For more information on the history of the ferry, visit http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/ferry-jamestown-history.asp
No food, drink, prizes or gimmicks provided.
No hides, educational opportunities or lectures on geo-etiquette.
Just a plain simple M&G enjoying the cruise while the day & year play leapfrog!
Bring your TBs to discover or horse trade. We have a number from out west to trade even up, several that we will give away to a good home that will promise room, board and TRAVEL, and some collectible coins from the Colorado Geocaching Association that are not even halter broke yet - those will cost you coin of the realm.
We are temporarily in the area helping our kids to remodel their home in the Surry area and have long wanted the chance to meet some of the local geocommunity. We own a lot of caches back at home GZ (Colorado territory - out West) and would set some here but will not be around to service them but we CAN host an Event without fear of blowback after the event! We wanted to go to a local event for both the above stated reason AND for the souvenir but find that it is well over an hr. drive one way to anything around. We are thinking there are others in the area with the same issue and being a work day . . . . . . and its a problem on both sides of the river - so we found a solution!
Talked with one of the Jamestown Scotland Ferry Captains today and he sees no problem with it: "It is a public area just like a park, paid for with your tax dollars, we've had weddings and birthday parties on board. So long as you do not interfere with our operations and schedule . . . . . . . . "
SO: here is how it will play out.
We are planning to leave our cache mobile at the Scotland "Ride Share" parking lot for the ferry (see waypoint) and walk the 4 tenths mile to the dock and catch the 5:35 ferry going north to Jamestown. We will not even disembark but will return on the same ferry boat when it leaves Jamestown at 6 p.m. returning to Scotland/Surry. You may log the event by joining us for either half of the trip. You can either drive your vehicle onto the ferry and meet with us up in the lounge or some of you may choose to leave you car in the north side parking lot which is accessed to the right (West) immediately before the security check point on that side of the river. (see waypoint) From there it is again a 4 tenth mile walk to the end of the dock. While the Surry side parking is always available, the Jamestown side is gated and locked after hours so we can not guarantee that the parking will be open at that time of the evening. In that case some of you may want to get together and ride share from the Marina parking area (also shown as an additional waypoint - it is a mile walk from there to the end of the dock.)
Keep the following in mind. The largest ferry, Pocahontas, is out of service until March and there may be delays at certain times. At that time of the evening most of the traffic is south bound headed home from work in Williamsburg so there will be little or no delay from the Surry side going North, BUT there may be delays going Southbound so you should expect to arrive early to be at the front of the que, or park and walk (or bike) as you can then always get on. You should be able to get off, get turned around and get right back on once you reach the Scotland side. Those coming from the south will have the reverse problem, none getting on going north but there is potential that by the time you get off, drive to the end of the dock and get turned around and then try to get back on in the same cycle . . . . you might not make it. For that reason we are leaving our vehicle on the south side and if you want to be absolutely safe on the Jamestown side, arrive early, park, and walk to the end of the dock.
If someone has logistical problems either before or at the time of the event feel free to call or txt us at 602-494-8395 and maybe we can help. (i.e. Parking at the Marina and looking for a ride out to the dock - missed the ferry totally due to heavy traffic etc.) If you provide transport and parking intentions when you log in as "Planning to attend", we may be able to cross reference needs vs. resources more easily. The lounge is enclosed, lighted and heated with restrooms available, but no seating with a steep set of stairs to get up there. You may wish to bring a camp stool along if you don't want to stand for the full round trip. Looking forward to meeting with you. keep safe. Team kekj