Day 8-11

Day's 8 through 11 are being spent on the Alaska Ferry Columbia. When I called to make a reservation the woman said the trip would take 36 hours. Well the reality is that was to the first stop. Of course I am traveling to the next to last stop, Haines Alaska. To reach my destination I'll have to wait from Friday 1800 hours, starting time of voyage, to Monday 1500 to arrive. That was slightly more then the day and a half I was expecting.

Of course the price doesn't include a cabin, that was extra. So I'll have 3 nights to sleep in chairs. At least I can take a shower in the mornings, they're free. I think I'll just skip eating for a few days also. I got a grilled cheese sandwich, $4.00, and an eight ounce carton of milk, $1.25 for dinner on Friday. Sunday we will be making the first stop along the way for a 3 hour layover to unload some cars. I may step off to see what I can find on dry ground.

I have all the spots scoped out that have outlets so I can recharge my PC and batteries at nighttime. The ferry is pretty big and has 3 levels to walk around. It also has a recliner room that they show movies in on a couple of 32 inch TV's. Usually the movies are documentaries on the area. They also let people camp out on 2 different decks and those of us without tents or state room cabins just sleep in chairs or in the recliner room. I did buy a nice sleeping bag that is good down to 20 degrees but I forgot to pack it. I think that was the only thing I forgot that I wanted to pack.

The view from the ferry is beautiful as we are passing in and out inlets. Someone yelled out they saw a whale but I didn't see anything. I did spot 3 bald eagles doing some fishing but I couldn't get the camera zoomed in good enough to catch them so I stopped trying and just enjoyed watching.

Once we hit Haines Ak. it looks like I'll have at least 300 miles to ride that will take me out on the Alaska Highway and into Canada to come back into Alaska. Then another 350 miles to get to Fairbanks.

I can't see me taking a ferry back. I can't take being cooped up for 3 days while a perfectly good Harley is sitting below. Even though I resent riding into Canada, I think I'll do a marathon ride and go as long as I can to get back to Washington State thus spending nothing in Canada except for gas.

Total miles riding around the coast while waiting to board the ferry - 68, total miles pacing around the boat while waiting to get off - at least a 100!