It's the second day on the boat and I'm getting starting to get board. I went to sitka to get some food to east on the boat but after a $12 buys ride to try to save money I discovered that the food cost so much that I could eat for the same price on the boat. So of I went. My new tent arrangement on the lower deck is working out well. There are 12 tents set up there but it's still much calmer than upstairs. I had lunch with Tom And Mary today. Their a very nice couple from south carolina that came up in a truck camper. They've had the same experience in alaska as far a getting the truth as I did.
So I'm headed to shore for the last time before I reach my final destination in Bellingham WA. THE WEATHER IS SUNNY AND WARM!!!
I've been relaxing and recharging my batteries for the trip home. I feel much stronger already and am looking forward to hitting the road again. I had a nice long shower and did my laundry today so I'm getting ready for the final push.
So I'm off to kitchican AK
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
8/03 the boat ride.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Sitka AK
8/2 my ship came in
After wondering around as long as I could I headed to the fairy terminal 3 hours early. The wait wasn't bad, I got to talking to some fellow travelers and time passed quickly. After some confusion we made our way on to the ship. The loading process once underway went well. I headed up to the solarium to try to find a place to put my tent. Once again I was given a different truth than the one I found. The tent camping was outside on the aft deck. It was blowing 40 and the crew said they have seen tents full of gear blow away. So off to the loungers I had heard so much about. These are the same loungers you will find around any low rent public pool. They were under a roof of sorts, and had space heaters in the ceiling. There were about 40 of us all together, very together. I was late getting to the deck due to late loading and the need to tie down the bike so most of the obvious spots were already taken. So with deep thought and insight I was able to find a spot everyone overlooked. It was right next to the wall and had the benefit of having a shelf for my book and coffe, there wasn't room for an another lounger next to me. Sweet.
I was able to get 4 hours of sleep before the captain woke us up to tell us we were making a stop somewhere. Thanks.
Once I was up I went exploring and then headed back the luxury of my lounger, only to find some dick head had pulled up a lounger next to me and when I walked over he said in a nice big voice the we were now bunk mates. He then started talking non stop about how far he had ridden and that he was visiting every capital. He then went on about how his girlfriend had bought him a brand new Harley and that she was footing the bill for his trip, he had a $100.dinner last night only stays in nice hotels, no Billy Bob trailers for him, poor bastard. Time for more exploring. On my travels I found a spot down two floors were you could put up a tent. There was only one other tent there and it was perfect. It was under a roof, completely out of the wind and best of all I could get away from the blow hard. Win win. I also found a movie theater, game room, and big lounge, with real lounge chairs. And all the comforts you would expect on a big ship. I don't know why they kept pushing this camping area when there is so much more room else where on the boat. So all is good. I'm in the front observation room, heated, dry, and a park ranger is giving a talk about whales, all the other campers are up in the wind and cold.
Monday, August 1, 2011
8/01 the land of the green dollar people
TrEveryday day big boats arrive and discharge thousands of the green dollar people. They come from far and wide and descend and this little town. They walk in circles, taking pictures, buying things and muttering in strange languages. The hawkers stand in doors and try to entice the poor souls in to be fleeced of their green dollars.
Today is a three boat day, some days they can have up to six and this turns the town into a frenzy of shearing the sheep.
I was planning on sleeping late as my ship won't be here until 9:00 pm. That plan was foiled when my mother, who doesn't read my posts apparently called at 4:30 am. So I waited a bit and headed off to find something to east. The coffe shop I saw yesterday said they open at 6, but when I got there at 6:30 they were still closed, so off I went back to the tent. And then I remembered that there was a time chang, so of I went again. After that I headed back to the tenn fore a nap, shortly after falling asleep my sister called. It was nice to hear from my family, but it was clear they were dead set against my nap. So off I went. Back too town for a stroll and see if I could find a coffe house that had wifi. The one I finally had coffe at not only didn't have wifi they had a sign saying no computer work and no filling out post cards at the table. They want to get your money than get you moving. So off I went. Back at the tent I did an inside take down. This is a system I developed during the rain I hard been having and worked well during this cold wind. Basically I get inside and pack everything but the tent, then I get out strap it to the bike and then drop the tent. Fold it up and I'm off.
So I headed out for a ride around a bit to waste some time. That didn't work. The road I was on turned to dirt and wound it's way through some of the best forest I've seen. In no way was this a waste of time.
I'm back in town now, and waiting for my ship to come in, hum I wonder how many off the old timers said that.
Well I'm off
7/31
Skagway!!!!!!
Wow what a ride. Okay it didn't start out so good. After I left White horse it started to rain, gee what a shock. After about 1/2 an hour the sun came back out and wow. Awesome awesome double dunk me in moose shit awesome. The ride to Skagway was beautiful. It took awhile to get there because I had to stop so many times to gawk at my surroundings. The weather was clear but cold, then I climbed back into the mountains and into the clouds. The temps kept dropping and the scenery just kept getting better. When I got to the top 5 miles from the US boarder there was a mounty in short sleeves. I stopped and asked him what he was doing, he said he was looking for drunks. I said it's clear who lives here and who doesn't. He laughed and said it's summer. I don't care what anybody says mountys are bad ass. No back up for days and he's just out there in short sleeves. I keep thinking about the the men and yes women that came here 150 years ago. Amazing. You can tell when you get back into the states. In Canada the small towns are all done up by the park service, they are there to preserve their heritage. The people that work there are grown ups and are happy to help.
In the states they are all staffed by collage kids and done up by corporations for profit. The whole town of Skagway has done away with free wifi, instead they all tell you they think you can get it over here or over there, but when you get there all you get is a page telling you it's $6.95. I'm all for fre enterprise but give me a brake. Campsite is $30 plus $1.50 for a five minute shower. Lucky for me living on a boat I'm good at five minute showers. But enough of the whining. The place is cool. I'm here and all is good.
I get the boat tomorrow and am looking forward to sitting on a nice soft chair for a few days.
I'll try to send this tomorrow from the library (government run)
So keep your fingers crossed.