Nick
Voyager
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,078
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Post by Nick on Apr 1, 2008 20:15:48 GMT -8
Well, I am busy the weekend of the 12-13th and on the 19th. So, if at all possible, I would prefer the last weekend in April. I think the weather would be better then as well. Or, it is a little short notice, but this weekend works as well.
That is what my schedule looks like, but don't plan the trip around me.
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Quatchi
Voyager
Engineering Officer - CCG
Posts: 930
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Post by Quatchi on Apr 1, 2008 20:57:04 GMT -8
I know on the recent Saanich trip I said I was going to try and make this one, but I have to many summer trips planned and not enough cash. I'm going to have to say no to this and probably any future trips for a wile.
Cheers,
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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 Apr 2, 2008 18:54:23 GMT -8
I can do Sunday afternoon if someone wants to go up there and do a roundtrip on the Tsawwassen? Probably the 3:15pm and return on the 5:15pm. The more trips the better. I will also do the regular scheduled trip if we can ever decide on a date.
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Post by Ferryman on Apr 2, 2008 19:33:50 GMT -8
Ok, so I have a proposition for Mr. Coulson, and family. Now this is more of a suggestion, as I'm curious to see what kind of answer I'd get, so here goes. IF the 6 of us who were planning to go (if everyone who said they'd like to go was coming) pitched in enough money to cover ALL expenses (transportation, ferry fare, meals) for Mr. Coulson and parent (family?), would there be any chance of being able to use the Coulson Family summer cottage in Little River to camp out at? I'd expect we would all bring our own bedding (sleeping bag, pillow, etc..), and I'm more than prepared to sleep on the floor. I had to ask, as I know some of us are a little tight for money, yet are still motivated to go no matter what. No problem if the Coulson family doesn't agree, some of us can split a motel room if necessary. If the weekend that the V-Class trip lands on, works better for everyone, then the V-Class trip can be postphoned to the following weekend, or witchever weekend everyone agrees to. Here's a summary of who wants to go, and which weekend works better for them. I'm still awaiting a response from a few people, so those who are noted with question marks, or awaiting responses, should respond. Much appreciated, thanks. Myself (April 5th/6th weekend is a no go for me) *Political Incorrectness (April 19th/20th weekend) *Coastal Skier (April 19th/20th weekend) *Nick (April 26th/27th weekend) *Nickfro (mentioned 2 weekends this month are dedicated to an unrelated trip....hint: preferance?) *NewFlyer (day trip) *Scott (April 20th) *The Queen of Esquimalt (needed at least 2 weeks in advance notice for when to go, so April 19th/20th and April 26/27th works?) *Karl (April 19/20) *Mill Bay (no preference in weekend?)
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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 Apr 2, 2008 19:51:05 GMT -8
No preferance in weekend for me, so the last two weekends of the month would work. I have scheduled Sundays off from work so any Sunday this month works. If we are doing overnight I have to know which Saturday as I will probably be working as I only scheduled Sundays off. I would like to do a trip on the Wack too but not sure how that would work out.
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Post by Esquimalt Queen on Apr 2, 2008 21:09:40 GMT -8
Yeah, April 19/20 or April 26/27 works for me. I can pitch in at least $300.00 for the trip...maybe more depending on my paycheque...will that be enough for the trip?
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Post by Mike C on Apr 2, 2008 21:09:46 GMT -8
Hey Chris!
I'm really sorry to say that it isn't really our place, it's owned by relatives of ours. So again, I'm very sorry, but it just can't happen... I ran it past my dad, and he basically gave me the answer, of what I said above. Even we have to make sure it's alright for us to utilize. Again, really sorry!
It would probably be a day-trip, even for me with the cottage.
Hopefully I can make it though, put me down as a maybe!
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Apr 2, 2008 21:17:17 GMT -8
I would prefer the third weekend of April, but can probably make it on the fourth if that is the case... However, my attendance would probably only be on the Sunday as I have to work...
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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 Apr 2, 2008 21:24:07 GMT -8
I think $300 would enough for the trip if you are just doing a day trip??? I think we should do the 10:10am sailing from Comox do the Texada trip then take the 5:15pm back to Comox then I can just drive up to Comox in the morning then drive back in the evening. The mainland people can still get back to Vancouver that evening and get over in the morning or the night before.
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Post by Esquimalt Queen on Apr 2, 2008 21:27:51 GMT -8
Alrighty, which day do you want to do this. I will book it off as soon as possible.
