Horseshoe Bay is one of the two main terminals for the ferry across to Vancouver Island. The Trans-Canada Highway ends up right in the assembly area for the ferry so its a significant point (see here on Flashearth; you can see how it got its name of Horseshoe Bay). As well as serving Vancouver Island, there are several other smaller islands connecting by ferry to Horseshoe Bay.
Although this scene looks peaceful enough, 5 years ago, a ferry deliberately missed the docking area and smashed its way through the marina seen here to end up beaching itself. There was a problem disengaging the propulsion and rather than smash headlong into the dock, the Captain had the presence of mind to take a less-damaging option of beaching it. This has the story; it is worth reading.
I’ve left Whistler now and heading off the final stage of my holiday; three days on Vancouver Island.
If there is ever a road that is appropriately named it is the amazing Sea to Sky Highway which links Vancouver to Whistler. As it gets closer to Vancouver it is runs at the foot of the mountains with the sea and the railway to one side. This is the little town of Britannia Beach on one of the long inlets from the Pacific Ocean (see here on Flashearth). Mining seems to be big in this area and the town has the BC Museum of Mining; very interesting, I’m sure, but its not the day for being inside! The ship nearest the piling looks like its seen better days.
Although the road is stunning, my trip was spoilt by the amount of roadworks. They were widening the road to be a dual carriageway in readiness for the Winter Olympics (then two years away). I think that the dual carriageway will take away a little of magic but that’s economics for you.
