What was the best ferry trip you made in 2005

[QSaanich]

Post here about what was the best or favorite ferry trip you made in 2005

[Low Light Mike]

Here's my post from Oct.2nd, 2005, re the Queen of the North's positioning-cruise:
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- wake-up call at 5:15 am on Saturday. Departed hotel at 6:00.....and arrived at Bear Cove shortly after....and only spent 5 minutes in the line up at the ferry terminal before they allowed us to drive on. Their strategy is to load the vessel slowly over an hour's time.....because they need to put wood-blocks on every vehicle, and get a nice snug fit between cars. Also, they have 2 half-height watertight doors that they close, effectively changing the cardeck into 3 separate compartments. There are platform decks on either side, but only the starboard side was used. The portside platform deck was flush with the ceiling, and barely discernable. We were in the first compartment (closest to stern doors), since we had arrived early.

I met Karl outside on Deck 6 or 7, when it was still dark at 6:45 or so. We also passed by Sandi on the dark outside deck, who was taking the first 100 of her 10,000 pictures for the day.

You may be asking yourself, "What type of crowd was there on board?". Let's just say that the Queen of the North was like a floating nursing-home for the day. 2 or 3 bus-tour groups of Seniors. Most had already staked out the prime seats in the inside front-lounge by the time we boarded. They would have fought me off with their canes and long-winded stories, so we retreated to a side-view seat. The cafeteria quickly sold-out of prune juice, and the gift shop sold-out of polident.

The buffet had breakfast for $14.95, lunch for $15.95 and dinner for $23.95. In a rare occurance of both fiscal and healthwise restraint for me, I resisted the breakfast buffet, and instead went to the cafeteria for something cheaper.

Word to the wise, for anyone who wants to travel on a northern route: the food is expensive. During the day, we enjoyed some $5 basic tuna sandwiches, a $2 can of juice, and a $9 chicken strips & fries combo. The fries were fresh from the McCain bag, and the chicken-strips were from the 7-11 dumpster.

The buffet likely had better food.....but at the high price, I'd be tempted to overeat, and that would be uncomfortable for a 12-hour trip.....and would also be unhealthy in my opinion.......but I digress.

Like my internet buddies on board, I spent most of my time on the move......checking out the sights from different angles. My wife & I felt the temptation at the beginning to find a good seat inside and defend it all day long.....but rational-reason took over, and we realized that it was a long day, and we didn't want to tie ourselves down to a seat. Over the whole day, whenever we wanted to sit down inside for a while, we were always able to find a seat inside......just not at the front.

By the way, I walked thru the front lounge in the early afternoon, just after lunch, and it was full of napping seniors. Lots of snoring, mouths open with dentures in plain view.

2:15 pm had 2 movies to watch: a Jack Nicholson - Diane Keaton flick in the main lounge, and Madagascar in the kid's play area. I'm surprised that the main lounge crowd didn't comandeer the vessel and demand to see "Murder She Wrote" or "Matlock"......but again, I digress.

Now, about the trip itself:
- we departed Hardy Bay, and hit a fog bank. We went down the middle of Queen Charlotte Strait, on the outside of Malcolm Island. That means that we did not pass by Port McNeil, Sointula nor Alert Bay. The reason for this route was visibility for the bridge.

Near the Broughton Archipeligo, we navigated a narrow pass, and then went by Robson Bight. Just before Robson Bight, we saw a pod of Orcas.....a very moving experience to observe Orcas in the wild. Johstone Strait was long & narrow, just like it looks on a map. We saw the occasional cabin in the middle of nowhere.....it was much like Grenville Channel I think, except the mountains weren't as steep. Our bridge-tour was cut short, because there was lots of marine traffice around the corner, where Johnstone Strait makes a 90-degree turn south, at Rock Bay area.

We then had a long straight-away south as we approached Seymour Narrows. Seymour Narrows was neat, but a shorter experience than Active Pass. When you go thru Active Pass, you're in it for 10 minutes or so......but Seymour Narrows was over pretty quick.

