NORTHBOUND THREE: FERRIES

 Mountains reach the sea

wheels locked,

the sea touches mountain


    Ferries played a significant part of the road trip. As we travelled on water, not roads, they deserve separate mention. Whether the crossings were minutes or hours, we had to be checked in at every terminal two hours before sail. As we dealt with different companies at different harbors, we usually went a day ahead to learn local requirements.

SKAGWAY TO HAINES

Alaska Marine Hwy, 45 minutes

The Hubbard arrived in Skagway Harbor 

    Driving the truck and trailer into the hold is absolutely nerve-wracking. Mirrors in, squeeze out with everything you could possibly need above. Sometimes driving out is even more complicated than getting on. 

    All worth it! Love being on the water. No other way to enjoy this landscape/seascape. 


    These ships actually move sideways, parking parallel to the dock. Amazing! Haines, AK


PRINCE RUPERT to HAIDA GWAII and BACK

BC Ferries, 8 hours overnight each way

    There was no returning to your vehicle at all as crossing Hecate Strait was rough. We went over on Monday (Labor Day) and back on Friday. We ended up renting an onboard cabin due to bright lights and happy families running about. I recommend daytime reservations!

Two hour wait at Skidegate terminal on return 

   MAP: 

    Prince Rupert to Haida Gwaii and back four days later, both night sailings.  

    Prince Rupert to Port Hardy on Vancouver Island, inside passage, mostly daylight, sixteen hours total.


PRINCE RUPERT TO PORT HARDY

BC Ferries

5am, waiting to board at Prince Rupert terminal. 

    At last aboard. Still pink morning, ready for a beautiful long day. 


Very close: inside passage 

    Lots of whales, we counted a dozen or more on our side of the ship, and the captain had to make a radical swerve more than once.

    Sixteen hours on the water. Luckily we brought a couple games with us, changed seats now and then, had meals from the cafeteria, and visited with other travelers while enjoying all the views.  

Sunset

VICTORIA, BC TO PORT ANGELES, WA

Black Ball Ferry, 90 minutes

   This ferry-line is American and US Customs is on the Canadian side. We managed to use up all of our fresh food because of a previous border experience (see Chapter 1).

    The patrol only wanted to know where we had been (like a sixth grade summer vacation report), no hassle whatsoever… 


Victoria Harbor, saying aloha to the BC capital (and Canada). 

    The international border is midway between the two cities. 

    Olympic Peninsula, US, looming ahead. Taken from the middle of the Salish Sea (dot on map above).

    Dennis and Darlene elected to catch up with us Stateside. They were waiting at the Port Angeles terminal when we arrived. (Photos courtesy of Darlene).  Our ferry pulling in.

 Lono and Lance have landed, blue arrow is us about to touch down. Back in the USA.


Next stop grocery store!

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