Will be in OR, WA at Christmas

[Ishmael]

OK, Vancouver Island, got it.

Whats the go with the ferrys?

Ancortes to Sidney?

Victoria to Port Angles?

Or Vancouver to Vancouver Island. Depends where you want to start, and when you want to arrive. The Port Angeles ferry ride is pretty boring, the other two routes take you through the San Juan Islands or the Gulf Islands.

http://www.wsdot.com/ferries/schedule/ScheduleDetailByRoute.aspx?route=ana-sj-sid

https://cohoferry.com/Schedule

http://www.bcferries.com/schedules/mainland/tssw-current.php?scheduleSelect=sch12201302.html

Vancouver is much more cosmopolitan, it's a world-class city by any standard. Vancouver Island is a quaint backwater in comparison, which is why I like it here.

 

[Bob Perry]

I prefer the Pt. Roberts "Tswasin" (sp) ferry. The food is a lot better than the US ferries if you go to the buffet. It's a fun ferry ride. I never take the US ferries to Vancouver Island. I like to mingle with the Chinese tourists and surprise them with my version of Mandarin. They seem to like my Glengarry, "Woada turbiea maudse", my special hat. If you miss Anacortes you are not missing anything. If you feel the need to se Anacortes we can drive up there when you are at the shack. There's a Chinese reaturant there I want to try.

 

[boomberry]

I prefer the Pt. Roberts "Tswasin" (sp) ferry. The food is a lot better than the US ferries if you go to the buffet. It's a fun ferry ride. I never take the US ferries to Vancouver Island. I like to mingle with the Chinese tourists and surprise them with my version of Mandarin. They seem to like my Glengarry, "Woada turbiea maudse", my special hat. If you miss Anacortes you are not missing anything. If you feel the need to se Anacortes we can drive up there when you are at the shack. There's a Chinese reaturant there I want to try.

I agree with Bob re: the ferries and the experience. The trip from Tsawwassen to Victoria is a fun way to spend a couple hours. Pretty passage and a nice boat for a ferry. If I were in your shoes I would take the Tsawwasen ferry to Victoria, then after a great visit in Victoria when heading back to the US, I would catch the ferry from Sidney BC to Anacortes. If you can squeeze in a trip to Port Townsend at some point that would be cool as it is a great little town with a nautical history. Howwever, given time constraints I think Seattle has a lot fo interesting things to see.

Ishmael has it right ... Vancouver is a more cosmpolitan city, but Victoria and Vancouver Island have charm, are beautiful and are very visitor friendly. Victoria, over Vancouver would be my recommendation for a visit to our fair country, with the limited time you have. I was going to give links to ferries but Ish has that covered

I love Vancouver, but sssssshhhhh. We are trying to keep it a small big city.

.

 

[Maxx Baqustae]

Sorry Ish, I thought your original in the other post with that photo of the snow was telling me you would be happy to take me for a sail except it would be like your drive!

Thank you all for the suggestions! I really appreciate it. It is great that I will know of some things to see that she does know.

She is a non sailor, though very supportive of the sailing I do now, just with the blind team. So she knows I want to meet some of you and see some boats, so I don't think I will push the issue with planes and car viewing as well!

The gardens and glass works look awesome, and a general look around Seattle and Vancouver. Still working out times and stuff but will be in contact shortly Kim, Ish and Bob.

One month, getting excited!

Not taking anything away from Ish's posts as the Victoria/Sidney (Sidney is in the middle of boatdom central) and worth a visit. And Victoria is....very well, Victorian! Worth the effort but if you are going to Vancouver proper there's lots there: If your wife likes gardens try this:

http://vancouver.about.com/od/beachesparks/tp/topgardens.htm

And a nine iron from where I live: http://www.capbridge.com/

And just up the hill is: http://www.grousemountain.com/#

PEAKVCR.jpg

And Vancouver Dec/Jan sometimes:

Vancouver 2.jpg

My club:

IMGP6631 (1024x685).jpg

IMGP6636 (1024x685).jpg

A visit and cocktail at the club perhaps?

