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Post by Ferryman on May 14, 2006 20:47:27 GMT -8
At some point this summer, I plan to purchase a sailpass. With a sailpass, I would attempt to do, what some members have done already, travel on as many Ferries as possible. The thing is, I don't think I could ever encourage my parents, or any of my friends to come and ride like 30 ferries in a week.
So what would be neat is, if a group of us, or even a few of us, purchased a sailpass for a week together, and went and took a trip on most of the Ferries, and camped out in different towns for the night. I would bring my tent, as that would be the cheapest option for overnight stay, instead of paying about $50 a night at a hotel every night.
Anyways, I just want your opinion on this, and would anyone ever consider doing this? Or am I just waisting my time?
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Post by Quinsam on May 14, 2006 20:54:33 GMT -8
I don't think you are wasting your time, I think it is an excellent Idea! I would not be able to attend unless it is out of Swartz Bay or Brentwood Bay, that is my range area.
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Post by Ferryman on May 14, 2006 21:06:40 GMT -8
Well, seeming we would be trying to travel on as many Ferries as possible, we would be passing through there.
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Post by Dane on May 14, 2006 21:52:08 GMT -8
Ive got a house in Qualicum Beach. I work, a lot but I'm down.
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Post by Curtis on May 15, 2006 7:16:10 GMT -8
I could join in the Powell River Area
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Post by Balfour on May 15, 2006 10:36:47 GMT -8
I work as well, but I'd be up for a camping trip on the ferries. just give me dates well in advanced so I can book time off.
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Post by Mike C on May 15, 2006 10:38:11 GMT -8
Tsawwassen is my region. I'm only willing to go as far as Horseshoe Bay, or maybe the Sunshine Coast. If it happens at the right time, Comox/Buckley Bay/Campbell River would be good.
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Post by ferrytraveller on May 15, 2006 14:45:26 GMT -8
that sounds like a neat thing to do for a week in the summer
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Post by NMcKay on May 15, 2006 17:26:35 GMT -8
i would have to purchase a 5 day sail pass, because unfortunatly, i cant afford to take days off work (i work on the weekend)
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Post by Ferryman on May 15, 2006 19:35:00 GMT -8
Well, if people wanted to meet up at certain points, they would be more than welcome to. So if a few of us got a vehicle or two, with a few tents, and camping gear, we would be set.
Day 1- Horseshoe Bay to Langley, Earls Cove-Saltery Bay, Powell River to Texada. Campout somewhere near Powell River.
Day 2-Leave Powell River, by taking the Burnaby to Comox, head up to Campbell River, to take the Powell River Queen to Quadra, then over to Cortes on the Tenaka, and back to Campbell River. Then we head up to Port McNeil if there's time, and take the Quadra Queen II on its milk run. Campout somewhere in or around Port McNeil.
Day 3-Head South to Fanny Bay, to take the Quinitsa to Denman, and then over to Hornby on the Kahloke, and back. Then we go to Nanaimo and take the Quinsam to Gabriola and back. Campout in or around Nanaimo.
Day 4-Off to Chemainus to take the Klitsa on its milk run, and then off to Crofton to take the Howe Sound Queen to Saltspring. Then connecting with the Skeena Queen to Swartz Bay, we take one of the Route 1 Ferries to Tsawwassen, and campout somewhere in or around there.
Day 5-We take the Queen of Nanaimo to one of the Islands to connect with either the Mayne or Cumberland, back to Swartz Bay. Then we head over to Brentwood Bay to take the Mill Bay, to Mill Bay, and then we head back up to Nanaimo to catch one of the Route 2 Ferries to Horseshoe Bay, and finnish the whole trip with a round trip on the Capilano to Bowen.
This is all just a rough idea of where to go. So help me out with what order we should do these routes in.
This could be really fun. We could all pitch in together for gas, and campsite fees, along with food of course.
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Post by Balfour on May 15, 2006 19:40:13 GMT -8
We should stop on Saltspring, see if we can visit Kyle Fosset, and later we can try going to Blackburn lake.
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Post by Mike C on May 15, 2006 21:02:09 GMT -8
I can get anything out of Tsawwassen (get the 620 bus, Airport-Ladner-Ferries) and travel to the Gulf. What I maydo, is get off with you at Mayne, and wait for the Bowen to take me back to Tsawwassen. Or, anything on route 1. I can hook up in Comox, and travel to Campbell River, and do the Discovery Islands (Quadra/Cortes).
Would we shorten this to four days to get a four-day Sailpass, or do we have to go one extra to get seven?
Also: Sailpasses are not available at ferry terminals. I get mine at Peace Arch crossing.
