Four Way Stop | Travel + Lifestyle

FACTS:

Destination Horseshoe Bay to drop Karen and her grandson at the ferry terminal so they could walk on and ride the ferry to Nanaimo.
Cocktails, lunch, and wine at Bay Moorings, ice cream at Baskin-Robbins, and a walk along the waterfront.
During lunch, Karen talked Rick and Kathleen into joining her and Josh on the ferry ride to Nanaimo. All four ended up at Lorrie's place in Nanaimo for dinner.
Rick and Kathleen took the last ferry back to the mainland and drove home to Mission.

RICK'S POINT OF VIEW:

It doesn’t matter where I am . . . if good friends and family are nearby, I always enjoy the experience.

As soon as I saw the propeller fountain spraying its streams of cool mist on this steamy hot day at Horseshoe Bay, I felt like I was on holiday. A walk along the dock and near the Trolls restaurant gave me that “I am away from home” feeling.

Public art: Propeller at Horseshoe Bay

Our restaurant choice was Bay Moorings because of its spectacular patio view of the ocean, the islands, and the busy BC Ferry traffic. People were milling about, and people-watching can be intriguing.

10-year-old Josh at Horseshoe Bay Park

I dug into my thick minestrone soup, savoured my cool Greek salad, and washed it all down with refreshing Hester Creek Pinot Gris.

What excited me after this was our impromptu visit to Nanaimo. Karen had us park our car at a friend’s place nearby, and the next thing we knew we were kings and queens of the world on the windy bow of the Queen of Cowichan.

Little Josh wanted to play, like any good grandkid likes to do. And before we knew it, Lorrie was picking us up and we were set for a delicious barbequed steak supper with baked potato and tasty Caesar salad prepared by our fine in-house female chefs.

Impromptu dinner for five at Lorrie's in Nanaimo

Our original plan was to ferry over to the Dinghy Dock Pub in Nanaimo for supper, but the timing of the return BC Ferry at 9:30 p.m. made the scheduling too tight. We changed our minds over an icy gin and tonic.

We talked about the Laings’ Evita sailing trip around Vancouver Island, caught up with Lorrie’s busy life, and chewed into the perfectly cooked, juicy T-bone steak . . . creating a flood of flavour memories.

A little red wine was added to the mix, and it was the conclusion to a perfect day as Kathleen and I were driven to the ferry terminal for our return walk-on holiday status. After a good snooze on the ship, and a seemingly long drive home to Mission, we slept marvellously, dreaming of our action-packed sojourn that was so deliciously unplanned. For me, spontaneity wins every time.

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KATHLEEN'S POINT OF VIEW:

Hot! The last day of June was definitely a hot one. It's funny how we talk about the heat here in the Greater Vancouver area after just a day or so. I think it's because we go from cool and damp to just plain hot. No lead up to the heat, no incremental mercury readings.

So as soon as we made our way into Horseshoe Bay, we sought out a patio with a view where we could refresh ourselves and spend some time together before Karen and Josh made their walk onto the Nanaimo ferry for their month-long trip around Vancouver Island on board Evita. As luck would have it, Rick found a two-hour parking place right in front of Bay Moorings restaurant and so we decided to head upstairs to enjoy its sun-soaked patio.

Bay Mooring's chalk board specials

Bay Moorings is kid-friendly and offers a great view of the ocean, islands near and far, marina, ferry traffic, and people. The grown-ups started with a bloody Caesar then carried on to lunch and a shared half-litre of Hester Creek Pinot Gris. I don't know its vintage, but the Pinot Gris was dry, fruity, and refreshing, with a creamy mouthfeel and was a great partner with my crab cakes, which were flavourful, but not fishy, with just the right amount of spicy kick. Find this wine in BC liquor stores for about $18.

A bloody Caesar to start, followed by crab cakes and Hester Creek Pinot Gris

After lunch, before we left our table, Karen convinced Rick and me that we should park our car a few blocks away at her friend's house and then walk onto the ferry with her to finish our day over in Nanaimo. Why not?

The Queen of Cowichan approaches

Rick, Josh, Karen checking out a map while waiting in the ferry terminal

The ferry ride was beautiful, as always. And, after our crossing, Lorrie picked us all up and we headed to her house for a long, cool G + T while deciding what to do for dinner. We talked about the Dinghy Dock, but decided against it since that meant we'd be compelled to watch the time because of the last ferry crossing home at 9:30 p.m. Instead we barbequed T-bone steak and served it with baked potatoes, corn, and Caesar salad that we topped with my hand-crafted dressing. With dinner, we had a bottle of Red Rooster Cabernet Franc-Merlot blend. And of course we finished with Nanaimo bars. How could we not? Back to the ferry terminal to catch the 9:30 sailing.