Which club Maxx?

West Van YC. http://www.wvyc.ca/ Very nice place.

 

[Maxx Baqustae]

I prefer the Pt. Roberts "Tswasin" (sp) ferry. The food is a lot better than the US ferries if you go to the buffet. It's a fun ferry ride. I never take the US ferries to Vancouver Island. I like to mingle with the Chinese tourists and surprise them with my version of Mandarin. They seem to like my Glengarry, "Woada turbiea maudse", my special hat. If you miss Anacortes you are not missing anything. If you feel the need to se Anacortes we can drive up there when you are at the shack. There's a Chinese reaturant there I want to try.

I agree with Bob about "Tsawwassen" ferry trip to Sidney/Victoria. More scenic and your right into the Gulf Islands that way. Tsawwassen is just over the border heading north to Vancouver proper. Doing that way you by-pass Vancouver. ETA from Blaine border crossing on I-5 is 15 to 20 mins. - maybe. You have to hang a left (west) to go to the terminal but it's easy to find.

One suggestion though: It will take a full day to do this and back (during daylight hours) so if it were me I'd hit Victoria and make a night of it at Victoria, great restaurants; pay a little or a lot - it doesn't matter. Then take off in the morning and headed up on the Island Hwy from there heading to Nanaimo. Great road trip and pretty rural for most part. Then get on the Nanaimo/Horsehoe Bay ferry that arrives in West Vancouver ( a nine iron from my club) then take the Upper Levels hwy. and you will see Vancouver proper to the right. You can by-pass the city if you wish and close the loop at the border. Either way it's a great trip.

Oh ya - and don't forget your passport!

 

[kimbottles]

I prefer the Pt. Roberts "Tswasin" (sp) ferry. The food is a lot better than the US ferries if you go to the buffet. It's a fun ferry ride. I never take the US ferries to Vancouver Island. I like to mingle with the Chinese tourists and surprise them with my version of Mandarin. They seem to like my Glengarry, "Woada turbiea maudse", my special hat. If you miss Anacortes you are not missing anything. If you feel the need to se Anacortes we can drive up there when you are at the shack. There's a Chinese reaturant there I want to try.

Take the Canadian Ferry, it is WAY better than the Washington Ferry.

 

[kimbottles]

I prefer the Pt. Roberts "Tswasin" (sp) ferry. The food is a lot better than the US ferries if you go to the buffet. It's a fun ferry ride. I never take the US ferries to Vancouver Island. I like to mingle with the Chinese tourists and surprise them with my version of Mandarin. They seem to like my Glengarry, "Woada turbiea maudse", my special hat. If you miss Anacortes you are not missing anything. If you feel the need to se Anacortes we can drive up there when you are at the shack. There's a Chinese reaturant there I want to try.

I agree with Bob re: the ferries and the experience. The trip from Tsawwassen to Victoria is a fun way to spend a couple hours. Pretty passage and a nice boat for a ferry. If I were in your shoes I would take the Tsawwasen ferry to Victoria, then after a great visit in Victoria when heading back to the US, I would catch the ferry from Sidney BC to Anacortes. If you can squeeze in a trip to Port Townsend at some point that would be cool as it is a great little town with a nautical history. Howwever, given time constraints I think Seattle has a lot fo interesting things to see.

Ishmael has it right ... Vancouver is a more cosmpolitan city, but Victoria and Vancouver Island have charm, are beautiful and are very visitor friendly. Victoria, over Vancouver would be my recommendation for a visit to our fair country, with the limited time you have. I was going to give links to ferries but Ish has that covered

I love Vancouver, but sssssshhhhh. We are trying to keep it a small big city.

.

