Years past : The Queen of Esquimalt arrives at Tsawwassen in the mist, October, 2006.

Mention the word "ferries" on this coast and you'll get opinions. You'll get rants, politics, talk of building bridges and frustration over travel times. Sometimes I think ferry geeks and photo-happy tourists are the only ones who appreciate what used to be known as the Dogwood Fleet. Once I almost got into fistacuffs with a guy on the boat who went on ad nauseum about how much better a bridge would be. Perhaps a fixed link between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island is an inevitability, although a long ways off yet.
But there I go, see how easy it is? Ferries=opinions. If you don't believe me, check the recent Tyee piece on BC Ferries, which generated more feedback in the first day than most of their articles generate after weeks and months.

Nonetheless, there must have been something that drove me out of my bed early on a March morning for a three bus commute to Tsawwassen and then a five and a half hour round trip to Nanaimo. Oh yeah, it was the final day of service for the venerable Queen of Esquimalt.
And it was a day to remember. Everything from a rather attractively dressed lady sporting an impressive Queen of Esquimalt tattoo on her arm, to an unexpected passing of the newest ferry in the fleet, empty of passengers and en route to begin her maiden voyage. Ghostly faces of rust on the outside decks joined in on the fun.

The essay continues along with some photos, below.

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