First Ferry

Ferry to Juneau
September 9, 2010
 
Lulled to sleep by the ship's engines. Everyone slept very well last night. I poked my head up a few times, hoping to glimpse the green smoky shape of northern lights but I didn't want to leave my little cave under the top bunk. No big hurry in the morning - no where to go and nothing to do today!
The Kennicott ferry is part of Alaska's Marine Highway System (yes, really!). This particular ship is 382 ft long, 85 ft wide and has nine decks. there is capacity for 499 passengers with 320 berths. Jacky and I have a lovely cabin with 4 berths - 2 sets of bunks. There is a sink as well as a private bathroom and shower. Some cabins have a public bathroom/shower and others do not have a cabin but can set their tent up on one of the decks (inside so they don't blow off). There's a cafeteria, movie theatre, gift shop, game room and many observations area. Alas, no internet access! All around us is water, water, water.

We are traveling through the Gulf of Alaska and on the map it looks like we are skirting the shoreline. But there's no sign of land from here! I have been keeping an eye out for whales. Got excited over a couple of dead trees floating in the water (who knew they could be so far from land?). Arthur and Lee saw whales this morning at breakfast but they must have decided to keep it for those who actually got up. Those of us who snoozed, losed (Yes Mom, I know that's not a work but it rhymed). I'm still hopeful...Beautiful place for northern lights too if the Alaskan sky would just accommodate us. The excitement so far today consisted of watching another ship go by. I even have pictures! (I didn't think you wanted pictures of dead trees). Lunch was peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, courtesy of the  Whittier grocery store. Meals get expensive if you have to buy them all!

The afternoon passed quietly...very quietly. We did eventually dock at a small fishing village called Yakutat. I could say that name all day. It was fun watching this big ferry squeeze into the tiny port. It had to back up where there wasn't room to swing a stick. We were all suitably impressed with the captain's skill. Everyone else got off the ship to stretch their legs. I decided to stay on as it was raining pretty good and I have just started a nice head cold. I must say, it was amusing to watch passengers hurry back on 5 minutes after they had disembarked, but now soaking wet. We were there 4 hours so I was able to finish the book I was reading as well as watch the Alaskans take care of their catches. This was a working fish dock so that was educational as well.

We did eventually start off again, but once we were out of the harbor, the waters got a bit more playful. The ship rolled side to side most of the night. Apart from making for some interesting walking behavior, we were able to turn in early so, in turn, we could get up early to maybe spot a whale.