A Journey Through Alaska's Inside Passage

 

I was unprepared for the beauty that lie before me. Ribbons of misty fog hugged the snow-capped mountains. 

Waterfalls danced down the mountainsides.

Fishermen headed home past the lighthouses whose beams seemed merely decorative in this land of the midnight sun.

Excitement abounded as a whale surfaced long enough to gave a brief show and then waved us on with a flap of his tail.

(Cameras are never fast enough to capture that action, so I just enjoyed the show.)

We had begun our journey through Alaska's Inside Passage. 

While excited to see Alaska for the first time, we didn't really relish the thought of driving all the way up there and back, so we splurged a little, and Doug reserved a spot for us on an Alaska Marine Highway ferry. These state-owned ferries run from Washington state through the Inside Passage in southeast Alaska. The system provides transportation to the remote and road-less areas of this important fishing, government, and tourism area.

Our journey would lead us past wildlife-filled fjords, icy-blue glaciers, and lush-green rainforests. Our ferry, the MV Matanuska, began its journey in Bellingham, Washington. Over the next three days, the sea vessel would make stops in Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Juneau, Haines, and Skagway, Alaska.

While a little less ''luxurious'' than an Alaskan cruise ship, we benefitted by being able to transport our van at the same time. We were able to customize our itinerary which allowed us to get off for a few days to explore Juneau and Haines before reaching our final destination in Skagway, Alaska.

While the ferry is in motion, there was limited access to our van, so no sleeping in there for the next three nights. While we could have joined some truly adventurous souls who pitched and duck-taped tents to the upper deck flooring,

...I am grateful that Doug sprung for a stateroom that included bunk beds, bathroom and shower. While cruise cabins are never super spacious, these small sleeping quarters seem huge compared to what we are used to!

Passengers are welcome to bring their own food, but there was also a cafeteria-type restaurant that served up some very good and reasonably priced meals. We picked up some smoked salmon during one of our stops ashore and enjoyed it on top of cream cheese and crackers one evening ... I hope there is more of that in my future!

The ferry also had a number of lounge areas where we could relax while watching the  stunning scenery that surrounded us on all sides.

We prepared ourselves to experience a little more ''non-screen'' time then we are generally used to ... because, unless we were close to one of the port cities, there was no internet on the ferry. Perfect opportunity to disconnect from the electronics and dive into one of those books that just may have stowed away with me in the van. 

Of course, when the ''energizer bunny'' needed to recharge her batteries, the deck provided the perfect walking path with beautiful scenery around every corner. 

Eight laps = a mile, and it's a bit breezy and chilly out here, so let's get going!

So while taking the ferry was a little more expensive than driving, it allowed us to experience a part of Alaska that is accessible only by boat or plane. 

Watching a sunset long after our normal bedtime is going to take a little getting used to,

... but our journey through Alaska's Inside Passage increased our excitement for all the Alaskan beauty that awaits us during the next couple months. 

And we are excited to share this beauty with you! 

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