The Stats Don't Lie........

It's been over a year now since I started this blog.

Started as a record of my adventures working for Aquabus during the Winter Olympics, it has continued on with my own musings, stories, and life out and about around the island.


However, I have questioned how 'in the center of it all', I really am. Maybe not so in the strictest sense being an occasional visitor on and off the Island. 

But, what I hope this blog has become is my own homage to everything Aquabus. The people, the boats and everything in between.


So, while I love to write, I've been pondering if I should continue this blog or not. Who reads my drivel anyway?


Well, apparently quite a few of you. 

While I do have two official followers, who I know personally (thank you guys!), I took the lack of comments as a sign I was, as that old adage goes: whistling in the wind.......


Until I glanced at the stats of the visitors to this site in the past year:

Last year over 2600 visitors came by, and over 600 have taken a pew. Thank you all........

Guess I'll carry on.......

In the meantime......

peeaaaaacccceee out sisters! 

Famed Boats Lure Artists in our Midst........

Those iconic boats are popping up all about town in the most unlikely places.

Those familiar colors caught my eye as I traveled along 4th Avenue one morning. In the windows of the `Splash Swim and Cruise` Shop at Bayswater and 4th, a painting advertised the upcoming Roundhouse Exhibit highlighting `Artist's in our Midst`.

The life and vitality of Granville Island, as these boats ferry passengers across the creek are a popular lure for artists. Another striking image was created by Sara Prestley.

An art student of Capilano College in North Vancouver, Sara`s painting was one of the original images for their fund raising `Reflections Vancouver 2010` calender.

 For more information on the Roundhouse Exhibit click on the link below this picture:

 Roundhouse Exhibit  

In the meantime.........

peaaaaacccceeeeee out sisters!

The Past & A Surprise.....

A visit to the Granville Island Hotel, for a great brekkie (traditional: $11) with Jody highlighted images of Aquabus past, and a surprise for the future docked at the back dock. 

 
As we were leaving, Jody showed me a tribute to that infamous 'old lady of the creek' (see last blog entry) on display in the bar next door. 


The Dockside Brewing Company has an image of my fav boat the Rainbow Hunter to promote its Old Bridge Dark Lager. 

 
As I sadly lamented her departure to waters new, I couldn't believe what caught my eye docked nearby........

Last year, the little ferry company that could, said goodbye to the original Cyquabus that started it all 25 years ago.  

 
Cyquabus I was originally launched from the Spyglass Dock in 1995, and plowed the creek right up to 2010. 

Unfortunately, after a valiant battle, she finally succumbed to the minions of Transport Canada. 

Or did she?........


(Read about her farewell last year here:  
http://inthecenterofitall.blogspot.com/2010/09/gentlemanwe-salute-you.html

picture from flickr by sfPhotocraft

So, it was a shock to see what was parked at the back dock. For there, in all its glory, floated the skeletal framework of Aqubus's past. 


Newly minted in its original le bleu (by the very equitable services of Congo Bob Unlimited) Cyquabus I awaits her wedding dress, ready to start life anew on the creek, once again.......

the past returns anew to the creek.....

In the meantime........

peaaaaaccceeeee out sisters..... 

Tribute to the `Rainbow Hunter`.........

A visit to Aquabus HQ the other day brought to light some pictures documenting the journey and refurbishment of the `Rainbow Hunter`.

When acquired back in 1999 – her hull was so encrusted with barnacles that when it was finally scraped off – she rose a whole foot in the water......

After barely making the Georgia Straight from Vancouver Island, she left the water as the `J Hunter`.......

....and later went back as the `Rainbow Hunter`.....

``The hull is all original yellow cedar but she was also very light. So we had to put weighty lead ingots into the hull so she wouldn't rock and roll in the water.

 So, if I was talking to you and I looked up and said:

‘OH MY GOD! LOOK OVER THERE…IT’S A KILLER WHALE!!!!``

 (Taken from a `A Limey, A Canuck, on an old Fishing Boat` - a grand tour of False Creek) 

Big Kev decides to give way to the $20 million `After Eight`.....

In the meantime.......

peeaaccccceeeeee out sisters!

Captain Jody shows Samantha Brown Vancouver......

Mention our great city and there are certain iconic images that quickly spring to mind. The Lion Heads, Stanley Park, Gassy Jack and of course those infamous rainbow ferry boats. This became obvious after viewing Travel Channel's 'Samantha Brown Vancouver'. Samantha Brown is an American host of several shows including Great Vacation Homes, Great Hotels, Passport to Europe. She visited here to give the lowdown on preparations for the Olympics, and loved that '..it's a big city with the great outdoors'. 

When you come to Vancouver, where do you head first? Granville Island of course, and she joined 'Captain Jody' at the Aquabus to learn about '..this gorgeous coastal city'.

Brown is typical of the many talking heads that host the multitude of niche programs on cable TV. She must be doing something right as this program was part of her tenth anniversary presenting on the Travel Channel.

Bobbling along the creek with the good Captain, she observed that 'Vancouverites are extremely fit....' As Captain Jody responded that this was due to our 'active lifestyle', Ms. Brown annoyingly cut in with '...says he sitting down!!'

Ever the congenial host, Captain J generously guffawed her eastern pretense to humour, gently away.

