Koastal Karl
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Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
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Post by Koastal Karl on Apr 27, 2008 16:35:48 GMT -8
Ok anyone want to do a Coho trip say in July??? Everytime I see the Coho I want to get another trip on her more and more.
I say we do it on a Saturday that way the mainlanders can get over Friday night and stay in Victoria Friday and Saturday nights. We do a trip over to Port Angeles on the 10:30am sailing, returning on either the 5:15pm sailing or the 9:30pm sailing. A car and driver is only $47.00 $12.50 per passenger. If we had a few cars we could whip out to Port Townsend which is about 1hr and 30mins from Port Angeles or less and do a quick roundtrip over to Keystone. According to the summer schedule for Port Townsend it looks like a second ship is operating. But which one?? Drive back to Port Angeles and we would have to take the 9:30pm sailing back to Victoria as the 5:15pm would be too early if we drove out to Port Townsend.
Another option just go over on the 10:30am as walk ons then return on the 5:15pm.
Anyone interested in a trip like this and which option would you prefer?? I think it would be cool to do a group trip on the Coho. I havent been on her in a few years and interested in getting on her again.
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Post by johnnytindale on Apr 27, 2008 17:59:16 GMT -8
Ok anyone want to do a Coho trip say in July??? Everytime I see the Coho I want to get another trip on her more and more. I say we do it on a Saturday that way the mainlanders can get over Friday night and stay in Victoria Friday and Saturday nights. We do a trip over to Port Angeles on the 10:30am sailing, returning on either the 5:15pm sailing or the 9:30pm sailing. A car and driver is only $47.00 $12.50 per passenger. If we had a few cars we could whip out to Port Townsend which is about 1hr and 30mins from Port Angeles or less and do a quick roundtrip over to Keystone. According to the summer schedule for Port Townsend it looks like a second ship is operating. But which one?? Drive back to Port Angeles and we would have to take the 9:30pm sailing back to Victoria as the 5:15pm would be too early if we drove out to Port Townsend. Another option just go over on the 10:30am as walk ons then return on the 5:15pm. Anyone interested in a trip like this and which option would you prefer?? I think it would be cool to do a group trip on the Coho. I havent been on her in a few years and interested in getting on her again. I have never been to Port Angeles before. What is there to do/see there?? What is the terminal's proximaty to the town centre in Port Angeles?
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Post by Mike C on Apr 27, 2008 19:59:25 GMT -8
I am very interested. The itineraries sound good, Karl. How far in advance do we have to arrive at the terminal? Would I make it if I caught the 7 am sailing from Tsawwassen, arriving at Swartz Bay at 8:40?
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Kam
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Post by Kam on Apr 27, 2008 20:16:17 GMT -8
Sounds like fun! I would love to ride the coho again
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Post by Political Incorrectness on Apr 27, 2008 20:20:28 GMT -8
Depends on what day but since it is in Port Angeles, I could do it as long as the Hood Canal bridge is not closed.
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Post by Nickfro on Apr 27, 2008 20:28:37 GMT -8
I have never been to Port Angeles before. What is there to do/see there?? What is the terminal's proximaty to the town centre in Port Angeles? The terminal is located right in the heart of downtown Port Angeles, so walking around the town is simple to do. I spent a couple of nights there during a US May Long Weekend (business trip for me) and it was a rather quiet town at that time, which surprised me considering it was a long weekend. It appeared that quite a few shops even closed for the entire weekend! I'm certain that it's much busier in the summertime, but it's no Victoria. . .not even close from a tourist perspective. That's quite an expansive trip for a mainlander, not to mention the costs for two nights accommodation and additional travel to Port Townsend. However, it looks like it could also be done as a day trip (a really long day trip!) if you just do the Coho option. (7am Tsa-Swb, 9pm home, 1030 Coho, 515 return) The day trip could be shortened if you came right back on the very next coho run, pending going thru customs in PA and managing to get right back on the ferry in time.
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Mill Bay
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Post by Mill Bay on Apr 27, 2008 20:40:51 GMT -8
I would tentatively be up for this one too, but I think it would be better to do the day trip option and just walk on the Coho. If we did anything else, carpooling is a must and the Victoria members might end up with people sleeping on their living room floors to save motel costs.
