. Say “Ferry” and most think “expensive.” True, it does cost a pretty penny but the ferry system of Alaska is the best way to see some of the best sights in this magnificent state. We rode ferries seven times researching the Tongass National Forest’s developed campgrounds and it was an experience beyond the dollar amount. Here are some photogaphs of the ferries we rode and the sights we got to see. slides/01-pr-k-customs.html Sat, 20 Sep 2008 08:48:41 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Our Alaska Adventure set sail from Prince Rupert, British Columbia on the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS). We had been booked on the Matanuska but the cost of diesel fuel in 2008 and scheduling issues resulted in the Matanuska being pulled from service. (Lesson 1 - Call ahead to confirm everything is as your ticket says.) Our Alaska Adventure set sail from Prince Rupert, British Columbia on the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS). We had been booked on the Matanuska but the cost of diesel fuel in 2008 and scheduling issues resulted in the Matanuska being pulled from service. (Lesson 1 - Call ahead to confirm everything is as your ticket says.) slides/01-pr-k-customs.jpg slides/02-pr-k-taku-deck.html Sat, 20 Sep 2008 08:48:41 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 The Taku replaced the larger and older Matanuska. There were only a few other recreational vehicles onboard, a couple of semi-trucks, a handful of bicycles and motorcycles, and lots of automobiles parked below deck. The Taku has cabins, a cafeteria, gift shop, cocktail lounge, and solarium. Inside everything was neat as a pin and the exterior seemed to have had a fresh coat of white and red paint. The Taku replaced the larger and older Matanuska. There were only a few other recreational vehicles onboard, a couple of semi-trucks, a handful of bicycles and motorcycles, and lots of automobiles parked below deck. The Taku has cabins, a cafeteria, gift shop, cocktail lounge, and solarium. Inside everything was neat as a pin and the exterior seemed to have had a fresh coat of white and red paint. slides/02-pr-k-taku-deck.jpg slides/03-pr-k-taku-prize-location.html Sat, 20 Sep 2008 08:48:41 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Our ferry, Taku, departed Prince Rupert at 7PM. We would learn window seats in the Forward Observation Lounge go quickly but, for this run, many people immediately headed for the Solarium. Those lounge chairs had to be more comfortable for sleeping than anything else onboard. Our ferry, Taku, departed Prince Rupert at 7PM. We would learn window seats in the Forward Observation Lounge go quickly but, for this run, many people immediately headed for the Solarium. Those lounge chairs had to be more comfortable for sleeping than anything else onboard. slides/03-pr-k-taku-prize-location.jpg slides/04-pr-k-tenters.html Sat, 20 Sep 2008 08:48:41 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Pitching a tent for a long overnight sail on the stern are accepted and commonplace. An air mattress or some type of padding is a requirement on the hard deck surface. Pitching a tent for a long overnight sail on the stern are accepted and commonplace. An air mattress or some type of padding is a requirement on the hard deck surface. slides/04-pr-k-tenters.jpg slides/05-pr-k-taku-underway.html Sat, 20 Sep 2008 08:48:41 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Arriving three hours before our departure tempered the excitement of our first ferry ride but now we are off. The sky started to cloud over and the water got a little choppy as we left the harbor of Prince Rupert. We would see this brilliantly white, huge Cruise ship, and others, in Ketchikan but right now it was heading for a berth in Prince Rupert harbor. Arriving three hours before our departure tempered the excitement of our first ferry ride but now we are off. The sky started to cloud over and the water got a little choppy as we left the harbor of Prince Rupert. We would see this brilliantly white, huge Cruise ship, and others, in Ketchikan but right now it was heading for a berth in Prince Rupert harbor. slides/05-pr-k-taku-underway.jpg slides/06-pr-k-taku-helpful-crew.html Sat, 20 Sep 2008 08:48:41 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 As soon as folks claimed their space on the ferry, most headed to the cafeteria for dinner. The food wasn’t great but it was reasonable and plentiful. Many of us hung around to chat with each other and with crew members. They had lots of information and insight to give. As soon as folks claimed their space on the ferry, most headed to the cafeteria for dinner. The food wasn’t great but it was reasonable and plentiful. Many of us hung around to chat with each other and with crew members. They had lots of information and insight to give. slides/06-pr-k-taku-helpful-crew.jpg slides/07-pr-k-moving-along.html Sat, 20 Sep 2008 08:48:41 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 While we were enjoying dinner and some conversation, the Captain brought the Taku up to a “full-head-of-steam.” We didn’t reach Ketchikan until 12:15 AM in the middle of a downpour. It was too dark to see much of the town but we were in Alaska. Let the adventure begin! While we were enjoying dinner and some conversation, the Captain brought the Taku up to a “full-head-of-steam.” We didn’t reach Ketchikan until 12:15 AM in the middle of a downpour. It was too dark to see much of the town but we were in Alaska. Let the adventure begin! slides/07-pr-k-moving-along.jpg slides/08-ifa-pow.html Sat, 20 Sep 2008 08:48:41 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Providing service to Prince of Wales (POW) Island is the Inter-Island Ferry Authority (IFA). This is a public corporation with two smaller ferries named Prince of Wales and Stikine. We rode the Prince of Wales from Ketchikan to Hollis on POW and Stikine from Coffman Cove, POW, to Petersburg. Providing service to Prince of Wales (POW) Island is the Inter-Island Ferry Authority (IFA). This is a public corporation with two smaller ferries named