Headed South for Winter?

Moonstruck wrote:I am also*looking at flying out, renting a car, and doing the ferry system.

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*The Alaska State Ferry system is sort of an unsung hero.* Everybody these days thinks in terms of cruise ships, and I guess if you like being on*board *a big ugly ship with 3000+ of your closest friends and worst enemies it's fine.

But for a much more "real" experience, I highly recommend the ferries.* You can even get by without a car which reduces the cost a bunch I believe.* If you want a car in the towns up there you can rent one for the day.* At least you can in Ketchikan, Sitka, and Juneau.* Don't know about Petersburg or Wrangell although I'm sure Eric has the latest info about this.

And in addtion to the ferries, if you want to spend the money you can ride the floatplanes from Ketchikan out to some of the more remote communities.* Most of them are so small you don't really need a car to explore them.* And there are floatplane tours of some of the really wild country up there, specifically Misty Fiords (yes, they spell it wrong up there) on the mainland east of Ketchikan and out of Petersburg over the LeConte glacier and down into the Stikine River valley.* There are also jet-boat tours up the Stikine out of Wrangell.* The Stikine is one of the last totally wild (no dams) rivers along the coast.

I've posted the three aerial shots before--- I took them on one of my wife and my floatplane trips north---* but they are of a section of the Inside Passage (the ferry goes through here), approaching the LeConte glacier, and going over the backside of the glacier down into the Stikine River valley.

The last photo is the Alaska State Ferry "Columbia."* An actual ship as opposed to a horizontal Hyatt Hotel.


-- Edited by Marin on Friday 11th of November 2011 06:30:46 PM

Thanks, Marin.* I really haven't considered an Alaskan Cruise ship tour.* I much prefer the smaller, earhier ferries.* Same way with the Greek Isles.* Just hop on and off a ferry.* Sometimes day travel.* Sometimes over night.* Renting a cabin for over night is a great way to go.* It saves a room, you get where you are going in the morning, and the cost is about the same as a room in a pension.* I have been checking into the ferry system for awhile.* Seems like a great way to go.

I have friends that really want us to charter together in the San Jauns, but they don't want to stay but a couple of weeks.*This year is out because of the Bahamas and Maine/Canada, but maybe the next.*

There are smaller cruise ships--- more like big boats than ships--- that work in SE Alaska. Maybe 30 to 60 passengers or so. They often have specialists on board on various subjects like sea life, wildlife, whales, birds, etc. I've talked to a few people who have taken these more personalized cruises and I've not yet met anyone who didn't love them. Plus they can go to places like Petersburg that the Horizontal Hyatts physically can't get into.

I'm not aware of any small passenger ferries up there other than the smaller classes of Alaska State ferries. But perhaps there are.

If you'd like to get a good feel for what cruising SE AK in your own boat might be like, there are a number of smaller (65-100 feet) boats that take 6-12 passengers.* Not cheap, but awfully nice.* Most travel the northern half of SE AK, roughly between Juneau and Sitka, around Admiralty Baranof and Chichagof islands.* They go all the same places we go, unlike even the smallest ferries and cruise ships.* They are typically very knowledgeable on fishing, crabbing, shrimping, critter watching and sightseeing, and carry kayaks fishing gear etc.

Or you can charter a Nordic Tug out of Juneau.* A 42-footer goes for about $1000/day IIRC.


-- Edited by RCook on Saturday 12th of November 2011 09:35:46 AM

I strongly recommend the Alaska Marine Highway System, aka Alaska Ferries, for a real view of Southeast and Southwest Alaska. It provides a view of the places and people that the "horizontal Hyatts" can't even begin to offer.

The AMHS ships are the only means of transportation for many areas and the people who live there. They really are an undiscovered way to see Alaska. You can pitch a tent on the aft deck of several of the boats (no campfires though) or get a cabin and enjoy the cafeteria style dining.

There is one run that I always enjoyed the most and tried to make the first trip of the season. It ran from Homer, stopped in the beautiful little town of Seldovia, back to Homer, then down to Kodiak and from there it made the "chain trip" stopping at villages along the Aleutian Islands as far out as Dutch Harobr and Akutan. You see things and talk to people that no cruise ship "guest" could even imagine. I really enjoyed the first trip of the season. I described them as a "National Geographic adventure."

The first arrival after a long winter was a big deal in the villages and everyone was on the dock to meet the ship. The local kids spent the winter collecting Japanese fishing floats and sold them by the milk crate, the ladies sold their craft items and home made berry jams. All the village kids stormed on board to feed the vending machines and get free ice cream from the galley. It really is an amazing experience.

