So much has been going through my head today - the trip, what would go in the Blog this evening and this is my last day as a fifty something! Tomorrow, I hit 60! I hated turning 40. I made a mess of marriage #1, I retired from the service that I'd loved and served for twenty four years and lost my little sister to cancer. A pretty crappy birthday present. Turning 50 was way more pleasant and I really felt, ok, bring it on, I'm ready for this. Tomorrow it's 60 and quite honestly fan, I'm not too sure how I feel about it. So, before I get too maudlin and distracted from the job at hand, lets return to what has happened since my last 'scribbles'. Well, following our evening of pub grub and beer next door to the hotel, we returned to the room as I explained in yesterdays Blog. While I was busying my self writing, Wendy suddenly bursts out,"big ship, ooh, big ship". I looked out of the window and there in the channel heading toward the town of Campbell River was what looked to us like a mid size cruise ship. No idea of the line etc etc, didn't really get a good look. Wendy launched across the room at me, thrusting her camera into my hands to get a photo of the occasion. I must say, it was a mite unexpected and added a little something to the evening. For once I managed to get my 'editing' carried out reasonably early, so decided on getting to bed at a sensible hour as we wanted to be on the road by about 9ish in the morning.
The room though small was quite comfortable, as was the bed. Though Wendy did complain that the bed linen 'smelled' a bit. I never noticed a thing. For all that, neither of us had a really good nights sleep. It had been quite hot in the room, but as our neighbour smoked incessantly out on the balcony, we chose the lesser of the two evils and kept the patio door shut. Best be too hot, rather than try too sleep in a bloody ash tray! Once again we were still too full from dinner the night before to bother with breakfast. Once again we 'passed' on a meal we had paid for! Instead we busied ourselves collecting together our belongings and repacking. It is a pretty polished performance now and takes little time to accomplish. Everything thrown into bags, we carried them out to the bikes and stowed everything on board again. By about 8:40am, we were ready for the road and pulling out of the hotel car park, ready to retrace our steps south to Nanaimo and the ferry to the mainland.
It was a beautiful day with near perfect temperatures, especially as we were decked head to toe in heavy bike gear. When we set off, it was a pleasant 18'C with the promise to get warmer. We made our way through the southern edge of town and quickly rejoined Highway #19. Although it was midweek and nearly 9am, the traffic was quite light. We were soon up to highway speed and headed south. To our left would be the ocean, not that we could see a lot of it. We could have ridden down a coast road, but we elected for the faster highway as we had a ferry to meet. Out to our right were the snow capped mountains running down the back of the Island. Over on that part of the Island, there were dark ominous clouds, with the threat of heavy rain. On the coast were we were riding, we had lovely blue skies with occasional big 'fluffy' clouds bobbing about the skies. On the run down to Nanaimo, we had occasional glimpses of the water and over in the distance, the snow capped mountains on mainland BC. Again we hadn't booked on a ferry, but were going to try and make the 10:40am sailing out of 'Departure Bay'. As we left the main Highway #19, we followed signs to the ferry terminal and the traffic got heavier. As Wendy said, why are ferry terminals always so far from the highway. I guess it's a function of where the water is?? Anyway, on we rode, the terminal less than 10km from the highway - that's about 6 miles in 'old money'..... We swung out from the last set of traffic lights and a sharp left turn in to the terminal. A hundred meters or so and we were at the kiosk. I handed over my credit card, received out ticket, told to get into lane #9 and off we went. Loading had almost been completed when we arrived at the end of lane #9 and we sat there beside a solitary car. It wasn't long before we were beckoned forward to board the vessel. Up the ramp we rode and were then directed into the remaining space at the rear of deck #4, a mezzanine deck. We had only just stopped when another bike and a scooter joined us. That was it, the deck was completely full and the loading ramp was lifted clear.
The crossing from Departure Bay at Nanaimo, to Horseshoe Bay north of Vancouver was about 1hr 35mins. The sea was perfectly calm, the sun was out and lovely and warm all in all, a pretty perfect crossing in prospect. We quickly got out of helmets and heavy jackets, all of which were abandoned on the bikes. We grabbed the important things, 'sunnies' and my ball cap and set off in search of refreshment. It being 10:40am ish, we were both a mite 'peckish'. I know I know, if we'd bothered to have breakfast blah blah blah........ Well we didn't and now we needed a coffee and a bite of something. We made our way up two flights of stairs and quickly found a very well appointed cafeteria. The ship had only entered service in 2010, so she was light and airy and still felt new. We grabbed a couple of coffee's and a 'sticky bun' and got a seat near massive sloping windows that formed the rear of the dining area. From here we had a great view back through the frothy wake toward Nanaimo. After our coffee, we went for a wander with the intent of buying a BC Ferries sticker for my panniers. Instead, Wendy got a 'hello' magazine and we headed out into the sunshine to relax for the remainder of the trip.