We saw the Albert J. Savoie docked north of Elk Falls Mill.....closer towards Menzies Bay. She has a ramp built onto her bow.

We saw the Powell River Queen crossing and then docked at Campbell River.

While passing Campbell River, I saw the Burger King, Canadian Tire, Wendy's and McDonald's thru my binoculars.......and my wilderness-experience was shattered.

Campbell River south to Tsawwassen became a bit boring, as afternoon-tiredness set in, and the open strait wasn't as interesting. We saw the Burnaby docked at Little River. Didn't see the NIP, or the Hornby-Denman ferry. We passed between Lasquiti & Hornby.....and I thought we would have passed thru a cloud of pot-smoke from those 2 islands....but it was clear.

We passed a nice lighthouse island between Hornby & Lasquiti islands.......I was unaware of this, so I'll have to research the name of the island / lighthouse on the net. It looked smaller than Entrance Island. (Sisters Island)

Once we passed the largest Ballenas or Winchelsea island, I knew we were close to Nanaimo, and I found my neighbourhood in my binoculars.

As Nanaimo came into view, so did the anchored cruise-ship Mercury (Celebrity line). The seniors in the forward-lounge remarked that it was a ferry just like ours, but us ferry-nerds were quick to set-them-straight with a short lesson on martime-architecture.

We passed the Queen of New Westminster near Entrance Island. We passed the Alberni off Richmond.

Nearing Tsawwassen we saw a Spirit (the ferry kind, not the angelic or evil kind), and also saw the Queen of Tsawwassen. We took our time in the last few KM's, as we were waiting for clearance from the Tsawwassen-terminal control....as they had to fit our arrival in between their regular other sailings. at 19:00 hours, we arrived at the terminal, and sailed to the area between berths 1 & 2 and the breakwater. There, we proceded to do a stopped-180 degree turn, and backed into berth #1. I then did a sprint down from outside deck #8 to the car deck....dodging senior citizens like Walter Payton dodging tacklers. When we drove-off, Berth 1 didn't fall apart, and we disembarked full of happy memories.

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[Koastal Karl]

My best trip would also have to be the Positioning Cruise. That was an awesome day and trip on the Queen of the North. I might even do it this year again.

[Ferryman]

Hmmm....

My best ferry trip this year was probably going on the Oak Bay the day it returned from being repaired after its little accident. It was pretty funny sitting in the waiting room at Horseshoe Bay, and seeing and hearing the reactions from the other people when they realized they were getting on the Queen of Oak Bay. We were loading for the 3:00pm sailing, and so it was the crew change, so we had to wait a few minutes till the next crew were in their positions ready to go. By the time I was onboard, I went outside to the outside deck immediately, and I could see CTVs Chopper 9 on the scene flying above. The real purpose of this trip was to meet one of my friends at Departure Bay, and catch the 5:00 ferry back with him.
I don't know if anyone remembered, but the Oak Bay was sitting in Departure Bay that morning, and the crew took the Coquitlam over to Nanaimo, and they switched ferries, and that's when the Coq was the extra on route 2. So the Coq was running about 20 minutes ahead of the Oak Bay for the remainder of the day.
So as we were coming into Departure Bay, the Coq was sitting in berth 3. So we had to wait out in the bay so the Coq could leave. Little did my friend know, the Coq was not Oak Bay. So he got on board and they left at about 4:45. By the time I got to the end of the walkway, my friend was not there, and I was trying to get a hold of him frantically. No luck. So I ended up waiting till the very last second to get back on the ferry, and I had a ticket to get on the 7:00 ferry, which was obviously the Cow. So I managed to sneak on to the Oak Bay again giving the guy at the ramp my ticket to board on the main car deck. We left right after. So there I was, sitting on the ferry, and not very happy at all, because I thought my friend decided not to come, after I spent most of the day waiting in Horseshoe Bay for the ferry, and spending about 60 bucks, and it was all a waist. So this joyfull little ferry ride was turning out to be a huge annoyance. Of course, by the time we got to Horseshoe Bay, the Coq was sitting in berth 2, so we docked in berth 3, and had to offload via the main car deck as I was a foot passenger of course. Once I got off, there was my friend standing outside the ticket booth.

