The I-75 Ferry

I am enthralled by the ferry as transportation. Mainly because, in Dallas, Texas, there is no such method of getting around. Can you picture a ferry on the Trinity River?

But last week when in Vancouver, British Columbia I had the opportunity to ride the ferry quite a bit. From the large ones to the small community ones. The best thing about the ferry is you are on the water looking a stunning scenery and you aren't the one driving nor listening to someone gripe about the other drivers.

I am a people watcher. I like watching the way people operate in new environments. It is interesting to see how people work, adapt and play in their environment. The ferry is an excellent people watching environment.


A large ferry typically has 7 decks. Many different modes of transportation can be accomodated: motorcycles, busses, cars, mac trucks, kayaks, etc. When loading the large ferries the walking passengers get on and off first. At the dock, vehicles are lined up according to size and type. Trucks in one lane, cars in another.

Busses like Greyhound drive to the underpass to load on Deck one - these vehicles are the heaviest and are carefully distributed by weight on the first level decks. Then the regular cars and other transportation are loaded on Decks two, three and four.

Coming from Vancouver, BC I rode a Greyhound bus full of passengers. Once loaded on the ferry, passengers can get off and head for the passenger decks on five through seven via the stairs or elevator.


Sidebar: the doors on the vehicle deck that lead to the stairs are sliding metal doors. It is interesting to watch how new people use them. They stand in front of the door and wait expectantly. I think, they think, the doors are like elevator doors and will open automatically. It isn't until a "regular" passenger comes along and taps the large button on the side of the door that the "newbie" realizes that the door is operated by pushing a release button.
You can get so many things done on a ferry - like eating, sleeping, having an interesting conversation, sunning, reading, shopping, people watching, sketching, painting, playing with the kids, watching the game, etc.

All of these activities in one trip and cheaper than the price of gas. When you are driving in Dallas, all you get to do is curse the other rude drivers for yakking on their cell phones and trying to run you off the road.

The last deck is actually an open air observation deck. The trip to Vancouver Island from the mainland is about an hour long and weaves through several other islands in the Georgia Strait. For a first timer, it is a stunning view. A blue haze layers the land masses on the horizon. Sailboats glide by on blue currents.

Decks five and six have all kinds of human activities. There is a lounge area equipped with TV set to watch the games. Every once and a while you will hear in chorus, either groans or cheers. There are computer workstations for those who couldn't leave their technology behind. There are massage chairs for the stressed out cell phoners. There are vending machines for snacks. There are sunbathing opportunites on the life jacket bins located on the walk-around deck. There is the all-you-can-eat buffet for $15.75 and a lounge seat at the scenic front of the ferry. There is the kids play area. There is the gift shop for the irresistable pull of buying that special something.

There is a cafe and coffee shop for those who just need a good lunch and conversation with their buds. There is an interpretive guide, midway in the crossing, that leads an informative discussion on the ecological systems of the waterway and the islands that the ferry passes.

Even the small ferries between the islands have a wonderful human connection. Neighbors with babies talking to neighbors or painting the scenery as it passes by. What a wonderful macrocosm. What a great opportunity to experience the rich, complex and diverse human interaction with their world.

My proposal is to rip up the concrete on the I-75 Highway and flood it with water. Start a ferry system from Downtown Dallas to Oklahoma. Then we can park all the cell phoners on the massage chairs well away from dangerous objects like cars. Just think of the fun, interacting with people instead of dodging the cell phoners.

While you are at it. Take a look at two different web sites that give the user an idea of ferry functions. Which one do you think gives the best overall experience in getting the information you would need to travel on a ferry?

BC Ferries (Canada)
Washington Ferries (USA)