[TRMiller]

I'm also headed up to Vancouver area, in October. Have relatives to visit on the island and then the mainland. It's $45 each way on the ferry for a vehicle (so RT $$ = a couple days of car rental!)
so I'm toying with the idea of flying in to Victoria, renting a car on the Island, turning in the car, getting to the ferry (somehow?), renting a car on the mainland side (where?), and later flying out of Vancouver. Hmmmmmmmmmm. It already sounds like too much work and inconvenience just to save $90. Anybody make this work?

Vancouver Island, especially up north, has a swell woodsy feel to it. Many cool B&B, cabins, lodges, etc. Sea kayaking on the protected inside passage is pretty cool. BC visitor's bureau will happily send you ideas.

be safe