2000 Alaska Trip, Downbound on the Alaskan Ferry Matanuska
The first part of our vacation started in
Bellingham, Washington, where we boarded the
Alaska State Ferry Columbia. We would have
been on her for the return trip, but she suffered
a major equipment failure. Instead, we took the
Matanuska back to Belliingham. The experience
onboard was also excellent.
The "downbound" trip was also very scenic.
The ship is smaller than the Columbia, but still has many amenities. There are sitting areas where you can enjoy the amazing scenery, as it passes by. This ship takes several days to reach the end of the voyage. During that time, some passengers sleep in special airline-style seats. (We booked far ahead and had our own multi-bed cabin.) The backpackers pitch their tents on the stern area of the ship. Below are parking areas for vehicles from ordinary cars to 18-wheelers. This ship has just one dining area, run cafeteria-style, but the food and service were excellent.
These pictures were taken originally with a film camera and scanned.
NOTE that these photographs are
Copyright©2000-2020 Robert and Sandra Swanson.
I greatly appreciate people viewing the
photos, but not stealing them. If someone
is interested from a commercial point of
view, please contact me.
CLICK ON THE THUMBNAIL IMAGES TO VIEW A LARGER IMAGE
![[We Returned on the Matanuska
]](http://swansongrp.com/alaska/matanuska.jpg
)
![[Awesome Sunset
]](http://swansongrp.com/alaska/sunset.jpg
)
![[Remarkable Scenery Downbound in the Inside Passage
]](http://swansongrp.com/alaska/mountains.jpg
)
![[Sunset and Stern of Matanuska
]](http://swansongrp.com/alaska/going_home3a.jpg
)
![[Map of Inside Passage (Including Vancouver Island, from book dated 1898)
]](http://swansongrp.com/pics/maps/alaska_victoria.jpg
)
![[Map of Alaska Panhandle (Central Section of Inside Passage, from book dated 1898)
]](http://swansongrp.com/pics/maps/alaska_panhandle.jpg
)