Or better yet take the Black Ball from Victoria to Port Angeles and then you can drive through Port Townsend on the way back to Seattle.

 

[Maxx Baqustae]

Try this too:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Columbia_Highway_1

http://www.hellobc.com/nanaimo.aspx

The Horseshoe Bay end of the ferry.
Do whatever you want this is just some options and like everyone on the thread you won't be bored.

If you have time a jog up the Sea & Sky very near Horseshoe Bay:

http://www.hellobc.com/driving-routes/31/sea-to-sky-highway-route.aspx

Need anything just let us know.

 

[kimbottles]

You need to extend your trip, too much to see......

 

[Ishmael]

Here's a link to our sailing waters, you can see what's up as we approach the time. http://184.69.15.174:81/waterfront.jpg

Looks pretty good right now but it's only 7°C...it's a sunny but cool week in the forecast.

 

[Maxx Baqustae]

You need to extend your trip, too much to see......

You are right Kim. And I've lived my whole life here (and the Gulf Islands too) you never get tired of it; between here and the Island we are very gifted to live in such a beautiful place.

Port of Sidney marina looking north Ish?

 

[Great White]

I prefer the Pt. Roberts "Tswasin" (sp) ferry. The food is a lot better than the US ferries if you go to the buffet. It's a fun ferry ride. I never take the US ferries to Vancouver Island. I like to mingle with the Chinese tourists and surprise them with my version of Mandarin. They seem to like my Glengarry, "Woada turbiea maudse", my special hat. If you miss Anacortes you are not missing anything. If you feel the need to se Anacortes we can drive up there when you are at the shack. There's a Chinese reaturant there I want to try.

I agree with Bob re: the ferries and the experience. The trip from Tsawwassen to Victoria is a fun way to spend a couple hours. Pretty passage and a nice boat for a ferry. If I were in your shoes I would take the Tsawwasen ferry to Victoria, then after a great visit in Victoria when heading back to the US, I would catch the ferry from Sidney BC to Anacortes. If you can squeeze in a trip to Port Townsend at some point that would be cool as it is a great little town with a nautical history. Howwever, given time constraints I think Seattle has a lot fo interesting things to see.

Ishmael has it right ... Vancouver is a more cosmpolitan city, but Victoria and Vancouver Island have charm, are beautiful and are very visitor friendly. Victoria, over Vancouver would be my recommendation for a visit to our fair country, with the limited time you have. I was going to give links to ferries but Ish has that covered

I love Vancouver, but sssssshhhhh. We are trying to keep it a small big city.

.

Or better yet take the Black Ball from Victoria to Port Angeles and then you can drive through Port Townsend on the way back to Seattle.

If it is a clear day, coming in to Port Angeles, with the Olympic mountains beyond, can be spectacular.

 

[The Advocate]

OK, awesome stuff lads, cheers.

You're not wrong Kim, but I was bloody lucky to get the three weeks leave in one hit. Lots on!

So the plan is 2 nights in Seattle.

Catch up with Bob for a night.

Ferry from Tsawwassen to Sidney through the islands.

Two nights in Victoria as the missus hasn't been there but has been to Vancouver a bit.

Ferry to Port Angeles and then down the coast to Oceans Shores to see friends of hers.

Then onto Portland.

Well thats it in a nutshell so far.

I think that is a pretty good compromise considering it was her idea to fly into Seattle and see it for a day or so first before Portland as a bit of a side trip!

Many wonderful suggestions, thank you all!

 

[Ishmael]

You need to extend your trip, too much to see......

You are right Kim. And I've lived my whole life here (and the Gulf Islands too) you never get tired of it; between here and the Island we are very gifted to live in such a beautiful place.

Port of Sidney marina looking north Ish?

Yep. Bottom end of Beacon Ave. We sail out of Tsehum Harbour, a mile north. You can see the Sidney Opera House at the right side of the screen.

 

[The Advocate]

Ish,

LOL, looks just like ours!

