Prince Rupert and Home

June 27
Wheels up and on the road by 6:50 am.
Some pictures of the drive to Meziadin Junction.

Stopped at Meziadin Junction to grab a coffee and kept going past Kitwanga and on to Terrace where we filled gas.

The seven sisters

The scenic drive to Port Edward and Prince Rupert

Drove around Prince Rupert

Stopped at Smiles Seafood Cafe in Cow Bay, well known for their fish and chips.

Got to the campground and relaxed with a cup of tea. Got a call from a friend to join them for dinner.

June 28
Today we boarded the ferry in Prince Rupert to sail to Port Hardy on Vancouver Island. This trip holds a special place in my heart as my father was the Electrician on the Queen of Prince Rupert and the Queen of the North many years ago. Gerald and I had always hoped to take this trip but never did. Today I am fulfilling this dream. I only wished that my dad and Gerald were here with me!

The route has changed over the years.
Years ago, Queen of Prince Rupert made the journey in 20 hours, departing from Prince Rupert and Kelsey Bay (now known as Sayward) on alternate days. From October–April, the ship left Tsawwassen (eg. Monday), stopping at Kelsey Bay and Bella Bella, arriving at Prince Rupert (eg. Tuesday). In 1979, the North Island Highway was completed through to Port Hardy, and a new terminal built at nearby Bear Cove. In 1980, Queen of the North entered service on the Inside Passage route. On March 22, 2006, the Queen of the North sunk to the bottom of the ocean in less than an hour. The Northern Expedition now sails in its place and it takes 16 hours Prince Rupert to Port Hardy or the other way back.

We were there at 5:10 am for the 7:30 am ferry. Once loaded, I headed up to the Purser's office to see if there was a cabin available for the long journey. We got one!

View from the ferry while loading

The cabin had two beds, a tv with 6 channels, a bathroom with a shower.

The ferry

Stope at Klemtu to unload and load more passengers. About 6 more hours to go!

We were able to have a few naps, some food from the cafeteria. The menu is the same as any regular short route, which was pretty disappointing.
Port Hardy

Arrived around 11:45 pm, unloaded and headed straight back to Nanaimo!

It was a very, very long day for us but I felt awful for my dog, Hana. She was locked in the camper for the duration of the trip, we were allowed to go downstairs 5 time through the trip for 15 minutes each time. She was so stressed when we loaded her into the car for the trip to Nanaimo.

So that’s the end of our Alaskan road trip. It was a wonderful trip but different. I have never spent so much time with someone ,other than Gerald, for 37 days in cramped quarters. We drove approximately 10,000 km (6200 miles); ferry travel approximately 670 km (416 miles).

We visited Whitehorse 3 times, Anchorage twice, Chicken twice. Didn't see Valdez, Haines, and the Arctic Circle. Next time!

Wildlife
17 black bears 1 owl
2 grizzlies. 8 plus squirrels
14 moose (5 babies) Tons gophers
55 bison 3 whales
7 caribou 3 porpoises
9 dall sheep 1 hawk
8 stone sheep 2 red fox
3 deers. 1 beaver
1 elk Tons of eagles
5 wild horses Tons of rabbits
1 jack rabbit Seals, swans

Roadkill
Porcupines, raccoons, rabbits