Koastal Karl
Voyager 
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Apr 23, 2006 18:34:11 GMT -8
I thought of an idea for an activity this summer we could do. We have been talking about a big group get together this summer, whether this idea could be for that or just another idea of something we could do another time but I thought it would be kind of cool if we all got together on Galiano one day during the summer. Have like a forum reunion, lol! Spend the day or a few hours at Bellhouse Park on Galiano and do some ferry watching. I am planning to go back to Galiano this summer, it's one of my favorite islands. It's easy to get to for everyone, as it's only like 50 min by ferry from Vancouver and just over an hour from Victoria. Would be fun, what are your thoughts or other ideas???
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Post by Quinsam on Apr 23, 2006 18:43:27 GMT -8
That would be a good idea, but I was thinking Route 1 Spirit of British Columbia Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen. As that is what I will be doing in the summer, 9:00am sailing, after that I would say goodbye to you all as I am heading to Alberta and the Okanagan after that! What fun!
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Post by Mike C on Apr 23, 2006 19:15:25 GMT -8
Those are both great ideas. A good ferry-watching place, Galiano is. Been there.
I response to Quinsam Teen's idea, our little trip on the SOBC could only be 95 minutes long. Which means that we wouldn't really have that much time. I'm a "Take my time to meet everyone" kind of person, and yeah.
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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 23, 2006 19:39:14 GMT -8
I have been on the SOBC many times so I get bored with route 1 and I wouldent go that early anyways unless I was going for the day to Vancouver. Something different like Galiano would be cool! We can have as many group get togethers as we want though!
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Post by Ferryman on Apr 23, 2006 19:44:19 GMT -8
I like the idea of going to Galiano to watch the Ferries. I don't think it would be fun to go on Route 1, unless we all got a thurough tour of the Ferry. I've always wanted to go on the Nanny too!
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Post by CN2972South on Apr 24, 2006 16:30:59 GMT -8
Sounds good to me, set a date and time and I will try to be there...one of the downsides of being on call 24/7, I won't know if I can make it until that morning.
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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 24, 2006 16:59:44 GMT -8
Probably be during the summer sometime. Probably a day when the ferry schedules work the best.
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Post by Retrovision on Apr 24, 2006 17:40:04 GMT -8
And the Nanaimo is a real treat to get aboard now, after her passenger-upgrades (not that she wasn't before, IMHO).
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Post by Mike C on Apr 24, 2006 18:11:10 GMT -8
I agree, we meet on Galiano. Now the question remains: When? I can only make it on July weekdays, late June, and possibly early August.
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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 24, 2006 19:06:46 GMT -8
Could do it in July during the week if that is best! I know I can take the 10:05am sailing from SB to Galiano. I think the Vancouver ferry arrives earlier on Galiano. I can basically do anytime so we just have to decide on a date and time and hope for good weather. July would be good! Gotta find out when is good for everyone else!
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Post by Mike C on Apr 24, 2006 19:11:29 GMT -8
I could climb aboard the Queen of Nanaimo at 10:15, getting me to Sturdies Bay at 11:10 (that doesn't sound right to me, but oh well, it's what the website says, lol)
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Post by Ferryman on Apr 24, 2006 19:15:20 GMT -8
Catching the 10:15 out of Tsawwassen sounds good to me. I would have to leave here just before 8 to make that Ferry, which isn't too bad.
Our first get together, on the Queen of Sidney was a great turnout. Lets see if we can beat that record. How many of us went that time, 7?
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Doug
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Lurking within...the car deck.
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Post by Doug on Apr 24, 2006 19:31:43 GMT -8
I can likely make this...but it's too early to decide.
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
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Post by Koastal Karl on Apr 24, 2006 19:45:07 GMT -8
cathing the 10:05am for me, the MAYNE QUEEN, LOL, I would arrive around 11:15am. Actually that dosent sound right as the Nanny and Mayne Queen at Galiano at the same time. Depends what days too. Some days she leaves earlier or later from Tsawwassen. I know now some days it's 10am then other days it's 10:50am. We have to wait for the summer schedules to figure it out. The Sidney tour we had around 8-10 people I think.
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Post by Mike C on Apr 24, 2006 20:00:01 GMT -8
Yeah, once I was on the Nanny, we left 30 mins late, and we made it early to Mayne, to get me transfered to Lyall Harbour on the MQ.
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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 24, 2006 20:08:58 GMT -8
Also if your gonna drive on the Nanny you need reservations. I dont think Bellhouse Park is that far from Sturdies Bay, you could probably walk there in like half an hour or if someone is bringing a car which I probably would unless I decide to go over to Tsawwassen earlier and meet you guys and go from there on the Nanny to Galiano. These are things we gotta decide!
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Post by Ferryman on Apr 24, 2006 20:28:51 GMT -8
I'm thinking about driving over.....
The prices to do that are rather discouraging though, and are quite similar to the Major Route Ferries.....
$41.50 + $11.25 = $52.75
One Way....
It costed me $51.05 a week ago to go from Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay in my car.