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Apr 27, 2008 20:52:00 GMT -8
I dont know about returning right away on the next sailing. I was gonna email them to see if we could arrange something but there is no email. I dont really want to phone them, lol! But we could go over on the 10:30am then return on the 5:15pm. I saw people that just show up like 20 mins before and buy tickets. The lineup today looked pretty big. You probably could make it if you took the 7am.
Or we could get a cheap motel in Port Angeles and ferry watch that night then return the next day that way mainlanders only have to spend one night or take the 9:30pm back to Victoria and stay in Victoria. A few people could stay at my place and set up camp if they wanted to. lol! Although I am way out of town. I dont think the Steel Electrics would still be tied up at Port Townsend so might not be worth going down there.
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Post by Kahloke on Apr 27, 2008 20:54:08 GMT -8
If we had a few cars we could whip out to Port Townsend which is about 1hr and 30mins from Port Angeles or less and do a quick roundtrip over to Keystone. According to the summer schedule for Port Townsend it looks like a second ship is operating. But which one?? I wouldn't take the upcoming summer ferry schedule, as currently printed, at face value right now. As has been discussed in the Port Townsend-Keystone Thread, it is possible that the schedule is a mis-print. As far as everyone knows right now, there is no available 2nd vessel for the Port Townsend run. If they do figure out a way to get the M/V Christine Anderson up there to run alongside her sistership, that would be great, but I wouldn't count on it.
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Post by Ferryman on Apr 27, 2008 21:06:55 GMT -8
I'll have to see what happens for this. I'll probably be able to go without an issue.
Last September, I had some company over from England. They decided to take a ride on the Coho, so they left here the day before the trip on the Coho, and got a hotel room down by the terminal. I believe I remember them saying they had to be at the terminal like 2 hours before the sailing, so they could go through Customs and whatnot. So I think it might be best if us Mainlanders spent the night in the Capital city.
Good thing we're planning this well in advance, as I'll probably have to leave work early on Friday night, in order to make it to Victoria at a respectable time.
I may as well suggest this idea...
Would it be possible to do Port Townsend-Keystone, and down Whidbey Island, then over to Edmonds? That way we could return the following day via Anacortes-Sidney. Just an idea though, as this would make the cost go up a bit. But we're all good at splitting the costs.
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Post by Political Incorrectness on Apr 27, 2008 21:20:54 GMT -8
Fares are about half of what you would pay there in BC. Sounds all good to me. By the way, if one of you would like to stay at my house or perhaps two, I got a spare bedroom plus a futon in my family room.
Just a warning, RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR PORT TOWNSEND TO KEYSTONE WITH A CAR!
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Nick
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Post by Nick on Apr 27, 2008 22:10:00 GMT -8
I think that if we were to do this trip, we should go ahead and make it more than just a round trip. I like Chris' idea of taking the Anacortes-Sidney ferry back and making a circle tour out of it. Some things to consider: 1. People under 19: as far as I know, if parents/guardians are not in attendance, another "responsible" person must take responsibility for the minor, and the parents must provide a letter acknowledging this person's responsibility for the minor. This also applies if only one parent is travelling. 2. If we were to stay overnight in the states, I believe the hotel room must be in the name of a "responsible" person (21 or over). Not sure on this, so it will need to be checked out. 3. A driver's license and a birth certificate are required for all persons over 19, or a passport is also acceptable. There are a lot more regulations if the person travelling is under 19. More information is available at cohoferry.com/faq_identification.htmAnother thing to think about is if this is in the summer as suggested, one way to save in costs is to camp rather than staying in a hotel. There are a few places in Victoria available for the mainland residents, and there are quite a few places in the Port Angeles area for the Saturday night. I think this could be a very fun way to experience a little bit of WSF, as well as an opportunity to get on the Coho before she is retired.