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Post by Ferryman on Apr 2, 2008 21:42:37 GMT -8
I think $300 would be way more than enough. Depending on how many vehicles we take, and how many people car pool in a vechicle, and whether or not we spend the night anywhere, I'd say the cost would be around $150. Here's a list of Ferry Fares for the entire circlepac (not including the round trip fare of $7.90 to Texada). www.bcferries.com/fares/circlepac.html I'm going to shop around for a cheaper place to stay in Comox before I make up the final itinerary, and add up the final costs. modified to fix link
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Post by Political Incorrectness on Apr 2, 2008 21:59:06 GMT -8
I will be willing to take 2 people in my car to split fuel cost with.
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Post by Ferryman on Apr 2, 2008 22:27:22 GMT -8
I think it's basically safe to say this trip will happen April 19th and 20th. I'll try and have two itineraries (clockwise and counter clockwise ways of the route )and costs all set up and ready to go by sometime tomorrow evening.
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Post by Nickfro on Apr 3, 2008 10:39:15 GMT -8
I'm away from the 12th to the 20th, so it doesn't look like I'll be able to join everyone on this trip.
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Post by Ferryman on Apr 3, 2008 19:45:39 GMT -8
Alright, here's some itineraries to look at now, to maximize our Ferry experience. Before I go any further, we would buy a SAILPASS to cut down on the costs (yes this would cut down on the cost dramatically). Two people would split the $169 ($84.50/each) price. This covers the cost for two adults and a car, and enables us to just drive on to the ferry by just simply showing the pass. Add $32 for each additional person in the vehicle, and split it again.EDIT: Thinking again, and realizing that this would probably really be the only really convienient option for everyone, given their location for time. Clockwise route (via Comox first)- Mainlanders catch 8:30am, Coastal Renaissance to Departure Bay
- Mainlanders arrive at Departure Bay at 10:10am, and join with Islanders
- **Possible Option?**
-Catch 11:00am sailing to Denman Island -Drive to Denman East to catch 11:50am sailing to Hornby (walk on) -Return to Denman Island on the 12:10pm -Drive back to Denman West to catch 12:45pm sailing to Buckley Bay
- Arrive in Courtenay/Comox by 1:30pm ish. Have lunch.
- 2:00pm, arrive at Little River, to catch 3:15pm sailing to Powell River. (Queen of Tsawwassen would arrive around 1:20pm)
- 4:35pm, arrive in Powell River, check into Westview Center Motel. **Please note message at bottom of post for more info on this motel.
- 5:40pm sailing to Texada Island
- Return to Powell River on 6:15pm sailing? Otherwise return on the 7:40pm...it would be dark by then
- Depending on which sailing we return to Powell River at, it would be at least 6:50pm. Relax for the rest of the evening, grab a bite to eat.
- Scott, catch 7:15pm sailing to Powell River??
Day 2
**Optional** Catch 8:10am sailing to Comox, return on the 10:10am sailing to Powell River. Karl would catch 10:10am sailing.
- Check out of Motel around 12:00pm, then go for lunch
- Drive to Saltery Bay, being there for around 2:30pm, with 35 minute driving time
- 3:20pm sailing to Earls Cove on the ol' Queen of Chilliwack
- Arrive at Earls Cove around 4:00pm, and driving to Langdale
- Arrive at Langdale around 4:20pm, possibly just missing the 4:30pm sailing to Horseshoe Bay
- Scenario 1, we make the 4:30pm sailing to Horseshoe Bay, arriving at the Bay around 5:05pm. Islanders catch 7:00pm sailing home.
- Scenario 2, we catch the 6:30pm sailing to Horseshoe Bay around 7:05pm, and Islanders returning home on the 9:00pm sailing, making a very long day for the Victorians.
**I've done some research for a cheap place to stay, and have come to the conclusion that for conviernce, and previous experience at this location, I figure we may as well just stay at the Westview Center Motel again. I'm predicting the cost to we around $70-$95 for the night. This place is located literally just a block away from the Ferry terminal in Powell River. The last time I stayed there in the summer of 2006, I shared a room with Doug, which had 2 beds at a cost of about $80, split in half ($40/each).
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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 Apr 3, 2008 19:56:48 GMT -8
If I can take the Saturday off I might just join you on Saturday too. I would like to note that the 8:45pm sailing is from Powell River not Comox. Otherwise I would just do the day trip on Sunday. Me and Scott maybe could make the 7:15pm sailing on the Saturday night but dont know for sure. Wouldent a circlepac be cheaper??
