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Post by timmyboy on Mar 25, 2010 14:28:57 GMT -8
Funny, I remember being out on days like this and worse where the spray is breaking up over the passenger lounge on the NIP when we were running from Blubber Bay to Powell River. ;D
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Post by SS San Mateo on May 10, 2010 11:21:32 GMT -8
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lifc
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Post by lifc on May 10, 2010 11:44:41 GMT -8
It doesn't go to Coupeville, it goes to Keystone, I vote for keeping it as it is. Keystone sounds more mysterious anyhow.
Jim
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FNS
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Post by FNS on May 10, 2010 12:35:55 GMT -8
Interesting!
Is Keystone part of the City of Coupeville?
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Post by SS Shasta on May 23, 2010 2:34:00 GMT -8
It doesn't go to Coupeville, it goes to Keystone, I vote for keeping it as it is. Keystone sounds more mysterious anyhow. Jim I also agree with the reader who writes, "Historically it has been Keystone. Let's retain history." Perhaps if we always have to be changing things around, we could call it the Port Townsend-Fort Casey Route. Let's retain Keystone!!
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tom98250
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Post by tom98250 on May 23, 2010 9:36:41 GMT -8
I'm guessing the folks pushing for the name change moved here from somewhere else. I think the people who are actually from around the area have no heartburn over "Port Townsend-Keystone."
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Post by BreannaF on May 23, 2010 14:54:33 GMT -8
I'm guessing the folks pushing for the name change moved here from somewhere else. I think the people who are actually from around the area have no heartburn over "Port Townsend-Keystone." Somehow, I seem to think about that issue a lot whenever I pass through Winslow. ;D And, after finding a map of Coupeville, most of the town (other than a relatively few blocks of it) lies East of Hwy 20. So, if they want the ferry to go to Coupeville, it's going to have to make a trip around the island!
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FNS
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Post by FNS on May 23, 2010 16:25:12 GMT -8
I'm guessing the folks pushing for the name change moved here from somewhere else. I think the people who are actually from around the area have no heartburn over "Port Townsend-Keystone." Somehow, I seem to think about that issue a lot whenever I pass through Winslow. ;D And, after finding a map of Coupeville, most of the town (other than a relatively few blocks of it) lies East of Hwy 20. So, if they want the ferry to go to Coupeville, it's going to have to make a trip around the island! Now, let's take a "just for fun" poll (no scoreboard on this one) of which way you want to go: Deception Pass, or via the south end of Whidbey Island. Would be fun to ride the 64-foot wide CHETZEMOKA through Deception Pass. I think she's slender enough to do this. It would be like going through the tight confines of Grenville Channel aboard the NORTHERN EXPEDITION. I think, if the Keystone and Fort Casey areas are not within the Coupeville city limits, that Coupeville can annex the areas to make the terminal renaming possible. Wonderful thinking, "BryanK", on those nice cruises around the island of Whidbey!
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Post by SS Shasta on Jun 20, 2010 10:07:58 GMT -8
Just wondering if the new vessels planned for this route will have fully equipped galleys? Don't know why, but I always seem to get hungry/thirsty riding on a ferry. Did they cut the food service on this route during the last days of the Steels? Can't remember.
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FNS
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Post by FNS on Jun 20, 2010 10:51:00 GMT -8
Just wondering if the new vessels planned for this route will have fully equipped galleys? Don't know why, but I always seem to get hungry/thirsty riding on a ferry. Did they cut the food service on this route during the last days of the Steels? Can't remember. The galley is being included aboard the new ferries. There is a photo released by WSF of work being done on the new CHETZEMOKA's galley. Chetzemoka galleyWSF photo taken on May 28, 2010 Outfitting is underway in what will eventually be the Chetzemoka’s galley.www.flickr.com/photos/wsdot/4670305530/in/set-72157621006556309/
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tom98250
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Post by tom98250 on Jun 20, 2010 10:59:06 GMT -8
...burger and fries, please...
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Post by BreannaF on Jun 20, 2010 13:18:48 GMT -8
Just wondering if the new vessels planned for this route will have fully equipped galleys? Don't know why, but I always seem to get hungry/thirsty riding on a ferry. Did they cut the food service on this route during the last days of the Steels? Can't remember. I went across on the Quinault in the late Summer before they were taken out of service. There was (sort of) food service there, but it was a small selection of pre-packaged sandwiches, a few items that could be put into the microwave, and the usual beverages. Just enough to say that there was a bit of food on board. I remember thinking at the time "I'm not that desperate" and waiting until I got to Port Townsend for lunch.
