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
I bought this inflatable kayak made by Intex a few weeks ago. I've taken it out 3 times so far and love it.
Challenger K1 Inflatable Kayak by Intex
I bought mine at Academy Sports & Outdoors for $69.99. It comes with the kayak, air pump, 84 inch paddle, some repair patches and a carrying case.
My first impression is that this is well built. It's heavy, about 30 pounds. It's not a cheap pool toy! It's made of a pvc/rubber material that feels thick. Intex makes inflatable swimming pools so they know a thing or two about inflatable products!
The included instructions are a bit confusing but here's all you need to know.
1. Unroll kayak on ground. Make sure there are no debris or rocks.
2. Pump up chamber 1. It's inside the kayak on the right side. Make sure you screw the main valve and only open the top cap. These are Boston Valves which allow fast deflation and easy inflation.
There is a clear ruler included. There is a measuring guide next to the valve. Don't over inflate!
3. Pump up chamber 2. It's on top on the back. The measuring guide is to the right of the valve.
4. Inflate the green footrest/support. There is a tip on the pump hose that will fit the footrest and seat. Don't over inflate. This goes inside to the front of the kayak. This provides some stiffness on the front and makes sure your feet don't go too far up.
5. Inflate seat. 2 chambers. Install seat. There is velcro on the floor of the kayak and the bottom of the seat. Curl the top section of the seat inside of kayak and clip in straps to floor of the kayak.
6. Don't install the Skeg (plastic fin) until you're ready to go. The rounded point should be facing the rear. Make sure the fin clips into the base. It should not come out.
7. Assemble the paddle. You can offset one side for better ergonomics if you want.
8. Set in water and get in! There is space behind the seat (though you'll have to put that stuff in before you install the seat and won't be able to access it. This is a good place to put the pump and carrying case. On the front, there is a nice cargo net that can accommodate a backpack and or small cooler.
Challenger K1 Inflatable Kayak by Intex in the water
The kayak feels stable. Just don't lean too far to the right or the left. There are some complaints that the kayak doesn't track well. I found this to be true but not a huge issue. Just make sure your weight and any cargo is evenly distributed. That should help.
It's not a fast kayak but that's not why I bought it. I bought it to sort of lounge around and relax.
That said, the paddles are a little on the short side which makes for uneven strokes at times. You could certainly buy a new paddle if you wanted.
When it's time to pack up, I find that releasing the air on top first helps. It takes about 5 minutes for each chamber to deflate fully. You'll need to hold the top up while deflating the bottom chamber. I find that folding the sides of the kayak in and then folding from one end works well. The included carrying bag is not the best. There are only handles and no should strap. I had an old wheeled duffel bag lying around and use that. It works great.
A little snug but overall comfortable
All in all, for $70, this kayak can't be beat. I've enjoyed the few times I've been out. Since I don't own a car, a traditional kayak is out of the question and I've looked at kayak rentals and rowing club memberships but owning the kayak was more appealing to me. If you have some extra money lying around and live near water, this is a great deal.
Of all the complaints that I've read about this kayak, it's mainly quirky minor issues but rarely the actual build quality of the kayak.
Here's an update from my 5th trip out!
Got the inflation and deflation routine down. Usually in the water in about 10 minutes and packed up in 15.
* Don't forget your safety equipment. Any public river, lake, reservoir or other body of water in the US require that kayak users have a USCG Type I,II or III life jacket (1 for solo kayaks and 2 for tandems) and a whistle. Also check with state and local restrictions.
