMT -8
I have a reservation already so I am good. What time does the booth at the termianl open for check in? The ticket booth is on duty from about four AM--the first sailing leaves at 4:15ish, I think, bound for Friday Harbor. Yeah, I figured that out from looking at the PDF schedule of the WSF Ferry System. I will plan to be there around 0645 to be safe. I don't mind a quite night drive.
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
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Post by Koastal Karl on Jun 27, 2012 17:56:55 GMT -8
What about a roundtrip between Sidney and Anacortes would that be doable??? Would there be enough time at Anacortes in between sailings to go through customs and get back on??? I have thought about doing this as I havent been on the Chelan and would like to do the Sidney route again. Might be fun to do one day.
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Post by lmtengs on Jun 27, 2012 18:00:13 GMT -8
What about a roundtrip between Sidney and Anacortes would that be doable??? Would there be enough time at Anacortes in between sailings to go through customs and get back on??? I have thought about doing this as I havent been on the Chelan and would like to do the Sidney route again. Might be fun to do one day. I'm not sure how much Customs would like that idea... "Yea, I'm just crossing the border to head right back across again!" That would pop a few red flags in their heads. If they let you through you might get stopped for a strip down, then you'd surely miss the boat.
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Nick
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Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
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Post by Nick on Jun 27, 2012 18:45:46 GMT -8
What about a roundtrip between Sidney and Anacortes would that be doable??? Would there be enough time at Anacortes in between sailings to go through customs and get back on??? I have thought about doing this as I havent been on the Chelan and would like to do the Sidney route again. Might be fun to do one day. I'm not sure how much Customs would like that idea... "Yea, I'm just crossing the border to head right back across again!" That would pop a few red flags in their heads. If they let you through you might get stopped for a strip down, then you'd surely miss the boat. I've done it on the Coho. Nothing more than the usual quizzical looks of "why would you ride a ferry just to go back again?" Customs didn't have a problem with it.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,171
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Post by Neil on Jun 27, 2012 18:53:38 GMT -8
I'm not sure how much Customs would like that idea... "Yea, I'm just crossing the border to head right back across again!" That would pop a few red flags in their heads. If they let you through you might get stopped for a strip down, then you'd surely miss the boat. I've done it on the Coho. Nothing more than the usual quizzical looks of "why would you ride a ferry just to go back again?" Customs didn't have a problem with it. Yes, they probably deal with a fair number of people who are actually weirder than ferry fans... and more suspect.
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Post by EGfleet on Jun 28, 2012 12:21:59 GMT -8
I've done it on the Coho. Nothing more than the usual quizzical looks of "why would you ride a ferry just to go back again?" Customs didn't have a problem with it. Yes, they probably deal with a fair number of people who are actually weirder than ferry fans... and more suspect. It's not a problem. While not a huge number, there are quite a few people in the summer months who take the trip just for the trip and turn right back around at Sidney and get back on the boat.
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
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Post by Koastal Karl on Jun 28, 2012 16:53:12 GMT -8
If you lived in Anacortes you could come to Sidney for the day but you cant do that from here which is annoying and you cant even go to Friday Harbour except in the evening from here which is also annoying. I dont like roundtrips at the best of time on BC Ferries so doing it from like Sidney to Anacortes I dont know I have gone over to Port Angeles on the Coho for the afternoon and had no problem but I dident go right back I stayed over till the last boat that night!
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 28, 2012 17:43:30 GMT -8
If you lived in Anacortes you could come to Sidney for the day but you cant do that from here which is annoying and you cant even go to Friday Harbour except in the evening from here which is also annoying. Friday Harbor is in the USA, and so they spell it "Harbor" without the "U". - Once you get that right, then we can talk about turning the ferry schedule around for a day-trip. But until then, you can't complain....LOL!
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