I took the famous but indispensible ferry system that links many of the remote communities along the Alaska coast.
I caught the ferry in Ketchikan after a week long stay.
Although cabins were available (I didn't price them but I'm sure they were out of my budget), I opted for the adventurous route which meant I was on my own for sleeping arrangements. On this vessel, there are two places you can sleep. The solarium which is outside but covered with heat lamps and in the recliner lounge. You could also pitch a tent albeit at your own risk on the deck next to the solarium. I chose the recliner lounger which was actually quite cold. Like most, I hit the floor between the seats since it wasn't too crowded on this trip.
My destination was Juneau and there are a few routes from Bellingham or Prince Rupert during the summer. I ferry I took came from Prince Rupert and was scheduled to stop in Wrangell, Petersburg, Kake and Sitka for a total travel time of 36 hours. From Ketchikan, there was a faster ferry that bypassed Sitka but since the price was the same, I went with the longer route as it allowed me to do some additional sightseeing and I wanted to see Sitka just to say I've been there. Plus ferries don't run at the same time every week so this particular routing got me to Juneau in the afternoon instead of 4 in the morning like some routes.
Most of the passengers had vehicles and or RV's and most of those opted for the cabins. It's quite fascinating watching the process of unloading and loading vehicles at each port. There was a 40 foot tour bus for the cruise ships, a large front loader, RV's from small to large and a few state vehicles as well as some cargo trailers. You can really see how many of the remote communities rely on the ferries to bring everything from supplies to equipment to vehicles.
On the Matanuska, there's a cafeteria which serves up three meals a day with a rotating menu. This is not reheated food! A full kitchen and staff cooks up classics as well as specials. There was a Reuben sandwich for a dollar so I had to roll the dice on that for a midnight snack. I also had a cheeseburger with fries which was quite good.. The prices overall were very reasonable and there was something for every budget. If you happen to not have a budget, you're allowed to bring your own food and there's a microwave and toasters for use free of charge. I brought a few things to stretch out my budget so it worked out nicely. And there's not tipping because all employees on board are state employees so a tip would be like a bribe and that's not allowed. They take cash and credit/debit.
If you're into photography, there's no better way to see Alaska than by ferry or cruise ship. You'll never know what you'll see. I saw many bald eagles, a whale and some some deer. Every trip is different. And then there's the ever changing landscapes. It's easy to get click happy and that can cause you to get photo'd out so pace yourself. Also, be sure to bring warm clothes if you plan on shooting out on the deck. It gets windy. Most people shoot outdoors to avoid the reflections and glare of the windows.
In case watching the scenery is not enough for your pleasure, there are TV's in the recliner lounge which show various movies and a documentary about the Alaska Marine Highway. There's a lounge that used to contain a bar but all of the bars were closed due to budget cuts so now it's just another lounge to sit in. Sort of the quiet room so to speak. You're able to walk around most areas of the ship so you could get exercise as well. You can also get off at ports and walk around. Just make sure you take your boarding pass and ID and get back a few minutes before departure. There was a three hour layover in Sitka so I took a short hike from the nearby trailhead... at 2 in the morning.
For people traveling without a cabin, there are public showers available. You can't use them in port but once underway, you can use them. Towels are available for rent but you can save a few bucks and bring your own. The water was surprisingly hot and good pressure. After a day on the water and the hike in Sitka, it was nice to have a hot shower.
Taking the ferry was on my bucket list and I'm glad I can cross it off. I would not hesitate to take the ferry again. June 2017
Alaska Airlines airplane taking off from Petersburg
Outside the Sitka Ferry terminal
American Flag on the back of the Matanuska
The Matanuska in port in Kake
The Matanuska in port at Petersburg
Scenic view of the bay near the Sitka ferry terminal
Outside the Ketchikan ferry terminal in Alaska
Bald eagle at Ketchikan ferry terminal
Pair of bald eagles along the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry route
The shuttered bar on the Matanuska which is now just a lounge
Enjoying the recliners on the Matanuska Alaska Marine Highway ferry
Coast Guard helicopter flyby
Deer on island in the middle of the inside passage. How did they get there?!