So that was my most interesting trip of the year!

[Doug]

Hmm best ferry trip...well I guess that would be the Albion Ferry. No ferries for me this year...except that piece of junk and the Queen of Sidney tour.

[NMcKay]

i would have to say i didn;t have any extraordinary trips. they were all routine trips going to vancouver or nanaimo. i had a few trips on the kulleet and the klatawa. but other than that. normal trips to work

[Balfour]

My hit of 2005 was that 4 ferry trip in August to get home from Saltspring Island. That day I took the Skeena Queen, SOBC, New West and Cow.

There was also that day in July where I met Curtis on the Queen of Esquimalt, and on my way to SSI in August where I met Dan at Swartz Bay.

That day when I was going to SSI, 3 of us forum members were all on the same route in the same span of 2 hours. I was on the 10AM out of TSA on the Saanich, Harry was on the 11AM out of Swartz on the SOVI, and Dan was on the 1PM out of Swartz on the SOBC.

[Political Incorrectness]

Yup, the 1pm SOBC is the only unique ferry trip I did last year, it was the usual summer crowd but still was absolutely the best ship I have been on so far.

[Shane]

My favourite ferry trip of 2005 was in August when I went to Quadra Island with my dad.
We drove from our campsite south of Campbell River to the ferry terminal and we took the ferry to Quadra.
On the ferry I walked around and took pictures of the ferry.
Once we got on Quadra, we drove around the island and then we went to Heriot Bay were I got a tour of the Tenaka while she was in the dock.
It was neat, I got to see the ship from the bridge all the way down to the engine room.
When I got off the ferry I sat and watched it load and leave and then we drove back to Quathiaski Cove were we got back on the ferry and sailed back to Campbell River. On the ferry ride back I just stood and leaned on the railing on the side of the car deck and looked out onto Gerogia Strait.
Its a very interesting trip!
Especially crossing Discovery Passage.
When She(Powell River Queen) leaves Campbell River it goes straight across the passage and then it turns left and sails up the side of Quadra and then pulls into the cove and does a hard turn to the right and pulls into the dock and when it leaves Quathiaski Cove it goes really fast out of the cove and then they put the engines on dead slow and then they let the currents push her down the passage until it reaches the terminal then they turn and pull into the dock.

[Quinsam]

My favourite trip, was the Skeena Queen on 18th of September, I got it on tape, and I also liked travelling on BCF's Newest ship.
Wasn't the Skeena Queen supposed to have 2 sisters?

[Koastal Karl]

Yes she was. I have a documentary on the building of the Skeena Queen and she was suppose to have sisters!

[Quinsam]

Well, what has happened to them?

[Doug]

The Skeena Queen's design was a failure apparently, but these problems will likely be overcome as a few more years come...and we may see sister ships to the Skeena Queen then.

[QSaanich]

My Favorite of 2005 is island hopping i went from croftin to TSA via long harbor on the Queen of TSA and i am doing it again in February. ;D

[QTeen]

Yeah, you also got pics of the Oldest Original ship in the fleet didn't you touy?
I wonder if the Skeena sisters will look different from the original Skeena Queen now.

[Mike C]

My best was on the Queen of Burnaby on the 8:45 from Westview. There were 4 cars on it--and one of them was the left-handed governor for BC .

[Doug]

Are you talking about the Lieutenant Governor or Lord Gord? Of course Gord would be there...just another reason to "contract out" that route or so he'd say.

[Low Light Mike]

I like the 8:45pm sailing out of Westview. In the summer there's good sunsets, and cruise ships that go sailing by.

and I think the poster was refering to "Iona", not "Gord".

[Scott]

Mine would be the 8:45 from Westview as well, around the May long weekend. Big storm, less than 10 cars, a cruise ship going by really close (even with the high winds and heavy seas).