We used to visit Columbia Glacier on the PWS runs. The passengers really got a kick out of our nosing up to icebergs and letting them enjoy the sound of ice cracking or watching bergs roll over. The cruise ship industry forced the State to prevent our doing that since they figured they "'owned" the rights to show visitors the glacier.

Crooked politics and cruise ship scams aside, make a cruise on "the highway" and really get to see and visit with Alaskans. If you are up there on your own boat, do it anyway since it will give you a chance to go places you won't have the time to see otherwise and it's kind of nice to leave the driving to someone else. Everyone on the crew is a local and they know everone in every town or village. You get a lot more than you pay for.

No, I don't work for AMHS these days and I don't get a finder's fee. I just know a good thing when I see it.

Our boat is in charter out of Anacortes and I had an interesting proposition made to me this summer.* An Alaskan family wanted to charter our boat one way, from Anacortes to Alaska, and then have us fly up and bring it back home.* If it had worked with my schedule I would have seriously considered it.*

So, if you don"t have the time to do both legs, you might find someone that would do the return trip.

Lyle

RickB wrote:It ran from Homer, stopped in the beautiful little town of Seldovia, back to Homer, then down to Kodiak and from there it made the "chain trip" stopping at villages along the Aleutian Islands as far out as Dutch Harobr and Akutan.

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Well, what you learn on the forum.* As my coastal Alaska experience has been limited to SE Alaska (although I have been to the Kenai Penninsula and Homer a few times) I had no idea the Alaska ferry system extended to the western side of the state.* That Homer-Aleutian run sounds fascinating.* I'm going to see if my wife is interested.* Thanks much for bringing my attention to it.

Look up the Tustumena on the AMHS site and look at its schedule. They don't run the "chain trip" in the winter for very good reasons.

The "Tusty" is a small but very friendly little ship and the trip is spectacular.

RickB wrote:
Look up the Tustumena on the AMHS site and look at its schedule. They don't run the "chain trip" in the winter for very good reasons.

The "Tusty" is a small but very friendly little ship and the trip is spectacular.

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*Thanks RickB.* Sounds like my kind of travel.* It also sounds a lot like the Greek ferry system.* I will definitely check into it.

Don do you have any updates on your Florida adventures? I finally have time to get caught up on TF and I'm wondering what you are up to.

Pineapple Girl wrote:
Don do you have any updates on your Florida adventures? I finally have time to get caught up on TF and I'm wondering what you are up to.

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*Hey Jennifer,

Moonstruck is tucked safely in her berth with the sun covers on.* She is under the watchful eye of a hired captain to check in on her.* For you and Bess, here are a few pictures around Fort Pierce.* Lou is having rotator cuff problems, so the trip was more hurried than we really wanted.* We have not updated the blog for the trip as of yet.

Some picture descriptions, but not in order.* One of the interesting transient boats stopping for the night, the Saturday morning farmers market next to the marina, one of two tiki bars around the harbor, and Lou buying a cactus at the farmers market.

By the way, one picture is of a pretty good Raggae band playing, and some kind of funky volunteer interpretive dancer.* What a hoot!

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-- Edited by Moonstruck on Wednesday 23rd of November 2011 01:19:47 PM

wow.* that is an impressive row of boats!

I read an article in the NY times about a study on rotator cuff injuries that seemed pretty unbelievable, but anyway, the study (sm # of subjects) found that having the subjects do a headstand for just a minute or two ONE TIME improved range of motion and reduced pain.* Seems too good to be true but worth a try?* it said the subjects didn't even have to get their legs in the air, just get your torso up.* The article was NOT published on april first, I swear.* If Lou tries it, let me know if she can tell any difference.

Pineapple Girl wrote:
wow.* that is an impressive row of boats!

I read an article in the NY times about a study on rotator cuff injuries that seemed pretty unbelievable, but anyway, the study (sm # of subjects) found that having the subjects do a headstand for just a minute or two ONE TIME improved range of motion and reduced pain.* Seems too good to be true but worth a try?* it said the subjects didn't even have to get their legs in the air, just get your torso up.* The article was NOT published on april first, I swear.* If Lou tries it, let me know if she can tell any difference.

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*Fort Pierce is one of the places known for sail fishing.* There are many battlewagons around the area.* The marina is a popular stop for cruisers of the ICW, so that makes it really interesting.* You meet a lot of people.* One couple we met on our dock*is headed to the Bahamas for 6 months with 7 months of food and booze on board.

I will tell Lou about the hand stand deal.* We will see.* We are both geriatric, you know.

Moonstruck wrote:

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*Fort Pierce is one of the places known for sail fishing.* There are many battlewagons around the area.* The marina is a popular stop for cruisers of the ICW, so that makes it really interesting.* You meet a lot of people.* One couple we met on our dock*is headed to the Bahamas for 6 months with 7 months of food and booze on board.

