It’s funny isn’t it how happenstance sometimes leads to fortunate decisions that wouldn’t otherwise have been made? For us, the US-Canada border closure was serendipity…it led us to plan our travel via ferry ⛴ from Bellingham, Washington to Whittier, Alaska.

This is a 1600 mile journey that takes 4 1/2 days along the inland passage and the coast of mainland Alaska. Definitely not a luxury cruise, this is a ferry that not only carries tourists but also Alaskans, many of whom live in communities that have no access by road. Passengers can get a cabin, sleep in the lounges or even camp on the decks. You can bring a vehicle or camper on board but you can’t stay on the vehicle deck. There are decks to walk, lounges in which to hangout, a cafeteria and basic amenities.

Pets have a different ferry experience. They are not allowed up on the passenger decks and must stay in your vehicle, camper, or in a crate on vehicle deck. (Think steerage class on the Titanic). Owners are allowed on the vehicle deck for 15 minutes about every six hours to feed their pet and walk them around on leash to (ahem) “do their duty” along with the other 20 or so dogs 🐕 on board. “On the deck” you ask? Yep. Supplies are around to “clean up” and chaos ensues as all breeds and sizes of dogs try to figure this out!

Star, our female Australian Shepard, finds this situation quite untenable. Let’s just say that she did not relieve herself in any fashion for more than 36 hours until we had reached Ketchikan, our first port of call. There we could walk the dogs on Terra firma and Star was able to find “grass relief”. (Not referring to cannabis!). Needless to say she was a very happy dog.

Have been lucky enough to see Orca and Humpback whales and porpoises but not lucky enough to catch a photo. We hope to see more as we continue our way north. We had one afternoon of big enough swells to challenge us as we walked around but fortunately no seasickness yet 🤞.

It’s nearly time for the cafeteria to open and we (Jim 😏) don’t want to be late! Will send this off the next time we get data service. See you on down the road (or marine highway to be exact 😊).