A Trip to Victoria for the Holidays

December 18^th - 20^th  (Wednesday – Friday)

This is being written in a hotel room in Shearwater, on our way to Victoria, so this will probably be the last time that I write for a few weeks.
The past couple of days were spent getting our boat ready to be left alone for three weeks, and on the morning of the 20^th we watched on our AIS vessel tracking as the "Nimpkish" (BC Ferry) neared Ocean Falls. It was supposed to arrive in to Ocean Falls at 10:45 and leave at 11:00, but it rounded the corner and came into view just after 10:00. We rushed to get going, worried that we had the schedule wrong since we had been without internet for a while, and were unable to check to see if there had been any changes. We hurried up our dock and along the road, and arrived at the ferry dock about five minutes before the vessel docked. We were surprised by how many local residents were arriving as well, and wondered if the ferry would be busier than we had expected. 

One couple came over to us and said, "We hear that you guys are leaving your boat here, and heading to visit family for the holidays."  We had clearly become "known" within this small town just in the few days that we had been here. We chatted with the residents for a while, as it turned out that the ferry did not leave until 11:00 and was simply running ahead of schedule. When we boarded, we left quite uncertain as to why there had been so many people there (about 10) to meet the ferry. Only two vehicles got on, and they seemed separate from the other people, no one got off, and I suppose it was a chance to socialize. 

The ferry was small, and was only carrying a couple of vehicles and about 8 people. The upstairs was well heated with comfortable bench seating and free coffee, tea, and cookies.  The crew were also all very friendly, which was a big difference from the BC ferries that run to Vancouver Island from the mainland.

Leaving the Red Witch behind in Ocean Falls, with Martin River in the distance.

Apparently, a while ago, the normal, and larger ferry, “The Northern Sea Wolf,” had hit a log and damaged both of its props, and so this smaller ferry, “Nimpkish,” was doing the run. Apparently on the larger ferry the crew pretty much live aboard, where they have their own crew quarters and living areas, and in which they can take their breaks. On the Nimpkish, however, this was not possible, so in order to give the crew their break time the vessel needed to have a layover. Unfortunately for us, that meant that we also had a layover. 

We arrived in to Shearwater at 13:30, and we will not leave until 03:30 (remember I am writing this in the hotel room), and because the crew are not staying on board, it means that we cannot stay on board either, so we have to stay at the Shearwater Hotel, the same place as the ferry crew. Although we walked from the ferry to the hotel in the afternoon, as it was not raining, we will be getting a ride tomorrow. The crew are going to drive us in their vehicle at 03:00 when they go to start up the ferry. That way if it is cold and wet, we and our bags do not get soaked. Very generous of them!
The ferry goes from Shearwater to Bella Bella, and then we catch a larger ferry, “The Northern Expedition,” at 06:30 to Port Hardy, arriving at 12:30. My parents are picking us up there, and we will then drive down to Victoria. It will be a very long trip, but it will be nice to be back home over the holidays.

Pouring rain at 03:00 at the Shearwater Hotel so the ride to the ferry was very welcomed.

December 22nd (Sunday)
We are now in Victoria. We left Bella Bella 45 minutes late on Saturday morning (21^st) because there were so many cars to be fit on. They took their time and juggled cars around, and puzzle-pieced it together to get all of the vehicles on board. Jason and I got good seats on board, right in front of the floor to ceiling windows. The seats were comfy; they reclined slightly with lots of legroom. People were "camped" throughout the vessel; some had full air mattresses, pillows, and fluffy blankets. Some couples were spooning, others were snoring. It was like a confined campground with everyone walking around in bare feet, sock feet, or slippers, and in comfy clothes or pyjamas. It was really neat to see, and as the morning progressed everyone packed up their mini-campsite, and got ready for the day.
Although we were able to make up some time, and only arrived into Port Hardy 15 minutes late, they unloaded all of the vehicles before letting the foot passengers off, so it wasn't until 13:30 that we were able to disembark. After several breaks to stretch our legs during the drive the drive to Victoria, including one grocery stop, one ice cream stop, and a quick drive through Ladysmith to view the Christmas lights, we finally arrived at my parents’ in Victoria at 21:00.  Jason and I were zonked, and went straight to bed, and slept amazingly well.
Luckily we do not have the crazy layover for our trip back home to Ocean Falls, so it will be a much shorter trip.
Enjoy the holidays everyone!!!