Ferry to Juneau and Skagway

We were up early as we had to be at the ferry by 8am. We weren't looking forward to the 3hr wait to board but as luck would have it Marty helped fill in the time. It took us 20 odd minutes to work our way up the queue to the border control agent and 10 mins later we were out of the queue as Marty didn't have the correct documentation needed to get back into America. Between the motel, the boat check in counter and border control his visa which was in his passport had vanished. But it turned out that was only valid while he remained in the States so he had to fill out another visa waiver form. Back in line again! Almost to the front of the queue and the border guard calls "kiwis come forward", so we jump ahead and are processed. Yeah, Marty now has a visa waiver double stapled in his passport we are good to go.

Our cabin on the boat is pretty good. Two bunks, wee table and a bathroom. All we need. Very pleasant sailing up to Ketchacan. 

These planes were coming and going non stop

Add Ketchacan from the boat. 

Spoke to a local guy from there who told us lots about the area and Alaska. We didn't get off the boat when it stopped as town was too far from the dock.  We retired about 11.30pm. Marty decided it was too cramped sharing the bunk with me so he went upstairs to crash. There were plenty of couches etc available. Maree woke up about 3 and as she couldn't get back to sleep went upstairs to tell Marty he could have the bunk. Trouble was he was asleep and she woke him up to tell him, so then he was awake. But they both got to see the boat go through a very narrow channel which they said was pretty cool, and a couple of the ports the ship stopped in. I woke or rather should say I was woken by Marees tablet continually playing some horrible bubble gum music. But it was 7am so I got up and ventured out onto the deck.

 We saw heaps of whales spouts and tails on the way to Juneau and a couple of dolphins. Great way to spend the morning. 

 Unpacked at the motel then walked into town to have a look around. Maree and I went up  the Mount Taylor tram ride. The views were amazing.

They had a nature area which included a bald eagle called Lady Baltimore. She had been shot and is unable to be released back into the wild. We were quite surprised at how big she was. The ones we have seen flying around look quite small.

We then jumped on the bikes and went out to the Mendenhall Glacier. Half way there it bloody started raining. Wet again!  Juneau is way too wet and touristy for me.

We were up at 5 the next morning and on the road just after 5.30. It was raining! Got to the ferry just before 6am. We caught the Fairweather which is a catamaran and known as the fast ferry.

Marty tying the bikes down in the ferry

 The trip to Skagway took about 2 hrs. We saw one big whale nothing else. Sat with a nice young guy who is a photographer. Very interesting job. Doing what he loves. Skagway was nice but very cruise ship orientated so we just did a quick look down the main street.
 Had our lunch in a grassy area we found that had a picnic table. Wasn't very nice as the buns we had bought were stale.

 We went on the White Rock Yukon train ride. A three hour round trip with a bit of a commentry along the way. We all enjoyed it.

 Headed out of town about 4.30. Into rain and fog and very cool temperatures. No problems getting through the border into Canada. Put our rain gear on and I changed to my winter gloves. Had rain all the way to Tagish. Staying in a rustic motor camp but our unit is very nice and the owner very friendly. He cooked us burgers for tea and was quite surprised when we each ordered a second one. We were rather hungry.

Today we have done 2 countries, 1 state, 2 provinces, 1 ferry ride, 1 teain trip, and 1 time zone. It's been a very busy day and explains why I never seem to kniw where I am.