Day 5: Inside Passage

Our last day on the ferry was one of those slow-paced-rainy-stay-inside days. So that is just what we did. The kids played in the forward lounge with all the other little ones for a few hours in the morning. While all the parents were sitting in the booths at their laptops working and trying to hook up to the wireless. Us included. That was all before lunch and before we hit the open waters- which means a rougher ride. The boat just rocks heavily from side to side. Well, I say “heavily,” because most of the trip is nice and steady. It only lasted an hour and a half or so. It really wasn’t bad. But many people began seeking places to lie down until it passed. We spent the rest of our day at sea in our stateroom just keeping warm and dry. We also walked the decks a few times for fresh air and packed up our stuff.



Dinner was something worth mentioning, though. There was going to be a wonderful buffet in the Dining Room and we were really looking forward to a warm meal. And to experiencing the Dining Room. We had not eaten there before- on either trip. It was much too fancy for us. Even though I attended dinner in my yoga pants and crocs and was welcomed just the same as the fancier diners. Like Shawn, who wore jeans : ) Anyway…the dinner was $17 for adults and our kids were free. Dinner started at 6pm and we joined the line outside the restaurant about 5:40. The line quickly grew so long that I couldn’t see the end! The gentleman behind us in line loved Stella. Every time he saw her during the trip he couldn’t help but stop and talk to her. Always trying to get a smile from her (which she doesn’t give out to strangers very often). But as we waited we talked more- about Alaska, the ferry trip, hometowns, just small talk really. Then the doors opened. Upon our turn, we were greeted by a man in a clean tux shirt and black pants and taken to a table by the window. This place was nice- white linens, real glassware and non-paper/plastic dishes and utensils. I know, *fancy.* Fancy for a ferryboat! Dinner was fabulous- a little bit of everything and it was all very, very good and well-prepared. When we decided we were done Shawn asked for the check. The woman told him that the man in the black hat had taken care of it. WHAT?! Yes, that nice man who just wanted a smile from Stella paid for our dinner. How unbelievably generous! We thanked him sincerely and told him he certainly did not have to do that. He said, “ I know, but it’s fun.” Someday we are going to have to find that kind of “fun” too. But dinner was such a nice change. We had eaten most of our meals from our own cooler. We did eat in the Café once, which is grill/cafeteria style. Good food and not cheap either.

Now we are back in the Lower 48- Washington to be exact. And we are on our way to Mt. Rainier. I hope we catch glimpse of it today, because it is very overcast and rainy. Typical Pacific Northwest Weather!!