Date:         Tue, 17 Jan 2006 21:21:38 -0500
Reply-To:     Andrew Silliker <silliker@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Andrew Silliker <silliker@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Anchorage Trip
In-Reply-To:  <43CD7171.1010308@charter.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

You can, though, pitch a tent on the deck. Take some duct tape to fix it to
the deck. It was a  great way to spend a couple of days.

-a

On 1/17/06, John Rodgers <inua@charter.net> wrote:
>
> Bob,
>
> A couple of more things -
>
> You can't sleep down in the hold of the ferry vessel during transit. It
> is not permitted. But who would want to. There is to much to see and do
> and experience topside.
>
> And .....
>
> If your schedule permits - once you have gotten to Anchorage and visited
> a bit .... catch the ferry once again and go to "The Island Terrific in
> the North Pacific!" --  Kodiak Island.  Usually it's the Matanuska that
> goes from Seward (where you would board) to the port in the town of
> Kodiak on Kodiak Island. The town and the island will blow you away. And
> be sure you take some fishing gear. You can catch salmon and sea run
> dolly varden all over the place.
>
> Good luck on your journey. Enjoy!
>
> Regards,
>
> John Rodgers
> 88 GL Driver
>
> Bob Stevens wrote:
>
> >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.
> >
> >
> >
> >
>