HAILING BC- A trip to Vancouver B.C. Apr 17-19

[Nehalennia]

So we're heading to Vancouver for the weekend. We have friends that live in Canmore, AB that are driving out to meet us. I'd like to put a "PING" out for the BC boating clan for recommendations.
I'd like to know if there's a place our friends can park their truck for the weekend (maybe a boat launch?).
Also, they're going to stay with us on the boat so we're looking for at least one night at a marina near Downtown. We may run up near Horseshoe bay for the other night or we're up for suggestions of other places to stay.

It's a quick 2 night trip but we want to enjoy it and relax, but also maximize seeing as much as we can.

Any of you BCer's out there; we'd appreciate the advice.

Thanks in advance.

 

[The Bill Collector]

Hey Todd, where are you dropping in at....?

 

[Nehalennia]

Hey Todd, where are you dropping in at....?

Blaine or Bellingham. Haven't decided yet.
Thinking of heading up?

 

[Nehalennia]

Looks like False Creek has available moorage for us. Looks like a nice convenient location.

 

[Cuttin' Edge]

Yes, False Creek is a good area - and you are pretty much in downtown - more or less Yale Town - which has tons of good places to go and eat, or a 5 dollar cab will put you in downtown. There are some marian's out by the airport...there is a real nice one at the River Rock Casino - which is Richmond (but it's the YVR airport). Not sure who owns it - but call the Casino I am sure they will know. But nice hotel as well if they want somewhere to stay...

 

[Nehalennia]

Thought I'd BUMP this thread. We'll be heading out there next Friday 4-17.
I look forward to it. Can't wait.

 

[Nehalennia]

Getting a few things packed up. Of course we awake to rain, but it's supposed to improve.

Thanks for the advice. We'll be leaving home here around 9AM, trailer to Blaine and put in. I'll take pictures and report back.

Just glad to have the day off and looking forward to a weekend with the Admiral and without kids.

 

[Nehalennia]

We had a great trip. The weather really made it nice. We left Blaine on Friday in overcast skies that had rained all night Thursday. No rain when we launched but winds were 15-20MPH. As we left I feared that we may have some issues. I had all the canvas down so Mo looked like she was comtemplating killing me. We got out of Blaine and the winds had kicked up about a 1'-1.5' chop that was coming out of the SW and hitting us on the aft portside hip as we were heading towards Pt. Roberts and the open Strait of Georgia. It wasn't bad at all. Then the skies peeled back and we were running in brisk blue skies and sun. As we passed Pt. Roberts the winds were pretty much right on our tale and although there were a few 2'+ troughs that kicked a little spray over the windshield, the wind matched our speed and it felt as if there was no wind. About 30 minutes away from Vancouver we had a little rain out of the Frasier River delta, so we stopped and put up the canvas.
Of course the Sun came back out as soon as we were done, but there was a huge ridge of dark clouds behind us. It didn't look promising. But here's our approach to Vancouver.

That south wind blew the ridge of clouds North and east of Vancouver and by the time we got into False Creek it was absolutely perfect.

We stayed at False Creek Warf/Marina. It was mostly local fishing boats surrounding us, but once we cleared customs and our friends arrived, we were pretty much alone. The place had a great staff and very nice restrooms/showers and it was a close walk to Granville Is. The only downside I saw to it was once the dockhands unlocked the power stand, he the locked it back up, so if you need an early departure you may need to wait until they get there to unlock the door which covers the male end of the shore cord.

We stayed there Friday night and then took off around 9:30 or so for Bowen Island, where we stayed in Snug Cove at the Union Steamship Company Marina.

That was a great place. Veruy quiet and again very very friendly feel. It's a artsy little place with small shops and a couple of restaurants.
I really like it and it was a 30 minute run from Vancouver.

Bowen island is where the new Show "Harpers island" on CBS is being filmed, so you'll recognize this Lighthouse on the opening of the show.

The Trip back was not flat calm but certainly nice. We dropped our friends off for their long drive home around 7:45AM and we headed to Pt. Roberts to clear Customs. That took about 45 mins, because once I got a hold of the office(had to wait for the guy ahead of me to finish...and he bought a boat in CA to bring back to the states) it took anothter 30 minutes for the officer to come to the boat and give us our clearance number.

We were home and at Luke's football game(I'm the coach) at 1:15.
Life is good.

 

[Nehalennia]

My tree hugging Admiral

And our Friends Paul (190sigSeaRay) and Kim who drove out from near Calgary to join us for the weekend.

It was a blast. We always have a great time with them. Truly great people and now really close friends.

 

[berth control]

Looks like fun Todd - thanks for posting

 

[Nehalennia]

Looks like fun Todd - thanks for posting

Thanks Eric
Here's a couple more.

 

[Jacob]

I trust that was Molson Canadian with your Calgary friends.

 

[Chris R]

Very nice Todd! We did an afternoon trip to the South Sound this weekend and simply floated all afternoon Sunday. Not a wiff of breeze and bright blue skies. Refreshed our tans from Mexico

Looks like you guys had a great time. Love the pics.

 

[Nehalennia]

I trust that was Molson Canadian with your Calgary friends.

Actually we picked up a case of Granville Island Brewery "mixed assortment" which was very good and a backup 1/2 case of Kokanee.
My wife really enjoys the "Grower's Fruit ciders"
We had a blast though.

Very nice Todd! We did an afternoon trip to the South Sound this weekend and simply floated all afternoon Sunday. Not a wiff of breeze and bright blue skies. Refreshed our tans from Mexico

Looks like you guys had a great time. Love the pics.

We did Chris. I can't wait to get back out there.

 

[Four Suns]

looks like a sucky trip to me

 

[Nehalennia]

looks like a sucky trip to me

Yeah no Nippers, or temps above 70. We did have some great Fish and Chips though. I recommend the Fish and Chips at "Doc's" in Snug Cove on Bowen Is.

Vancouver False Creek Harbour Authourity

Bowen Island's "Union Steamship Company Marina"

Apparently in the 2005 Movie "the Fog" the field on the left in this picture was converted into the cemetary.

 

[caruso1006]

Great pictures Todd. I envy those trips!