The Ferry Schedule

The first thing we've had to learn about planning our new life around the infamous Ferry Schedule is: Don't Plan.

Many people have already told us that if we want to be successful as Islanders ... we must Be Flexible. We must be able to Go With The Flow. Yesterday, we experienced first-hand why it is imperative that we take the Islanders advice.

We left Mr. P's house yesterday at 2:30 ... planning to get to the Ferry Line at 2:45 ... planning to catch the 3:35 ferry ... planning to get home at 6:00. We had previously gotten in line at 3:10 on a summer, Sunday afternoon, and we had caught the 3:35 ferry.

Yesterday, however, as soon as we discovered how long the line was ... we knew we were in trouble. Not only were we sure that we were NOT going to make it onto the 3:35 ferry ... but we knew there was a good chance that we wouldn't make it on the 5:45 ferry either ... which would leave us waiting for the 8:30 ferry ... which would put us home at 11:00 p.m. (after leaving home at 6:00 a.m.)

To make matters worse ... we had eaten our yogurt and muffins at 8:00 a.m on the ferry ... we had nibbled on crackers and cupcakes after church ... we had eaten cheese and crackers at Mr. P's at 2:00. We had a couple of muffins left from breakfast ... it was now going to be at least 7:00 before we were on the mainland ... and, we were at the far tip of the island with nothing within walking distance. Uh oh!

We were all exhausted, so we all took a 30 minute nap before the Ferry Line began to move towards the 3:35 ferry. We were actually very surprised by how close we got ... just 9 cars away. Oh well ... we KNEW we weren't going to make it on, so it wasn't a surprise.

9 cars, you say? Obviously, you will make it onto the 5:45 ferry. Not so. The 5:45 ferry loads up at the other islands first. All they promise is room for 10 cars from Lopez. We are car #9 ... and we are a MONSTER VAN. Nope ... no guarantee that we will make it onto the 5:45 ferry either.

It's now 3:30, we're parked in line for at least another 2 hours, with the possibility of 5 more hours. We do not have the church directory with us, and we do not have any of the church members' phone numbers. Jim and I KNOW that we've got to keep a good attitude, or our 6 tired young kids will most certainly fall apart.

Just as the reality of the situation begins to sink in ... up drives Mr. P. ... in his 15 passenger van. He knows that we might not have made it onto the 3:35 ferry, so he comes to the rescue. We all jump into his monster van, and head into town. We go to The Market to buy corn dogs, chips, and water for the kids lunch/dinner. Mr. P. takes us to The Bakery for dessert. Then, Mr. P takes us back to his place to visit and play. Mr. P. plays horseshoes with Josiah. Elijah plays with the dogs. Papa wanders next door again, to ponder the possibilities of this beautiful 5 acre piece of property. Ben dreams of Paint Balling in the woods. I chat with Mrs. P. for a bit. Then ... at 5:15 Mr. P. drives us back to our van, hoping that we can squeeze onto the 5:45 ferry. He also gives us his phone number and tells us to just call if we don't make it on ... he'll come get us again. What a guy! We are certainly thanking the Lord for Mr. P.

Not only did our monster van squeeze onto the 5:45 ferry (we could, seriously, hardly open our doors to get out of the van), but a few more cars squeezed on as well. However, there were quite a few cars that had arrived in line shortly after us, at 3:00, that had to continue to wait for the 8:30 ferry.

Because we weren't in a rush to get home ... because we had already decided that fellowship was more important than catching a specific ferry ... because we were laughing about it all, rather than crying and complaining ... we all had a GREAT afternoon.

One thing we did learn, however, is that we are now going to keep a fully packed Ferry Basket in our van. It will include: a church directory, books for all ages, granola bars, and a few games. (Lots of families were playing cards on the ferry yesterday, and we LOVE to play cards.)

I still LOVE the ferry boats. I actually look forward to quiet reading time in the Ferry Line, and I look forward to many more spontaneous times of fellowship with Mr. P. and all of the other wonderful members of Lopez C.T.K.