Welcome to the Victoria EV Association - Salt Spring Island Day
(a Victoria EV Association members event)
Please consider coming over on an early ferry, drive down our rural, curvy, farmie, forested roads and make the EV-drive a key part of your visit here. If you encounter one of the many farm stands, drop in and see if there is some treasure you need. Consider visiting the famous Saturday Market for all sorts of high quality eclectic artisan goods. The plan is to arrive at the Fernwood Road cafe about 11 am. After the meet-up, consider stopping by a winery or cidery for some tasting on the way back home (designated driver ?)
HINT: The following document has underlined text which, with a quick press, will take you to additional information.
(a Victoria EV Association members event)
Please consider coming over on an early ferry, drive down our rural, curvy, farmie, forested roads and make the EV-drive a key part of your visit here. If you encounter one of the many farm stands, drop in and see if there is some treasure you need. Consider visiting the famous Saturday Market for all sorts of high quality eclectic artisan goods. The plan is to arrive at the Fernwood Road cafe about 11 am. After the meet-up, consider stopping by a winery or cidery for some tasting on the way back home (designated driver ?)
HINT: The following document has underlined text which, with a quick press, will take you to additional information.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THOSE DARN FERRIES
- from Vancouver Island (either Crofton or the Sidney terminal), you only pay to get on the island. Returning on either ferry is free.
- if you continue on to Vancouver via the Long harbour ferry, your fee is already partially paid. Cool eh !
- ferries to SSI get really busy, so please be at the terminal way before your departure time.
- reservations are not allowed on the Crofton or Fulford ferries.
- maybe ride-share with other nice and friendly EV owners.
Swartz bay Terminal
Heading to Salt Spring Island: 7am, 9am, 11am. Recommended arrival = +1 hour before sailing
Returning: 10 minutes to the even hour. Example: 11:50. Same recommendation
Crofton terminal
Morning heading to Salt Spring Island: 6:40, 7:40, 8:55, 10:10, 11:25
Afternoon Returning: 1:35, 3:00, 4:15, 5:30, 6:45, 8:30, 9:30, 10:30
- from Vancouver Island (either Crofton or the Sidney terminal), you only pay to get on the island. Returning on either ferry is free.
- if you continue on to Vancouver via the Long harbour ferry, your fee is already partially paid. Cool eh !
- ferries to SSI get really busy, so please be at the terminal way before your departure time.
- reservations are not allowed on the Crofton or Fulford ferries.
- maybe ride-share with other nice and friendly EV owners.
Swartz bay Terminal
Heading to Salt Spring Island: 7am, 9am, 11am. Recommended arrival = +1 hour before sailing
Returning: 10 minutes to the even hour. Example: 11:50. Same recommendation
Crofton terminal
Morning heading to Salt Spring Island: 6:40, 7:40, 8:55, 10:10, 11:25
Afternoon Returning: 1:35, 3:00, 4:15, 5:30, 6:45, 8:30, 9:30, 10:30
RECOMMENDED FUN ROUTES FROM THE FERRY DOCKS TO THE FERNWOOD ROAD CAFE (and back again)
The fun routes are not direct to the Fernwood Road Cafe. If you are in a hurry, your GPS should work fine. If you take any of the options, the route time and distance will change. Most roads are not suitable for the current version of Telsa Autopilot.
SWARTZ BAY ----> Fulford Harbour
Estimated route time to meet-up location without options: 44 minutes
0.0 zero odometer as you leave the ferry lot and drive through Funky Fulford Village
0.2 turn RIGHT onto Beaver Point Road
1.7 passing Stowell Lake. We have floating concerts on the lake sometimes.
Now you have three OPTIONS ....
