The Alaska art print “Ferry Wake” features a view from the side rail on the deck of the MV LeConte, as the Alaska Marine Highway ferry makes the turn from Lynn Canal around Point Retreat. The small community of Gustavus where I live is not located on an island, as some mistakenly assume when told there is no road to our town. But the surrounding mountainous terrain doesn’t allow for the usual access, and so we are limited to travel by air and sea. Our primary ferry connection is to Juneau, Alaska’s capital, which serves as the regional hub for most shopping and health care needs of the people in remote communities of the Alexander Archipelago. The twice weekly schedule between Gustavus and Juneau, a six-hour trip each way, means arranging for a couple of nights’ overnight stay while shopping in town and taking care of business. It’s all a part of living between the mountains and the sea in Southeast Alaska!
Here’s the story behind the image: it’s a rare blue sky day with calm seas on this trip to town, and I settle in with my book as we make our way along Icy Strait and into Lynn Canal. There’s friends and neighbors aboard to visit with, as well, and time to relax and watch for whales and other sea life. I let my thoughts drift, and the low hum of engine vibrations almost lulls me into dozing. I resist the urge, though, and instead let myself be drawn out to the deck into the sunshine, though it’s chilly this afternoon with a bit of a breeze. Blue sky is reflected in the water, and I watch the wake as we make the turn around Point Retreat. It scribes an arc through the deep blue sea, and churns up lighter blue and turquoise tones, white foam marking the edge. The sunshine dances and glitters like jewels on the surface. The sight enchants and mesmerizes, and at just the right spot to get the maximum effect, I take the shot.
My two full days in town are packed with errands and shopping, and indeed, I see many of my fellow ferry riders in Costco and Fred Meyers doing the same thing. We meet up again for the early morning departure from the Juneau ferry terminal as we make the trip in reverse and head for home. This time, as it is only 7am and still dark out, I give in to the gentle rocking movement and low hum of the engines and let myself drift off to sleep.
Inside Passage Alaska art by Lillian Ruedrich. Love this image? Click here to purchase it now. Enjoy it as a 5X7 note card or giclee print matted & framed, finished size 16.25″ X 16.25″. Also available: giclee print with mat only, finished size 15″ X 15″.