[Dane]

My favourite ferry trip of 2005 would have to be my very first trip between Earl's Cove and Saltry Bay.

Everything about this route just screams "Coastal British Columbia." When you get to Earl's Cove, all that's there other than 3-4 lanes and 2 ramps is a small restraunt and a BC Ferries portable washroom. The restraunt is a classc family owned and operaed joint and serves decent food at reasonable prices. The service is impecable, and the character procesless.

Over near the water there is a bench with an awesome view of the ferry's route into the dock, and if you stick your camera through th fence you can get spectacular shots. Unlike most routes where I'd believe sun is the best option for great shots, a thin layer of fog here just adds to the splendid scenery.

Once I got on the ferry, in this case the Queen of Tsawwassen (it was spring) I did the obligatory exploring. It was my first time on the old beast and I was curious to see the ship that had started it all. I was suprised there was no gift shop, but also pleasantly suprised at the quality and size of the cafeteria. I also noticed that the shop must have no/small human waste tanks as you cannot flush the heads with in 10 minutes of docking. Rustick.

As I have alluded too, the scenery is why this route is the best, and my favourite trip of 2005. There is nothing but lush forest and water. The only signs of humanity are a few small houses towrds each of the two restective terminals, a power line (which was instrumental in the modernization and increased development of Powell River) and a large fish farm operation. There are small islands, and two of the biggest, most natural and spectacular waterfalls I've ever seen. They start in the middle of a cliff and just drop into the forest below.

The ship trusn a lot os it weaves its way through the islands and jets in the land and it makes the voyage even more interesting.

Active Pass is one thing. There are lots of islands, but also lots of people and lots of other ship traffic. Earl's Cove to Saltry Bay doesn't have it and makes it to me, the most super natural route of all the Non-Northern Services!

[Ferryman]

dane said:

I was suprised there was no gift shop, but also pleasantly suprised at the quality and size of the cafeteria. I also noticed that the shop must have no/small human waste tanks as you cannot flush the heads with in 10 minutes of docking. Rustick.

There was a gift shop on the Sidney. It was right in the "mid lounge". But it wasn't your typical gift shop like on any of the Major Ferries. It was more like a window you would go up to, and ask the cashier to pick out a paper for you, or whatever they were selling. I remember my parents telling me a story from when they were younger, and travelling on the ferries of course, and saying that they couldn't flush the toilets if you were within 20 minutes from either terminal, as it would flush straight into the chuck. I guess that would of been on the Sidney and Tsawwassen at the time. Well, for me, only going on the Sidney a few months ago was my first time, I was still suprised at how big the cafeteria was as well. It's almost the same as, or a bit smaller than a V or B Class ferry.

[Dane]

Oh yes I've seen pictures of those windows, never occured to me that the Tsawwassen was so equipped, makes a lot of sense.

[Koastal Karl]

I have been on both the Sidney and Tsawwassen while in service. Once on the Sidney from Powell River to Comox and it was a really windy day. I remember that little Gift Shop on the Sidney. That was kinda different, and I remember the old yellow carpets on the Sidney. I been on the Tsawwassen twice too once from Earls Cove to Saltery Bay then another time going the opposite way. I remember that first trip from Earls Cove. I have to agree it does seem like the most Super Natural route for the Northern Gulf Islands. I really enjoyed the route too. One funny thing I remember about that trip is when we were offloading at Saltery Bay, the ferry was running late that day, so we were like over 20 or so mins behind and there was this one guy in his car that was just really impatient, soon as they flagged him to go, he just gunned it almost took out an employee as he came roaring off the ferry. A bit of ass. He was pissed cause the ferry was late and running behind. That time going the opposite way I remember it was busy and they were using the Galley decks on the Tsawwassen. Luckily we dident get to go on them as they look kind of old, well you know on the Tsawwassen. I would like to do the Earls Cove route again when the Chilliwack is on the route. Also makes me more curious to do the Northern runs to Prince Rupert. The scenery up there is probably just amazing.

[kylefossett]

favourite sailing(s) would be every friday afternoon going over to saltspring in the summer