DRIVING ON WATER...

M/V Kennicott

We head for the coast with a back roads detour around Mount Vernon, WA (to avoid the traffic mess where the bridge on I-5 over the Skagit River recently collapsed.) While in Bellingham we stay at the cleverly named Bellingham RV Park. This is a basic park as opposed to a resort.  With all pull-through sites, it’s a perfect staging ground for a quick stop prior to crossing the border into Canada or boarding the ferry on the Alaska Marine Highway.  Like most parks these days there is a high percentage of permanent residents, but it is cleaner than most parks of this type, offers all of the necessary amenities and the Wi-Fi is exceptional (which makes all of our last minute planning a breeze.) The staff here is really friendly and one couple is from Anchorage.  So we get the 411 on some of the better restaurants to visit when we get to that part of the state and some tips about road and driving conditions. While in Bellingham, Dave goes in to the GMC Spa for a check-up, oil change and tire rotation.  We visit the charming Fairhaven district and make a note that Bellingham may deserve a longer visit in the future.

Ready or not… Alaska here we come!

you WILL have to back up!

The day of departure arrives and we pick up 15 lbs. of dry ice at Fred Meyers to stuff in the refrigerator and freezer. (You have to turn off the propane while on the ferry and 15 lbs. is just enough to keep everything cold and frozen for the duration of the trip, next time we may get a bit more.)  We arrive at the staging area of the ferry terminal and wait… our destination, Ketchikan,  is the first stop so we are one of the last to load. Finally they motion us forward and instruct Chris to turn Dimples around and back up the ramp into the ferry.  Now this could be pretty daunting, with other travelers lining the rails watching & hoping for a you-tube moment, but the guide walks next to the driver’s door and calmly tells Chris when to turn and how much and makes it look easy.  So if you are planning to take a trailer on the Ferry, you will have to back up, but the folks there will do everything to make it easy and stress free – and you’ll look good doing it - so no worries!

Islands 

Once on board the M/V Kennicott, it’s an hour earlier since we are now on Alaska Time.  We pick up the keys to our cabin and get settled in.  Our cabin is a large windowless closet with a sink, bunk bed and blankets from the Alaska Correctional Department, but it’s clean and much more comfortable than pitching a tent on deck or sleeping in the aft lounge. We also discover that the ferry system is celebrating fifty years of continuous service. Since this is our first experience on this ferry system, we’re not sure what this means to our overall experience other than a lot of “50 year schwag” available on board.

Fishing Lodge

The Alaska Marine Highway is affectionately known as the “Poor Man’s Cruise.”  And so it is - If you’re not traveling with 48 feet of truck and Airstream. Folks from all walks of life use this system and we have the opportunity to meet a really diverse group of travelers.  We share a few beers with a teacher from Kansas and a young member of the Coast Guard heading to an assignment in Kodiak.  We meet a family relocating from Florida, an Amish farmer and his wife from Pennsylvania, a couple from Hawaii, (she’s an artist and he’s planning to ride his bike from Anchorage to Denali), young folks on a budget, retirees looking for adventure… the list goes on and on…

Lighthouse

 On the Kennicott, there is a café serving decent albeit expensive food, (we think it’s a public service to prepare you for Ala$ka) a movie theatre showing local informational shorts and family full features, a small gift shop and a lounge for libations.  Our bartender makes some really great made to order Bloody Marys with Alaska Distillery’s Glacier Vodka. Ahh haa… the bartender informs us that this vodka is special for the anniversary celebration… so 50 years equals better quality vodka… works for us LOL.

Our trip to Ketchikan takes 36 hours. During that time we see some incredibly beautiful scenery: forested islands, lighthouses, fishing camps, eagles and whales.  It’s a challenge taking photos of a moving target from a moving platform… but we keep trying.

Arriving at Ketchikan

Snowy Peaks

Although for us the ferry system is the only way we can experience the inside passage with Dave and Dimples. We recommend it for anyone looking for a different kind of cruise.

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