$11.75 dinner on the Matanuska consisting of a cheeseburger with fries, a Reuben sandwich which was on sale for a buck and a soda. Believe it or not, the Reuben was actually very good, well worth the gamble. The cheeseburger and fries were also great.
Enjoying the ever changing views on the Matanuska ferry
Ferry dock in Ketchikan, Alaska
Getting ready to take a hike near the ferry terminal in Sitka Alaska... at 2 AM
Microwave and toasters on the Matanuska are free of charge to use!
Public showers onboard the Matanuska
Ferry terminal in Sitka, Alaska. 5 AM
Vehicles waiting to board the Matanuska in Sitka
Vending machines aboard the Matanuska
Scenic views from the Matanuska
Scenic views from the Matanuska
Scenic views from the Matanuska
Scenic views from the Matanuska
RV being loaded onto Matanuska in Wrangell, Alaska
Whether you've had Alaskan Brewing Co beer at home (you can find it in 19 states) or you had it on your cruise ship or vacation in Alaska, chances are you're a fan and would like to learn more about the company. If you happen to visit Juneau, you can visit the brewery and participate in a beer tasting. It's not a tour per se, sort of along the lines as Samuel Adams in Boston but more of a history along with several samples.
The brewery is located at 5429 Shaune Drive which is in the Lemon Creek area, between Juneau and Auke Bay. You can get to it by local bus 3 or 4 from downtown or Auke Bay or you can take a shuttle from the Alaskan Brewery Depot (gift shop, no beer) at 219 S. Franklin Street for $20. It's still $20 if you get there on your own accord so whatever is most convenient for you.
Tastings start at the top of the hour and last about 35 to 40 minutes. Most people come through the shuttle but some are walk ins. You'll be ushered into the private tasting room which was part of the original brewery. A brewer will give you a history of the brewery, how it started and how it got to where it is today while serving you three 4 ounce samples of the most popular brews. Upon conclusion, you'll receive four bottle caps which entitle you to four more samples in the taproom which is the main room and gift shop. You'll be able to try common brews to limited runs and even rough drafts which are not commercially available. Also, if they have mystery beers, those are available without using your precious bottle caps.
All said and done, you'll get up seven 4 ounce pours plus maybe a bonus or two if there are mystery taps. That's roughly 2 and a half pints and depending on where you go, you'd spend that much anyhow but would miss out on the informative history. I enjoyed my tasting and got out of my comfort zone of Alaskan White. They had a smoked porter which I will have to look for when I get back to Texas. A few people were in a rush to get back on their shuttles and I ended up with a few extra bottle caps which make a nice souvenir. Or maybe I used them.. Muhahahaha!
You can also buy souvenirs, get your growler filled, buy cases of beer and kegs (if you'll be in town awhile).
This is a popular and inexpensive actively for cruise ship passengers and fits in well with the schedules. Visit their site for more information, hours and to see if you can buy their beer where you live.
During the summer, it's open 7 days a week but closed on Sundays during the winter.
There are some other tour groups that include this tasting as well in their packages so you might couple this with other popular attractions such as the Mount Roberts Tram, a whale watching tour or Mendenhall visitor's center.
This is also a great stop if you're in an RV and need to stop by Costco which is nearby.
If you enjoy looking at cars you'll never be able to afford, then look no further than downtown Chicago. There are numerous dealers with eye candy on display.
If you start at Clark and Maple, you'll be at the Audi, BMW and Aston Martin dealers.
You can often times see an R8 at the Audi dealer.
The BMW dealer usually has an i8 on the floor.
The Aston Martin dealer has the most fancy cars in this area.
Walk south on Clark to Huron and you'll be at Mancuso Motorsports.
McLaren is the highlight but you'll likely see other supercars like Vipers and Porsches.
Walk east on Huron to Rush and take a left. Walk up Rush to Pearson and you'll be at the Lamborghini Bentley Gold Coast. The pinnacle of supercar window shopping.
You may also wish to keep walking up Rush to State. There are many fine restaurants in this area and you'll likely see some luxury and supercars in the valet.