2.8. Option #1 stay on course. Turn LEFT onto Stewart Road and drive over the pass (normally no snow in September).
Option #2 - visit Salt Spring Cheese Farm (explore your inner goat)
Continue down Beaver Point Road
0.1 turn RIGHT onto Reynolds Road
1.0 turn LEFT up short drive to the Cheese Farm
Paved NARROW Road. Exercise caution.
reverse course to Stewart Road and turn RIGHT (add 2.7 to odo and adjust your arrival time)
Option #3 - visit Ruckle Park
continue down Beaver Point Road
0.6 Pass Weston lake
drive on about 2 km, enter into park, park in day use area and walk to the on-shore camping area - add 1 - 1.5 hours.
reverse course to Stewart Road and turn RIGHT (add 6.6 to odo and adjust your arrival time)
6.3 turn RIGHT onto Cushion Lake Road
7.1 turn LEFT onto Beddis Road *
12.2 turn RIGHT onto Fulford-Ganges Road
13.3 Option: visit Famous Salt Spring Saturday Market (add 1 hour, the first 1/2 hour finding a parking spot),
13.6 turn LEFT Rainbow Road
16.7 turn RIGHT onto Booth Canal Road
17.6 cross over Swan Point Bridge
18.0 turn LEFT onto Lower Ganges Road
19.0 turn LEFT at the 4 way stop (our most complicated intersection) onto Vesuvius Bay Road (pass St. Mary's Lake, our largest)
22.1 turn RIGHT onto Sunset Drive
27.8 Option: visit Sunset Farm - all the things you can do with Lamb and other stuff
28.8 Option: turn LEFT onto Southey Point Road and then LEFT on Arbutus Rd to the end and walk in.
View North to Thetis, Kuper, Gabriola and the Secretaries. Add 3 minutes driving time.
29.8 Option: turn LEFT onto North End Farm (great farm stand, cinnamon bun opportunity)
31.3 turn LEFT onto North Beach Road
34.4 reach destination (Fernwood Road Cafe). Hopefully about 11 am.
* INTERESTING FACTOID. Part of Beddis Road is privately owned. Hint: where the speed bumps are.
CROFTON ----> Vesuvius
Estimated route time to meet-up location without options: 16 minutes
0.0 zero odometer as you leave the ferry lot and drive through Sunny Vesuvius
0.5 turn LEFT onto Sunset Drive
6.2 Option: visit Sunset Farm All the things you can do with lamb and other stuff
7.0 Option: turn LEFT onto Southey Point Road and then LEFT on Arbutus Rd to the end and walk in.
View north to Thetis, Kuper, Gabriola and the Secretaries. Add 3 minutes driving time.
8.1 Option: turn LEFT onto North End Farm (great farm stand, cinnamon bun opportunity)
9.6 turn LEFT onto North Beach Road
12.6 reach destination (Fernwood Road Cafe). Hopefuly around 11 am.
Way back from meet-up to CROFTON Ferry
Estimated route time without options: 19 minutes
0.0 depart to the South-East onto Walkers Hook Road
5.0 turn LEFT onto Robinson Road
7.3 turn RIGHT onto Leisure Lane
8.2 turn LEFT onto Kings lane
8.4 turn RIGHT onto Blain Road
8.6 turn RIGHT onto Lower Ganges Road
8.8 Option: turn right and up the road to Kutatas Wines
9.5 Option: turn left at Sharp road and visit Salt Spring Wild (cider)
10.9 turn LEFT at the 4 way stop (our most complicated intersection) onto Vesuvius Bay Road
14.3 enter ferry traffic line
Way back from meet-up to FULFORD Ferry
Estimated route time without options: 26 minutes
0.0 depart to the South-East onto Walkers Hook Road
5.0 turn LEFT onto Robinson Road
7.3 turn RIGHT onto Leisure Lane.
8.2 turn LEFT onto Kings lane
8.4 turn RIGHT onto Blain Road
8.6 turn LEFT onto Lower Ganges Road, drive through Ganges
12.0 Option: visit Salt Spring Apple Company
16.0 Option: visit Salt Spring Shine distillery
18.6 Option: visit Salt Spring Vineyards
18.7 Option: visit Garry Oaks Winery
19.7 Option: visit Salt Spring Brew House
24.0 enter ferry traffic Line
===========
INTERESTING FACTOIDS. Our SSI taxi company has 2 EV’s, a Kia Soul EV and a Tesla Model 3. Three real estate agents drive EV’s, a Kia Soul EV, a Nissan Leaf and a Tesla Model 3. Two delivery services drive a Tesla Model 3 a Tesla Model Y and a Fiat 500e.