Prince of Wales and Stikine. We rode the Prince of Wales from Ketchikan to Hollis on POW and Stikine from Coffman Cove, POW, to Petersburg. slides/08-ifa-pow.jpg slides/09-ifa-ferry_frm_pow_to_petersburg.html Sat, 20 Sep 2008 08:48:41 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Pulling away from the dock at Coffman Cove, POW. Pulling away from the dock at Coffman Cove, POW. slides/09-ifa-ferry_frm_pow_to_petersburg.jpg slides/09a-traveling-in-comfort.html Sat, 20 Sep 2008 08:48:41 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Not as crowded as the AMHS ferries, we were able to grab a prime location in the Forward Observation Room on the Stikine. Very comfortable and the view was great. Not as crowded as the AMHS ferries, we were able to grab a prime location in the Forward Observation Room on the Stikine. Very comfortable and the view was great. slides/09a-traveling-in-comfort.jpg slides/10-ifa-ferry-view-from.html Sat, 20 Sep 2008 08:48:41 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 The coastal mountain range appeared on the horizon for all our ferry rides. This is a view of the range on the way to Wrangell. It may have been June but winter hangs on for a long time this far north. The coastal mountain range appeared on the horizon for all our ferry rides. This is a view of the range on the way to Wrangell. It may have been June but winter hangs on for a long time this far north. slides/10-ifa-ferry-view-from.jpg slides/11-ifa-ferry-stop_in_wrangell.html Sat, 20 Sep 2008 08:48:41 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 A quick “touch-and-go”stop in Wrangell allowed us to give Ralf and Dani a chance to relieve themselves. We were sorry there wasn’t to visit and explore Wrangell. It is one of the few Inside Passage communities that is not a port of call for the Cruise Lines. A quick “touch-and-go”stop in Wrangell allowed us to give Ralf and Dani a chance to relieve themselves. We were sorry there wasn’t to visit and explore Wrangell. It is one of the few Inside Passage communities that is not a port of call for the Cruise Lines. slides/11-ifa-ferry-stop_in_wrangell.jpg slides/12fairweather-view-petersburg.html Sat, 20 Sep 2008 08:48:41 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 We said “Good-bye” to Petersburg from the deck of the AMHS “fast ferry,” Fairweather. The Fairweather began service in 2004 and is the newest ferry in the fleet. Boy, it can really move, too. It took us about four hours to get to Juneau or about half the time it would have taken the Taku to get there. We said “Good-bye” to Petersburg from the deck of the AMHS “fast ferry,” Fairweather. The Fairweather began service in 2004 and is the newest ferry in the fleet. Boy, it can really move, too. It took us about four hours to get to Juneau or about half the time it would have taken the Taku to get there. slides/12fairweather-view-petersburg.jpg slides/13-fairweather-float_plane_petersburg.html Sat, 20 Sep 2008 08:48:41 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 While waiting for Fairweather to leave the dock, a floatplane took off right next to us. Floatplanes are a common sight and an important means of getting around. They are used to deliver mail and supplies, as well as passenger, to locations all over Alaska. It is initially strange to us, seeing floatplanes tied up at docks lining the shoreline but it was a common sight throughout Alaska. While waiting for Fairweather to leave the dock, a floatplane took off right next to us. Floatplanes are a common sight and an important means of getting around. They are used to deliver mail and supplies, as well as passenger, to locations all over Alaska. It is initially strange to us, seeing floatplanes tied up at docks lining the shoreline but it was a common sight throughout Alaska. slides/13-fairweather-float_plane_petersburg.jpg slides/14-fairweather-sitka_to_juneau.html Sat, 20 Sep 2008 08:48:41 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 The Inside Passage seemed so calm and tranquil, it's hard to imagine how deep and treacherous these waters can be on occasion. The Inside Passage seemed so calm and tranquil, it's hard to imagine how deep and treacherous these waters can be on occasion. slides/14-fairweather-sitka_to_juneau.jpg slides/15juneau_to_haines-north.html Sat, 20 Sep 2008 08:48:41 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Our time exploring the Tongass National Forest and Inside Passage was coming to an end. We sailed north to Haines, AK aboard the Malaspina. Heading north up the Lynn Canal, Malapina kept her speed nice and steady, allowing her passengers to enjoy the wonderful sights. Our time exploring the Tongass National Forest and Inside Passage was coming to an end. We sailed north to Haines, AK aboard the Malaspina. Heading north up the Lynn Canal, Malapina kept her speed nice and steady, allowing her passengers to enjoy the wonderful sights. slides/15juneau_to_haines-north.jpg slides/16-lighthse_juneau_to_haines.html Sat, 20 Sep 2008 08:48:41 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Not sure if it is an accurate statement but there seemed to be more lighthouses lining Lynn Canal then the other Inside Passage routes we had sailed. And each lighthouse had its own look and personality. Most have been automated so are “unmanned” now. Can you imagine what it was like living in such a place, surrounded by beauty but so completely alone. Not sure if it is an accurate statement but there seemed to be more lighthouses lining Lynn Canal then the other Inside Passage routes we had sailed. And each lighthouse had its own look and personality. Most have been automated so are “unmanned” now. Can you imagine what it was like living in such a place, surrounded by beauty but so completely alone. slides/16-lighthse_juneau_to_haines.jpg slides/17-ferry_juneau_to_haines-south.html Sat, 20 Sep 2008 08:48:41 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Looking back to where we had been. Such a big and awesome place. Looking back to where we had been. Such a big and awesome place. slides/17-ferry_juneau_to_haines-south.jpg