Leaving Sitka, the Ferry steams onward...

August 15th, 2014 Today would be our last day in Sitka. We did not have big plans but there was another hike at the opposite end of town we thought we would try. As we got up it looked like another rainy day in Sitka. We scrapped the hike. That left a walk to the Junk Trunk. That is a 2nd hand store Fran has used extensively to furnish his trailer. It was a damp walk to the store only to find it closed due to a family illness. Back at the trailer we settled in for an afternoon of watching old movies. Around 4:00 Fran started making another dinner. Bob thinks I could get used to this! Tonight was meatloaf with garlic mashed potatoes. another fine meal by Fran.

We called it an early night at 9:00 pm. Bob and I had to be up at 5:00 AM to make the ferry. Saturday, August 16th dawned one of the prettiest mornings we've seen yet, and we're sure it is even rarer in Sitka. The sky was clear and the few wisps of clouds were a bright pink. There was still a half moon overhead. We encouraged Fran to come out and see this glorious site. While Bob and I washed our hair, Fran made us fried egg and cheese breakfast sandwiches that would hold us well through the morning. We said our goodbyes at 6:00 AM and off we went to the ferry terminal. The road is under improvement that 7 mile stretch and we were amazed at the progress they had made in our 4 days in Sitka. There was no traffic at all at this hour. And a relatively small group boarding the ferry so it went quickly. by 7:30 AM we were securing our spot on the solarium deck. This was the beginning of the trip south from here so only our group was on the boat. No problem with crowding and finding a comfortable spot this trip! We were on our way by 8 AM.

Our first stop was Kake at 3:45 pm. This is a very small town. (Petersburg is pictured as it has more structures.) We went down to the truck and had our happy hour, a beer and salsa. We also took extra pillows for additional comfort. We continue to enjoy the deeply forested islands and fjords along the route.

Our second stop was Petersburg at 8:15 PM. This was a pretty looking town of perhaps 1500-2000 people. I managed to complete 2 blogs in the 45 minutes we were docked and maintained internet coverage. One exciting moment while we were gliding through a fog bank a small rufus humingbird found it's way inside our solarium. (one end of which is wide open to the rear of the vessel) It had gotten confused in our walls and ceiling of windows. A rather tall fellow patiently coaxed it down onto the rim of his ball cap for a "ferry ride" of his own to its freedom.

The boat is still relatively empty so we were optimistic that we would sleep fairly well tonight. We had one more stop at 12:15 AM in Wrangell, for 45 minutes. (Sunday morning) The only other stop is Ketchikan at 7-8:15 AM. We enjoyed the smooth passage on calm waters and several glimpses of whales. I could only determine the humpbacks. there were some at a good distance in a large pod but we could not guess what type. Final destination is Port Rupert at 3:45 PM Sunday afternoon.