Rolling Along With The Reynolds

Jim and Cindy's Adventure Blog traveling all over the USA

Tag: ferry

Album 2023-15 Ferry Pictures

 

S.S. Badger Ferry

We experienced the most unique way of transporting from one place (Manitowoc Wisconsin) to another (Ludington Michigan) yesterday: we sailed aboard the SS BADGER, the largest and last coal-fired passenger steamship in operation. Built originally to carry railroad cars across Lake Michigan, she was designated a marine highway in 2015, as a continuation of US Highway 10. Opened up just two weeks ago, this sailing season marks the Badger’s 70th season of ferrying cargo (and RVs!) across the Lake.
The weather was perfect and the waters were super calm the entire 4 hour journey. We didn’t chance that however, and prepped with Dramamine. The flat fresh waters went as far as the eye could see and the true expanse of the lake was still hard to comprehend!
Loading and unloading Clark (the RV) and Lois (the car) was left to the crew members. We simply pulled into the port grounds, got inspected by K-9s around the outside of the vehicles, and drove into the designated lane. From there, we unhooked Lois, put up “Cat on board” signs (Darcy got to ride in her house just like any other travel day), left keys on the ignitions, and proceeded on board to watch them back in the RV (yes, in reverse, with only inches of room on either side!). That was the most stressful part of the entire day. Upon arrival, the cars and our home were driven out forward facing.
We found a beautiful city campground just 10 miles inland at Scottville Riverside Park to raise our glasses and make a toast that night to one of the most memorable travel days yet! 🥂

 

 

 

 

Oh Canada! 

Oh Canada!
——————-
Took the early morning Ferry from Port Angeles, Washington over to the beautifully flowered city of Victoria in British Columbia Canada for a full 9 hour walking day in the downtown area.
——————
Government street, lined with alfresco dining and many interesting shops, started our day. Then visited Chinatown and walked through the mazes of alleys(so fun!), and dined on the Wharf front.
——————
Took a beeline over to Fisherman’s Wharf in the cutest (and easiest on the feet) way possible; an adorable water taxi with a jovial skipper. Jim struck up a conversation with a local houseboat owner couple, giving us a glimpse of what downtown waterfront living is really like.
———-
Walked onwards to Ogden Point, home of the cruise ship terminals and Coast Guard. At the trailhead of Breakwater pier (an astounding 1100 feet long!), we stopped at the sundial to mark the time with our shadows and met another lovely couple from Alberta, who were vacationing to celebrate his birthday in Victoria.
—————
Grabbed a soda from the local grocery market, which was kinda fun to peruse food brands and prices. Not the first time Jim’s walking stick has initiated interest with its growing collection of soft metal souvenir walking trail pins, we conversed with yet another cool couple from Kentucky who were in town for the upcoming weekend’s car show of pre-1952 Ford cars- “Northwest Deuce Days”. Question answered as to why there were so many of these antique cars coming over on the Ferry!
————-
Moved on to stroll thru the BC museum and had just enough time afterwards to snag a T-shirt and postcards before jumping back on the Ferry for the 90 minute trek back to the States.
———-
What a full day!
———-
P.s. Jim even stopped to smell the roses! 🌹❤️

 

Visit. Explore. Dream.

We have had a tremendously enjoyable time exploring the state of Washington, The past three weeks have been exclusively driving around the entire Olympic Peninsula (including a day trip over to Canada!). Diverse landscapes abound here:  magnificent snow-capped mountains, rugged coastlines, temperate rainforests, charming small towns, and ventures out on the water to whale watch. 

Bonus to have the opportunity to visit with our son Caleb several different locations!

I’ll be posting subsequent logs to share more detail about our adventures on each of these areas soon, to include full picture album links. Stay tuned!

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • City of Auburn (near Tacoma)
    * Mt. Rainier, Wenatchee Forest
    * celebrated July 4th right on Puget Sound at Caleb’s 
  • Snoqualmie Falls (TV show Twin Peaks made this popular)
  • Gig Harbor
  • Sequim (pronounced “Skwim”) – home to numerous Lavender Farms, and the awesome 5-mile long Dungeness Spit
  • Neah Bay and Cape Flattery – the northwestern point of the contiguous US
  • Olympic National Park – we made it to three different entrance gates, each unique in their own right. This park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve.
    * Hurricane Ridge – alpine region and got to spot a bear!
    * Sol Duc Hot Springs
    * Hoh Rainforest and the Quinault Rainforest
    * Beaches! Rialto Beach, Beach 4,3, and 1
  • Port Townsend – took a Whale-watching cruise and were not disappointed with the Orca pods we spotted.
  • Town of Forks – stayed at a campground that featured daily visits from a herd of Roosevelt Elk!
  • Hoquiam/Aberdeen 
    * home of Nivana’s Kurt Cobain, and the sandier beaches of Ocean Shores