Today we travel on the Alaska Marine highway on the Alaska ferry Malaspina  to Skagway at the end of the Lynn Canal. The weather is unbelievable even the locals are in awe. It is hot and dry and bright. We have gone past Sentinel Island and another interesting light-house, a pod of  humpback whales  travelling near shore, and the Rainbow Glacier just before the stop over in Haynes.

Eldred Rock Island Light-house

 The ferry is a good place to see the wide canal which is normally too windy for sailboats It is said to be the longest and deepest fjord in the world (610 m deep). It can get very strong winds and williwaws that funnel and there are no anchorages to hide along the 82 nautical miles. Besides,  everywhere is too deep for our 160 ft long chain.

Rainbow Glacier

Brown silty water from the Katzehin River mixing with aquamarine clear glacial water

So a nice easy ride on the Malaspina  and 6 ½ hours later we are in the gold rush city which has not changed that much since the 1897/98 rush, and that is a good thing. All the heritage building are protected and being renovated  making for a  very authentic main street with boardwalks for sidewalks and wooden buildings all along.

Skagway

There are many groups of young people hanging around town, some mountain-bikers and of course the keen hikers decided on living the Chilkoot trail experience! But on the light as they all have the latest gear from fancy outfitters unlike the gold seekers who were forced to  acquire and carry one ton of food supplies to be  allowed to star on the trek.

Skagway

Capt’n Moore’s cabin 1

Another small pleasure is the unrestricted shower we can indulge in at the motel. No water limit and no hot water shortage, a first for 39 days!