Day 18 – June 23, 2008
After sleeping in, we began our Monday morning early with coffee and donuts in our 100 year old converted condo, followed by a walk to the nearby laundromat. We put a few loads of laundry in and walked over to Gringo’s Mexican restaurant for what was now to be an early lunch. For Alaska, it was actually a pretty good Mexican lunch featuring a very unique sweet pineapple salsa.
If one travels to Haines, the Bald Eagle Preserve on the road into town is a must see attraction. There is a photo in town of over forty Bald Eagles in the trees and by the river in a single photograph taken at the preserve. During our stay in Haines we saw Bald Eagles soaring effortlessly in the evening thermals overhead on several occasions. One never tires of seeing these majestic creatures, the symbol of this great country. Haines is to the Bald Eagle population what Skagway is to the cruise ship tourist population. Regrettably, Haines cannot hold a candle to Skagway when it comes to tourist attractions and shopping opportunities. In other words, Haines is a nice little town, but pretty much a no-shopping zone.
Before checking out of our condo, we pleaded with the landlord to extend our check-out time, as we were not scheduled to board the Alaskan State Ferry “Columbia” until 2015 hours (8:15 PM). Lane pleaded our case and she relented, giving us an additional 30 minutes past 11:00. Thanks so much.
Speaking of checking out, we decided to check out the Haines ferry terminal, about five miles from town, so we would know where we had to go in the evening to catch the ferry. The staff was very accommodating and checked us in early, briefed us on what we need to do with our luggage, and our motorcycles, and issued us our boarding passes, thank you “Betty.” We appreciated the prompt service. Our experience with the state owned ferry service has been very good from making our original reservations months ago, to changing them from a Skagway departure to a Haines departure in Homer, and getting us checked in early today.
After checking in with the ferry office, I went in search of a wireless Internet connection in town to update our travel blog, now three days past due for lack of Internet service. I found the only wireless connection in the town at the public library; unfortunately, its simultaneous use by all of the high schools kids in Haines, and limited band width, would not accommodate the uploading of any of our several hundred photographs, so I was only able to post three days of narrative.
While I was at the library, Lane, Tim and Sylvia ran into who were by now our newest old friends from Ontario, Canada, Roy and Val on their Harlies. They would depart Haines for Prince Rupert on June 24, 2008. We bid them Bon Voyage and wished them a safe ride home. This experience reaffirmed our belief that you meet the nicest people on the road, not necessarily on a Honda.
Lane, Tim and the Sylvia, the Highway Princess rode a short distance out of town to Chilcat State Park beyond the ferry terminal where they witnessed a rare treat, a lone Bald Eagle hunting in the fjord. The intended prey was a group of baby ducks escorted my momma duck. Interestingly, every time the eagle swooped to score a baby duck, momma had the babies duck (no pun intended) underwater and the eagle went away empty clawed. Fortunately, our riders never had to witness any baby duck carnage. Also, while they were crossing one of the many creeks and rivers in the area they encountered another fish counter, counting fish. Hey, I don’t make this stuff up, what else would a fish counter be doing?
At 1815 (6:15 PM) we rode out to the ferry terminal and lined up to board the ferry, along with several cars, trucks, motor homes, fifth wheel trailers, a tandem bicycle, a few pedestrians and four other motorcycles, one an old BMW with a sidecar. The “Columbia” arrived right on time. They lowered a huge ramp and we rode into the bowels of the ship onto the lower car deck through a gaping door in the starboard (right) side of the ship. That’s when the work really began.
We had to secure our bikes to the steel deck pending any encounter with rough seas. We had been advised to bring our own motorcycle tie downs, but the ship had a generous supply. We used ours and most of theirs. After everyone had secured their own bikes with multiple tie-down straps, I inspected all of their hard work and made everyone redo their tie downs based upon my prior experience with securing motorcycles on trailers for the long haul. No one wanted their “Baby” to get loose or damaged, so my good natured riding partners all demurred to my expertise. After much effort by everyone, including some blood shed by me, we had all four bikes securely and safely fastened to the deck.
We then schlepped our luggage to our two 2-berth cabins and went to the dining room for supper where we all enjoyed an excellent and well-earned fresh fish meal. I have to say that the ferry was much more than we expected. The “Columbia” is a 400 foot mini-cruise ship with many of the same amenities as the larger ships, a formal dining room, a cafe, a cocktail lounge, a movie room, a laundry, and a friendly and helpful staff, especially “Tony Tengs,” our accommodating bartender and “Robb Arnold” our friendly and competent waiter.
We’ll sail south on the Alaskan Inside Passage Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and arrive in Bellingham, WA., on Friday morning at 0700 hours (7:00 AM), where our journey will continue on two wheels again.