The fun routes are not direct to the Fernwood Road Cafe. If you are in a hurry, your GPS should work fine. If you take any of the options, the route time and distance will change. Most roads are not suitable for the current version of Telsa Autopilot.
SWARTZ BAY ----> Fulford Harbour
Estimated route time to meet-up location without options: 44 minutes
0.0 zero odometer as you leave the ferry lot and drive through Funky Fulford Village
0.2 turn RIGHT onto Beaver Point Road
1.7 passing Stowell Lake. We have floating concerts on the lake sometimes.
Now you have three OPTIONS ....
2.8. Option #1 stay on course. Turn LEFT onto Stewart Road and drive over the pass (normally no snow in September).
Option #2 - visit Salt Spring Cheese Farm (explore your inner goat)
Continue down Beaver Point Road
0.1 turn RIGHT onto Reynolds Road
1.0 turn LEFT up short drive to the Cheese Farm
Paved NARROW Road. Exercise caution.
reverse course to Stewart Road and turn RIGHT (add 2.7 to odo and adjust your arrival time)
Option #3 - visit Ruckle Park
continue down Beaver Point Road
0.6 Pass Weston lake
drive on about 2 km, enter into park, park in day use area and walk to the on-shore camping area - add 1 - 1.5 hours.
reverse course to Stewart Road and turn RIGHT (add 6.6 to odo and adjust your arrival time)
6.3 turn RIGHT onto Cushion Lake Road
7.1 turn LEFT onto Beddis Road *
12.2 turn RIGHT onto Fulford-Ganges Road
13.3 Option: visit Famous Salt Spring Saturday Market (add 1 hour, the first 1/2 hour finding a parking spot),
13.6 turn LEFT Rainbow Road
16.7 turn RIGHT onto Booth Canal Road
17.6 cross over Swan Point Bridge
18.0 turn LEFT onto Lower Ganges Road
19.0 turn LEFT at the 4 way stop (our most complicated intersection) onto Vesuvius Bay Road (pass St. Mary's Lake, our largest)
22.1 turn RIGHT onto Sunset Drive
27.8 Option: visit Sunset Farm - all the things you can do with Lamb and other stuff
28.8 Option: turn LEFT onto Southey Point Road and then LEFT on Arbutus Rd to the end and walk in.
View North to Thetis, Kuper, Gabriola and the Secretaries. Add 3 minutes driving time.
29.8 Option: turn LEFT onto North End Farm (great farm stand, cinnamon bun opportunity)
31.3 turn LEFT onto North Beach Road
34.4 reach destination (Fernwood Road Cafe). Hopefully about 11 am.
* INTERESTING FACTOID. Part of Beddis Road is privately owned. Hint: where the speed bumps are.
CROFTON ----> Vesuvius
Estimated route time to meet-up location without options: 16 minutes
0.0 zero odometer as you leave the ferry lot and drive through Sunny Vesuvius
0.5 turn LEFT onto Sunset Drive
6.2 Option: visit Sunset Farm All the things you can do with lamb and other stuff
7.0 Option: turn LEFT onto Southey Point Road and then LEFT on Arbutus Rd to the end and walk in.
View north to Thetis, Kuper, Gabriola and the Secretaries. Add 3 minutes driving time.
8.1 Option: turn LEFT onto North End Farm (great farm stand, cinnamon bun opportunity)
9.6 turn LEFT onto North Beach Road
12.6 reach destination (Fernwood Road Cafe). Hopefuly around 11 am.
Way back from meet-up to CROFTON Ferry
Estimated route time without options: 19 minutes
0.0 depart to the South-East onto Walkers Hook Road
5.0 turn LEFT onto Robinson Road
7.3 turn RIGHT onto Leisure Lane
8.2 turn LEFT onto Kings lane
8.4 turn RIGHT onto Blain Road
8.6 turn RIGHT onto Lower Ganges Road
8.8 Option: turn right and up the road to Kutatas Wines
9.5 Option: turn left at Sharp road and visit Salt Spring Wild (cider)
10.9 turn LEFT at the 4 way stop (our most complicated intersection) onto Vesuvius Bay Road
14.3 enter ferry traffic line
Way back from meet-up to FULFORD Ferry
Estimated route time without options: 26 minutes
0.0 depart to the South-East onto Walkers Hook Road
5.0 turn LEFT onto Robinson Road
7.3 turn RIGHT onto Leisure Lane.
