one if by land, two if by sea

A recent co worker would often hide his frustrations with the quote, "I'm in it for the adventure."  Usually this allowed us to cope with a bad decision by our boss.  Over time this became a routine excuse for bad decisions of mine own.  Example: after driving my van into a pool of water over two feet deep and getting stuck , thus killing the engine, I let out a potty mouthed tirade.  Soon all was calmed by saying , " well I'm in it for the adventure."  This quote isn't just for smoothing out bad situations.  Its very helpful as a reminder to get out and try things.  Get lost, get dirty, get scared, get uncomfortable, and getting humbled.

Keeping in that tradition, of being in it for the adventure, I've recently accepted a new job.  This requires a relocation to this country's last frontier, Alaska.  For two months home will be Juneau and then Anchorage.  Funny thing about Juneau, its not accessible by automobile.  From the inside passage where countless islands are crammed with conifers, to the Coast Mountains with glaciers and crevasses, this land is primeval.  Not even the late Ted Stevens could procure funds  for a road building boondoggle to continue our addiction to easy access to everything. 

Instead one if left with two choices: fly or take a boat.  Flying of course is faster, cheaper, and easier.  But even a minimalist like myself has possessions and two checked bags isn't going to do it.  This is actually a full time job, not a seasonal position where one can live out of a duffel bag. 

The Alaska Marine Highway System has stops from Bellingham Wa to the middle of the Aleutian chain and several ports in between.  Upon review, the price from Bellingham was almost prohibitive.  Prince Rupert B.C. , just south of the lower tip of Alaska and east of the upper portion of the Charlotte Islands would cut my price in half.  One only needs to drive about 1000 miles from Seattle to accomplish this feat. 

I'm in it for the adventure but am aware of Murphy's law.  Vehicle issues could be the least of potential troubles.  The imagination runs wild with border crossing problems, blizzards, avalanches, hurricanes, attacking moose herds, marauding pirates, Bigfoot encounters, black ice, exchange rates, and a bad cup of Tim Horton's coffee.

The choice was easy, a two day ferry ride out of Bham it is.  Better load up on the Dramamine as my sea legs were lost in Ohio.