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Post by Dane on May 16, 2006 0:08:02 GMT -8
Also: Sailpasses are not available at ferry terminals. I get mine at Peace Arch crossing. They're at all the major terminals, you just have to ask nicely. BC Ferries little secret LOL. I get all mine at Horseshoe Bay. They come in 4 or 7 day variations, you can get every route done in 4 if you push it. |
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Post by Curtis on May 16, 2006 7:26:54 GMT -8
They're also at the Visitors Bureau
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Neil
Voyager 
Posts: 7,311
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Post by Neil on May 16, 2006 10:02:29 GMT -8
Chris, I understand your fondness for ferries, but you're thinking of going to a lot of beautiful places, and you're not really giving yourself time to see and enjoy any of them. And your day two, Powell River-Comox-Campbell River-Quadra-Cortes-Port MacNeill-Alert Bay-Sointula isn't feasible. And Hornby-Denman-Gabriola in one day? None of those three rides are thrilling, the pleasure is in what's on the islands. Slow down a bit! It's not like you're ninety years old and have to see everything before you die. Of course, if you're trying for the Guinness ferry riding record, then go for it I guess....
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Post by Mike C on May 16, 2006 10:35:43 GMT -8
Powell River-Comox-Campbell River-Quadra-Cortes-Port MacNeill-Alert Bay-Sointula isn't feasible. I quite agree: I barely made it home along Highway 19, it takes a solid 3 hours to drive from Comox to Port McNeil. I did that trip. I left in the early morning and returned late at night, lol. |
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Post by Dane on May 16, 2006 20:28:07 GMT -8
It's feasible, I did it; twice.
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Post by Ferryman on May 16, 2006 20:51:52 GMT -8
Chris, I understand your fondness for ferries, but you're thinking of going to a lot of beautiful places, and you're not really giving yourself time to see and enjoy any of them. And your day two, Powell River-Comox-Campbell River-Quadra-Cortes-Port MacNeill-Alert Bay-Sointula isn't feasible. And Hornby-Denman-Gabriola in one day? None of those three rides are thrilling, the pleasure is in what's on the islands. Slow down a bit! It's not like you're ninety years old and have to see everything before you die. Of course, if you're trying for the Guinness ferry riding record, then go for it I guess.... I see what you're saying, hornbyguy. There is definitely some exploring to do, and that suggested plan was just a rough draft. There's still two full days left empty, if we each got a 7 day pass. But I've been to Gabriola and Thetis many times. The Islands I would really like to explore are Quadra/Cortes, and Denman Hornby, as they're both good sized Islands. But part of the point of getting a sailpass, is getting your moneys worth of Ferry trips!  I may not be 90....yet. But seeming this will be my first summer after Graduation, so I want to do some travelling, and some exploring. The sailpass is just part of it. I've lived on Vancouver Island most of my life, being born in Campbell River, and living in the now nearly deserted village of Tahsis, that Coastal places in BC can be quite amazing. So hornbyguy, how would you go about exploring the Islands between the Mainland, and the Island, if you had purchased a sailpass? Any places you would want to see and explore during that 7 days, worth of Free ferry rides? Just out of curiousity.... |
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,311
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Post by Neil on May 16, 2006 21:39:46 GMT -8
First of all, I was wrong: as Dane says, you can do that Powell River-Port MacNeill marathon in one day, in fact you can be back in Port MacNeill in time for dinner.
I think a week on the ferries is a fantastic idea, I just think you're compressing it too much. Give a day to Alert Bay and Sointula- you've got rich native culture in one place, and the remnants of Finnish culture in another, and beautiful places on both islands. There's lakes on the north end of Quadra, Rebecca Spit, and on Cortes, you have to spend some time at Manson's Landing and go to Smelt Bay (good camping there). There's lots more on both islands, so a minimum full day there. Another day for Denman and Hornby- you would be insane to miss Tribune Bay if it's a nice day, as it is without question the nicest beach on any of our islands, plus there's great mountain biking trails on Mt Geoffrey, another great beach at Whaling Station Bay, Helliwell Park... on and on. 'Downtown Denman' is kind of funky, worth a quick stop. At least one more day for Gabriola and Thetis, and that's really pushing it, as Gabriola has some really nice spots. (If you're tired of them, head over to Horseshoe Bay and do Bowen instead). At least two days to take all the ferries and get a quick taste of the Gulf Islands- too much to mention on Saltspring alone. Miner's Bay on Mayne is pretty, as is Bennett Bay, Saturna is really rural and peaceful... ah! Too much.
Back up and over to Texada, Vananda is a different sort of place, reminded me of some tiny little Newfoundland outport, and Harwood Park, south of Gillies Bay, is a great place to catch sunsets. Texada is huge, but I'm not sure what's down toward the south end.
So I think that might be seven days there. That would give you tons of ferries, and some pretty incredible places, of which we have no shortage. But whatever way you choose to do it, you'll have a great week. Can't go wrong on our coast.
By the way, if you're into it, don't miss the Thatch pub on Hornby. Right on the beach, outside deck, watching the ferry go back and forth.
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