Coming to Vancouver and Friday Harbor

[FlyWright]

My wife and I are taking our long delayed anniversary trip to Vancouver and Friday Harbor by car later this month.* We had planned to take this trip last fall, but were delayed by a family health matter that required our full attention.* We will drive from Sacramento to Vancouver BC before heading to Friday Harbor via Anacortes and the ferry.* After four days in FHR, we'll head back home to home via ferry to Victoria, ferry to Port Angeles and highway.

Since we've never been to this part of the world before and so many of you are so intimately familiar with these areas, I thought I'd seek your recommendations of must-see locations and must-do activities.*

We'll be bringing our 2-man kayak to enjoy in the local waters.* We're looking forward to experiencing much that this area has to offer.* Any and all suggestions are most greatly appreciated.

Al and Meg


-- Edited by FlyWright on Tuesday 10th of May 2011 11:27:03 AM

 

[DCBD]

You shouldn't miss the Butchart Gardens while in Victoria. When will you be coming?

 

[FlyWright]

DCBD wrote:
You shouldn't miss the Butchart Gardens while in Victoria. When will you be coming?

*Thanks, DCBD.*


-- Edited by FlyWright on Tuesday 17th of May 2011 09:36:41 AM

 

[bshanafelt]

when you get to Sidney, BC. park your car and take the small passenger ferryboat (20min ride) to Sidney spit park. Bring a lunch.

 

[markpierce]

Lots to see.* Just Google Vancouver Island tourism for lots of ideas.* I personally recommend visiting the McLean Mill in Alberni.* It is an operating steam powered sawmill.* The mill also has a boat:

 

[FlyWright]

Thanks for the tips, guys.

Mark, google can find lots to do, but I want what trawler guys find most interesting, like the mill you suggested.

I'll be traveling from Vancouver to Friday harbor on Tues. Is it easier to take the ferry to Sidney, then hop the ferry to Friday harbor or should I plan to drive to Anacortes, then ferry to Friday Harbor? With consideration of border crossings and ferry wait times, I thought the Vancouver-Sidney-FHR route might actually be better and more relaxing than my original plan.

We locked in on a room near the Inner Harbor in Victoria. Looks beautiful from afar...can't wait to see it all in person for the first time. With all those boats and harbors and beautiful waters, I'lll be like a kid in a candy store.




-- Edited by FlyWright on Tuesday 17th of May 2011 09:37:05 AM

 

[bobofthenorth]

Just so you know, Port Alberni from Victoria on the weekend will be an all day trip.* You'll probably find lots to keep you entertained without ever leaving the inner harbour if you've only got one day in Victoria.

*

 

[Chris Foster]

I think you'll be better off (and less $$) if you drive to Anacortes and take the ferry from there.*

When will you be coming through?* Some great lunch spots in Anacortes if you'd like to meet up on the way.

Chris

 

[FlyWright]

Chris,

I think you're right! I started looking at the BC ferries and it would be a challenge getting there in a timely manner. I didn't even start looking at prices. I'll drive to Anacortes and catch the ferry to Friday harbor.

I'll be passing through Anacortes on Tues,* right around lunch time. We'll probably shoot for the 2:40 ferry. PM or email me if you want to rendezvous for lunch. We'd enjoy that.


-- Edited by FlyWright on Tuesday 17th of May 2011 09:37:44 AM

 

[Per]

my wife had a job as an interim GM for the Rosario resort and spa on Orcas Island.
what a great place that is, can highly recommend both the Rosario resort and the Island itself.

 

[Per]

btw, you can fly amphibian right in there..
Kenmore air service operate amphibians all over the place.

 

[FlyWright]

Thanks, Per. We plan to spend a day on Orcas Island exploring the harbor and, if the weather permits, hiking a bit. It looks like paradise from the air-can't wait to see it from land. I'll add Rosario Resort to the rainy day itinerary.

I considered an amphib, but we decided we wanted the car, so we're taking the ferries. We'll leave the islands westbound via Victoria, then the ferry south to Port Angeles so we can drive down the east side of the Olympics through Bremerton and Gig Harbor.

The admiral and I are really looking forward to going out with Chris Foster on his 38 Rawson, weather permitting, on Friday. She's so excited about the trip, she's already started packing!!

DCBD, it looks like Butchart Gardens are a must-see for the admiral, so we're going. We'll be passing through Sidney on Saturday as we leave the ferry for Victoria, so we'll keep an eye out for your Manatee!

 

[koliver]

There is a ferry from Sidney to Friday Hbr

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/Sch...epartingterm=1&arrivingterm=19&roundtrip=true

Would save backtracking.

 

[FlyWright]

Thanks, Keith. We'll be taking that ferry on Saturday from FHR to Sidney on our way to Victoria.

The trip looks like this: Fri drive to Medford, OR; Sat Portland, OR; Sun-Tues Vancouver; drive to Anacortes ferry, Tues-Sat Friday Harbor; Sat FHR-Sidney ferry then drive to Victoria; Sun Black Ball ferry Victoria-Port Angeles then drive to Eugene, OR; Mon return to Sacramento, CA.

The only backtracking we'll do is the leg from Vancouver to Burlington on our way to Anacortes, then I-5 back home.


-- Edited by FlyWright on Tuesday 17th of May 2011 09:39:42 AM

 

[DCBD]

FlyWright wrote:
DCBD, it looks like Butchart Gardens are a must-see for the admiral, so we're going. We'll be passing through Sidney on Saturday as we leave the ferry for Victoria, so we'll keep an eye out for your Manatee!

Sounds like you have a busy itinerary, enjoy your trip. The gardens should be nice now, we're season pass holders and visit 5 or 6 times per year, often while achored in Tod Inlet. We're leaving for Edmonton on thursday, otherwise we would have been happy to show you around.

 

[FlyWright]

Here are a few pics from our first (and certainly not our last) trip to the PNW. We had a wonderful time. Planned for a trip on Chris Foster's 38 Rawson on Friday, but as luck would have it, it was nasty weather in Anacortes that morning and we canceled. Next time you're in NorCal, the ride's on me, Chris!

Portland, OR

Lake Union, WA

Vancouver, BC

Friday Harbor

Lime Kiln Lighthouse

One of you guys?

Orcas Island (PDQ 32 Power Cat?)

Payback for looking at too many boats

The End

-- Edited by FlyWright on Saturday 11th of June 2011 03:14:09 PM


-- Edited by FlyWright on Saturday 11th of June 2011 04:56:09 PM

 

[Old_Salt]

FlyWright:

Thanks for sharing your views on the PNW.

It's O.K., huh?***

OS