AK Trip - Day Twenty Nine - Saturday, July 14th.,

We have now arrived at Prince Rupert and will ride the Yellowhead Hwy tomorrow to Prince George. As you know, while we were on the ferry we had no internet service. I did, however, write the following while onboard.

Kluane National Park It's a pretty fair clue you are in cold weather country when you see engine plug in's for each motel parking place.
203 km = 122 miles - Many times the distances can be much greater. No services means just that. You quickly learn to buy gas when you find it.

The beautiful Haines Highway

Fish Wheels are used by native Americans to catch Salmon.

We arrived at the ferry terminal at 10:30 am, finally boarding at 1:00 pm, along with about a dozen other bikes of various makes. Our ferry left Haines a bit late, with the promise of making up the time in Juneau. Motorcycles were loaded first, all the way to the stern of the ship, which means they will be the first to unload in Prince Rupert.

The Alaskan Ferry Matanuska was our home for two and a half days. We left Haines in a light rain and traveled 5 to 600 miles to Juneau, Sitka, Kake, Petersburg, Wrangles, Ketchikan and Prince Rupert.

Waiting in the rain to board.

Over the length of the trip, twenty bikes were loaded aft. We had the opportunity to get to know many of the riders. The bikes were from North Dakota, Colorado, Washington and Alberta. One rider lived in Juneau and was headed down to Laguna Seca for the upcoming bike races. Two women were riding brand new BMW GS’s.

Mendenhall Glacier - Juneau, AK
The bluest glacier we saw.

The dense low fog and a steady drizzle was a major concern to both Ted and I, considering the legendary views we would miss. Fortunately, as the afternoon wore on, the fog began to lift and the rain ended. We arrived in Juneau around 6 pm and left at 9 pm. We did not leave the ferry. I stayed on the observation deck, forward, until after 10 pm, watching for whales and other wild life. I was eventually rewarded with a close up view of a humpback whale as it surfaced to blow directly in front of the ferry. Shortly after that Ted and I both retired to our cabin, which proved to be quiet comfortable with two bunk beds and a complete bathroom.

Friday morning we arrived in Sitka, AK at 5:30 am. Ted and I were both up early and caught the tour bus into Sitka. While on the tour we managed to visit The Sitka National Park and collect the National Park Stamp. We also visited the site of the original Russian Orthodox Cathedral in downtown Sitka. Another interesting fact: James Michener wrote the historical novel Alaska here.

Our elderly tour bus driver told us it only rained here twice last week. Once from Monday to Wednesday and the second time from Thursday to Sunday.

The weather cleared later in the day, turning partly cloudy with plenty of blue skies. The temps are in the high fifties with no wind and glassy seas. Perfect Inside Passage viewing weather.

Many times the channel becomes extremely narrow. The infamous Wrangle Narrows is less than 300 ft wide in places and more than 20 miles long.

One of the many stops we made along the way was Kake, Alaska. Kake is a town of less than 700 people, totally isolated and completely dependent on the ferry system. Much of the town came down to greet the ferry arrival.

It can get quiet chilly in the open air on deck.

The airport at Ketchikan AK; Notice the seaplanes at the waters edge while the regular airport runway runs parallel to the water.

Ketchikan AK

Arriving in Prince Rupert, Britsh Colombia, Canada. No problems were encountered crossing customs back into Canada.

Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time. ~Stephen Wright~

Experience is "NOT" what happens to you; it is what you do with what happened to you. ~Aldous Huxley~