Riding the White Line

A Parting of Ways

September 17, 1985

Big day. We rode down into Victoria and decided to catch the afternoon ferry at 3:30. that gave us lots of time to sightsee in the downtown area.

First we hit the Empress Hotel, then on to the British Columbia Museum of Natural History, which was fascinating.

From the study of earlier inhabitants to the history of settlements, exploration and industrialization to the representation of native birds, animals, plants and marine life, the museum demonstrated everything in superb detail. I was amazed at their replicas.

We grabbed lunch and did laundry again. It was fascinating seeing some of the old haunts again. It’s been three years since Susan and I were here.

Just as we were finishing up, Jon asked if he could go out on his own when we got to Port Angeles. I hadn’t expected anyone to want to leave the group, but I wasn’t that surprised either. Jon wants that time of solitude and soul-searching independence.

After reaching Port Angeles, he went west and we went east around the Peninsula. Now we are three.

Billy, John and I stayed at a KOA near Sequim last night, then rode on to Dosewallips State Park. We had a long talk about goals and the future of the trip without Jon. Billy’s purpose for this trip was to minister to people and churches along the way. He hasn’t gotten to do much of that so he’s thinking about meeting his parents in Edmonds and flying home with them.

John is also feeling a little desire to ride on his own for a while, but he’s not sure he’s ready yet. He’s here to gain a better understanding of himself, a better sense of what he wants to do with his life.

Me, I feel like the odd man out, though I suppose each of us feels that way. I was here mostly to spend time with my friends.

Crossing into Canada

September 14, 1985

Larabee was a small, pretty state park. We watched the sun set way out across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. We got light sprinkles during the night, but I slept well. Then again, I’ve slept well every night!
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I still think about Beth quite often. I suppose I should about someone closer to my age, like Anne.
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The next morning came cold and damp. We finally pushed out at about 9 a.m. We followed parallel to the old interurban tracks that ran into Bellingham. They are now a hiking trail between the city and the new state park.

John, Bill, Charlie and Jon at the border.

From Bellingham, we rode north to Canada! Finding no provincial parks to camp at, we thought to stay in a motel. The only problem was that the Delta Town and Country Inn ran $65 for a night, too much in our estimation.

So we’re sitting on the front steps trying to decide what to do when a man comes walking up to the motel. He asks, “Where are you headed?” We don’t know where we’re going to stay. “Why not here?” Too many clams, Billy says. “We can work something out,” the man says.

This guy, Vladimir Pabis, is the owner. Sure enough, we soon have a room with four fold-up beds at only $40 Canadian. We get a key to the sauna room, TV and refrigerator!

Same time, a woman walks by with pins for the 1986 World’s Fair to be held in Vancouver. She gives us a bag to give to friends!
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Today we caught the Ferry from Tswassen over to Sidney and had lunch there. We watched some square dancers at a small mall while we ate. Then we watched a spinnaker race in the bay. That afternoon, we rode down to the Butchart Gardens. John and I went through them while Billy and Jon waited outside.

Mr. Butchart had been a fairly successful cementeer in the early part of this century. After the limestone rock quarry quit yielding good stone, Mrs. Butchart thought the pit looked as though the land had been desecrated. She began landscaping the quarry and bringing in topsoil. Since then it has become one of the prettiest flower gardens in the world.
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We spent the evening with two families. Billy and I stayed with Randy and Karen Gibson, who live in a house in the countryside north of Victoria. They’re slowly renovating the house, built in 1910. They’ve already done lots of landscaping on the five-acre lot, and have finished most of the interior restoration.

After church today, Randy took us on a tour of Victoria. Quite a pretty city, eh? We went by the Scottish Castle and the lieutenant governor’s mansion, and around the University of Victoria.

Tomorrow we begin south. I still have ascertained no notable purpose in going on this voyage.

A Day of Many Firsts

Susan and Charlie at the provincial capitol in Victoria, British Columbia.

Susan at the Victoria Harbor

Susan aboard the Coho Ferry to Port Angeles.

The view from the Tsawwassen Ferry.

August 31, 1982

Today has been a day of many firsts: My first foreign country, my first time to spend a night in a hotel room with a woman, my first time to see the Pacific Ocean, my first time to go through customs, and my first time to ride as far as Susan and I did.

Speaking of Susan, I have quickly found in her my security, my good friend and my sense of belonging. I rely heavily on her for emotional and mental strength. I am glad that she is with me.

The day was wonderful. We rode out of Vancouver and caught a ferry across to Vancouver Island. From there, we rode down to Victoria.

Victoria was so pretty. The whole downtown area still has the flavor it must have had 100 years ago. Next, we rode across the Strait of Juan de Fuca on a ferry, and I loved it.

The sun was sinking slowly in the west, a big full moon was peeking through the clouds, and the lights of Port Angeles were twinkling against the towering Olympic Mountains backdrop.

I think I could live like this! Especially with Susan around.

The Olympic Mountains across the Strait of Juan de Fuca.