8.2 turn LEFT onto Kings lane
8.4 turn RIGHT onto Blain Road
8.6 turn LEFT onto Lower Ganges Road, drive through Ganges
12.0 Option: visit Salt Spring Apple Company
16.0 Option: visit Salt Spring Shine distillery
18.6 Option: visit Salt Spring Vineyards
18.7 Option: visit Garry Oaks Winery
19.7 Option: visit Salt Spring Brew House
24.0 enter ferry traffic Line
===========
INTERESTING FACTOIDS. Our SSI taxi company has 2 EV’s, a Kia Soul EV and a Tesla Model 3. Three real estate agents drive EV’s, a Kia Soul EV, a Nissan Leaf and a Tesla Model 3. Two delivery services drive a Tesla Model 3 a Tesla Model Y and a Fiat 500e.
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SOME FUN THINGS TO SEE AND DO:
Ruckle Park. A great place to walk around and enjoy the views out to the islands south of us. Fabulous camping.
Baker Beach. Another interesting beach walking over the resulting striations that in historical times, created the Gulf Islands.
Daffodil Point. A 1/2 hour somewhat strenuous walk out to a view to Vancouver Island. Springtime the point is covered in Daffodils.
Mt. Erskine hike. Come see the famous fairy doors (follow hiking route #1) as you hike to the 436 meter summit. Views from Vancouver Island to the other Southern Gulf Islands to the Mainland. Don’t forget to sign your name in the plumbing fixture at the top. Set aside at least 2 hours for this activity.
Salt Spring Cheese farm. Complete with goats, cheese tasting and a pizza restaurant.
The Tree House Cafe. The tree house cafe is a core destination in down town Ganges. Eat under the stars while listening to live music, every night of the summer.
Moonshine Mama's Elixir. Hard to describe how wonderful this is. Turmeric meets a sweetener of exotic variety. Available at the Country Grocery store and even on Vancouver Island.
The Famous Salt Spring Saturday Market. What can I say ? About 200 vendors. Produce, breads, artisan goods, ciders, spirits, very strange foods. The rules are: anything sold must "made", "baked" or "grown" on Salt Spring Island.
Food Vans. From massive burritos at Pacos Tacos, Putin Plus (Poutine), Japanese street food (Kitchen Kodama) , Ganges Grill (Curries) and Als’ Falafels, our food trucks are ready with prepared delicacies.
Art Galleries. Robert Bateman (Smart EV Driver) is just the start. Jill Louise Campbell, Carol Evans, lead the pack of our talented painters and sculptors. Check out the Razali’s Gallery 8 and next door Steffich Fine Art Gallery. Both in Grace Point Square in down town Ganges.
Drive to the top of Mt Maxwell. Not a good road and probably only suitable for AWD vehicles. Great view from the top.
Farm Stands. They are sprinkled all over the island and sell a wide variety of produce including farm eggs that have never seen a cage, home made food and products. My wife is addicted to the cinnamon buns at North End Farm. They come out at 10am and you are lucky to find one at 11 am..
Moby's Pub and Oyster Bar. Can’t drive by a pub without stopping in ? Moby’s is famous for their duck wings and sauce. Sauce available for purchase. Moby’s has a Tesla destination chargers for your use.
The Salt Spring Apple Company. A Tesla Destination charger and J1772 are there for your use while you tour the orchard and taste some yummy cider.
Big Bear and the Wolf, a family owned business creating artful children's clothes and wall hangings. Just drop in and read their creative and loving poems and wish you were a kid again. In Ganges mall alongside the Saturday market
Salt Spring Wild (cider) and visit their open backyard tasting room.
Buzzy’s. The best Smoked Meat this side of Montreal. A Hungry Jew should just about fill any void you have. Don’t forget to check the jokes on the wall.
