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-SPENT MOST OF THE DAY RUNNING AROUND GETTING LAST MINUTE THINGS DONE - PICKED UP THE MUSTANG WITH ITS FENDER ALL CURED - DON AT FRIDAY HARBOR BODY DID A GOOD JOB - GOT LIQUOR BOXES FOR CANADIAN TRANSIT - PICKED UP HOSE REEL - GOT THE CAR & TRUCK STASHED IN THE HANGAR AND ALL THE GOODBYES SAID
1430 - FINALLY ON OUR WAY
1700 - TIED TO BUOY IN ECHO BAY ON SUCIA
-SPENT THE MORNING INVENTORYING THE BOOZE AND GETTING IT PACKAGED FOR CANADIAN CUSTOMS - ENDED UP WITH 34 LITERS OF WINE & BOOZE PLUS 25 LITERS OF BEER ALL STOWED IN THE SAILING DINGHE
1100 - ON OUR WAY TO SANDY POINT
1200 - WENT INTO THE BAY AT SANDY POINT WITH CHARLEY SCREAMING ABOUT THE BOTTOM BEING AT THREE FEET - LOTS OF TRASH - NO WAY TO GET INTO THE WATERWAY CLAIR DESCRIBED SO WE ANCHORED IN THE MAIN BASIN & TOOK THE METZELER IN TO HIS PLACE - HAD A NICE VISIT WITH HE AND CON FRIEZE WHO I HADN'T SEEN FOR 20 YRS
1430 - SAID GOODBYE AND HEADED FOR BEDWELL
1700 - DOCKING AT BEDWELL CUSTOMS WITH MUCH DIFFICULTY - STRONG CURRENT TAKING US AWAY FROM DOCK - TOOK THREE TRYS BEFORE WE MADE IT - NICE YOUNG LADIES DID THE WORK OF TIEING UP ALL OUR BOOZE AND SEALING IT - VERY PLEASENT ABOUT THE WHOLE PROCESS - GAVE US ENTRY NO. B0078 F08
1800 - MOVED OUT TO A BUOY AND TIED UP FOR THE NIGHT - LOIS FIXED THE LAST OF JOHN'S FISH FOR DINNER - UM GOOD!
1230 - DOCKED AT NEW FLOAT NEXT TO GAS DOCK IN NANAIMO - SURPRIZED AT THE LACK OF OTHER BOATS ON A BEAUTIFUL SATURDAY - CHANGED SOME MONEY AT BANK FOR 1.3125/1 AND BOUGHT BOOZE AT THE LIQUOR STORE FOR 1.32/1
1430 - WENT THROUGH NEWCASTLE PASSAGE TO ESSO DOCK TO GET FISHING LICENSES ($70.00 FOR 2) THEN HEADED NORTH - WHISKEY GOLF WAS INACTIVE SO RAN STRAIGHT TO LASQUETI ISLAND AND A GOOD ANCHORAGE IN BOAT COVE
1000 - WHILE TRYING TO CONTACT THE "LADY LIZ" GOT A CALL FROM BOB & BETTY ON THE "KINGUNIQUE" (KIN U KEE) WHO ARE ALSO FRIENDS OF THE MCDONALDS - THEY WERE IN SQUIRREL COVE AND HADN'T YET RUN INTO BOB & JEAN- ALSO GOT A CALL FROM FRANK ON THE "NUISANCEFOUR" A FISH TENDER WITH A LOAD OF HALIBUT FROM ALASKA - HE JUST CALLED TO SAY THAT HE ADMIRED OUR BOAT
- ALSO TALKED TO MOM & DAD ON WAY UP THE STRAIGHT
1500 - DOCKED AT THE GAS DOCK AT CAMPBELL RIVER - CHECKED RATES - $0.60/FT - ABOUT DOUBLE THAT LAST FALL - ALSO WOULD HAVE BEEN A HASSLE GETTING INTO A SLIP BECAUSE OF A 100 FT VESSEL BLOCKING MOST OF THE DOCK - WE WERE JUST RIGHT FOR THE SLACK AT SEYMORE SO DECIDED TO KEEP GOING
1530 ONWARD
1630 SEYMORE AT SLACK IS LIKE A POND
1745 OTTER COVE - VERY NICE ANCHORAGE JUST AS THE BOOK SAYS
0730 - DEPARTED OTTER COVE - RUN UP JOHNSTONE WAS UNEVENTFUL ALTHOUGH LOIS FUSSED ALL THE WAY BECAUSE OUR NICE WEATHER WAS OVER AND WE WERE RUNNING IN A FOLLOWING SEA - WE MADE VERY GOOD TIME WITH BOTH THE TIDE AND A 35 KNOT "GALE" BEHIND US - THE SEA RAVEN HANDLED THE FOLLOWING SEA BEAUTIFULLY WITH SELDOM A ROLL OF MORE THAN 10 DEGREES