What's a visit to Nanaimo without the quinessential Nanaimo bar

When we returned to Horseshoe Bay, it was dark. Bay Street, which separates Horseshoe Bay Park from the shops and restaurants, was so poorly lit that Rick and I had difficulty making our way. My advice is to stick to day-time enjoyment of this little piece of BC paradise.

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KAREN'S POINT OF VIEW:

Like any other transportation hub Horseshoe Bay has all the trappings of a any port. Friends, lovers, and family members congregate at a terminal welcoming travellers home, sending others on their way, or simply en route themsleves.

I selected Sunday of the July 1 weekend for grandson Josh and me to travel to Nanaimo on the first leg of our journey to Coal Harbour to rendezvous with Evita and Kyan II to complete our epic journey to circumnavigate Vancouver Island.

Dear friends and colleagues, Rick and Kathy Rake, had volunteered to drive us from Mission to the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal. We arrived to a beehive of activity. Rick circled the block and behold a car pulled out and we had a two-hour parking place in front of the Bay Moorings Restaurant and across the street from the Horseshoe Bay Park and ferry terminal.

Kathy scooted up the stairs to get us a table on the patio over looking the harbour, Rick took Josh to do a little exploring, and I went across the street to inquire about walk-on passage for the next ferry.

The attendant was helpful: "No worries, Miss, we have lots of room today for walk-on passengers." My blackberry pinged; Kathy had secured the best table in the house, and I could see Josh and Rick heading in the direction of Bay Moorings.

Lunch was outstanding. Spicy Caesars on special. And yes. . .fresh Halibut and chips with Greek salad complemented with a crisp white wine. With an outstanding view over Horseshoe Bay to the Whistler mountains, what could be better?

Karen's lunch: Halibut, chips and Greek salad at Bay Moorings

The ambiance was intoxicating and the lure of a beautiful day out on the ocean was irresistible so a quick text to good friend Lori to make sure there was room for dinner in Nanaimo led to a call to old pals Scott and Mary, residents of Horseshoe Bay, to ensure a parking place for the Rake's car, and we were set.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's off to Nanaimo we go!

There was no problem getting tickets as the attendant had assured me earlier but, for the life of me, I can't figure out why our tickets read "cougar sailing" at 2:30 p.m. We found a wonderful breezy spot at the front of the boat, waited for the whistle to sound and the Queen of Cowichan was away from the dock.

Tickets to Nanaimo "Cougar"; tickets back to Horseshoe Bay: "Beaver"
What gives, BC Ferries?

Once we rounded Bowen Island the boys found a spot in the hall to recharge phone and iPod batteries and Kathy and I went to shop and find a comfortable seat in the front lounge.

The sun was sparkling on the water and I had my eyes peeled for any sailboat on the horizon. It was glorious. The only distraction was counting the number of Taylor Swift t-shirt designs worn by dozens of her young Vancouver Island fans returning home from her concert the night before in Vancouver.

Rick and Karen on the bow of Queen of Cowichan getting ready for departure

Following an uneventful crossing we joined the throng of other walk-on passengers as we snaked our way through the Departure Bay terminal to the arrivals lounge and into the arms of dear Lorrie.

Our first plan for dinner was the Dinghy Dock Pub but upon reflection we decided it would be best to BBQ steaks on Lorrie's patio, leaving us lots of time to visit and get Rick and Kathy to Departure Bay for the sunset sail back to Horseshoe Bay.

John and I have started many a great sailing adventure on Evita from Nanaimo. Lori, Rick, Kathy, Scott, and Mary had important roles to play in our past travels and here they were rallying again to set Josh and me off to join John on another one.

What a magic day made so special by the spontaneity and generosity of such good friends, sunshine on the water, great food, and good wine.

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JOSH'S POINT OF VIEW:

Hello!

Today I had to get up early and go to Horseshoe Bay to the ferry. Rick and Kathy brought us to the restaurant and I had pizza. It was so good. Then Kathy got me some ice cream. Then we went to the ferry and we went to the front of the boat. Then Kathy and Grandma went shopping in the ferry and I went to write in my journal with Rick.