Day Sixtysix - Jul 30, 2009

Sitka, AK to Juneau, AK

High Point: The Silverbow Inn in Juneau
Low Point: The lack of deck space on the Fairweather
Miles By Automobile: 29
Miles Total: 13646
Music: The sounds of water outside the car deck
Today's Weather: Sunny
Tonight's Lodging: Silver Bow Inn, Juneau
Where Uploaded: Skagway, AK
Wildlife: Bear signs

Daily Didactic

Morning began with another awesome breakfast at our Sitka B&B. We chatted around the table with Todd and Cori and the other guests until around 9:00, and then began the process of reloading the bus. We made a swing through downtown Sitka for some last minute shopping and a cup of coffee, before heading out to the ferry terminal for our early afternoon departure. We checked in and then headed the less than a mile up the road for a walk on the beach out of Starrigavan campground. It was another gorgeous day in Sitka and we walked the beach until we had to get the bus in line for loading.

Today's marine vessel was the Fairweather, which is one of the Alaksa Marine Highway's fast ferries. It certainly got us to Juneau faster than our previous trusty steed, the Taku, but at the cost of a solarium and a much of any outdoor viewing opportunity. The Fairweather is much more like a commuter ferry, and Theresa and Brian are not necessarily sold. We sat with Todd and Cori in the forward observation area, reading, drawing and catching up on web pages. A little over four hours later we were pulling into Juneau.

We have only been to Juneau for a four hour plane layover before, toady we were looking at a comfy overnight. Brian's brother Al had recommended the Silver Bow Inn downtown, which turned out to be a great spot right in the middle of town. We grabbed a bite to eat at the Hanger, walked up the hill, stumbled across the Governor's mansion, and eventually returned to our room for the night.

Where we slept last night