I have returned from my vacation sailing from Ketchikan, Alaska to Bella Bella, British Columbia. I am a bit tardy beginning my posts, and imagine some of you may have feared I was eaten by a bear. It was touch and go at one point, but I’ve lived to tell the tale.
Tonight I begin a series of posts, one for each day of the trip. I’m restraining myself from giving you the peak moments all at once.
My trip began when I flew from my home in Austin, Texas to Ketchikan, Alaska. I spent my first night in Ketchikan at the Cape Fox Lodge. The accommodations were a bit rustic (it’s Alaska!), but clean. The view was very nice. But I ain’t seen nothin’ yet. After a bit of exploration, I had dinner at the lodge. Nothing else was open on Sunday evening. There were no cruise ships in port so the locals took the night off. I had fish (halibut) and chips and a glass of white wine, and then off to bed.
On the morning of September 2 I had my last real shower, bid farewell to terra firma, and took a shuttle from the lodge to the marina, where I would begin my 9-day sail on the 54-foot Nawalak. Here are a few photos from Day 1 of the voyage from Ketchikan to Kahshakes, where we anchored for the first evening.
The Nawalak
The view as we left the marina.
The cruise ships showed up early Monday morning. Their baritone horns were my alarm clock. I was glad I wasn’t boarding one.
Here’s a view of the waterfront at Ketchikan. It looks bright and colorful from the water, but up close it’s a bit rough around the edges. The Cape Fox Lodge is at the top of the hill with the green rooftops. It had a lovely view, and a real shower.
Here, I try out Sport Mode on the Nikon D3200. This will prove to be an invaluable setting as the trip unfolds.
I’m mesmerized by the mist on the mountains and shoreline, as you will see.
I captured my first photo of a bald eagle as the day came to a close. I’m given many more opportunities to practice with them.
Kashakes Cove
Spectacular end to Day 1.
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The first day seems real fresh, with a lot of sights, I guess the rest will be even fresher.
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Bente, I must have said “This is so beautiful” 2000 times. Which is why I took over 3000 photos. That, and I need the practice. Now to decide which to share!
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I took over 4600 photos during my trip to Scandinavia, so I feel your pain. Now comes the daunting task of choosing which ones to edit and share with family and friends. I hope your trip was as memorable as mine was.
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Welcome back! I’ve got 1000s, too. I can’t wait to see yours. I plan to post one day of the trip each week. Although I may speed the schedule up as time allows. So glad your trip was memorable.
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The mist is fabulous! I have no idea why. I love your pictures…can’t wait to see more!
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Thank you, Katie! What is it about the mist on the fjords? I’ve got lots more so be careful what you wish for. 😉
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Wow, I’m so glad you went on this amazing trip! xoxo
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It was an experience for a lifetime. More pics to come!
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Wow. Great series, great photos. Glad I caught it via ‘related’ on your latest post with the Bald Eagle. The only cruise I’ve ever done was Anchorage (nearby port) to Vancouver. (At least we got off the ship a lot. I’m not much of a ‘cruiser’.) Even though we went in August it was fairly gray most of the time. I distinctly remember Ketchikan because it was a torrential downpour when we were there. Glad you had good weather.
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Thanks, John! I’ve got so many photos from this trip. I’ve only recently been learning Lightroom, and so have begun to post a few more of them, after actually editing them. I’ve never been on a cruise ship. Aside from the soap opera going on with the captain and crew, the small boat was a really nice way to immerse oneself in the environment.
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