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Post by EGfleet on Jun 27, 2010 11:42:09 GMT -8
Names considered for Keystone dock and ferry
By NATHAN WHALEN Whidbey News Times Reporter Jun 25 2010, 4:04 PM · UPDATED
A business group is hoping a new name for a ferry terminal will help tourists visiting Whidbey Island.
The Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce submitted a proposal this week to the Washington State Transportation Commission to change the name of the Keystone ferry dock to the Coupeville ferry dock.
“We thought it was logical,” said Lynda Eccles, executive director of the Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce.
She said that when people use “Keystone” to research Whidbey Island on the Internet, it yields too little information. Even though the terminal is located several miles west of town limits, the terminal still falls within Coupeville’s zip code and the town’s name will provide more recognition for people.
“Once they reach Coupeville, they would have all of Whidbey Island to enjoy,” Eccles said.
Chamber members have been busy gathering support for the name change in recent weeks. She submitted letters of support from chambers in Freeland and Oak Harbor; the cities of Langley, Coupeville and Oak Harbor; the Board of Island County Commissioners; Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve; and the Coupeville Festival Association. She added state representatives Barbara Bailey and Norma Smith and state Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen support the change.
Reema Griffith, executive director for the Washington State Transportation Commission, said she’s heard about the effort to change the name of the Keystone terminal, but no paperwork has been submitted yet. Once the paperwork is submitted, the commission could consider the proposal as early as its mid-July meeting.
Eccles said it’s a perfect time to change the name of the ferry terminal considering the 64-car Chetzemoka, Washington State Ferries newest vessel, is set to start serving the Port Townsend-to-Keystone ferry route in late August. It will be the first time in nearly three years that a permanent ferry will operate on the route.
The name of the Central Whidbey terminal isn’t the only moniker the Transportation Commission could consider in July.
The Greenbank-based Orca Network proposed to name the second 64-car ferry the “Tokitae.” The name is one of five finalists under consideration by the Transportation Commission. Tokitae is a Coast Salish greeting meaning “Nice day, pretty colors.” It’s also the original name of Lolita, an orca captured in Penn Cove 40 years ago that is currently performing in a Miami sea park.
The other names under consideration are as follows:
• Salish, which refers to the Coast Salish people of the Pacific Northwest and the geographical name of the inland sea comprising the Puget Sound, Juan de Fuca Strait and the Strait of Georgia.
• Colitz, (sic) which is a name of a tribe that provided assistance with pioneer transportation and commercial activity. Some historians refer to the “Cowlitz Corridor,” which linked the Columbia River valley with Puget Sound communities before the Washington Territory was established, according to information from the Washington State Transportation Commission.
• Kennewick, which has several native meanings including “winter paradise,” “winter haven,” “grassy place” and “grassy slope.”
• Samish, which is the name of a tribe whose historic area ranges from the San Juan Islands to the Cascade mountains.
Griffith said the Ferry Executive Advisory Committee recommended that the commission consider naming the ferry the Salish or the Samish.
The commission recently completed a rider survey which, among other things, asked riders their favorite two names for the ferry. Those surveyed chose the names Salish and Tokitae as their top choices.
She said those recommendations will also be forwarded to the Transportation Commission. She didn’t say how much weight the recommendations carry. The commission will use all information submitted to make a decision.
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Post by lmtengs on Jun 27, 2010 11:50:58 GMT -8
I like the name 'Keystone' better than all those names. Isn't there already a ferry called Kennewick? Wouldn't that cause confusion...?
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FNS
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Post by FNS on Jun 27, 2010 12:43:36 GMT -8
I like the name 'Keystone' better than all those names. Isn't there already a ferry called Kennewick? Wouldn't that cause confusion...? There is no ferry or vessel named KENNEWICK. There was a Kennewick ferry that ran across the Columbia River to Pasco. This was a cable ferry and ran until bridges began to span across the River. There is an Alaska ferry named KENNICOTT.
