Day 33- Alaska Marine Highway

Route: Prince Rupert- Wrangell, Alaska
Distance driven: < 5 km
Distance sailed: 349 km

Today was the first day of our 36 hour ferry ride from Prince Rupert all the way to Alaska. It was pouring rain as we lined up for the ferry and scarfed down all of our tomatoes and peppers before going through customs. The ferry boarding was more complicated than our previous ferries, since there are so many possible destinations on the Alaska Marine Highway. The State-run ferry system goes all the way from Bellingham, Washington to the Aleutian Islands.

Contraband sandwich before crossing into the US.

Since we were going to be on the boat overnight, we decided to get a cabin. Most people just slept in the common areas, and one guy even pitched a tent on the helicopter pad at the back of the boat. There was lots of common sleeping space, and I think if we didn't have Jasper with us, it would have been fine without a cabin.

Now we're in 'Murica

The first part of the trip was pretty rainy, and quite similar to the southern part of the inside passage trip that we'd taken earlier. While it rained, we rested in our cabin and spent some time exploring the ship. This ship was smaller and less modern than the last one we were on, but it had an observation deck, a cafeteria, a sun deck, a lounge and a recliner room.

Beside the one camper on the ferry.

The ferry made several stops along the way, and we were able to get off the boat and look around. The ferry terminals weren't close to downtown, but in Ketchikan, we were able to stop for a pint of Alaskan ale at a hotel pub. The towns along the route are pretty large, considering they don't have road access.

Jasper wants a drink in Ketchikan.

Back on the boat, we ate dinner and enjoyed the scenery until the sun went down. The mountains were starting to get higher and higher as we got farther north.

While we were asleep, the ferry stopped in Wrangell and exchanged more passengers. Pat went out for a midnight walk to check out the stars, but Jasper and I stayed in the cabin and watched out our window.

Enjoying the sunset.