The alarm went off very early (shortly after 5) and up we got to get ready to head to the terminal at Tsawwassen for our 0815 ferry to Vancouver Island. We knew we needed to be there at 0715 and as we didn’t know what the traffic would be like we headed out early.
All went smoothly and we were there well ahead of time. Luckily I had made us coffee to go along with breakfast. So we ate as we waited. I think we were second in line in our row. We debated taking the bike or truck but the truck won. As I mentioned yesterday Greg had prepared for that possibility.
The main purpose of our visit to the Island was to go see Greg’s friend James and his wife Wendy. James and Greg grew up together in Smoky Lake and have been friends ever since. Greg hasn’t seen James for a year but they have been known to spend a couple of hours on the phone. On the way in to Campbell River we stopped several times to look at the ocean and at a strange little coffee spot for a London Fog (we had never had one before) and a cup of soup.
Greg had an ice cream but I resisted, though an oatmeal and raisin cookie managed to find its way into my hand and stomach.
The coffee place (Fogg Dukkers) had large wire spools for tables, along with traditional picnic tables. Chairs were a potpourri of everything. The soup was good and the scenery (ocean) was lovely.
James and Wendy served as tour guides and took us to Elk Falls (beautiful) and the suspension Bridge (not too wobbly) and then on to Brown’s Bay Marina.
To get to the Marina we had to go quite a distance on a dirt road but the drive was worth it. There was a mix of things to see and do there. The ocean, resort, RV spot, restaurant and also a fish plant.
The fish for processing comes in by boat or is trucked in. Trucks take it from the plant to wherever it is to go.
We saw Ripple Rock which had been blown up (purposely) many years ago so as to widen it and make it safer for ship travel. Cruise ships pass by on their way to Alaska and back and we saw one in the evening making its way north.
We agreed with Wendy that now that James is retired he would be a great tour guide. We never would have discovered and seen so much on our own.
After a nice supper and coffee we headed to our motel. When we got there (9:30ish) we saw a note on the front door with Allen written on it. It told us that the front desk was closed but here is our key and room number. Off to bed after a marvelous visit and day.
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