In the last 8 days we’ve had marvelous experiences traveling on the ferries of the Alaskan Marine Highway System (AMHS) from Petersburg to Sitka (through the Frederick Sound) and then from Sitka to Juneau. Both times, skies were blue and waters as still as glass – which made for some excellent whale and gorgeous sunset viewing. Of course, sunsets last a long time here – beginning around 9:30pm and lasting past 11:00pm – which means we take lots of pictures – mostof which we delete. Thank goodness for digital cameras!

There is a group of like minded RVers who are traveling on the Alaskan Marine Highway with a similar itinerary, so we frequently share ferry rides, stories and campgrounds along the way. One couple may stay a little longer, or shorter at an island, but it seems we hook up again along the way.

We’ve watched a humpback whale “bubble feed” about 20′ from our boat, and then travel long with us for a while until it dove, seals and sea lions catching and throwing fish, and lots of birds along the way.

Our ferries have been small and the staff packs the suckers tighter than most people pack their suitcases. Prior to any vehicle going on board, the “packing guy” makes a list of all the vehicles and lengths and they pick and choose which vehicle goes exactly where. Although this looks like a picture of Dave going off the ferry, he’s actually having to back on – not too difficult for him, but those folks towing trailers had a tough time backing up on the narrow ramps! Once, at an interim stop, he had to drive off the ferry, so another longer trailer could fit in the right spot and then drive back on – earning us a free halibut/crab dinner!

The advantage of being on small ferries is that we have been through some tight narrows unnavigable by larger ships. It’s been interesting watching the boat navigate hairpin turns on foggy nights – with the thought if they get stuck during low tide, we could be there for a complete tide cycle…but the scenery has been well worth it!