2009-06-13 48 -123
| Sat 13 Jun 2009 in 48,-123: 48.3405468, -123.5376857 geohashing.info google osm bing/os kml crox |
Location
William Head Institution (a jail!). Geohash looks like it's inside the grounds, so we'll see if we can either weasel our way in, or at least get as close as we can.
Participants
- Wenslayer (with a copy of the Diplomatic Passport)
Planning
Getting there by bike:
- From highway 1, take the exit for the 1A (Old Island Highway).
- Old Island Highway becomes Sooke Road.
- Take a left on Metchosin Road.
- Metchosin Road turns into William Head Road.
- Looks like you end up at WHI, looking pretty much at this.
- Convince guards to escort you to the coordinates!
Expedition
I woke, and took my time getting ready. I usually leave for my Saturday rides just before 8am, but since I was planning to meet the rest of my family for a birthday party up in Bear Mountain, I decided to leave a little later so I could end up at the birthday party just before it started.
I followed my directions above, enjoying the beautiful day. There was a slight breeze which manifested as a slight headwind, but all-in-all, it was a very pleasant ride. William Head Road was especially picturesque, with views of the ocean and lots of fields. I caught a few glimpses of William Head from the road -- what a beautiful piece of land (too bad it's a jail!). The road got more hilly, and the last couple of kilometres were really up-and-down.
I pulled into the William Head Institution parking lot, rode right up to the nearest parking spot, and dismounted right in front of the entrance. Although I couldn't see into the windows, I'm sure there were folks keenly interested as to what I was doing. Also, I'm sure folks in the guard towers were curious as what this bicyclist was doing. Aware that I was probably being watched, I pulled out my printed-out map of a satellite view of the area with the coordinate, as well as my GPS unit. I checked the map and the GPS unit, noting that I was a mere 340 metres away from the Geohash.
Well let's give this a try. I walked into the entrance, and three correctional officers greeted me at the "reception". I didn't quite know where to begin, so I asked, "are any of you aware of the X-K-C-D webcomic?". A resounding set of no's. I then explained that I was participating in a randomly-generated adventure where the coordinate for this day happened to be within what appeared to be the grounds of William Head Institute. I showed them the peeron map print-out, and the GPS display, which showed 330 metres to the coordinate. A couple of them smiled, but I was told in no certain terms that I wasn't getting in.
I asked if I could be escorted. "No". How about I give the GPS unit to one of you guys and you locate the coordinate? "No". Sensing my pleasant smile and winning personality weren't going to convince them, I asked if I could walk along the fence to get as close I could. I was warned that would not be a good idea, for the folks in the guard towers would likely frown on such behavior. Okay, so how about I take a picture of ... "What? No no no, there's no taking pictures here -- we'll confiscate your camera if you take a picture of this facility!" Yikes. Let me rephrase that: where's the closest location where I could safely take a picture? I was told I could take a picture of the sign at the entrance before the parking lot. <Sigh>, oh well. I thanked them for their time and bid them good day.
I jumped back on my bike and rode back to the parking lot entrance and took a couple of pictures.
<more to come...>
Photos
The entrance to the William Head Institute
Closest documented proof to Geohash: 407m
Peek-a-boo view of William Head from the road
View of William Head from Weir's Beach RV Resort
Coordinates of my location at Weir's: 1.4km to Geohash
Looking down the beach from Weir's
Picturesque bench overlooking the beach at Weir's
Another view of William Head from the road
The Google Maps Street-View car!
