August 4, 2016 Port Coquitlam --> Victoria via Tsawwssen ferry & Lochside Trail

Awoke early with the sad realization that this phase of the adventure is ending, and feeling so grateful for my time with Pam and Carin. One of those special interludes that changes you in some ways that you cannot even describe at the moment, even as you know you are somehow being changed. I was reminded of that saying in the Rockaway Beach motel in an earlier post:

Pam insisted on driving me to the Tsawwassen ferry so that I would not have to ride through heavy traffic. This ferry goes to Schwartz Bay just north of Sidney. As I was getting my bike situated on the lower deck for the trip, I met five young men from the UK. We visited for a while during the ride, and I learned that they had just begun a ride from Vancouver to Los Angeles as a fundraiser for two charities: one for Teen Cancer and another for the needs of an African community. They gave me their "VANTOLA" handout. Here is the link to their site if you want more info: vantola.co.uk. I gave them some of my Washington maps to help out with their planning.

Which prompts me to again promote my own cause as I wind down this ride: truth-be-told.org.  This is a program that teaches women in prison how to tell their own stories, empowering them to re-enter the world in a more positive and productive manner. 

The weather was absolutely perfect for the ferry ride to Schwartz Bay, and everyone on board seemed in high spirits. I lined up next to my friends from the UK as we prepared to debark 

From Scwartz Bay, I rode into Sidney for a brief stop, then took the Lochside Trail to Victoria. Once again, I came across the UK boys, and this time I got a picture for my blog. 

I got to Victoria too early to check in to the motel, so rode downtown to make sure of where the ferry departure was for Saturday, then returned to Fisherman's Wharf. I returned to that famous Barb's, where I ate on my prior Victoria visit, but this time I had fish and chips with sweet potato fries in Pam's honor. I am not much into fish, and rarely eat it, much less order it. But I will say this fish and chips was not fishy and I enjoyed it. 

I also checked out the bus to Buchart Gardens for a possible visit tomorrow. It leaves from the famous Empress Hotel. Then ride the < 2 miles through Victoria to my motel and checked in for the evening.