Our cruise to Bellingham

I've heard it said that ferry transportation through the Alaska Marine Highway System is the "poor man's cruise" and I believe it! We've done the longer ride twice - TO Juneau and FROM Juneau but a number of smaller trips (day trips, if you will) as well. Ferry or air transportation are the only ways that most Alaskan's in Southeast can get to larger parts of the state for shopping, legal or business work and even medical visits. You can go for the day or longer, with or without your car, depending on your needs. For our purposes, we booked passage for ourselves and our truck for three nights from Juneau to Bellingham, Washington. We came prepared with snacks and beverage options, cards and books and our camera. The weather was spectacular right out of the harbor - we quickly found our stateroom complete with full private bathroom and bunk beds! A small couch (which would also double as a bed if needed) provided a nice spot to watch the world sail by out our large "port hole" window. When we checked in, the porter stated that he was giving us his favorite room - the one he and his wife use when they travel together. There were a lot of cars in the hold but the number of people was small -

cars can travel "unattended" for an extra fee. We had plenty of room to roam, covered decks to stay out of the elements but they weren't needed. A wonderful friend in Juneau hooked us up with a private tour of the bridge, where we met the captain and other crew, read the maps, then sailed through a fog bank that was completely unexpected! We even saw a pod of porpoises and orcas from this lofty view - thanks, Bryan!

Food on board is served three times per day from the clean, bright cafeteria-style restaurant. Menus are posted as well as daily specials and most items are cooked to order. Always a large salad bar (bowl $3.50, plate for $4.00) along with burgers and sandwiches, dinner our first night was salad for two, a reindeer sausage and a plate of delicious lasagna. We had our own cocktail fixings in the cabin but you could order wine or beer to consume with your meal in the dining area. One night saw a fresh marionberry pie coming out of the oven and the server was "generous" in his cuts! Even sharing a piece was enough for us. Breakfast was cooked-fresh omelets with sausage or bacon, french toast or pancakes along with fresh fruit bowls (melon, pineapple and grapes) and free-refill coffee. We took advantage of the inexpensive meals twice per day, eating our own "charcuterie" Thursday and Friday for lunch. There was always a small snack bar open and a make-your-own cappuccino bar that was open all day, if one needed.

We had decided to make this part of our trip as vacation-y as possible so we brought some paperbacks to read and we wanted to resurrect our long-forgotten cribbage skills. I had an old deck of cards but no board -no problem, I thought, since I would just use paper to keep score. But along came the best friends in the world who delighted me with a gorgeous cribbage board with hand-turned picks and brand new cards! I was so excited to use them - we ducked into the "card room" for the afternoon along with some water bottles that held a more adult beverage and watched as the scenery passed.

On Friday afternoon, we watched a newsreel about the explosion of Ripple Rock in 1958 - a large remnant of volcanoes that hampered trade routes in the area. Other movies played during the day and evening but we preferred the passing landscape outside our window. The hubby and I definitely don't lack for things to talk about!

The rooms were more than comfortable, the trip was smooth as silk, the food tasty and fresh. Too soon we were awakened on Saturday morning with our call to return to our vehicle for the stop in Bellingham - our last bit of Alaska was now over. Both Bill and I decided that we want to take this "cruise" again - we invite all of you along for the ride!!

In the interim between our trip south and our rv purchase, we were joined by my sister and her husband for a relaxing and truly wonderful seven days traveling down the Oregon coast. From Astoria to Lincoln City, we drove beautiful coastal roads, stopped at road-side attractions and even enjoyed a couple of stops to watch the Milwaukee Brewers play in the post-season (usually at a brew-pub, naturally!). I will use the next chapter as this "intermission" but with no less enthusiasm for travel and adventures. The picture below is the sunset view from our VRBO right on the beach in Netarts, Oregon. As stated previously, my former landlord will use our two bedroom unit in Douglas, AK, as a long-term rental (4-6 weeks to 6 months) and, if you haven't ventured into that market yet, don't be afraid! We have stayed at VRBO's in New York City multiple times, with just the two of us in a small private apartment to as many as 12 of us just off of Times Square during the NYC Marathon. Prices

are usually less than hotels and SO MUCH nicer - privacy, sharing meals with family and priceless views (in most) are a few of the "pluses".

We moved from Bellingham, WA, down through Seattle (stopping to watch the Packer game) on a Sunday and got to Astoria (film home of the "Goonies") that evening. From there, we spent four nights in Netarts in a cozy two-bedroom bath-and-a-half with a full kitchen, large television and a deck with THAT VIEW. Close to the main highway for travel during the days but "home away from home" at night, this location was the perfect jumping-off point for our travels up and down the coast.

Watch for the next chapter - then, our adventure really begins when we purchase our home on wheels!