August 7-11  Ferry ride Sitka to Bellingham
      A wonderful voyage through the inside passage on the Alaska ferry Columbia. I stayed in the top deck, rear facing solarium; a windowed, covered room but open to the stern whose ceiling has heat lamps.   Beds are lounge chairs that go flat and the scenery is stunning. The atmosphere is congenial with people of all ages. This is the best place for watching the scenery. If you don't purchase a cabin room, one can sleep in any of the public areas on the ferry, the movie theater, couches, etc. as well.
    I had a great time.  In Queen Charlotte Strait, a  huge group of porpoises, maybe 50 or so, swimming rapidly in the opposite direction passed our port side and later in the North end of Johnstone Strait, we saw several orcas.

Recommendations for staying in the solarium:  Tents are allowed, taped to the deck in front of the solarium but they really get blown around and wet.  The front row of the solarium is tempting as you get the best view, but you will also get wet during a driving rain. I liked staying in one of the beds along the window but further in. I think the solarium is preferable to the cabins as you can sit in your bed with about a 180 view of your passage.

The solarium

My bed in the solarium

Ketchican, Alaska

Lighthouse at Bella Bella, BC

The North end of Vancouver Island in the distance

Sunset, North end of Johnstone Strait

Johnstone Strait

After I got back home, I made a carving of Privateer for Pete and Kelsey. (mahogany)