by late summer ferry
over ten days ago we took a ferry trip over to Vancouver Island to visit family
the weather was glorious with brilliant sunshine
here we are just ready to leave Tswawassen on mainland BC
we were lucky to get front row seats on the enclosed sundeck
staying there for the whole journey across the Salish Sea
feeling like we were on a cruise
approaching the narrow windy Active Passage between many islands
no oncoming ferry passing us this time
leaving the Passage as we get ever closer to Swartz Bay
mesmerized by billions of sparkling diamonds and blue sky
many smaller boats on the waters delighting in the last days of summer
sealife jumping about… orcas? dolphins?…too far for photos
Now that fall is here along with much-needed rains (er, maybe too much the next few days!) keeping me indoors, I am finally sorting through the trip photos. I hope to post more of them soon.
Happy fall days ahead (or spring down-under), dear readers.
September 23, 2014 in Canada and BC, Travel by Marja-Leena
Oh what I missed out on when invited to go hiking on Vancouver Island in Sooke. Great adventure this ‘cruse’ of yours – the islands, the forests, the beaches, the sea, How long does this viewing last?
The crossing is about an hour and forty minutes. This was one of the newer ferries, and to be honest it’s not a complete sunroom but with all the glass around it felt like it, being up front.
Sooke is not far west from our daughter’s place! I don’t know when you were invited but all the area west of Victoria has grown tremendously in the last couple of decades.
I remember just how much I loved riding the ferries of BC. What I can see now is that the route looks just the same and the waters sparkle just as brilliantly, but the ferries are very different from the funky boats we used to ride way back when. An enclosed sundeck? Oh my…
Sorry Susan, I did reply at the same time as the others but later noticed it’s not here, darn. Yes, the scenery and routes are the same, and the boats are for the most part newer though there are a few funky old smaller ones serving the smaller islands. I already wrote about the ‘sundeck’ to Ellena above. The older ferries still have the partially open ones, as well as fully open decks which can be very breezy but lovely in the summer.
Such beautiful surroundings for a lovely trip.
Oui, Tom! We are so lucky to live here and enjoy this. How about a visit with your lovely Lucy?
Riding the ferry to Salt Spring Island was the high point of our summer trip. It was so much fun! Glad you had a good time, too.
Hattie, I remember your joyful posts about your Saltspring Island trip. That’s another island I’d like to revisit having been there only once one December long ago for a wedding, with no time for sightseeing.
Years ago, when we were planning trips to the USA, my last three week trip planned was to fly to Seattle, drive up to Vancouver, then take a ferry around and to some islands, staying for a week, and then fly back from Vancouver. However, we decided that we would not fly any more – especially long haul, and that we would concentrate on discovering our own land and islands. It was a lovely thought while it lasted, and I see in your photos some of what we have missed!
Olga, I’m sorry you missed seeing this part of the northwest coast – it is truly glorious. But we are like you that we have cut back on flying. There are so many lovely parts in this world that I used to dream about visiting but I’m satisfied being mostly a homebody with some short travels by car around our beautiful province. We do think about going further east to see many friends across the country but it is a long way across and back again.
Not that you’d be ready for it, nor me either, but just a couple of weeks ago we were at the shoreline of the park when two heavily laden cyclists (a couple, probably in their 40s) rode down to the waterside nearby. After they’d done their little celebration routine we welcomed them to Halifax and chatted for a little while. It had taken them 59 days to cross the country by bicycle. They had every appearance of having been transfigured by their journey.
They were also scheduled on a flight back the next day because the woman was a teacher. Worried they might not make their goal, they’d been riding hard the past few days and were also very tired.. but happy.
That is an interesting and inspiring story, Susan, and not unusual either amongst even older people, such as some friends of friends from down under. My husband is a very keen cyclist and has met many such people. Sometimes I think he’d do the same if I weren’t around anymore (I now only ride a stationary bike). He’s done some long one and two day trips with a buddy – both have electric bikes which are great on our hills and mountains. He’s a firm believer that this is the future, while I say invest in horses and buggies 🙂