After sleeping in, we began our Monday morning early with coffee and donuts in our 100 year old converted condo, followed by a walk to the nearby laundromat. We put a few loads of laundry in and walked over to Gringo’s Mexican restaurant for what was now to be an early lunch. For Alaska, it was actually a pretty good Mexican lunch featuring a very unique sweet pineapple salsa.
If one travels to Haines, the Bald Eagle Preserve on the road into town is a must see attraction. There is a photo in town of over forty Bald Eagles in the trees and by the river in a single photograph taken at the preserve. During our stay in Haines we saw Bald Eagles soaring effortlessly in the evening thermals overhead on several occasions. One never tires of seeing these majestic creatures, the symbol of this great country. Haines is to the Bald Eagle population what Skagway is to the cruise ship tourist population. Regrettably, Haines cannot hold a candle to Skagway when it comes to tourist attractions and shopping opportunities. In other words, Haines is a nice little town, but pretty much a no-shopping zone.
Before checking out of our condo, we pleaded with the landlord to extend our check-out time, as we were not scheduled to board the Alaskan State Ferry “Columbia” until 2015 hours (8:15 PM). Lane pleaded our case and she relented, giving us an additional 30 minutes past 11:00. Thanks so much.
Speaking of checking out, we decided to check out the Haines ferry terminal, about five miles from town, so we would know where we had to go in the evening to catch the ferry. The staff was very accommodating and checked us in early, briefed us on what we need to do with our luggage, and our motorcycles, and issued us our boarding passes, thank you “Betty.” We appreciated the prompt service. Our experience with the state owned ferry service has been very good from making our original reservations months ago, to changing them from a Skagway departure to a Haines departure in Homer, and getting us checked in early today.
After checking in with the ferry office, I went in search of a wireless Internet connection in town to update our travel blog, now three days past due for lack of Internet service. I found the only wireless connection in the town at the public library; unfortunately, its simultaneous use by all of the high schools kids in Haines, and limited band width, would not accommodate the uploading of any of our several hundred photographs, so I was only able to post three days of narrative.
While I was at the library, Lane, Tim and Sylvia ran into who were by now our newest old friends from Ontario, Canada, Roy and Val on their Harlies. They would depart Haines for Prince Rupert on June 24, 2008. We bid them Bon Voyage and wished them a safe ride home. This experience reaffirmed our belief that you meet the nicest people on the road, not necessarily on a Honda.
Lane, Tim and the Sylvia, the Highway Princess rode a short distance out of town to Chilcat State Park beyond the ferry terminal where they witnessed a rare treat, a lone Bald Eagle hunting in the fjord. The intended prey was a group of baby ducks escorted my momma duck. Interestingly, every time the eagle swooped to score a baby duck, momma had the babies duck (no pun intended) underwater and the eagle went away empty clawed. Fortunately, our riders never had to witness any baby duck carnage. Also, while they were crossing one of the many creeks and rivers in the area they encountered another fish counter, counting fish. Hey, I don’t make this stuff up, what else would a fish counter be doing?
At 1815 (6:15 PM) we rode out to the ferry terminal and lined up to board the ferry, along with several cars, trucks, motor homes, fifth wheel trailers, a tandem bicycle, a few pedestrians and four other motorcycles, one an old BMW with a sidecar. The “Columbia” arrived right on time. They lowered a huge ramp and we rode into the bowels of the ship onto the lower car deck through a gaping door in the starboard (right) side of the ship. That’s when the work really began.
We had to secure our bikes to the steel deck pending any encounter with rough seas. We had been advised to bring our own motorcycle tie downs, but the ship had a generous supply. We used ours and most of theirs. After everyone had secured their own bikes with multiple tie-down straps, I inspected all of their hard work and made everyone redo their tie downs based upon my prior experience with securing motorcycles on trailers for the long haul. No one wanted their “Baby” to get loose or damaged, so my good natured riding partners all demurred to my expertise. After much effort by everyone, including some blood shed by me, we had all four bikes securely and safely fastened to the deck.
We then schlepped our luggage to our two 2-berth cabins and went to the dining room for supper where we all enjoyed an excellent and well-earned fresh fish meal. I have to say that the ferry was much more than we expected. The “Columbia” is a 400 foot mini-cruise ship with many of the same amenities as the larger ships, a formal dining room, a cafe, a cocktail lounge, a movie room, a laundry, and a friendly and helpful staff, especially “Tony Tengs,” our accommodating bartender and “Robb Arnold” our friendly and competent waiter.
We’ll sail south on the Alaskan Inside Passage Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and arrive in Bellingham, WA., on Friday morning at 0700 hours (7:00 AM), where our journey will continue on two wheels again.
There is an old anonymous biker saying that says, “Four wheels may move the body, but two wheels move the soul.” I’m inclined to agree, especially after this great journey, where have had the pleasures of enjoying the company of old friends and the opportunity to meet new friends.
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