Ferrying to British Columbia!

We had a couple of firsts this week. Among them was our first ferry rides and our first time in British Columbia. That day’s adventure was to take us from Port Townsend to Keystone/Coupeville on Whidbey Island. From there we would drive to Anacortes where we would spend the night and catch another ferry to Sidney, BC. Having never been on a ferry before we were unfamiliar with how it all works so we got an early start and arrived at the Port Townsend ferry terminal 2 hours before our scheduled departure. With no one else in sight, we were the first ones in line for our ferry.

We pulled up to the check in terminal gave them our reservation name, they asked us how long we were (26’) and paid them the $46 fee. On the other side of the entry terminal there are about 10 car lanes that lead to the approach of the ferry. The attendant told us to pull to the front of lane 2 and we began our wait. Soon others started pulling in filling up all the lanes. The bonus of being first in line is that you are first in line on the ferry meaning you get a front row seat and you are one of the first ones off the ferry at the end of your journey.

Day 1 Port Townsend to Keystone
Day 2 Anacortes to Sidney

The check-in terminal

First in line!

 

Headed into the ferry

While waiting in line other RV’er pulled into the lane behind us. We talked to the couple behind us who lived on the island and were just returning from a 10 month road trip across the eastern U.S. They gave some great information on Whidbey Island. The first bit of information they told us was not to follow the signs out of the terminal that led to Coupeville, instead go the left and it will save us about 10 minutes. The second bit of advice was to stop at the Deception Pass Bridge for some sightseeing and lastly that we could probably stay for free at the marina just next to the Safeway in Anacortes.

Deception Pass is an area where the waterway narrows between two rock cliffs with an impressive bridge across it. The passage also creates an area where kayakers take advantage of the fast moving water and fisherman take advantage of the funnel created by the rock walls.

 

Deception Pass

 

We found a quiet spot to spend the night at the marina and arrived 2 hours early for our 8:30 ferry to Sidney. We were first in line again! However……this ferry was stopping at Friday Harbor on the San Juan Island first so they let all those vehicles on first burying us in the middle of the ferry. I guess it does not work every time! We spent most of the three hour ride up on deck reading and enjoying the views.

Harbor at Anacortes

 

Think they ever drop one?



Friday Harbor at San Juan Islands





Enjoying the view



 

Passing through the islands

Condos in Sidney

Steve took this as we were coming in. Mt. Baker in the background

Almost there!

Approaching the ramp

We are in BC!

 

Arriving at Sidney we disembarked and went through customs and got the usual questions; where are you from? Where are you going? How long do you plan on being in BC? Do you have any goods you are leaving behind? Do you have any firearms, weapons or pepper spray? How much alcohol do you have? All easy questions to answer. The last question required a little more involved answer and was probably the determination on whether or not we were going to pulled over for a more thorough inspection. He asked “When traveling in the states do you carry a pistol or other firearms?” I answered honestly and said yes, but we removed all the firearms and all the ammunition coming on this trip. So then he asked again “So you have no firearms on this trip?” None is replied. He then handed us our passports and said have a nice trip. With that we were on our way.

¼ mile up the road we see these two crazy people on the side of the road waving at us and taking pictures, who else could it be but Steve and Dianne!

Next up, 7 days with this crazy couple……stay tuned!