Day 7 06-08-14

Boarded the ferry yesterday evening, got the bikes all tied down on the car deck then found our cabin. So far motorcycles get all the priority; loading, unloading, etc. We met riders on 5 other bikes ate the loading area including old BMW with a side-car. Everyone is very friendly and we spent a entertaining several hours waiting to load talking about each other’s adventures. Jim and I have ridden the furthest by a significant amount to get to the ferry. The ferry pulled out at 6 pm and we enjoyed the view until we realized they had just opened the bar so many of us congregated there for our first drink to celebrate the voyage. Big windows in the lounge so we weren’t missing anything. Drink prices a little high ($6 for an Alaskan Amber beer) but it is tasty.

We reserved a two bunk cabin with a sink and port-hole and it is a bit small. More like a jail cell really but we managed to get comfortable and we both slept like rocks last night. Shower and bathroom only 10 feet away so really not so bad. We both agreed we should have reserved a 4 bunk cabin so we would have more room to spread out. Going cheap here was not worth the savings.

Temperature is really nice; cool but not cold and the weather is still beautiful. Food in the café is really pretty good and prices are reasonable. I had a cheeseburger and fries last night and drink for around $9.50.

We are currently somewhere around the north end of Vancouver Island and whales pop up occasionally around the ferry. The scenery is spectacular and everyone seems to be on deck or in the viewing areas to catch all they can. The ferry is not crowed and we always find places to set or stand at the rail by ourselves to take in the view.

We have met several friendly folks who all have a story to tell including a gold miner and a professional nature photographer. There are also a lot of “older” folks just riding the ferry to AK with their RVs.

Both Jim and send out a SPOT location in the morning and again in the evening. So far it has been very enjoyable and we have not gotten bored.

For the first time on this trip we are entering some light rain showers. It is getting a bit foggier and the shoreline disappears occasionally. On this route we pass a small village now and then and fishing boats. The folks living here really must like solitude because there is no easy way to get out to the larger communities. Boats are the only means of travel from what I can see.

This is my first experience being on a large boat for any length of time. The constant rumble and vibration of the engine did make sleeping feel strange but not unpleasant. We are staying in narrow channels for the first couple of days then take a direct line across open water towards the end of the trip. One of the crew told us that the motor cycles needed only two tie down straps until we hit the open water portion. Luckily Jim and I bought extra straps in Bellingham and all the bikes put on four straps from the start. The crew even put four straps on each of the cars and RVs. I expect it will get much rougher as we get to open water. Visions of the Crap boats on the TV series “Deadliest Catch” keep popping into my head!!

Will write more later this afternoon.

I’m back. It is around noon now and we are in open ocean north of Vancouver Island. The ship is now getting rollers off of the Pacific causing the boat to roll steadily. The boat does have stabilizing fins that help dampen the roll but is still noticeable, especially when you are walking down the passageways. This is one of several open water sections we will encounter on the way to our destination. Weather is good (hazy) which makes it ok. Not sure I would want to be out here during a storm. We now see land to our right in the distance but open water everywhere else as far as the haze will let us see. Jim and I are setting in a stern enclosed area and have it to ourselves. Everyone one else prefers the bow viewing area but it is full of 0lder folks and kids. Much quieter back here but I think we also feel the boat movement more here.

These post on the boat may be long and boring but not much more to do for next couple of days.