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Post by Nickfro on Apr 27, 2008 22:49:34 GMT -8
Just a warning, RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR PORT TOWNSEND TO KEYSTONE WITH A CAR! Wow! When did that get implemented?? That run can get quite busy in the tourist season, especially if there's only one boat on the run. When I went on it in May 2005 there were 2 ferries on that route, and now there may only be one this summer??? Odd. Too bad the steel electrics had to be retired. They were neat to ride on. Would it be possible to do Port Townsend-Keystone, and down Whidbey Island, then over to Edmonds? That way we could return the following day via Anacortes-Sidney. Just an idea though, as this would make the cost go up a bit. But we're all good at splitting the costs. I like the idea of "the more ferries, the better the trip can be" concept. For timing, however, the Mukilteo-Clinton run can be aborted and you can go straight from Keystone-Anacortes, which is within an hour's drive from each other. Anyone know how many daily trips there are from Anacortes to Sidney in the summertime?
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Post by BreannaF on Apr 27, 2008 23:46:32 GMT -8
Just a warning, RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR PORT TOWNSEND TO KEYSTONE WITH A CAR! Well, just about required. Reservations are currently required for vehicles over 6000 GVW, which is the weight of a full-size van or a full-size pickup truck, or larger. Anything auto or mini-van sized does not currently require a reservation, but I'm sure would be recommended. Nothing like waiting a few sailings in PT, especially if there's only one boat. And I agree that the currently posted 2-boat schedule is pie-in-the-sky dreaming at this point, given what information has been released to the public. Or a blatant misprint, depending on your current opinion. Anyone know how many daily trips there are from Anacortes to Sidney in the summertime? Effective with the Summer schedule on June 22, the number is two. One leaves Anacortes at 0815 and arrives directly in Sidney at 1020. The other Leaves at 1400 and arrives at 1705, by way of Orcas and Friday Harbor. Before June 22, there is one trip per day, leaving at 0745 and arriving at 1050. That's it. If it's going to be part of a summer circle trip, you would need to be in line by 1230 at the latest for the 1400 sailing. Maybe someone else knows how necessary reservations are for Anacortes-Sidney. Also, just to throw an idea out there. Those North of 49 could start on the Coho leg, and the US crew could join at PT or PA for the rest of the loop. Then the US side would make the Coho the last leg of the same journey. This presumes a Coho - Steilacoom - to Mukilteo - (motel) - Anacortes - Sidney loop trip. Just a thought.
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Post by EGfleet on Apr 28, 2008 7:13:33 GMT -8
Just a warning, RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR PORT TOWNSEND TO KEYSTONE WITH A CAR! Well, just about required. Reservations are currently required for vehicles over 6000 GVW, which is the weight of a full-size van or a full-size pickup truck, or larger. Anything auto or mini-van sized does not currently require a reservation, but I'm sure would be recommended. Nothing like waiting a few sailings in PT, especially if there's only one boat. And I agree that the currently posted 2-boat schedule is pie-in-the-sky dreaming at this point, given what information has been released to the public. Or a blatant misprint, depending on your current opinion. Anyone know how many daily trips there are from Anacortes to Sidney in the summertime? Effective with the Summer schedule on June 22, the number is two. One leaves Anacortes at 0815 and arrives directly in Sidney at 1020. The other Leaves at 1400 and arrives at 1705, by way of Orcas and Friday Harbor. Before June 22, there is one trip per day, leaving at 0745 and arriving at 1050. That's it. If it's going to be part of a summer circle trip, you would need to be in line by 1230 at the latest for the 1400 sailing. Maybe someone else knows how necessary reservations are for Anacortes-Sidney. Also, just to throw an idea out there. Those North of 49 could start on the Coho leg, and the US crew could join at PT or PA for the rest of the loop. Then the US side would make the Coho the last leg of the same journey. This presumes a Coho - Steilacoom - to Mukilteo - (motel) - Anacortes - Sidney loop trip. Just a thought. From what I have read, it appears there is going to be a certain amount of spaces for reservations on the Keystone run, but there will be space left for people driving up to the terminal. That being said, I'd recommend getting reservations for the toy boat. As a general rule of thumb, the morning sailing on the Anacortes-Sidney run in the summer tends to be the more busy one. I would certainly recommend reservations if planning to take the morning run. The evening run tends to be lighter at first, but by July it's pretty much an even split. Last summer a light load was 80-90 cars. Most of the time we ran fairly close to capacity. I don't know right off the top of my head how much the reservation fee is, but it might be worth it just for the peace of mind. FYI, they usually want people heading to Sidney to arrive at least 45 minutes before sailing time.