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Post by SS Shasta on Jun 28, 2010 9:38:12 GMT -8
Do these people have enough to do to keep busy? Spending time trying to name ferry docks seems rather silly in my opinion. If Keystone is renamed, just think of how much money will be needed to change maps, road signs, etc.? As for new ferry name, let's follow tradition and call her KLAHANIE.
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Post by Barnacle on Jun 28, 2010 12:11:32 GMT -8
Do these people have enough to do to keep busy? Spending time trying to name ferry docks seems rather silly in my opinion. If Keystone is renamed, just think of how much money will be needed to change maps, road signs, etc.? As for new ferry name, let's follow tradition and call her KLAHANIE. If you'd like to treasure this moment for posterity: Hear, hear. I agree completely. ;D
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Post by BreannaF on Jun 28, 2010 12:39:47 GMT -8
I would assure you that I am a champion of keeping traditional place names for things around here, or restoring them to more traditional names. In my mind, the ferry will always stop at Keystone, unless they finally get wise and find a better place to put it. But, as a former active member of the Chamber of Commerce in a couple of the smaller places where I have lived, let me play Devil's advocate for a moment:
If I am the Central Whidbey Chamber, my goal is to get as many tourists aware of the 200 or so businesses in Coupeville and the surrounding area. This is not like getting people to go to Seattle, where everyone knows the place and just need encouragement to spend money there. No, in Coupeville, they first need to let folks know that they exist. To do that, you do all you can to show that you exist and are a great place to visit and easy to get to.
A town which is not only on a highway, but also is convenient to ferry service and suddenly well known as a gateway between the Island, the Seattle area, and the Olympic Peninsula is certainly more attractive than being just another wide spot on the road. Same thing, but it is all about perception.
The Chamber and the town will appeal to the state to change the name. They will say that the new terminal name will promote economic growth in the community. It will help the world to find them.
The state will hold a hearing and request comment, Zero Mostel will stand up at the meeting and sing "Tradition!", a few historians will stand up and say the same thing, then the state will make the change.
In the end, it is all about what the people of today want, not the people of yesteryear.
As far as the costs involved, state maps are redesigned and reprinted annually anyway. Ferry schedules will catch up in 3 months. The signs involved are really not that numerous in the whole scheme of things. The costs of changing are just not really that high in this case.
My guess is that it will happen.
But, I hope not.
(And, yes, I do understand the irony in my traditional-name rant when I claim to be a resident of Cascadia. But I'll leave that for a different day.)
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Post by whidbeyislandguy on Jun 28, 2010 17:10:53 GMT -8
The thought of changing it to Coupeville doesn't make any sense since the ferry does go to Keystone, and NOT Coupeville. It's kind of like the Mukilteo Columbia beach ferry. When the state built the dock where it is today it took awhile but the name was changed to Clinton because that's where it goes. So unless the ferry dock is moved Keystone makes the most sense. Too me at-least.
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Post by EGfleet on Jun 29, 2010 14:34:47 GMT -8
Keystone advisory group bucks dock name change
By NATHAN WHALEN Whidbey News Times Reporter Today, 3:10 PM
The Keystone Ferry Advisory Committee is recommending the Washington State Transportation Commission reject a proposal to rename the Keystone ferry terminal the Coupeville ferry terminal.
The Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce has been leading the effort to change the name of the ferry terminal that connects Central Whidbey Island with the Olympic Peninsula. Chamber officials argue the name change would reduce confusion among tourists researching Whidbey Island. Coupeville has better name recognition than Keystone.
Julia Hodson, member of the three-person advisory committee, said people would expect a Coupeville terminal to be placed in town, not several miles away. She added that the bus connection at the terminal isn’t great and walk-on passengers could find a long wait when departing the ferry.
“You would expect the ferry would land in Coupeville,” Hodson said of having a Coupeville ferry terminal.
The Keystone Ferry Advisory Committee is a legislature-mandated body that acts as a liaison between the community and Washington State Ferries. In addition to Hodson, Brian Martin and Jennifer Meyer also serve on the committee.
Renaming the Keystone ferry terminal could also cause more confusion if efforts to start a ferry from Coupeville to Camano Island ever become a reality.
The Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce submitted paperwork and letters of endorsement for the name change last week to the Washington State Transportation Commission. The commission could take the matter up as early as its July meeting scheduled in Olympia.
