A RARE CATCH

.... Tues-Sat, 6/25-29/2013 .   Wait in line to board the MV Columbia. It's easy to get lost on this boat!  Do we sleep on the observation deck in lounge chairs under the heat lamps?  Prepared ones have set up their tents.   Date night for us-- delicious king crab leg sandwiches for dinner and the movie The Amazing Spiderman at the theater.  

Luck has it, a cabin becomes available...and Tim has his woobie.

Beautiful scenery on the water...

Next am, breakfast of mushroom & onion quiche + french toast....


and at 2pm, arrive at next island and town.

KETCHIKAN -  a city on Revilla Island in the heart of 17-million acre Tongass National Forest.  The world's largest collection of totem poles is found here.  It's a popular port for cruise ships.  Downtown's main drag is taken over by tourism.

Drive 14 miles to Clover Pass Resort.  Great location!  Scenic and friendly staff.  Boat rentals for those who want to get out into the water and try their hand at catching fish.   YOU BET!   Grilled baby back ribs, mashed potatoes and veggies. 

Next morning, pack up lunch and supplies...we're going fishing!!

 Was it mentioned there are 5 species of salmon?  King (chinook), silver (coho), reds (sockeye), pink (humps), and chum (dogs).  So excited...it's not the Time Bandit but this 20 ft bow rider skiff with 90 hp will work out just fine for this sunny, 70 degree day.   

Line, hook and sinker for catching halibut.  Down for 5 min and catch one!...a 32" halibut.  WOW.   Catch and release a few others. 

Another one?

WHOA, what's this unusual looking fish?  Call into harbor for answers.  It's a 2ft yelloweye rockfish (red snapper).   A rare catch.  Limit is one catch per year.

A wonderful relaxing FUN scenic day on the water!
Have fish processed and keep 2 halibut filets for dinner.  YAY.    Side dish?  Cook chopped bacon and green onions.  Add what's left in the freezer....2 cups frozen hash brown potatoes and a cup each green beans, carrots, and corn.  Cook til crispy.  Really good! 

In the am, pick up 4lbs processed fish.  Drive into downtown Ketchikan for a few hours and arrive at dock for ferry to Prince Rupert (BC).

 Leave port at 3:45pm.  Goodbye Ketchikan.  Goodbye Alaska......

A bit melancholy....we're leaving Alaska and realize what a wonderful, adventurous time we have had.

Arrive in Prince Rupert, BC,  at 11:15 pm.  Change to BC time 12:15am.  A 45-min wait in line at US Customs.  It's dark, a bit rainy.  Drive til we can no longer keep our eyes open and pull into a rest stop after 1am.

Sunlight through the shades wakes us up.  Open the door and..oops!  The sign says no overnight parking. 

Onto Yellowhead Hwy16E at 8:30am.  Misty, foggy in mountains.  Scenic nice road with Skeena (means "river of the mist" in First Nations language) River on one side, RR tracks on the other.  Tim catches up on sleep.


 Stop in town of Terrace and find a Farmers Market! and a flat tire! Hmmmm? Each go our own way and come back happy. 

Surprises down the road that you don't want to happen to you!  An RV towing a jeep careens off the road into a ditch.    A vehicle makes contact with a moose crossing the road (pic too graphic to post).  

Arrive in Telka and set up early at Ft. Telka Riverfront RV Park.  River is too high for fishing.  Take care of laundry and enjoy dinner of grilled ribeye, mashed potatoes and beets. 
WE'RE ON THE WAY HOME.... plan the route.