2000 Alaska Trip, Upbound on the Alaskan Ferry Columbia
The first part of our vacation started in
Bellingham, Washington, where we boarded the
Alaska State Ferry Columbia. She is a
beautiful ship, specially constructed for
the important job of connecting all of the many
small ports along the Alaska coastline.
The "upbound" trip was incredibly scenic. It was our first experience with the Inside Passage, and we were in awe.
The ship has many areas. 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 three dining areas, including a snack bar. The main dining room is very nice with table service.
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
![[Loading the Columbia in Bellingham
]](http://swansongrp.com/alaska/loading_in_bellingham.jpg
)
![[An Alaskan State Ferry Boat
]](http://swansongrp.com/alaska/blue_canoe.jpg
)
![[Closeup of Columbia's Side [our cabin window is on the left]
]](http://swansongrp.com/alaska/columbia.jpg
)
![[Our Wake
]](http://swansongrp.com/alaska/going_up.jpg
)
![[Spectacular Mountain Views from the Ship
]](http://swansongrp.com/alaska/going_up4.jpg
)
![[The Columbia at Ketchikan, Alaska [our first port of call]
]](http://swansongrp.com/alaska/kechican.jpg
)
![[Bob, Relaxing in the Observation Area
]](http://swansongrp.com/alaska/sweeties.jpg
)
![[Bob, Taking in the View
]](http://swansongrp.com/alaska/sweeties2.jpg
)
![[Sandi at Ketchikan [those are lilacs blooming behind her]
]](http://swansongrp.com/alaska/sandi_kechikan.jpg
)
![[Crewmembers Take a Break
]](http://swansongrp.com/alaska/shipboard2.jpg
)
![[Onboard the Columbia, Watching the Scenery
]](http://swansongrp.com/alaska/shipboard.jpg
)
![[Glacier with its Moraine Lake
]](http://swansongrp.com/alaska/mendanhal_glacier2.jpg
)
![[Glacier Melt Pouring Out Along the Side of the Mendenhall
]](http://swansongrp.com/alaska/mendanhal_glacier.jpg
)
![[Interior of Church Near Mendenhall Glacier [beautiful setting close to the University of Alaska campus]
]](http://swansongrp.com/alaska/church_near_mendenhal.jpg
)
![[Map of Alaska Panhandle (Including Inside Passage, from book dated 1898)
]](http://swansongrp.com/pics/maps/alaska_panhandle.jpg
)
![[Map of Alaska Panhandle (Southern Section of Inside Passage, from book dated 1898)
]](http://swansongrp.com/pics/maps/alaska_skagway.jpg
)