i've been on that ferry a few times, it's way, way cool.

once, the captain pointed out some flamingos in a tree that had been
sucked up from florida in a warm air current.  now they were stranded in
sitka.  of course they were plastic, tied to a tree by a local.  half
the boat fell for it, though, including my mom.

aaron
'87 syncro gl (for sale)
'87 syncro westy ej22 (on it's way)

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Bob Stevens
Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2006 7:52 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Anchorage Trip

Thought I'd post this response from my niece's husband, about a pending
trip I'm planning on to Anchorage from Salt Lake. He did this trip about
2 months ago.
Bob Stevens
'87 Westy Syncro
"Passion Fruit"

First off, let me say that it is a positively wonderful way to travel.
You will be following almost the exact route that the cruise ships
follow.  Granted the amenities aren't quite as nice, but...  The people
are always wonderful.  You will meet several like-minded people who are
equally excited about the adventure that they are on and who are equally
awe-struck by the experience.  There are 3 passages that go through open
water, but other than that the 'inside passage' is just that - a
protected waterway that is frequently so smooth that you can see your
reflection on it.

843 dollars sounds like a winter rate that would include one car and one
passenger.  In the summer expect to spend another 150 - 250 dollars for
the passenger (you).  That is not including a room.  The temperature -
even in the winter are not normally below 30 degrees.  Where I am going
with this is that I normally camp on the back of the ferry, in my tent
or stake out one of the patio chairs and set up my sleeping bag on it.
Caution - secure tent very very well - it gets windy.  Get on the ferry
at the absolute soonest possible time, or all of the tent spots and
patio chairs will be gone.  You can also sleep inside the cabin on the
floor, on one of the smallish couches, or in a recliner.  again, first
come first serve.  Or, book a room, but they are a little expensive.

I recommend getting an open ended ticket or creating one.  Make stops of
one or two days each in the following towns:  Ketchikan (1 day), Sitka
(a must - great fishing whale watching etc) 2 days, Juneau 2 days,
Skagway 1 or 2 days, then drive North from Skagway.  i know that you can
drive North from Haines and save about 60 miles but Skagway is a town
not to miss, and that portion of the drive is absolutely beautiful.  Do
yourself a favor and make those stops as a minimum.  If you like Sea
kayaking, camping, etc then spend longer at Sitka and consider adding
Wrangell and Petersberg to your list.  Make sure you take a flight on a
float plane (beaver or otter) at least once on your trip up - I would
recommend Ketchikan for that.  From Skagway plan on a 2 day trip to
Anchorage, unless you drive in to Valdez and spend a couple of days.  If
you take the Valdez option you can then take a short ferry ride to
Whittier and drive
1 hour to anchorage.

Oh yeah - the short of it is that the ferry ride is a 'must.'  Ferry up,
then drive back.  It is well worth it.