Ice Cream. Both Harlan's chocolates (and Gelato) and Glads are island institutions. Located in down town Ganges.
INTERESTING FACTOID. We have 18 free Level 2 charging wands in 12 Locations. 4 are Tesla destination. The vendors love to offer this free service to their customers. The locations are listed at: www.ssiev.ca/free-charging-stations.html.
Ruckle Park. A great place to walk around and enjoy the views out to the islands south of us. Fabulous camping.
Baker Beach. Another interesting beach walking over the resulting striations that in historical times, created the Gulf Islands.
Daffodil Point. A 1/2 hour somewhat strenuous walk out to a view to Vancouver Island. Springtime the point is covered in Daffodils.
Mt. Erskine hike. Come see the famous fairy doors (follow hiking route #1) as you hike to the 436 meter summit. Views from Vancouver Island to the other Southern Gulf Islands to the Mainland. Don’t forget to sign your name in the plumbing fixture at the top. Set aside at least 2 hours for this activity.
Salt Spring Cheese farm. Complete with goats, cheese tasting and a pizza restaurant.
The Tree House Cafe. The tree house cafe is a core destination in down town Ganges. Eat under the stars while listening to live music, every night of the summer.
Moonshine Mama's Elixir. Hard to describe how wonderful this is. Turmeric meets a sweetener of exotic variety. Available at the Country Grocery store and even on Vancouver Island.
The Famous Salt Spring Saturday Market. What can I say ? About 200 vendors. Produce, breads, artisan goods, ciders, spirits, very strange foods. The rules are: anything sold must "made", "baked" or "grown" on Salt Spring Island.
Food Vans. From massive burritos at Pacos Tacos, Putin Plus (Poutine), Japanese street food (Kitchen Kodama) , Ganges Grill (Curries) and Als’ Falafels, our food trucks are ready with prepared delicacies.
Art Galleries. Robert Bateman (Smart EV Driver) is just the start. Jill Louise Campbell, Carol Evans, lead the pack of our talented painters and sculptors. Check out the Razali’s Gallery 8 and next door Steffich Fine Art Gallery. Both in Grace Point Square in down town Ganges.
Drive to the top of Mt Maxwell. Not a good road and probably only suitable for AWD vehicles. Great view from the top.
Farm Stands. They are sprinkled all over the island and sell a wide variety of produce including farm eggs that have never seen a cage, home made food and products. My wife is addicted to the cinnamon buns at North End Farm. They come out at 10am and you are lucky to find one at 11 am..
Moby's Pub and Oyster Bar. Can’t drive by a pub without stopping in ? Moby’s is famous for their duck wings and sauce. Sauce available for purchase. Moby’s has a Tesla destination chargers for your use.
The Salt Spring Apple Company. A Tesla Destination charger and J1772 are there for your use while you tour the orchard and taste some yummy cider.
Big Bear and the Wolf, a family owned business creating artful children's clothes and wall hangings. Just drop in and read their creative and loving poems and wish you were a kid again. In Ganges mall alongside the Saturday market
Salt Spring Wild (cider) and visit their open backyard tasting room.
Buzzy’s. The best Smoked Meat this side of Montreal. A Hungry Jew should just about fill any void you have. Don’t forget to check the jokes on the wall.
Ice Cream. Both Harlan's chocolates (and Gelato) and Glads are island institutions. Located in down town Ganges.
INTERESTING FACTOID. We have 18 free Level 2 charging wands in 12 Locations. 4 are Tesla destination. The vendors love to offer this free service to their customers. The locations are listed at: www.ssiev.ca/free-charging-stations.html.
Had a great time ? Thanks for coming. Next weekend is the Fall Fair, which generally attracts up to 10,000 for the weekend. Zucchini races and sheep dog displays are not to be missed. On Sunday, October 4th, we have the Salt Spring Apple Festival (+300 varieties of Organic apples, lots of farms, most have food).
Wanna watch our You Tube EV celebration clip ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5fpLWBldzg
Still Reading ? You are wonderful. I am very interested on how your day went. Was it fun ? Could it be improved ? Please send any or all comments to: jstanden@ucalgary.ca.