Oh Canada!

Captain Whitey brought us safely to our new harbor at Weirs Beach RV Resort near Metchosin, BC on Vancouver Island. We crossed by Black Ball Ferry early this morning from Port Angeles, WA., being the first vehicle to load! This has always been our favorite ferry. The COHO was commissioned in 1959, our birthday year. On our other two ferry rides, we stayed in our vehicle, but the COHO is big enough that we left our truck in the cargo bay and climbed up the narrow stairs to the main deck. It wasn’t terribly busy and we found a booth seat with good views and plenty of room for Marco to sit at our feet. The crew of the ferry had scheduled a fire drill, but it wasn’t too much trouble to the passengers, we just couldn’t get to the gift shop or snack bar for a little while. As soon as I could I scouted out the gift shop and ended up buying some commemorative mugs and a few other gifts for family. While I was standing in the gift area some big swells rocked the boat and I almost lost my footing. Mike told me that a submarine had just crossed our path going to Puget Sound being escorted by two other ships. We wondered if that was what caused the huge swell because the rest of the way was smooth sailing. At the dock in Victoria Harbor a float plane was taxiing out of our way and a water taxi was cruising by the open cargo bay door. Beautiful hanging baskets adorn every lamp post and balcony. Sadly the Canadian flag was flying at half mast in recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honor the indigenous children who never returned home and survivors of Federally run residential schools that operated between 1867 and 1996. O Canada, may there be better days ahead!