*that sounds SO COOL.* sigh.*

Moonstruck wrote:

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I will tell Lou about the hand stand deal.* We will see.* We are both geriatric, you know.

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*Don: I didn't know that Lou had rotator cuff problems. I've had the same problem for a few years now and as of yet haven't done anything about it.

It's getting worse and sometimes wakes me up (with a yell) if I turn the wrong way. Getting old is definitely not for sissys.

SeaHorse II wrote:Moonstruck wrote:

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I will tell Lou about the hand stand deal.* We will see.* We are both geriatric, you know.

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*Don: I didn't know that Lou had rotator cuff problems. I've had the same problem for a few years now and as of yet haven't done anything about it.

It's getting worse and sometimes wakes me up (with a yell) if I turn the wrong way. Getting old is definitely not for sissys.

*Walt, Lou is trying to work it out with physical therapy.* Sometime next week is decision time about whether to do surgery.**The shoulder*gave her fits on the way down, and we layed over a day at Jekyll.* She slept during most of the last days run.* Of course, she was limited on what she could do about helping with lines and things.* Instead of anchoring, we just went in marinas at night.* She would have a problem entering and exiting the dinghy.* Hopefully, it is resolved soon. She really does need some relief.

Most people I have talked with say don't do the surgery unless you just can't stand it anymore.* Not a pleasant thing.

Moonstruck wrote:
Most people I have talked with say don't do the surgery unless you just can't stand it anymore.* Not a pleasant thing.

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Don,

That depends on if she will do the rehab religiously with out fail.* The rehab is rough and uncomfortable.* But it does*work and she will get stronger quickly*if she does it. When my wife had it done a couple of years ago she was lucky to have two things in her favor.* The Doc that did it also does a lot of the team work for the NC Hurricanes Hockey Team and the*therapist*that did her rehab also does a lot of work with the Canes.* In fact there is a picture of her holding the Stanley Cup with several of the players, hanging in her office.* The cup spent a whole day in her clinic.

So a good Doc and good rehab will make all of the difference in the world.

Hope she has good luck with it.

Don.

I did the rehab, same as if I had surgery, it was affective. The Doc told me up front that you need to work hard at it ot it will not be effective. My friend did the surgery route. Very uncomfortable. I am fully mobile and pain free.

It is a royal pain for sure. Good luck.

*

John

Don any new adventures?* i need to check your blog for updates / photos.* How's Lou's shoulder?


-- Edited by Pineapple Girl on Friday 23rd of December 2011 12:06:26 PM

Pineapple Girl wrote:
Don any new adventures?* i need to check your blog for updates / photos.* How's Lou's shoulder?



-- Edited by Pineapple Girl on Friday 23rd of December 2011 12:06:26 PM

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*Hi Jennifer,

Thanks for asking. *The rehab and healing is a very slow process. *Lou will start rehab in about 3 weeks. *Then it is 3 times a week for 6 weeks. *We are just hoping that she will be up for the planned Bahama Trip in May.

If you have read the blog of our Boca Grande to Chesapeake or Chesapeake to Hilton Head you have seen our great friends, Bill and Jan Evans. *Bill just passed away, and my son David and I are going down to Florida for his memorial service. *Bill was more like a brother than a friend. *He had a boat for years and years. *When his stability problems got so that he could not operate it well, we put them on the boat with us. *One of the things we were able to do for him was the complete ICW. *He had wanted to do that, and we got it done. *Both Lou and I will miss him.

While we are down, I promised David to get in some Gulf Stream fishng. *So the fishing gear is going down. *There should be some good pictures of the water in the stream. *The only update to the blog is the trip south.

The grandkids are trying to figure a time that all four can get off to meet us in the Bahamas again. *They are getting very busy as they grow up. *One doesn't want to go unless all four do. *They have more fun than should be allowed.

It is time for you to start cruising that beautiful boat. *You guys near the Delta seem to be having a really good time

.Best to you and yours for the Christmas Season and New Years.

Don

Don I am so sorry to hear about your friend Bill.* but glad he got to finish the ICW with you.* You are a true friend to make that happen for him.

I wish Lou a speedy recovery.*

Those grandkids need to pick some days and clear their calendars!* How lucky they are grandpa will have his boat in the Bahamas and they get to visit!* What adventures.

We are taking the boat to the City (aka San Francisco) for new years and also have a few short cruised planned before we head back to the delta at the end of April. We are trying to plan several long weekends to explore different places up there.

Don - So sorry to hear about your friend.*

(Great pictures of Ft Peirce!*)