ferry 101

Alaska or bust!!!

September 6, 2013

Day: 5

Total mileage: 1810

We are on the Malaspina - its 3,601^st sailing.  This year, 2013, the Alaska Marine Highway celebrates 50 years of service.  I am proud to celebrate with them.

Almost there...

Today we finally stopped driving for awhile.  Buying our ferry tickets up the Inland Passage is by far the greatest idea we’ve had yet.  Not only do we get out of the truck for a few days, but we are still heading north.  We won’t be in Alaskan waters until the early morning of the 8^th.  Once we stepped foot onto the Malaspina, we entered Alaskan Time Zone.  That feels great.

Bellingham Ferry Terminal

Just hanging out, waiting for the ferry.

Yeeha!

 

I’ve been in my “exhausted excited” state all day.  It has been a hectic 4 days in the car – over 400 miles a day with a 21 month old.  Phew.  Driving up to the ferry dock, CJ and I were both in a crazed state.  Now we are all settled into our stateroom and ready for a few days rest while admiring some incredible scenery and wildlife, if we are so fortunate.

Driving on the Malaspina.

Crazy cool.

Parking spot with a view.

 

Our state room? I can sum it up in four words: we have two portholes.  In fact, the term “porthole” doesn’t do it justice.  These are cabin windows.  Two sets of bunk beds, a bathroom with a shower and a sitting area.  Quite impressive actually.  And quite clean.

Snack time in our sitting area.

 

We brought a bit of snack foods with us on board (and some milk and yogurt) but we decided to have dinner at the cafeteria.  We were pleasantly surprised to get a chicken pot pie, spaghetti and a blackberry pie for under 20 bucks.  We sat at the bow of the ship and watched the sunset over Puget Sound.

Sunset glory.

 

Fire in the sky.

Ending quote of the day, “There’s a poo chunk on the loose!” Add that to the list of things that would most likely not happen if we hadn’t brought Colter.  Then again, we are the Malcolm's, so you just never know.

So excited.

Mama time.



Love this shot.