Ferrt from Prince Rupert, BC to Ketchikan, AK

May 11 - When I made our reservations with Alaska Marine Highway, back in February, it was stressed we be at the terminal three hours before the scheduled departure time. Our departure time was 7pm so we needed to be in line around 4PM. I would have been happy to comply but since the private campground we used the night before had a check out time of 11AM, we would be in line early. We took the number 1 spot.

A long line formed behinds us and a semi-party atmosphere developed until a representative of the ferry walked up, around 2:30, and started measuring everyone’s vehicle. Our ferry, the M/V Taku, was designed to carry 370 passengers and 1,380 linear feet of vehicle so every foot had to be measured and calculated. We contributed 46 feet (Suzuki was 15' and motorhome 31'). A tip, we saved money by going as two separate vehicles.

After being measured and given our "card", we were sent to the terminal to wait until 4:00 PM for the Customs and Border guards to ask their questions and do their inspections. Passports were handed over as well as Ralf and Dani’s health certificates. (Another tip - Fruit, vegetable, and meat purchased in Canada will not be allowed into Alaska so keep proof of purchase for such items purchased in US to prove your purchase’s location and you won’t have to toss them.)

By about 5PM we were all in another line at a third "hold" point. Purpose of this "hold" is completely unknown but after an hour wait we were sent to the ferry. So exciting! We all filed in and were directed to our spot on the car deck. It reminded me of that game were you must slide tiles around to line everything up and get a picture. Apparently the picture was in place in time for our 7PM departure but have no idea how they did it.

As soon as we boarded the Taku, everyone "lost" an hour. In other words, our 7PM departure from Prince Rupert had a 6PM departure time in Ketchikan. The whole trip would take a total 6 hours but our watches would say it was only a 5 hours trip. About three hours of our trip would be in total darkness so the lost hours wasn’t really noticed.

As the number of cars increased on the car deck, the upper decks began to fill. Lounge chairs were claimed and tents pitched in the Solarium area. A line formed at the cafeteria’s entrance and laptops were plugged into every available electric outlet in the Writing Lounge. Than the party could resume.

There was no fanfare, no family or friends on the dock waving farewell, for our departure. Just a slight change in the engine’s vibrations rumbling through the ferry and the sudden realization that Prince Rupert was getting smaller.

Dinners was eaten (recommend packing sandwiches or some such thing and rounding it out with the ferry’s offers/only the salmon received more compliments than complaints) and little groups formed up. Some people wandered off to their staterooms, others went to work on their laptops, others started writing in journals, a few went to the onbroad showing of a recent movie, groups sat around chatting or playing cards, and solitaire individuals sat watching the scenery pass.

Although the car deck appeared stuffed cheek-to-jowl, the upper decks felt strangely empty.
I enjoyed a long conversation with Bud and Carol, former Ketchikan residences now living in Sequim, WA about all sorts of things. The time flew. The last landmark Bud pointed out before it was completely dark were Hog Islands, seen off the east side of the Taku and just off the Alaskan coast. Much too soon night hid the breath-taking scenery and snowcapped mountains but I was ready for a nap. It had been an exciting day and we still had the adventure of find our campground in the dark.

Sleepers could be find in just about everywhere, their sleeping mats spread out under them, or warm blanket tucked up under their chins as they stretched out on benches or in a lounge chair. Fred tried the lounge chair, but give up and headed for a well lited area to read his book, while I opted for the floor and a couple of hours of sleep. There was something comforting about feeling the steady vibrations from the ferry’s engines.

About thirty minutes before we pulled into port, after hours of darkness, seeing the many lights of Ketchikan was so very pleasant. Many people headed for the Forward Observation Lounge to enjoy the sight and excitement of pulling into Ketchikan. One downside was the steady sheets of rain falling. Suddenly someone announced, and I’m paraphrasing here, "You’re Here! Get your vehicles and go!"

It wasn’t a game of bumper cars but left like it. Fred and I met up in a wide spot in the road and give the kids a quick and, must have been, appreciated bathroom break before topping off the motorhome’s gas tank. (Never thought I’d be happy to see $3.90 gas!) Than, in the heavy rainfall, we headed for Signal Creek campground in the Tongass National Forest. My word but it is dark in the forest at 2:30 am and the wildlife that was out to welcome us. We pulled into the first site big enough for us and hit the sack. It had been a long and exciting day.

May 12 - Our first day in Alaska and, boy, did it rain. No great surprise there but the crowded downtown was - three cruise ships were in. We had brunch at Pioneer Café and our waiter said this wasn’t all that bad. Well, Fred and I were both ready to get out of this mess of people in short order. Our waiter said it would be like this until October then the cruise ships stop coming.

Had a good meeting with Forest Service. Didn’t hurt he was a Western Kentucky alumni like Fred then headed back to camp. I have a feeling our time in Ketchikan is going to be fun but soggy.

Random observations:
Seaplanes are moored like boats at shoreline docks.
While traffic lights are minimal (only one seen so far), crossing guards (about a dozen of them downtown) are used to help visitors navigate Ketchikan’s streets safely.
Cruise ships deliver city size groups that act like ants swarming an anthill.
Pioneer Café serves Reindeer sausage with four egg omelets. Reindeer are caribou domestic which had the same effect on my appetite as seeing the term "bambi" used on a German menu for a dish made with venison.
Route 7, the primary and shoreline hugging road for Ketchikan, is a total of 31.3 miles. For so few miles to drive, there is an incredible number of vehicles here.
You take a ferry to the airport.
Barrages are used to carrying complete, as in cab and trailer, semi-trucks from one place to another.
There is little flat land around Ketchikan so it may have more stairs than Bisbee.

Need to visit the grocery store and find a hot spot to get our email and upload this blog today. Maybe Fred can start researching the local Alaskan beer - he has earned a treat.