Alaska Marine Highway – Bellingham to Wrangell
As we were driving up to Bellingham to catch the ferry to Alaska, we idly wondered who and what would be on the boat. Since all vehicles have to check in three hours early, we had plenty of time to peruse the parking lot. Most cars were packed to the gills including many items piled and tied on top, although conversely the “tourist” cars had almost nothing in them. The oddest vehicle was a trailer full of huge Belgian and Percheron horses who were on their way from Spokane to Ketchikan to pull the tourist trolley. We had decided earlier to not get a cabin, so we headed up to the solarium to snag a couple of deck chairs. With a sleeping bag and a Thermarest, the front row under the heaters provided a fresh breeze with enough warmth to enjoy two days of panoramic views.
The solarium
Our awesome setup
Sparkly!
Sunrise in the passage
The solarium
Our awesome setup
Sparkly!
Sunrise in the passage
With the sun rising at 4 a.m. and a 46 hour ride to Wrangell; we had plenty of time to get to know our neighbors on the deck and also some folks from down below. The bar on the MV Matanuska spans the width of the boat with windows on both sides, which makes for an enjoyable atmosphere where people gather to socialize, play games and various in-house instruments. There is an easy camaraderie aboard the boat, with everyone sharing their stories, destinations and plans. Some were chasing work, some returning from a winter in the lower 48 and even others moving to Alaska, sight unseen, simply looking for a new life and opportunities.
As we motored through the inside passage, we settled in to the slow rocking of the boat. It is amazing how much action there is in the channel when you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere. Remote logging operations occasionally fill the water with wood debris. Everything happens via the water, including moving a house (hotel?). As we got further north we began to see porpoises and humpback whales and were even graced with a couple of orcas alongside the boat.
Commerce on the water
Orcas!
As we motored through the inside passage, we settled in to the slow rocking of the boat. It is amazing how much action there is in the channel when you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere. Remote logging operations occasionally fill the water with wood debris. Everything happens via the water, including moving a house (hotel?). As we got further north we began to see porpoises and humpback whales and were even graced with a couple of orcas alongside the boat.
Commerce on the water
Orcas!
British Columbia. Super. Natural.
After a mere 38 hours, the Matanuska made its first stop in Ketchikan, which was dwarfed by two massive cruise ships in port. I am continually shocked by the size of those vessels, and in Alaska, how big they are in comparison to the tiny towns they stop in. Taking advantage of the sunny day, we enjoyed a stellar few hours atop the deck on the rest of our journey to the lovely town of Wrangell.
Downtown Ketchikan
Views toward Mitkof Island
After a mere 38 hours, the Matanuska made its first stop in Ketchikan, which was dwarfed by two massive cruise ships in port. I am continually shocked by the size of those vessels, and in Alaska, how big they are in comparison to the tiny towns they stop in. Taking advantage of the sunny day, we enjoyed a stellar few hours atop the deck on the rest of our journey to the lovely town of Wrangell.
Downtown Ketchikan
Views toward Mitkof Island
Wrangell
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