LUVAK

Hello All,

A friend and I recently returned from our Alaska adventure, two weeks traveling through the Inside Passage. I have been to four (4) different places in Alaska now, and loved them all. Alaska is the last frontier and has something to offer everyone. Since I believe my fantastic experience was enhanced by the input from the Cruise Critic (and the the Alaska Trip Advisor forum), I felt compelled to provide this input for reference to future travelers.

July 2009 Inside Passage Travel Report Summary: Started in Glacier Bay, traveling south to Coffman Cove Prince of Wales. Utilized the Alaska Marine Highway System, water taxi and the Inter Island Ferry system to go from Gustavus, Juneau, Sitka, Petersburg, Wrangell, CC-POW and Ketchican. Ferries were extremely nice and very reasonable. Appreciated the new high speed Alaska Marine Highway system ferry. Two days in GB taking a GB boat tour and a whale watch on the TAZ a must. Stay @ Blue Heron B&B very nice, excellent breakfast. Eat @ Gustavus Inn. Definitely tour the Bear Track Inn, beautiful expensive lodge far from town. We opted to spend a day in and around the lodge (hike the waters edge) and have dinner (new cook, OK food). Skip the Bartlett Cove and Pleasant Island kayak tour, especially if you kayak. You may wish to get transferred to kayak at Point Adolphus where we saw 40 Humpbacks and 25 Orcas on the TAZ (Todd & Keri excellent). On the way to and from Juneau, ferry captain slowed to view Humpback bubble feeding - awesome. Little time in Juneau, but did see Mendenhal Glacier. While there are several points of interest in Juneau, I don't think I would recommend or go back (touristy, with a undesirable city feel). Sitka was a nice little town with a lot of history and a great fish hatchery/petting aquarium. Would definitely skip the ATV tour as its over rated (unless you never ATV'd) and not worth the cost. Also, eat at the 2 chick and sticks and avoid the Westmark Restaurant (average food at exorbitant prices). Petersburg was a wet town with nice hikes and decent food, mostly a fishing village. B&B was very accommodating and eateries had fresh fish. Wrangell is similar to Petersburg, except for the AnAn Bear Observatory- number one highlight of the trip. You might want to skip staying in Wrangell since it unnecessary (or pick another B&B). We spent a week in Coffman Cove (Prince of Wales Island) fishing for Salmon and Halibut. Stayed at Salmon Shores which accommodated us very nicely, although thinking about the Ocean View & RV Resort next time for the magnificent view. Lots of deer and some bears. Salmon fishing good when you find the stream with Salmon running. Ocean salmon fishing fair and Halibut slow. Trip was awesome, in spite of not finding fresh fish and chips or reindeer sausage everywhere. Sitka and Petersburg had fresh fish and chips (as in the main land). Lastly, be sure to account for taxi transportation cost into your trip as it was expensive and added up. Best to travel on the bus or in a foursome (or share a cab) to minimize expense.

2009 INSIDE PASSAGE ALAKSA VACTION (July 16 – August 1) Itinarary:Thursday July 16th to Saturday August 1st : July 16th to July 25 touring Inside Passage, July 25 to August 1 resident in Coffman Cove, Prince Of Whales Island; Overall South East Inside Passage Route and desired duration: Gustavus (3d)/Juneau (1n)/Sitka (1d)/Petersburg (1d)/Wrangell (2n), and POW (8d)

Thursday July 16th - (Gustavus)

Travel Day – Alaska Airlines/Delta – (800) 221-1212

Pete - Depart Alaska Airlines Flt 493 6:30AM (SAN/Seattle) 9:30am. PA4ZFE

Gary - Depart Alaska Airlines Flt 477 6:30AM (SAN/Seattle) 9:03am. CVHZZX

Gary & Pete - Flt 75 10:35AM (Seattle/Juneau) 12:01PM, Flt 71 4:17 PM (Juneau/Gustavus) 4:54 PM

(Pick up 100% Deet in airport - Obtain a King Salmon Fishing License/stamp)

Pickup at airport by Blue Heron Inn – call Debbie Woodruff on arrival at 907-697-2337

Accommodations - Blue Heron Inn B&B (3 nights) – (907) 697-2337 - (Paid $1,165 for 3 nights, Glacier Bay Tour, Whale Watching and 2 kayaks)

Food - Dinner at Gustavus Inn or Bear Track Inn for the best food. Also, The Three Bears and Glacier Bay Country Inn (if they have one price dinners)

Friday July 17th - (Gustavus)

Whale Watching

Debbie drop us off at 8:15am for 8:30-12pm tour - TAZ (1-888-698-2726) Pt. Adolphus Whale Watching ($120)

Accommodations - Blue Heron Inn

Saturday July 18th - (Gustavus)

Glacier Bay Boat Tour

Must coordinate travel to dock by 7:30am – TLC Taxi $15 p/p each way with 6:45 p/u or Bud Rental for a car rental for $67.20/day plus fuel.

7:30am be at dock for Glacier Bay Lodge and Tours – Baranof Wind Boat Tour ($193ea includes lunch) – (907) 264-4600

Accommodations - Blue Heron Inn

Sunday July 19th - (Gustavus/Juneau)

Kayaking in Morning then travel to Juneau afternoon. Pay Debbie to book Fairweather Express at 4:30pm.

8:30am pick up by Glacier Bay Sea Kayaks for kayaking 9am-4pm – (909) 697-2257 - $40/day includes transportation. They will hold luggage and drop us off at Goldbelt ferry.

4:30PM Travel to Juneau via Fairweather Express of Goldbelt tours ($75.22) arrive Juneau at 7PM Goldbelt Tour Center at (800) 820-2628 or (907) 586-8687.

Taxi from dock to Western Baranof – Yellow cab 907-790-4511 or Evergreen 586-2121 about 14 miles for $30 – Look into round trip for next day.