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Rhody
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Post by Rhody on Jun 29, 2010 21:44:17 GMT -8
Just rename it Fort Casey : )
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FNS
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Post by FNS on Jun 29, 2010 22:48:44 GMT -8
Just rename it Fort Casey : ) Now, that's better! Fort Casey is a great park for learning history and the location gives you outstanding ship watching viewpoints. Excellent place to see the scenery as well. I've spent quite a bit of time there during my breaks in grade school. A couple or so times in the 1980s too. I can't wait to see the new CHETZY do her trips in and out of Keystone Harbor, which I'll call as a sub-name if the terminal is renamed. I've seen the Steel Electrics do their trips in and out of there and these 256-foot ferries were impressive sights. The 274-foot CHETZY will be fun to watch there. I've just got to start spending more time at Fort Casey when the new CHETZY is in service. Interesting to note is that the original CHETZEMOKA was 16 feet shorter than the Steel Electrics. The new CHETZEMOKA will be 18 feet longer than the Steel Electrics. The new one is, however, five feet shorter than the first successful propeller driven ferry on the west coast of of this continent of ours. I'll quiz you on the name of that one. The only hint I'll give you is that this vessel measures 279 feet in length.
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Post by EGfleet on Jul 13, 2010 14:39:04 GMT -8
Well, change the name of the thread. "Keystone" has gotten the boot.
Keystone terminal gives way to ‘Coupeville’ ferry
By NATHAN WHALEN Whidbey News Times Reporter Today, 3:21 PM
The Keystone ferry terminal will soon be known as the Coupeville ferry terminal.
The Washington State Transportation Commission Tuesday unanimously approved changing the name of the Central Whidbey ferry terminal.
“I think it’s going to be good for the community,” Coupeville Mayor Nancy Conard said Wednesday afternoon. She, along with Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce board member Don Piercy, drove to Olympia to witness the proceedings.
The Central Whidbey Chamber Commerce spearheaded the drive to change the name of the ferry dock. Business leaders argued the “Coupeville” name is more familiar with tourists visiting the island. The name change will help eliminate confusion visitors may find when they research ways to travel to Whidbey Island.
Chamber leaders were busy in the weeks leading up to Tuesday’s meeting rallying support for the proposal. In the end, the cities of Oak Harbor, Coupeville and Langley, along with all Whidbey Island chambers and state legislators, submitted letters supporting the name change.
Conard said the presentation and the vote lasted about 20 minutes. She said most of the questions commission members asked were simple clarifications about the name change.
One group, the Keystone Ferry Advisory Group, a citizen’s group that acts as a liaison between residents and the ferry system, recommended rejecting the name change because the terminal is located miles outside of Coupeville’s town limits. The new name could create more confusion if the town ever gets a ferry that connects Whidbey and Camano islands.
Conard said one of the commission members pointed out that the Seattle/Tacoma International Airport isn’t located in either city.
She said the name change will probably be announced during the christening of the Chetzemoka, which will take place in late August at the Coupeville ferry terminal. The name change won’t be official until the fall when Washington State Ferries publishes its new schedule.
In addition, a new kiosk will probably be installed at the newly named terminal outlining the harbor’s history, Conard said. That way the Keystone name won’t be forgotten. The adjoining Keystone Spit will retain its name.
According to Roger Sherman, a Coupeville resident and amateur historian, the name Keystone was created by Island County government as a promotional logo for the Alaskan-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, an event similar to the world’s fair, held in Seattle in 1909. The idea was to capitalize on sea traffic that could only enter Puget Sound via the Strait of Juan de Fuca, which goes right past Whidbey. The full logo read, “Whidbey Island, the keystone of the Northwest.”
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Post by Kahloke on Jul 13, 2010 14:50:43 GMT -8
Keystone terminal gives way to ‘Coupeville’ ferry
Oy! So this is what the Washington Transportation Commission spends it's time on? This is stupid. It's not Coupeville. It's Keystone. It will always be Keystone. Gotta love politics
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Post by whidbeyislandguy on Jul 13, 2010 16:43:02 GMT -8
Keystone terminal gives way to ‘Coupeville’ ferry
Oy! So this is what the Washington Transportation Commission spends it's time on? This is stupid. It's not Coupeville. It's Keystone. It will always be Keystone. Gotta love politics Agreed it will always be Keystone..
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