Queen of the Creek

For me, the real star of this part of the travelogue, was once again seeing an old friend of the creek. The 'Rainbow Hunter' was originally built in 1950 and was one of the two original wooden boats that Aquabus owned and operated along the creek until 2009. This yellow cedar vessel was built by Vancouver Island boat builder Henry Clark, and holds very fond memories for me.

On the back bench where Ms. Brown and the Captain chatted, I would hold court giving 30 minute guided 'mini - tours' as 21 passengers traveled between GI, Yaletown and back. Every tour departing the island would be a frenzied process of getting fares while making a connection with each passenger. Frenzied because I knew I had to leave enough space, by the time we passed the cement works to announce '....is anyone interested doing in a guided tour?'

Hunter by jfrank3 - flickr

This lovely old lady, originally used to take children from the Gulf Islands to Vancouver Island, as a school bus. Her history also includes being a crew boat for miners en route to Sterna Island.

You haven't quite got it.....

Our pathes crossed, having failed to be a driver after 100 hours of training, ('...you haven't quite got it Des') I was 'relegated' to being a lowly 'Deckhand' on the woodern boats.

Taken Feb. 2010 by Hub - flickr

Yet, after seeing so many tourists (notably service oriented Americans) coming aboard with little interaction by other Deckhands, this became my inspiration to develop a guided tour of the history which makes Granville Island and the creek what it is today.
 Over a typical shift, I would do up to 10 back to back tours, which increased my own confidence dealing with people to eventually work with at risk youth in my present job. As my tips went up, the loveliest compliment I received was when the very same Captain J. said '....I have never seen customers get off and shake hands with the Deckhand!'

As a Deckhand in the summer madness, the best part of my shift was around mid afternoon, and having the fortune to have the boat to myself. Sitting on the back bench, a cool breeze counted the heat of the day and it felt like the good Captain was driving just for me.....

Deckhand Charlotte - 2005

Those fond memories soon became just that - distant memories when I returned after a hiatus to hear that my beloved boat no longer ruled the creek. The minions of Transport Canada were circling a little to much around the old lady, and an offer out of the blue proved just to tempting.....

She now resides on some lake over the border in Washington, enjoying her retirement taking her lucky owners on lazy day trips.......and with her departure a little piece of Vancouver's heart with it.....

 

Captain Jody + Samantha Brown 

In the meantime........

peeeeaaaaaaccccceeeeee out sisters!

Peace in the Callaghan Valley

If you're one of the 'many' followers of this blog, you'll know that inspiration struck when an idea hit head on with the juggernaut that was the Winter Olympics in our great city last year. Paul said do a blog and on the games through my eyes.....

But it is easy to forget that this whirlwind also swept through Whistler as well. Last week, I was very fortunate to spent some time there last week.

I went to the Callaghan Valley to do some cross country skiing with my son. Located 20 kilometers from Whistler, and nine kms from highway 99, the Whistler Olympic Park cost $120 million to built, It was the venue that hosted the biathlon, cross-country, and ski jumping events.

It has been an emotional draining year working in my job as a Youth worker. We seem to have a significant number of kids at risk to themselves through self medication, drinking and partying. It was the only the week before the spring break that I felt I had reached my own emotional limits. (And it took someone saying 'This tea is watery....' but that's another story!).

So getting away, under blue skies on pristine, gloomed snow with my eldest son, really brought home how important the shared experience and of being together is so important in a child's social development. We didn't say much at times, but at the end of a day of skiing, falls and laughs we both left happy.

For me, it was especially gratifying to have that sense of contentment and some inner peace for a change.

And for just being there, spending some good times hanging out with my son.......

peeaaaaacceeeeee out sisters.....

Where is 'The Helmet'?

'Des....do you know where 'the helmet' is?

Boarders zip by my hotel window as I'm on the phone to Big Kev. Spring Break means snow fun Whistler style with the family. It's all blue skies, ridin natural highs at North Amercia's premier winter destination, right here on our doorstep..


Until I call Big Kev back.

He's back in town, and has apparently been ordered to conduct the mother of all inventories. If anyone can scour official Aquabus equipment scattered across our mighty country - from sea, to sea to shining sea, there's only one man who can do the job right! And that man is BIG KEV!


That's why I got the call, and have to explain myself about the location of one of the premier exhibits of recent Aquabus history. This unique, one of a kind official Aquabus helmet, was especially commissioned for all Canada Day events. It went on to became synonymous with Aquabus's involvement in the Winter Olympics, as it was displayed in all its magnificence upon my aged Cloonyese head, as I conducted my official duties as 'Good Will Ambassador' for Aquabus Ferries around Granville Island and beyond.

In a word: it is priceless........


So, I did confess I had said object in my possession. Big Kev confirmed,  the big man himself wanted it back at AB HQ ASAP! 

Oh dear......rapid texts suggesting if a monetary price could be negotiated for a long term permit for such a prized memento of my days during the games. But no answer came back, and I fear the Big Man cannot be appeased.......


So, here it is, in all its glory. 'The Helmet' at the MOD (Museum of Des) Front Room Aquabus exhibit, as displayed in honor of its greatness since those magical days last year.......

In the meantime......


peaaaccceeeee out sisters!