In order to get to Skagway we would have to travel up Lynn
Canal 84 miles north from Juneau. Lynn
Canal is a deep fjord with steep shores that reach high up to the alpine
summits. There are numerous hanging
glaciers in the canyons along the route.
Due to Lynn Canal’s north-south orientation, and because so
many large rivers feed into it from the interior, strong winds are a common
occurrence. Southerly winds can be a
problem because the canal gradually narrows towards the north, intensifying the
winds. The length of the canal provides
long fetch where seas can build quickly and williwaw winds (adiabatic winds
dropping from the hanging glaciers) create spray and poor visibility can all
make Lynn Canal difficult to navigate.
So we made the decision to take the ferry and enjoy the views and trip
with someone else piloting.
We took a taxi for the 14 mile ride to the ferry terminal in
Auke Bay, where we caught the Alaska State Ferry Malaspina.
We walked onto the ferry and got on the elevator and ran into David and Truus, a couple whom we had met at lunch in Petersburg eleven days earlier! They are a couple from northern California traveling by car and using the ferry system. It was so nice to see them both again. We were able to compare our travel adventures in the lunch room on the ferry and exchange contact information so that we can keep in touch.
Ron met us at the ferry terminal when we docked and we
walked into town to meet Lynn.
We checked into our room At The White House Bed &
Breakfast on 8th & Main Street.
Then went into downtown Skagway to browse the shops and have some dinner.
Where of course Bruce found a bakery and picked up some desert!
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