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Post by Political Incorrectness on Apr 3, 2008 20:20:40 GMT -8
I'll stick with you guys on Day 1, Day 2, I'll be getting the earliest sailing out to get to the border.
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Post by Ferryman on Apr 3, 2008 20:24:16 GMT -8
Thanks Karl, I've made the adjustment in the itinerary now. For those of us would be doing the 2 full day circlepac which could potentially be on Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay, Buckley Bay to Denman West (and back), Denman East to Hornby Island then up to Comox to Powell River (3 trips), Powell River to Texada Island, Earls Cove to Saltery Bay, and Langdale to Horseshoe Bay. Without the sailpass, it would be $255.55 (127.77/each), for two adults travelling in a car. For people doing the day trip circlepac, it would cost $156.45 ($78.22/each) for a car and two adults. You be the judge. Also, another note on the Sailpass. You will have to either buy it online, and allow 5 business days for it to show up at your mailbox. Otherwise you can buy it at selected Visitor info locations. See the link below to see where you can buy it. www.bcferries.com/travel_planning/sailpassoutlets.htmlThose who would be doing the 1 day circlepac (day 2), it would be cheaper
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Nick
Voyager
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,078
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Post by Nick on Apr 3, 2008 21:05:01 GMT -8
It is my grandmother's 70th birthday on Saturday, so there's no way I can miss that. However, there is the potential of doing the long day trip on Sunday, which I am seriously considering, especially considering this will most likely be my final opportunity to ride on our most historic ship (unless she is doing Earl's Cove-Saltery Bay this summer? When does the Island Sky come out?).
I will have to play this by ear. Hopefully there is some way I can make this work. I missed out on last summer's circlepac too, for a similar reason. It's too bad, the little side trips Chris has outlined up there sound like a lot of fun too.
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Post by kylefossett on Apr 3, 2008 21:33:48 GMT -8
if you are motelling anywhere it is best to try to book your rooms all at once and get a group rate.
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Post by Nickfro on Apr 3, 2008 22:33:41 GMT -8
If you plan on riding more ferries than the 4 on the circlepac trip, then you might as well go for the sailpass. Circlepac is $215.85 for 4 people ($54 each) and, as Chris mentioned, $156.45 for 2 ($78 each). Sailpass is $233 for 4 people ($58 each) and $169 for 2 ($85 each). The sailpass is easily justified if you take any additional route beyond the circlepac runs, especially the Denman-Hornby run because you need to take your vehicle on the Buckley-Denman ferry to get to the Hornby run. Also, if you are able to carpool then you can save that much more. It's the best bang for your buck while experiencing as many different ferries as possible on your trip! It's too bad I'll probably be missing this one, because it sounds like it'll be lots of fun.
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Post by Retrovision on Apr 4, 2008 1:49:59 GMT -8
Thanks for proposing this trip, Chris. I'm up for it with quite an open schedule as per my choice of education style currently so am at the whim of the majority.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Apr 4, 2008 18:45:40 GMT -8
If you guys do this trip weekend after next as you're proposing, and if you do a jaunt over to Hornby, I'll at least come down to the Spit to get a shot of you all on the Tachek, or maybe I'll take a ride over to Gravelly Bay and back, as I'm up there for a week or so at that time.
Can't go to Powell River, as the last ferry back to Hornby is far too early. I may do that on my way back, as I've never been on the lovely 'Chilliwack.
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Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,886
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Post by Mill Bay on Apr 4, 2008 22:08:53 GMT -8
Chris, I just wanna say that the cost of doing the motel is extremely painful... (I wonder if they would let us do more than two to a room?) The Westview motel is a good spot though, if you like waking up to a ferry horn. I just also wanted to suggest, there is a camp ground on Texada (basically at the very end of the road on the other side of the island. Although weather and temperatures might be fairly cool, for anyone who might feel like roughing it, we might consider spending the night on the island.
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Post by Ferryman on Apr 5, 2008 19:38:38 GMT -8
Alright, I feel it's time to acknowledge who is driving who.
-Political Incorectness's mother is driving Political Incorrectness. Assuming there would be a spare seat or two in this vehicle for day 1 at least.
-I'm driving "the Queen of Esquimalt" from Nanaimo to Langdale (she's catching the Greyhound from Victoria to Nanaimo early in the morning on the 19th, and connecting with us after us Mainlanders arrive on the Island. I have room for 2 more if anyone is interested
-Scott will be driving Karl from Nanaimo, for the rest of the trip, starting on the evening of day 1.
-Karl will be driving "the Queen of Esquimalt" home from Nanaimo to Victoria at the end of the trip
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