https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Coho
Yes, I was referring to the Coho, but the name had slipped my mind.  Seems
it's had a retrofit and been upgraded to a Diesel-electric propulsion plant.

One time (1992-ish) that I took the Coho, we were travelling in a small car
(Suzuki Swift?).  When we got to front of the line on the loading ramp, we
heard the guy controlling the ramp talk into his walkie-talkie.  He looked
directly at us and said: "yes, it's a small car".  After a brief pause, he
waved us through.  We were surprised to find that our car only half way fit
onto the ferry; and even more surprised when a bunch of crew ran up and
physically picked up our car and contents (which included us), and turned
the car sideways so that the ramp could be closed and secured.

I never felt claustrophobic or in any way limited or restricted when I
lived on the island.  My domain seemed endless.  Pretty sure I was never
once bored.

If you are good, maybe one day I will tell you the story of the Rainbow
Gathering at Keeha Beach, near Bamfield.

g

On Tue, Apr 23, 2019 at 5:59 PM Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:

> I have been 3 times to Vancouver Island and all 3 times we had excellent
> experiences with MV Coho at Port Angles and Victoria.
> We had a reservation for an 8:00 am but we arrive the evening the day
> before and came to the dock and asked if we can park on the dock for the
> night for the next day departure. The answer is YES but they ask why we
> won't get in tonight at 8:00 pm?, we will squeeze you in.... :-)
> we save camping/parking fee in town... 6 times....  :-)
>
> On Tue, Apr 23, 2019 at 2:22 PM Rick Cooper <rickdcooper@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Gabriel, I've lived in Victoria now for 40 years and I don't know about a
> > 100 year old ferry.  What are you referring to?
> >
> > Perhaps you are talking about the MV Coho, run by Black Ball Ferries out
> of
> > Port Angeles, WA.  The Coho is an older ship but I wouldn't think it to
> be
> > 100 years old.  But I'm glad you mentioned ferries since Stan asked about
> > ferries and I wanted to share my thoughts.
> >
> > There are three ferries systems that ply these waters.  First is BC
> > Ferries, which runs every one or two hours between Victoria (actually
> > Swartz Bay, 25km north of Victoria)  and Vancouver and almost as
> frequently
> > to the various local Gulf islands.  The ferries to Vancouver are big,
> > mostly quite new and the facilities and service are fine.
> >
> > Second is Washington State Ferries which plies a route between Anacortes,
> > WA and Sidney, a lovely little town about 20km north of Victoria.  I
> think
> > this service only runs during the summer but WA Ferries have their own
> > ambience and I love taking them.
> >
> > But my favourite is the third option, Black Ball Ferries.  It has only
> one
> > ship, the aforementioned  MV Coho.  Black Ball Ferries has been operating
> > this line for many decades and the Coho is an older but reliable ship
> that
> > does the round trip from Port Angeles to Victoria and back once daily
> > during the winter and twice daily during the summer.  Because it's an
> older
> > boat, it is kind of funky, but the staff are both friendly and efficient.
> >
> > Unfortunately, all of these ferry systems have discovered that you can
> ding
> > an additional $15 from each customer by having an online reservation
> > system.  Since most people use it, it has become difficult to get on a
> > sailing without a reservation.  I traveled the Coho last Spring and
> managed
> > to get on both ways without a reservation, but I was in line at least an
> > hour before sailing.  You take your chances.  You will have to go through
> > Customs at the ferry terminal.  My experience has always been positive
> but
> > Roger is correct: do NOT bring guns into Canada or you may well spend a
> > couple of days sitting in our local jail until your case gets before a
> > judge.  We don't much like guns up here now that there is not a lot of
> game
> > left for hunting.
> >
> > As for Victoria, the restaurants Gabriel mentioned are all still open and
> > are good choices.  I second his recommendations about the Hoh Valley and
> > Olympic National Park generally.  But come on over to the Island, it has
> > some wonderful parks and beaches and many miles of logging roads if you
> > don't mind shaking up your rig on rough roads.
> >
> >
> >
> >
>