Rohr's Travel Blog: Alaska part I

The day after I got back to Washington after hiking the West Coast Trail, I boarded the M/V Columbia, a ferry bound for Alaska. It's part of the Alaska Marine Highway System, which runs ferries all over Alaska's coast. I took the ferry from Bellingham, WA to Haines, AK. I spent 3 nights on the boat. The ferry has cabins, but they cost money and they sell out early. So the people who don't want to spend the money or who plan too late (or, in my case, both) get to sleep on the deck! I pitched a tent on the top deck of the ship. Instead of stakes I had to use duct tape. I loaded it down with tons of gear because I was afraid it might blow away otherwise.

The great thing about the ferry is that it attracts all types. There were families on vacation, retired folks traveling, young folks on adventures, and plenty of crazy Alaskans. I wasn't on the boat 10 minutes before one man who's returning home to Alaska latched on to me and spent what seemed like hours telling me fishing stories. My impression of Alaskans, based on my limited contact thus far, is that they tend to be very friendly, talkative, opinionated, and a little bit crazy.

The end of the ferry trip is supposed to be the most spectacular part, but it was very foggy for the last day, so I couldn't see much at all. After getting to Haines, I kicked around town for a few hours, then started the drive to Fairbanks. I crossed into Canada shortly after leaving Haines. I camped in the Yukon Territory one night, then finished the drive to Fairbanks the next day. Unfortunately the drive was a bit disappointing. As the fog over the ocean faded it was replaced by smoke from the many fires currently burning in Alaska, so I couldn't see much of anything. I'm in Fairbanks and the whole town smells like a campfire, even inside buildings. Visibility outside is down to about a block. Tomorrow I'm heading north to the mountains where I hope it's a bit clearer.

Below are a few pictures from the boat.