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British Columbia Ferries: One of the world's great fleets by Jerry W. Bird Coming editions of BC Scene Magazine will carry a detailed profile of the British Columbia Ferry System, with comments on its history and forecasts about its future. My own experience over several decades has been very positive, always reminded of the fact that we who live here are fortunate to have such a remarkable transportation facility and powerful tourist attraction. This fact becomes even more apparent each time we escort some friends on a trip. This summer we took a colleague from our New York office and her mother, to Victoria by Ferry. It was probably the busiest day of the year, ferry wise, yet it became one of highlighta of their vacation. Not bad, considering our American friends' agenda also inluded an Alaska cruise costing many times more than the few dollars they spent for a ferry ride. For them is was like a preliminary round, a 'mini cruise' that would be preview of things to com -- , and all for a few dollars. Before we give you some nuts and bolts information about the system, size of fleet, destinations and schedule, here is an experience I enjoyed a few years ago, another bargain cruise. Photo: Left- Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, Delta, BC   Discovery Coast Ferry from Port Hardy to Bella Bella and Shearwater Resort BC Ferries' past President Frank Rhodes, was a key speaker at our 1997 Air and Marine Tourism Conference in Vancouver. His presentation on the Discovery Coast Route was a revelation and we accepted his invitation to take the trip that summer. What a pleasurable experience it turned out to be. While most ferry trips are considered a point (A) to (B) affair ; an extension of the regular highway; this route is truly a pocket cruise! After a relaxing stay at Donna Gault's Port Hardy Airport Inn, we took the limo to BC Ferries Terminal for a much anticipated trip to the "Discovery Coast." Better known as BC's Central Coast, it's also one of the province's best kept secrets. We sailed in the wake of famous sea captains and ended our week at Bella Coola, where in 1793 Alexander MacKenzie, became Canada's first explorer to reach the Pacific from overland. Ports of call include a deserted salmon cannery at Namu, Bella Bella, Ocean Falls, Klemtu and Bella Coola. Bring your car if you plan to carry on by highway to the Chilcotin lake country and Cariboo. The Captain Cooks! Aboard the "Queen of Chilliwack, BC Ferries' staff went well beyond the call of duty. What's more the food matches the hospitality. A guitar was on hand for group sing songs, and the Captain gave lessons on how to bake a date nut loaf. I was then introduced to author Chris Weicht of Vancouver , who's forte is the history of RCAF bases and West Coast flying boats, such as the popular Stranrauer.Chris and I share a common bond, having both enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air force at Vancouver's Jericho Beach the same year. He and his wife (also Chris) were headed to the 50th Anniversary Celebration at Shearwater Resort. Weicht, a former Bella Bella resident and WAG Air pilot, now lives in Chemainus, BC. Haida Giwa and Nitinat: Speaking of local culture... a highlight of our week on the Central Coast was meeting Frank and Cathy Brown of "See Quest Adventures." The couple operates a Native Interpretation Center at McLouglin Bay, near Bella Bella, we joined Frank Brown for one of his Giwa "ocean going canoe" trips; other guests enjoyed an interpretive walking tour and a Heiltsuik salmon barbecue. The Giwa is the same type of canoe used by Vision Quest in its 1,000 mile journey from the Skeena River to Victoria. With an ten person crew, you can make amazing time, and with Frank Brown's assistant Eric chanting an ancient Haida song, we skimmed over the waves without hardly working up a sweat. That experience alone was worth the week's trip. Try it; you'll agree! Port Hardy Links: Online guide to Port Hardy, BC, Canada. http://PortHardyLinks.com . http://VancouverIslandLinks.com BC Nature-Ecology: BC and the Yukon combines the geography of many lands, from desert to seacoast and alpine meadows. Its native culture goes back thousands of years. More details to come ...

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Photos courtesy of BC Ferries, Tourism Vancouver and Tourism BC