47 more years until I can take the Ferries for Free, Monday to Thursday! ;D
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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 24, 2006 20:36:52 GMT -8
yeah no kidding eh! It's cheaper from the Gulf Islands though. Only like 5.25 for a passenger and 21.45 for a vehicle. Good thing it's cheaper going the other way. It is odd that it is like that the fares are cheaper one way.
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Post by Retrovision on Apr 25, 2006 0:09:46 GMT -8
Besides route 1, I use route 9 the most frequently, and can fill you guys in on a few details.I could climb aboard the Queen of Nanaimo at 10:15, getting me to Sturdies Bay at 11:10 (that doesn't sound right to me, but oh well, it's what the website says, lol) Yes, that's right. Between the time that it actually takes to cross the Straight of Georgia and buffer time for traffic delays (frequent on route 9) / other delays, that's the time that the slower-than-V-class ' Nanaimo needs to get to Sturdies Bay (immediately accross the straight from Tsawwassen, for those of you who aren't familiar). cathing the 10:05am for me, the MAYNE QUEEN, LOL, I would arrive around 11:15am. Actually that dosent sound right as the Nanny and Mayne Queen at Galiano at the same time. Depends what days too. Some days she leaves earlier or later from Tsawwassen. I know now some days it's 10am then other days it's 10:50am. As with the 'Cumbie and 'Mayne trading certain departures out of Swartz Bay for the summer months, route 9's schedule is changed as well. During the summer, all the first-departures from Tsawwassen of route 9 (TSA-SGI) during the week are at 10:15am, by the 'Nanny. During all other months the first weekday departures of the 'Nanny from TSA are made at 10:00am Mon, Thurs and Fri, and at 10:30am on Tues/Wed... ...Because of this, the 'Nanny arrives at Galiano/Mayne before and after the Queen of Cumberland respectively outside of summer. During the summer, this sailing of the 'Cumbie is made by the Mayne Queen. I'm thinking about driving over..... The prices to do that are rather discouraging though, and are quite similar to the Major Route Ferries..... $41.50 + $11.25 = $52.75 One Way.... It costed me $51.05 a week ago to go from Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay in my car. 47 more years until I can take the Ferries for Free, Monday to Thursday! ;D Don't worry about taking your cars, folks; I'm exclusively a foot-passenger myself, and will be happy to guide you through the extremely daunting process of being one.   ...You never know, you might realize just how much money you can save by ditching your car, and maybe end up thanking me in the end.  (Just think of it as if you were a smoker who plans to quit... think of all that cash that could still be in your pocket)Cheers, Graham P.S. If anyone has any questions about alternatives to taking your car, or the SGI route system in general for that matter, be sure to ask me.
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Post by Ferryman on Apr 25, 2006 7:01:49 GMT -8
The thing is, when would we come back. I heard it takes like 6 hours for the Nanny to do the whole milk run, until it gets back to Tsawwassen. Would it be faster to jump on to the Mayne or Cumberland to Swartz Bay, and get a Route 1 Ferry back? Or would that take the same amount of time?
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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 25, 2006 9:18:44 GMT -8
Well usually Sturdies Bay is the last stop before Tsawwassen so I think the Nanaimo leaves around 6 or so from Sturdies Bay on route to Tsawwassen. She leaves Long Harbour now around 3:30 during the week and leaves Sturdies Bay at 5:30pm and arrives at Tsawwassen at 6:20pm. That isent the sumemr schedule though, that is the schedule right up until late June. So she actually leaves Sturdies Bay before the Swartz Bay ferry which leaves at 5:55pm right now. Not too sure what the summer schedules are like. It would be a day trip so we would all head back in the early evening as that is the only sailing back to Vancouver around that time of evening.
From Galiano it would be quicker probably to just go to Tsawwassen. Then go all the way back to Swartz Bay and transfer to route 1. As Galiano is only like 50 mins from Tsawwassen.
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Post by Mike C on Apr 25, 2006 10:41:08 GMT -8
If you'd really like to ride on the ferries, and arrive at the same time at Tsawwassen, take one of the SWB-Gulf ferries, then transfer at Mayne to the Nanny. You'll be on the Nanny, you can't avoid it, unless you take Route 1.
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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 25, 2006 12:30:53 GMT -8
Well I have taken the Cumberland to Pender Island then taken the Nanny from Pender to Tsawwassen. That's a neat way to go to Tsawwassen via the Gulf Islands!
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Post by Retrovision on Apr 25, 2006 23:55:40 GMT -8
On weekday evenings (other than Fridays when she goes direct form LH to TSA), the 'Nanny actally meets up with the Mayne Queen at Village Bay, Mayne Island, with the 'Nanny leaving first for Sturdies Bay, Galiano; you wouldn't be able to take the 'Mayne Queen in order to connect with the Nannny (from Galiano), as the Nanaimo actually leaves for TSA before the 'Mayne Queen even berths at Galiano.
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Post by kylefossett on Apr 27, 2006 18:29:14 GMT -8
look into taking the bowen queen on mon, thurs, fri, and sun evenings late afternoons to tswwassen
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