Today ... the last day on the road. How depressing.
The highway between Whistler and Vancouver would be interesting though, due to the many upgrades in preparation for the winter Olympics in February 2010.
With much sadness we hit the road, destined for the BC Ferry at Horseshoe Bay.
Highway 99 southbound soon after departing Nairn Falls Provincial
Park near Pemberton
South of Whistler and Squamish the scenery to the west makes a dramatic change, with the Squamish Harbour and Howe Sound visible to the west.
View from Highway 99 southbound
Highway 99 was in great shape, with new asphalt and paint lines guiding the way. There is also lots of no-post concrete barrier edging the route and dividing the highway.
Hwy 99 southbound, nearing Horseshoe Bay
Looking north at Bowyer Island from near Horseshoe Bay
Looking back north at Hwy 99 from Squamish
Friday afternoons can be VERY busy at the ferry terminals. The Horseshoe Bay terminal has been upgraded in recent years, but even so it is a crowded place with little room to move. And no good places to walk and pee a dog. As well, the parking area slopes so if you want to sit in your RV, you'll be tipped downwards towards the front end.
The ferries were running late today and we were told we had a couple of hours to wait. As usual, the loading was uneventful. The scenery as the ferry departs from the terminal is very nice at this location. Lots of mountains, rocks and trees! Oh, and water too ...
Looking north from BC Ferry
Coastline viewed from BC Ferry
Passing another ferry is a common occurrence. On the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route the ferries usually sneak by each other in Active Pass, which adds to the excitement.
A BC Ferry viewed from a BC Ferry!
Keep the eyes open for whales, dolphins, barges ...
Barge at work, viewed from BC Ferry
Looking north from BC Ferry in the Strait of Georgia
Ocean traffic viewed from ferry
Mount Baker was out in blue skies, but air wasn't exactly clear. In the picture below, the smog of the Lower Mainland is evident.
Mount Baker viewed from BC Ferry between Horseshoe Bay and Departure
Bay
And so our 2009 trip wraps up, back on Vancouver Island. Turning southward off the ferry, we were home a couple of hours later.
Time to start planning for 2010!