M/V Matanuska - July 10

We decided about 2 weeks into our trip, to take a ferry part of the way back home.  This would save us about 1000 km, and it was something new to experience. The M/V Matanuska is one of the ferries that services the Alaska Marine Highway.  It was launched in 1962 and underwent lengthening and complete renovation in 1972.  It is 408 feet long and 74 feet wide.  It is designed to carry 745 passengers and has a vehicle capacity of 1,760 linear feet. 

 We boarded the ferry and left Haines by 10:45 a.m.  We had a cabin with 3 beds, a table and chairs, bathroom,  and a great view out the back. 

 We could see the RV park as we went by. 

Juneau

We stopped in Juneau at 3:15 and were there for just over 2 hours.  We went onto shore but there was only the terminal there and not much else of interest.

We spent a lot of time up on the deck.  There was an open area as well as a covered area which had  heaters to make it  nice and cozy.  The wind was pretty chilly and the protection was nice.

The view out of our cabin window, the cafeteria, our room, the hallway, the covered, and the open area on the deck.

  We saw whales in the distance, mostly the spray and the tails.  The ferry stopped again in Petersburg and Wrangell, but both those stops were short and at night.  The four ports the ferry stops in are only accessible by water or by air.
We slept really well, even with all the creaking and groaning and motor vibration under us.