A day of hanging out until ferry check in time this afternoon. I woke early as usual and decided to try and put the bike on trickle charge for a few hours. As I couldn’t move it near my room by myself, (I didn’t want to fire it up and wake everyone), I was lucky to enlist the help of a rider leaving for the 7AM ferry to Juneau. I have an extension cable, and charger, so ran the cable out my door to the bike. The problem was I couldn’t lock my door and leave, so had to hang out there for a while, with the door partially closed on the chain. Anyway I let it charge for about 3 hours, packed up my gear, checked out and left my gear with the office again. The owners of the Lodge are very accommodating and helpful. I can recommend this place to stay.
I then went around town again, visited the Ferry Terminal to check in, had lunch and checked out the Visitor’s Center to watch a movie on the ‘stampeders’, and the story of Skagway. It was pretty interesting stuff. Two cruise ships were into-day, both Royal Caribbean, one being the Radiance of the Seas, the same liner my wife, sister and brother-in-law had taken an Alaskan Cruise on a few years ago. So the streets were busy, all the stores were open and the tourist attractions in full swing.
The day had turned into a real gem, sunny and no wind. One could see all the mountain tops around the town, and it was spectacular. The best sunny day for weeks was the local comment. So I decided to bite the bullet and load the bike and head for the ferry. Might as well hang out by the water. Time passed pretty quickly, as people arrived to check in they compared notes and travel tales, especially the few riders. One couple were from Everett.
Views of Skagway:
The ferry, MV Columbia duly arrived, a little late, and seemed to take a while to unload. I guess I am used to the speed of the Sound ferry services, they really do move them off/on. Anyway, we boarded, and I was actually first on board. I had plenty of pushing power available if required. We had 4 bikes all packed in, and tied down. When I booked passage, I could only get a 4 berth cabin, so I have 4 bunks to myself, one for each night. I feel a bit of a hog, but what the hell. I am not sleeping in a chair for 4 nights.
Ferry MV Columbia arriving and loading:
Luxury Suite:
The ferry left for Haines, the weather was great, though a wind had picked up. It was spectacular scenery as we sailed down the Chilkoot Inlet between the Coastal Mountains and Chilkat Range mountains. I am glad I changed to Skagway, as loads of bikes and RVs were waiting to load at Haines. Plus I have eaten (the cafeteria is going to be interesting, it had run out of most of the good stuff). So I am all settled in and ready for the next 4 days. Hopefully the weather will be as good as to-day.
Ferry leaving Skagway
En route to Haines
Haines
Tug barge with 40 footer on top
The ferry is quite amazing, snack bar, restaurant, large lounge/bar (with draft Alaskan Amber), movie lounge which doubles as a sleeper room as it has reclining seats, laundry room, observation lounge which again doubles as a sleeper room, tents on the deck, and a US Forestry Service talking guide. We will visit many places I have not been to, including Sitka, en route to Bellingham, and can leave the ship as long as we don’t miss it sailing. Apparently there is a shuttle into Sitka for the passengers. Next port of call is Juneau, arriving during the night, sailing at 5AM.
Itinerary for the Ferry
Arrive Port Day Depart
0945 Haines Monday 2115
0145 Juneau Tuesday 0530
1415 Sitka Tuesday 1715
0245 Petersburg Wednesday 0345
0645 Wrangell Wednesday 0745
1315 Ketchikan Wednesday 1700
0700 Bellingham Friday
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