It’s hard to explain the deep love we gained for the North. Leaving Alaska on the Inside Passage Ferry of the Alaska Marine Highway for Bellingham, WA was really a singular emotion…we did not want to leave. We have traveled to many places in the world and have never experienced the sadness of leaving a region like we did getting on the ferry. The overcast and misty fog seemed to reflect our feelings.
Riding a motorcycle…a simple statement, but the statement cannot capture the deep spiritual feelings…the raw exposure to the elements and mother nature in her unspeakable beauty that creates a bond to one’s soul. Would our reaction be the same riding the north in a car…for us no.
There were several other road worn motorcycle riders on the ferry with their BMW’s to Harley’s and all are your friends as we have each sailed the North on our rides and we feel no need to try to explain the unexplainable to each other…we just share in each other’s stories. Hailing from Santa Ana,CA… Ft. Worth, TX…the Oregon coast… Fairbanks… Findlay, OH… Colorado… from all walks of life…
Friendly ferry workers packed us into the Columbia with little space between any vehicles.
We had overcast skies, but good visibility the first two days on the ferry then on the third and forth days we had glorious clear skies.
The culture and vibe on the ferry was a treasure. From children to the elderly, the rich to the poor and, much like the motorcycle community, there is a sense of camaraderie as fellow voyagers. You have a choice of setting up camp on the upper deck under a heated veranda with the ultimate views or a berth like ours with bunk beds and a tiny bathroom/shower.
There were many long sections of the Inside Passage that were just wide enough for the ferry. Much too narrow for a cruise ship…That is the magic of the Inside Passage, it is very intimate.
Getting close to Bellingham, now we reflect on “the trip”. WOW…simply wow…
