March 29, 2022 to April 1, 2022
The Journey Home
We loaded the bikes on the rack and set off for home on the 29th. It was a warm sunny day in Healdsburg, and became considerably cooler the further north we drove. We spent the first night in tiny but charming Gold Beach on the Oregon Coast, then Cannon Beach and finally on to Port Angeles. The Oregon Coast did not disappoint.
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Ten days earlier, in Paso, I decided to reserve our travel home via the Black Ball Coho Ferry, which goes between Port Angeles on the Olympic Peninsula and downtown Victoria. At this time of year, it only crosses the strait twice a day, 8:20 AM and 2 PM. Reservations are essential. We had met a lovely couple at the pool that night from BC who mentioned they, like ourselves, had decided to delay their arrival in Canada until April 1, the day the Covid testing requirements to cross the border were lifted. It got me thinking there might be many people planning the same thing. I meant to make the reservation that evening, but forgot until breakfast. I was crushed to discover the ship was fully booked through April 4. The smart people had obviously made their reservations the day the Canadian government made the announcement. We were so disappointed. Me especially.
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But then on our final travel day we had one incredible stroke of good luck on the American side. I had resigned myself to Peace Arch border crossing and BC Ferries, both of which would have meant long lineups, but I wasn’t willing to risk the Coho ferry without a reservation. It is a small ship. I was driving on the Olympic Peninsula and Keith was trying to talk me into taking a chance on the Coho, which would add two hours of driving time if we missed the ferry. I wasn’t buying it. We compromised by agreeing before we made any decision he would call Black Ball Ferries and find out how much standby space they set aside (20 to 25% we found out the next day). He opened the website for the phone number and what should pop up? A reservation available April 1 at 8:20 AM! We grabbed it. Someone had cancelled and our timing was brilliant.
We spent the night in Port Angeles, were up at the ungodly hour of 6:10 AM (we are not wide awake at that time) and were in line at 7. You have to arrive an hour before the sailing. It was an uneventful crossing and when we arrived in downtown Victoria we were the THIRD car off the ferry. People dependent on ferry travel know how significant that is! There were four open customs booths, we were first at ours and were cleared and rolling past the Legislature before 10 AM. We felt like we had won the ferry lottery.
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It has been windy, raining, hailing and briefly, momentarily, sunny (sometimes all four in the space of ten minutes) since we arrived home. Monday the 4th was a particularly bizarre day. Mother Nature was in a mood and there were sustained winds, rain and hail. I kept thinking of the touring couple we met on the ferry.
Our bikes are waiting for their first ride in their usual haunt. It should be soon. We are missing the warmth, but it is nice to be home.
And an edit today, April 7, for the record, yesterday we had mostly sunshine and blue skies. I hiked, Keith biked and then golfed 👍. Spring is springing! Time to start planning some real tours, both short and long. We are ready!
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