Mon, 08:04: Just figured out that British Columbia’s Vancouver Island (the southern end of which I am at right now) is longer than the width of Washington State from north to south. Washington State is 240 miles north to south and Vancouver Island is 285 miles long. In fact, the total land area of Vancouver Island is 12,079 square miles. That’s larger than nine U.S. states, the largest of which is Maryland.
Mon, 10:20: I’ve always delighted in the fact that Washington State Ferries is the largest ferry system in the United States. It’s third-largest in the world, however, behind Istanbul, and … #2 is nearby BC Ferries.
For comparison:
İDO Istanbul Fast Ferries: 87 passenger ships (both vehicle and passenger-only); 86 piers; annual passengers served 47 million (2014)
BC Ferries: 36 vessels; 47 terminals; annual passengers served 22 million (2018)
Washington State Ferries: 21 vessels; 20 terminals; annual passengers served 24.6 million (2018)
…So: this would make BC Ferries the largest ferry system in the Western Hemisphere. But by passenger count on this side of the globe (in pre-pandemic numbers), it looks like Washington State Ferries remains the busiest.
[These photos were all taken yesterday.] https://t.co/rfUM9yLSnO
Mon, 19:15: Today’s highlight. I’ve been to Victoria six times before over the course of my life, but it’s been a record 14 years since my last visit. I specifically looked up points of interest that are new since then, and found Malahat Skywalk—opened only just last year! With ten levels and a height of 105’, the lookout level at the top of the mostly wooden structure is 820’ above sea level. Located on the traditional territory of, and built in partnership with, the Malahat Nation. https://t.co/do9h4P58EF
