A weekend away

The trip from Juneau to Petersburg was a short one – only about 8 hours and I chose NOT to get a cabin on the Kennicott ferry. A mistake. I had brought a sleeping bag but no pad.  The ferry was cold and the floor was hard!

We left a bit after midnight and even though it was only two days before solstice, the night was too dark to see anything.

Two fawns jumping

The early morning was better. The water, some whales and the mountains showed some of the beauty of southeast Alaska.

Petersburg is a small fishing town settled by Norwegians many years ago. The Sons of Norway Hall still exists and each year in May, there is a Little Norway celebration. This time of year, the fishing is just getting started. The canneries are preparing, the fishers are getting the boats ready and there is a busy air in the harbor and on the island.

The town was settled by Norwegian immigrants but there is now a strong Hispanic presence. Many signs about social services, the announcements outside the bunk houses and dining rooms (comedors) were in both languages.

Saturday, I walked and saw the many homes with two car garages and an extra garage for the boat. Almost all had boats or towing devices for boats in the driveways. Some had the rosemaling  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosemaling

(Norwegian painting decoration on the house) but this custom seems to be declining.

Weather is much like Juneau: rain, sun, rain, clouds in one day.

Sunday, I rented a car and drove around the island. For three hours, I did not see another car going in my direction and only two in the reverse one. Short hikes, the doe with her two fawns jumping behind her, the immature eagle that rested only a few feet from the car were some highlights.

Monday morning, I caught another ferry home. The Taku is a smaller, older ferry and travelled the long route (via Kake and Sitka) back to Juneau. This was  a 24 hour trip and I did get a cabin.

The rhythm of the ride, the tranquility of the trip and the fun of meeting travelers from various places added to this trip. The older British couple laughed so much and were enjoying their trip; the young couple with the big dog in the solarium assured me that the dog was a service dog in training and they had permission to be there. I really did not care but had never seen a dog in the passenger area of the ferry. The women who told me they were ardent Sarah Palin fans did not comment on my pin “Where’s Sarah?” (We Alaskans often don’t know where she is.)

All in all, there was a relaxing weekend away from the big city of Juneau. The ferry schedules change and this weekend Petersburg was convenient.