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D'Elete BC in NJ
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Post by D'Elete BC in NJ on Apr 28, 2008 7:37:14 GMT -8
I think that if we were to do this trip, we should go ahead and make it more than just a round trip. I like Chris' idea of taking the Anacortes-Sidney ferry back and making a circle tour out of it. Some things to consider: 1. People under 19: as far as I know, if parents/guardians are not in attendance, another "responsible" person must take responsibility for the minor, and the parents must provide a letter acknowledging this person's responsibility for the minor. This also applies if only one parent is travelling. 2. If we were to stay overnight in the states, I believe the hotel room must be in the name of a "responsible" person (21 or over). Not sure on this, so it will need to be checked out. 3. A driver's license and a birth certificate are required for all persons over 19, or a passport is also acceptable. There are a lot more regulations if the person travelling is under 19. More information is available at cohoferry.com/faq_identification.htmAnother thing to think about is if this is in the summer as suggested, one way to save in costs is to camp rather than staying in a hotel. There are a few places in Victoria available for the mainland residents, and there are quite a few places in the Port Angeles area for the Saturday night. I think this could be a very fun way to experience a little bit of WSF, as well as an opportunity to get on the Coho before she is retired. The up-to-date document requirements for Canadians traveling to the US by sea can be found here and here (Canada), or here (US). To summarize the pages: if you are 19 or older, you need a valid form of photo ID and proof of citizenship (DL and birth certificate) or passport; 18 and under, you will only require a birth certificate. If you are 18 or under, and traveling with a guardian (adult 21 or over), you will need a letter from your parents/legal guardian specifying permission for said guardian to transport you across the international border. I believe it is wise to have this letter notarized (your bank should be able to provide this service free of charge).
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Kam
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Post by Kam on May 7, 2008 10:10:25 GMT -8
I think a camping trip is a grand idea, and I know the perfect spot Fort Flagler state park is about 25 minutes from Port Townsend and is the perfect spot for ship spotting. Its right on the northern tip of Marrowstone island and looks over Port Townsend on one side and the shipping lane from Seattle come right around the point, so lots of heavy freighter traffic to watch go by. The park is an ex military base that used to be a gun base to protect the waterways going to Seattle. I guess at the time (WWI and early WWII) the biggest threat was a battle group sailing into your harbour and laying waste to your major cities. The base had enough guns to blow the hell out of whatever came in range, and it’s still a very impressive sight today. There is also a museum and interpretative centre in the park. www.parks.wa.gov/parkpage.asp?selectedpark=Fort+Flagler
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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 May 7, 2008 15:34:14 GMT -8
I am really not interested in doing a circle route. I am planning to do just do a trip over to Port Angeles and stay the night then return the next afternoon on the Coho back to Victoria with maybe a side trip in between to Port Townsend to ride the ferry over to Keystone then come back. But if other people want to do the circle route that is fine. But my plan was to go over and back on the Coho. Actually instead of Port Townsend I am also looking at whether I can get down to Bremerton to a trip over to Seattle and back then get back to Port Angeles. I would really like to take the Bremerton route to Seattle as that is one WSF route I would like to take. I would even be willing to stay two nights to do that.
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Post by Mike C on May 7, 2008 15:43:52 GMT -8
At one time I was thinking of taking the Coho to Port Angeles, then taking the Keystone run, then drive to Anacortes and taking the Chelan up to Sidney, then head back on Route 1. That would be a 2 or 3 day trip... but just thought it would be neat for those wanting to do a circle.
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Post by Kahloke on May 7, 2008 17:18:01 GMT -8
If anyone is interested in doing the circle route on some Friday-Saturday in July, I am game for joining you on part of the trip. For instance, if the group did the Coho leg on a Friday afternoon, then stayed the night somewhere on the Olympic Peninsula, and did the Port Townsend-Keystone and Anacortes-Sidney legs on Saturday, I could potentially use that as an excuse to go to Orcas on Saturday and join you for the Port Townsend to Anacortes segment.
