Day 34 – Haines, AK to Juneau, AK
September 24, 2010 10 Comments
Day 34 – Haines, AK to Juneau, AK 09/23/10 Mileage: Local mileage and a ferry ride!
Morning came and it was not as cold as it had been and was also dry. After cooking breakfast, Phil, Kelly and I made our way to the ferry terminal to hopefully catch the ferry to Juneau!
Haines Ferry Terminal
Rebecca and Kevin (the biker from NY I met yesterday) already had confirmed tickets, but Phil, Kelly and I would have to play the waiting game.
Kevin and his FZ6...all the way from NYC...
The M/V Matanuska
A ferry this size takes a long time to load, but after 3 hours of waiting…we got the OK to board…sweet!
Strapping the bike down for the ferry ride...
After boarding and strapping my bike down, Kevin, Rebecca, Phil, Kelly and I had a bite to eat and then adjourned to the bar for a few drinks.
L to R: Rebecca, Kevin, Phil and Kelly
We didn't see a single whale....from the bar. Go figure?
Enjoying the great views from the top deck...
Looking back towards Haines...
The scenery was spectacular as we were surrounded by mountains for the entire 5 hour trip. We passed a few lighthouses and several gushing waterfalls….but no whale sightings.
Nice lighthouse along the way...
Phil, Kelly and Rebecca were all staying a few days in Juneau to see the town, and with the “”Sea Alaska” pass I bought (at the recommendation of the ticket agent) I had that option as well, so I decided to do the same. I can also stay over in two other ports on my way to Prince Rupert, which after reading up on Sitka and Ketchikan, I’m planning on hitting at least one if not both of those…we’ll see. Dori (the gal I met in Denali) also lives in Juneau, so I’ll try and catch up with her as well.
From Deadhorse Down 
Great that you got on the ferry last night. You are really having a great time and meeting such wonderful people and so nice that you are all sharing and watching each others back.
The pictures were great and I am sure that there will be more beautiful ones to follow.
Enjoy and stay warm and well. Mom and Dad
Monday, 9/27/10
Hi Lenny, Good to hear that you really enjoyed Juneua. Glad you were on the ferry today to get on way out of Alaska to roads. Now I won’t worry about it being too cold for you. Mothers do worry, it is a gift they are born with and some worry more than others.
Enjoy the ferry ride and be well and happy.
Love ya, Mom and Dad
I see you made it to Sitka. great place. And for Mom…Lenny couldn’t be in a more giving and friendly state…but made it out in time….we how OFFICIALLY have termination dust!!!
Hi Becki, When I spoke to Lenny, on the phone, I told him what wonderful people you and Scott were. It made me feel so much better to know that there was someone there who would help if there was a real problem. I was very concerned about it getting too cold, etc. People kept scaring me.
You and Scott are always welcome to come stay with us if you ever come southeast. If there were more people like you, Scott, Glenn and others that Lenny has met……..we would have a much better world. I felt the love and concern when I read your comments. Be well and be happy. Thanks….Arlene
Be well, be happy and enjoy. Hugs, Arlene
Thanks for those kind words Arlene. Women are born with the “worry gene” and I know what the lure of this state can do to an adventure such as Lenny. I told him if he got stuck for the winter he could sign on here and do odd jobs!!! Some of them suck, but I feed the masses well in reward!!! hahahaha…he is having the adventure every man should experience! You should be proud that he broke the “spell” and went for the “spirit” !! In the long run, it will make a better man of him. Not that he wasn’t a doll to start with!
Becki
Hello Lenny,
I’ve been following your trip with great admiration. It seems as if your having a blast. In a strange way I think your trip is helping your Dad’s golf game. He must be drawing some inspiration from your journey. We played the other day and even with his yet to be perfect ankle he had the low score for the foursome. Anyway, stay safe and continue to enjoy your fantastic trip (Len’s Excellent Adventure).
Great to hear from you and thanks! So far it’s been a great trip, but I’m looking forward to getting south for some warmer weather. Hope all is well with you!
Becki, thanks for the kind words and I agree with everyhing you said. Great “talking” to you but I better not keep using this blog for telling my secrets.
Be well, be warm and be happy, Arlene
Lenny,
I was refered to your blog by a member of a forum I am on. I wanted to tell you that I admire your spirit of adventure and courage to climb on for the ride and see what happens. I read every new you post that you write with relish and envy. Stay safe and keep the wind in your face….
Lenny, great blog and glad to meet you on the ferry. I had a whale update for you: I slept on a lounge chair in the solarium after you all got off at Juneau, and woke up to see a humpback breaching just off the stern. I had to slap myself to make sure I was actually awake!
Best of luck in South America, that’s an awesome trip I’d like to take some day. I’ll be following your blog when I have wifi, I’m writing this now from a subway outside of Bryce Canyon, UT. Warming up with a coffee in the balmy 20 degree air 🙂