The crossing seemed to go so quickly and in what seemed like no time at all, we were pulling into the ferry terminal at Horseshoe Bay. Back at the bikes, it was time to get back into jackets and helmets in readiness for getting off the ship. Although there are 4 car decks, unloading seems to happen very quickly. In no time at all, the cars in front of me were moving and I was on my way. Wendy in the lane next to me was stuck for a little while, but soon followed on. The main highway to Whistler was not far from the terminal, but road works made the process seem a little complicated. Wendy and I had become separated, so I tried to giver her turn by turn directions on the bike to bike radio. I'm pretty sure my help wasn't required, as the road signs were pretty clear. We were soon on one of the most beautiful pieces of highway I have ridden/driven on in a long long while - the 'Sea to Sky Highway'. Once away from the ferry terminal, the road clung to the edge of the cliffs running right beside the water. It was hard to keep looking forward all the time, as the scenery to the left was wonderful. The road twisted and turned, climbed and dived all along the coast for about 15-20km. Only a couple of times were the bends severe enough to reduce the speed limit, otherwise it was a steady 80kph. In no time at all it seemed, we were now climbing into the mountains. The road sign said Whistler 60km, which was no distance at all. Once again, the road was magnificent, but the cynic in me told me much of this would have been carried out to help the traffic for the 2010 winter Olympics! What ever the reason, the road was a joy to ride. Wendy got into her stride and we were tearing up the mountain. The road was 2 lanes up and 1 lane down the grade, so we were rushing past just about everything, diving in and out of lovely sweeping bends. As much fun as this was, my butt was getting 'square' again, so I was quite happy to see signs for Whistler come into sight.
For the stop in Whistler, Wendy had booked us into the Four Seasons hotel. It looks like as it is my birthday tomorrow, I get a reprieve from Best Westerns...... All joking apart, the Four Seasons is a wonderful hotel. Once again we pulled up under the awning of a 'posh' hotel, to be met by doormen asking if we were checking in. I guess bikers are not regular visitors to these establishments. In fairness, each time that has happened, the guys on the door have been very impressed and keen to know where we have ridden from etc. The young guy who met us under the awning, told us that under normal circumstances, parking is valet only - however................ He kindly pointed us to a small paved area the other side of the awning, where we could leave the bikes. He also said the area was covered by security 24/7 and they would be quite safe there. We reassured 'Sydders' and 'Gertie' that they would be ok, then headed into the lobby to check in.
Now whether it was because they know it's my birthday tomorrow or not, I don't know, but we were offered a 'no brainer' of an upgrade for the room. Actually from room to a suite, for a silly amount per night. Needless to say we took the upgrade and headed to the room. The guy at the front dest had also said if we don't like it, he would change it for us.................!! Needless to say, I took several photo's for posterities sake, all of which can be viewed amongst the photo's attached to the Blog. After settling in, we went for a 'mooch' and get the lay of the land. A sit by the pool with a 'smoothie' and a little 'snack', after which Wendy felt the need to sample the shop....... Back to the room and a quick shower and shave, then time to head to the bar and some dinner. Tomorrow we'll do the full dining room bit. This evening it was 'scruff order' in the bar, but what amazing food! If this is a sample of the standard of food here, tomorrow evening will be an absolute delight.
Well fan, it's nearly 11pm and I am fast running out of my 'fifties'. Will I feel any differently tomorrow, probably not, but still don't want to get there. As it is, I shall start my 60's gracefully, by throwing my bike round some wonderful mountain roads and behaving like a kid - bring it on!! That's it then fan, time to get this little diatribe aired and then for bed. Just a couple of days left now, so please hang in there, I'll try and make it worth your while. Nite nite.
The room though small was quite comfortable, as was the bed. Though Wendy did complain that the bed linen 'smelled' a bit. I never noticed a thing. For all that, neither of us had a really good nights sleep. It had been quite hot in the room, but as our neighbour smoked incessantly out on the balcony, we chose the lesser of the two evils and kept the patio door shut. Best be too hot, rather than try too sleep in a bloody ash tray! Once again we were still too full from dinner the night before to bother with breakfast. Once again we 'passed' on a meal we had paid for! Instead we busied ourselves collecting together our belongings and repacking. It is a pretty polished performance now and takes little time to accomplish. Everything thrown into bags, we carried them out to the bikes and stowed everything on board again. By about 8:40am, we were ready for the road and pulling out of the hotel car park, ready to retrace our steps south to Nanaimo and the ferry to the mainland.
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