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Mill Bay
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Post by Mill Bay on May 7, 2008 21:02:12 GMT -8
Although I wouldn't mind riding the Coho both ways to have the most time on board, I think the one caveat this trip may have attached is the need to be able to do it on within the time allowed over a Saturday-Sunday spread so that no one who really wants to go would be cut out by not being able to make a Friday afternoon crossing.
I would be interested in returning by Sidney, but if there was going to be some exploration of different routes I'd love the chance to be able to ride a Super or one of the old Evergreen State class. And I'd definitely be in favour of an overnight camp-out somewhere if only because it would save us all a motel fee.
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Post by Kahloke on May 8, 2008 5:47:51 GMT -8
I would be interested in returning by Sidney, but if there was going to be some exploration of different routes I'd love the chance to be able to ride a Super or one of the old Evergreen State class. And I'd definitely be in favour of an overnight camp-out somewhere if only because it would save us all a motel fee. If you wanted to do a San Juan Islands excursion either in conjunction with, or in lieu of, the Coho trip, that could satisfy your Super & Evergreen requirement. The Evergreen State will be operating as the inter-island ferry this summer, and there will be 3 Supers (Elwha, Hyak, & Kaleetan) running the Anacortes to San Juan Islands domestic route. The summer schedule is already posted on the WSF website, although it hasn't assigned the ferries to the schedule yet - you won't see that until the schedule becomes current.
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Post by Retrovision on May 9, 2008 0:33:31 GMT -8
I'm all in. Having not been aboard a WSFerry since long before becoming a true ferry fan I'd very much look forward also to stepping aboard the Evergreen Fleet again, as I have for a long while. I'll leave itineraries to the experts and I very much look forward to not only the novelty of their ideas but, of course and more to the point, getting back aboard Washington's formidable fleet.
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Jun 6, 2008 15:11:00 GMT -8
ok next month is July and I really want to do a Coho trip. I think the plan should be. We take the Coho over on a Saturday night 7:30pm sailing to Port Angeles. Get a hotel. Get up Sunday morning and drive to Port Townsend. From then on who ever wants to go back Anacortes who has a vehicle can and take a few others who also want to do the trip back via Anacortes. So the group all goes over to Keystone then the rest of the group continues on to Anacortes and who ever wants to come back on the Coho can come back with me as I would go back to Port Townsend and then drive down to Bremerton go across to Seattle, over to Bainbridge Island then drive back from Bainbridge to Port Angeles and catch the 9:30pm sailing to Victoria or stay over in Port Angeles another night then come back on the Monday morning. Who is interested in which trip? Option 1- One Night Victoria to Port Angeles via the Coho Port Townsend to Keystone Anacortes to Sidney Option 2-Two Nights Victoria to Port Angeles via Coho Port Townsend to Keystone and return Bremerton to Seattle Seattle to Bainbridge Island Port Angeles to Victoria via Coho I am all in for the second option as I want to get on the Coho as much as possible and also get on the Bremerton and Bainbridge Ferries as well. I will also be driving and could take 5 other people who want to do this option as well. I also think depending on how many cars we have and how many people we should break the number of people down to 2-3 people per car when we go through customs and immagration or if some people wanted to walk on that are old enough to travel on the their own across the boarder that would be a good idea too and would make it easier. Which dates?? July 12-14 Saturday evening to Monday or Saturday-Sunday for the first option July 26-28 Saturday evening to Monday or Saturday-Sunday for the first option August 2-4 Saturday evening to Monday or Saturday-Sunday for the first option The first weekend in July is a long weekend and I dont think would be good for a trip to the US and Chris's sailpass thing is the 25th so these are the other weekend options for this trip. The first option would only be a 1 night trip second would be 2 nights.
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Mill Bay
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Post by Mill Bay on Jun 6, 2008 22:36:28 GMT -8
We already have Chris's sailpass extravaganza planned for the month of July. I would rather at least space out these larger, more expensive excursions so that they don't come all at once and wreck our budgeting. I think the better option would be to shoot for sometime in August for this one.
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