Date: Wed, 24 Apr 2019 01:01:34 -0400
Reply-To: Gabriel Hourtouat <ghourtouat@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Gabriel Hourtouat <ghourtouat@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Victoria BC
In-Reply-To: <CAFdLW6kp2P7qJPW8Dhha3X5SAQrr_J_HctpUxjQVmhaomDQboA@mail.gmail.com>
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Coho
Yes, I was referring to the Coho, but the name had slipped my mind. Seems
it's had a retrofit and been upgraded to a Diesel-electric propulsion plant.
One time (1992-ish) that I took the Coho, we were travelling in a small car
(Suzuki Swift?). When we got to front of the line on the loading ramp, we
heard the guy controlling the ramp talk into his walkie-talkie. He looked
directly at us and said: "yes, it's a small car". After a brief pause, he
waved us through. We were surprised to find that our car only half way fit
onto the ferry; and even more surprised when a bunch of crew ran up and
physically picked up our car and contents (which included us), and turned
the car sideways so that the ramp could be closed and secured.
I never felt claustrophobic or in any way limited or restricted when I
lived on the island. My domain seemed endless. Pretty sure I was never
once bored.
If you are good, maybe one day I will tell you the story of the Rainbow
Gathering at Keeha Beach, near Bamfield.
g
On Tue, Apr 23, 2019 at 5:59 PM Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
> I have been 3 times to Vancouver Island and all 3 times we had excellent
> experiences with MV Coho at Port Angles and Victoria.
> We had a reservation for an 8:00 am but we arrive the evening the day
> before and came to the dock and asked if we can park on the dock for the
> night for the next day departure. The answer is YES but they ask why we
> won't get in tonight at 8:00 pm?, we will squeeze you in.... :-)
> we save camping/parking fee in town... 6 times.... :-)
>
> On Tue, Apr 23, 2019 at 2:22 PM Rick Cooper <rickdcooper@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Gabriel, I've lived in Victoria now for 40 years and I don't know about a
> > 100 year old ferry. What are you referring to?
> >
> > Perhaps you are talking about the MV Coho, run by Black Ball Ferries out
> of
> > Port Angeles, WA. The Coho is an older ship but I wouldn't think it to
> be
> > 100 years old. But I'm glad you mentioned ferries since Stan asked about
> > ferries and I wanted to share my thoughts.
> >
> > There are three ferries systems that ply these waters. First is BC
> > Ferries, which runs every one or two hours between Victoria (actually
> > Swartz Bay, 25km north of Victoria) and Vancouver and almost as
> frequently
> > to the various local Gulf islands. The ferries to Vancouver are big,
> > mostly quite new and the facilities and service are fine.
> >
> > Second is Washington State Ferries which plies a route between Anacortes,
> > WA and Sidney, a lovely little town about 20km north of Victoria. I
> think
> > this service only runs during the summer but WA Ferries have their own
> > ambience and I love taking them.
> >
> > But my favourite is the third option, Black Ball Ferries. It has only
> one
> > ship, the aforementioned MV Coho. Black Ball Ferries has been operating
> > this line for many decades and the Coho is an older but reliable ship
> that
> > does the round trip from Port Angeles to Victoria and back once daily
> > during the winter and twice daily during the summer. Because it's an
> older
> > boat, it is kind of funky, but the staff are both friendly and efficient.
> >
> > Unfortunately, all of these ferry systems have discovered that you can
> ding
> > an additional $15 from each customer by having an online reservation
> > system. Since most people use it, it has become difficult to get on a
> > sailing without a reservation. I traveled the Coho last Spring and
> managed
> > to get on both ways without a reservation, but I was in line at least an
> > hour before sailing. You take your chances. You will have to go through
> > Customs at the ferry terminal. My experience has always been positive
> but
> > Roger is correct: do NOT bring guns into Canada or you may well spend a
> > couple of days sitting in our local jail until your case gets before a
> > judge. We don't much like guns up here now that there is not a lot of
> game
> > left for hunting.
> >
> > As for Victoria, the restaurants Gabriel mentioned are all still open and
> > are good choices. I second his recommendations about the Hoh Valley and
> > Olympic National Park generally. But come on over to the Island, it has
> > some wonderful parks and beaches and many miles of logging roads if you
> > don't mind shaking up your rig on rough roads.
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
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