Buggered if I can find Fuctifino on the map.....

PM sent.

 

[Maxx Baqustae]

You need to extend your trip, too much to see......

You are right Kim. And I've lived my whole life here (and the Gulf Islands too) you never get tired of it; between here and the Island we are very gifted to live in such a beautiful place.

Port of Sidney marina looking north Ish?

Yep. Bottom end of Beacon Ave. We sail out of Tsehum Harbour, a mile north. You can see the Sidney Opera House at the right side of the screen.

That's what I thought. A lot deliveries too & fro from the mainland. Lots of boat shows there with a ton a fun. Hanging out at the Rumrunner just because. I have a recep with SNSYC so go in there now.

I guess you and Advocate has connected - great. I'm jealous. I hope you have a chance to get to our side sometime in another time; it's worth it.

 

[kimbottles]

OK, awesome stuff lads, cheers.

You're not wrong Kim, but I was bloody lucky to get the three weeks leave in one hit. Lots on!

So the plan is 2 nights in Seattle.

Catch up with Bob for a night.

Ferry from Tsawwassen to Sidney through the islands.

Two nights in Victoria as the missus hasn't been there but has been to Vancouver a bit.

Ferry to Port Angeles and then down the coast to Oceans Shores to see friends of hers.

Then onto Portland.

Well thats it in a nutshell so far.

I think that is a pretty good compromise considering it was her idea to fly into Seattle and see it for a day or so first before Portland as a bit of a side trip!

Many wonderful suggestions, thank you all!

I checked with Jordan and he has a KEY to the shop!! So my worries about a weekend visit to the Francis Lee are fixed and we are ON! (Of course she might be outside by then if they get the rig in the first couple weeks in Dec.

 

[Cruisin Loser]

In Seattle, the Chihuly exhibit is incredible if you like glass. http://www.chihulygardenandglass.com/

We were blown away. Go mid-afternoon so you can see it at night too.

Ish, ever since you and Anne posted about this exhibit in your trip blog, it has been on my to-do list when I next visit Seattle. It looks fantastic.

Booms,

Chihuly hasn't actually blown glass for years, his lungs are shot, but he is a visionary artist and designer. Depending on when that was made, the glass may have come from the lips of Danny Read, who for years was Chihuly's lead glass blower, has taught at the Rhode Island School of Design, is a neighbor of Lola-Jane's, and is a childhood sailing buddy. For many years his family owned the last boat personally designed and built by Nat Herreshoff, the ketch Belisarius, now at the Herreshoff Museum.

We have several of Danny's pieces in our home, if you come back to Lola's sometime, we can go by his studio and watch him work. The last time he helped me and Chris blow pieces. Watching the process is super cool.

How come nobody ever starts a thread "I'm going to be in Midland, Texas for the Holidays...."?

 

[kimbottles]

Glass art?

I was on Murano Island last year and despite not being much of an art guy but knowing how SWMBO felt about Glass Jelly Fish I could not resist this.......

 

[The Advocate]

OK, awesome stuff lads, cheers.

You're not wrong Kim, but I was bloody lucky to get the three weeks leave in one hit. Lots on!

So the plan is 2 nights in Seattle.

Catch up with Bob for a night.

Ferry from Tsawwassen to Sidney through the islands.

Two nights in Victoria as the missus hasn't been there but has been to Vancouver a bit.

Ferry to Port Angeles and then down the coast to Oceans Shores to see friends of hers.

Then onto Portland.

Well thats it in a nutshell so far.

I think that is a pretty good compromise considering it was her idea to fly into Seattle and see it for a day or so first before Portland as a bit of a side trip!

Many wonderful suggestions, thank you all!

I checked with Jordan and he has a KEY to the shop!! So my worries about a weekend visit to the Francis Lee are fixed and we are ON! (Of course she might be outside by then if they get the rig in the first couple weeks in Dec.

Great news!