Accommodations - Westmark Baranof (907)-586-2660 – Juneau 127 North Franklin Juneau, Alaska 99801

Food - Dinner at Alaska Wolf Lodge – fried chicken or Thane Ore House – Halibut

Monday July 20th - (Juneau/Sitka)

8am Boat to Sitka then ATV Tour

Taxi from Western Baranof to dock – Yellow cab 907-790-4511 or Evergreen 586-2121 about 14 miles for $30

Transportation from Juneau to Sitka via AMHS Fairweather (1-800-642-0066) - Depart 8:00 AM and arrive 12:30 PM ($45).

Pickup at ferry at 1pm for 1:30 Alaska 4.5 hr ATV Tour of Kruzok Islands $235p/p 1-877-966-2301 (on Petes AmEx CC). ATV will drop off at Ann Gavin Hill B&B when done.

Accommodations – Sitka, Ann Gavin Hill B&B (907) 747-8023 - $106 w/ $25 deposit mailed 2 Ex Long Twins - Walking distance to downtown

Food - Harry Race Pharmacy (50s Fountain Diner) – Great food @ two chicks & sticks behind Brennans

Tuesday July 21th - (Sitka/Petersburg ferry)

Morning Sitka hiking/tide exploration then walk to ferry to travel to Petersburg at 3:45pm

Hike and low tide exploration, National History and Raptor Center, Sea Otter and Wildlife Quest, biking, Totem Square.

Transportation from Sitka to Petersburg via AMHS: Depart 3:45 PM and arrive Wednesday July 22st 1:15 AM ($45 or $63 w/ cabin) – pick up by Nordic House (Cherise) when we get in - Cell Phone: 406-600-0393 or phone 907-772-3620

Accommodations – Nordic House B&B ($110 King on cc) 3 blocks f/Ferry check-in at 1:15am

Wednesday July 22th - (Petersburg)

Full day to explore Petersburg (need to coordinate travel to hotel)

EAGLE ROOST PARK. Located on North Nordic Drive just walking distance from the edge of town. Eagles roosting in trees or take the trail down to the beach and watch eagles and other waterfowl, or explore tide pools at low tide - Narrows Viewing Platform.

Accommodations - Petersburg Alaska Island Hostel ($25)

907 772 3632 – Paid $50 to secure

Thursday July 23th - (Petersburg/Wrangell)

Early morning Travel to Wrangell – full day in Wrangell

Call Eric Yancey of Breakaway Adventures (907) 874-2488 Toll Free 1 (888) 385-2488 to coordinate early morning pickup time.

Eric’s mate will taxi ($50 total) us from Petersburg to Banana Point to hook up with water taxi from Banana Point to Wrangell ($70 total)

Afternoon activities - tour fish hatchery and three lakes, Viscondia House, Tides Inn and Mitkof Island to view Muskegs

Accommodations – Wrangell, Rooneys Roost (Zimovia or Glacier Room) B&B pickup and drop off service included. B&B $120/night reservation held on credit card (907) 874-2026

Friday July 24th - (Wrangell)

Full day AnAn Bear Observatory – need start time. Coordinate with Rooneys transportation and lunch.

Eric - Breakaway Charters ($187 p/p) for 7 hr trip to AnAn Creek Wildlife Observatory (bring lunch!).

Accommodations – Rooneys Roost B&B pickup and drop off

Food – Be sure to pick up food to bring to Coffman Cove next day.

Saturday July 25th - (Wrangell/Coffman Cove)

Early morning travel to Coffman Cove for full day to explore town.

5am - travel to Coffman Cove with Eric on Jet boat.

6:30am use phone at top of dock to call Judy to bring over the rental car. Anyone can drive.

Pick up car at Judy Adamson (907) 329-2208

Accommodations - Ocean View RV Park & Campground & Rentals Coffman Cove / 907-329-2032 / djeffrey@coveconnect.com. Dee Dee.

Sunday July 26th – (Coffman Cove)

Coffman Cove Charters ($200/day) – Lee Harper or Ann – www.CoffmanCoveCharters.com – 907-329-2044

Accommodations – Salmon Shores – Meredith – 503-788-3762 (907-329-2311 Anchorage)

Food – Bring food from Hollis. Since we have a car there is some food here, but not much.

Saturday July 25th to Friday July 31st – (Coffman Cove)

Week of fishing in Coffman Cove staying at Salmon Shores.

Saturday August 1st – (Coffman Cove)

Travel to Hollis to catch 8am ferry to Ketchikan by 11am - Alaska Airlines/Delta - (800) 221-1212

WOW, Great message board with lots of good info.

While I will be taking IP cruise with family in future, currently planning guys marine highway trip last week in July. Second week is based in Coffman Cove, POW to primarily fish in and offshore. Need suggestions on first week itinary. Looking for insight on using Ak MHwy and feasibility of traveling from Skagway to Ketchikan before heading over to Hollis in POW. Considering Haines, Gustavus/Glacier Bay, Junea, Sitka and possibly Petersberg and Wrangel before ending in Ketchican. Is it feasible to do something like this in 8 days per the Marine Hwy, or would 3 locations such as GB, Sitka and Ketchican be more reasonable. Looking to Kayak, Whale/Bear/Glacier watch (boat/flight tour), hike, and take in acquarium, canary, raptor park and possibly ATVing. While I know each city has unique offerings, seems like I could achieve my goals and enjoy them with efficient planning. Something like flying into Gustavus? to kayak in GB, skip Skagway and Haines, take a boat tour for whales and flight tour to Misty Fjords out of Junea, hike/tide pool and acquarium in Sitka, and hike/canary tour in Ketchican. Suggestions on what to see/not miss, if/how this could be done are greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.