It’s December 1st and we’re giddy with excitement! We’re hitting the road – heading south. I love the word “South” – think sun, sand, surf, sunburn, shorts, sandals, swim suits, sun screen. That’s the good news…
We have been parked for the last couple of months on Vancouver Island enjoying Victoria, everything this wonderful island has to offer and Alice & Jim’s outstanding and generous hospitality. The bad/sad news is we are leaving Canada – for now.
Research showed us that leaving Canada and entering the US via ferry was going to be the easiest and best bet. After 6 ferry rides in our 1st 12,800 km. we love ferries! So, we made reservations on the State of Washington ferry sailing from Sidney, BC to Friday Harbor located on San Juan Island with final destination to Anacortes on Fidalgo Island, Washington. From there we would drive to Everett (just north of Seattle). Total travel time to Everett was 4 and 1/2 hours with just over 3 hours on the ferry.
For ease and convenience we drove in separate vehicles – Chuck in the coach and Gracie and I in the truck. Ferry rates are calculated by the foot so 1 adult and vehicle under 50′ was $133.80 and 1 adult and vehicle under 22′ was $51.10. We paid $332.15 to BC Ferries from Vancouver to Nanaimo. The only downside to traveling separately is Chuck is in one lane and I’m in another and we exit separately. Not knowing the lay of the land on arrival we just have to follow the chain of exiting cars and hope for a large parking lot or something up the road so we can both stop, hook up and carry on together.
The day was perfect for sailing this San Juan Islands route. There are more than 700 islands in the San Juan Archipelago, 172 of which are named and over 300 of which are only above water at low tide. Only 2 of the islands (Fidalgo and Whidbey) are accessible by car – the rest by air or water only.
Unfortunately, Chuck didn’t get to see much of the scenery. He was hunkered down in the belly of the ferry under the coach.
Newmar, we have a problem…
I was thinking of you guys not 30 minutes ago and I return to my desk to receive your post! What a great way to travel! I can’t wait to see how you decorate the coach for Christmas! Happy travels!
We miss you two (and Gracie and Fred) already….
Very nice. Very interesting. Gil just forwarded it to me. Guess I’m not on the list. Your photos are very nice. Happy Motoring!
All you have to do is “Subscribe” and you will get the emails when Gil does.
You can’t leave us hanging! Coach OK? Chuck OK? Who or what is Newmar?? Inquiring minds need to know!
Patience Grasshopper… Details are coming. Newmar is the manufacturer of this marvel.
Judging from this blog post I am assuming that you were having coach issues! Hope they all work out with only a little inconvience (or expense)! Thinking of you guys!
oops forgot to edit my previous comment…meant inconvenience!