0930 - SPOTTED A SINGLE KILLER WHALE FEEDING IN RACE PASSAGE
1430 - DOCKED AT ALERT BAY AT THE GOVERNMENT DOCK WHICH HAD LOTS OF OPEN SPACE - WARFINGER BILL MCARTY $15.00
-THOUGHT ABOUT TAKING THE FERRY TO PORT MCNEIL BUT IT WAS THE DANGEROUS CARGO TRIP & THEY WOULDN'T LET US ON
0925 - TOOK FERRY TO PORT MCNEIL TO DO SOME SHOPPING - GOT WIRE FOR LOUD HAILER & A FEW CHARTS WHICH I MANAGED TO LEAVE IN THE WAITING SHACK AT THE FERRY DOCK - THE PURSOR, BOB CONNALLY, WAS KIND ENOUGH TO RADIO BACK AND HAVE THEM PICKED UP - HE THEN BROUGHT THEM TO ME ON THE NEXT TRIP - WHILE WAITING WE WENT TO THE ALERT BAY SHIP YARD AND FOUND THEY HAD A BETTER SELECTION OF CHARTS THAN ANYONE ELSE - GOT ALL WE WANTED
1430 - DEPARTED ALERT BAY - RAN AROUND SOUTH OF PEARCE ISLANDS AND BETWEEN STUBBS & PLUMPER TO A POINT JUST NORTH OF THE WHITE CLIFF ISLETS - WAS WISHING I HAD BOUGHT ONE MORE CHART BECAUSE THE EVERGREEN CHARTS HAVE A GAP JUST AS YOU ENTER THE ROCKY LITTLE CHANNELS AROUND BONWICK ISLAND - WE RAN VERY SLOW UNTIL WE GOT ACROSS THE GAP AND WERE SURE OF OUR POSITION
1730 - ANCHORED IN WADDINGTON BAY - TWO OTHER BOATS ALREADY HERE - THE "POWDER" AND ANOTHER SAILBOAT WITH CALLED THE "????? GIFTS"
2000 - SO SORE FROM TIGHTENING THE BELT ON THE CRUISE GENERATOR THAT I WENT TO BED
- SWITCHED TO STARBOARD TANK
0730 - DUG A FEW CLAMS IN A SMALL HOLE ON THE WEST SIDE BEHIND THE ISLAND - FIGURE THE MAY 1 TO OCT 15 CLOSING IS MORE OF AN ADMINISTRATIVE HAZARD THAN A REAL ONE
0830 - DEPARTED WADDINGTON BAY NORTH INTO ARROW PASSAGE AND THEN UP BY ECHO BAY ACROSS TO SIR EDMOND BAY THEN WEST TO CYPRESS HARBOR
1100 - ANCHORED IN MILLER BAY ON EAST SIDE OF CYPRESS - STRONG WINDS PREDICTED AND MILLER IS MOST SHELTERED - PUT OUT ONE SHRIMP TRAP NEAR FOX ROCK AND THEN SPENT MOST OF THE DAY FOOLING WITH THE LOUDHAILER - FINALLY GAVE UP AND PUT IT WHERE THE OLD ONE WAS - NOT VERY EASY TO RUN NEW WIRES ON THIS BOAT - RAN THE ONAN WHILE LOIS DID LAUNDRY
1700 - WE WERE DRAGGING ANCHOR PRETTY BADLY SO HAULED IT UP AND TRIED A DIFFERENT SPOT IN MILLER - STILL NO SOLID HOOK SO WE WENT ACROSS TO THE WEST SIDE - SAME KIND OF THING - BOTTOM MUST BE SMALL ROCKS OR SHALE - I WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE BUT BY THIS TIME IT WAS NEARING DARK AND THE WIND WAS STARTING TO BLOW PRETTY BAD AND LOIS DIDN'T WANT TO BE RUNNING - SO, WE DROPPED THE DANFORTH - IT HOOKED IMMEDIATELY (MESSAGE ????) - GOOD PRACTICE ANYWAY
2130 - FINALLY WELL HOOKED AND COMFORTABLE ENOUGH TO GO TO BED AND SLEEP
0900 - PULLED THE SHRIMP TRAP AND FOUND FOUR MEDIUM PRAWNS & SEVERAL TINY ONES IN IT
1000 - TRYED BOTTOM FISHING OFF CARTWRIGHT POINT ON BROUGHTON ISLAND BUT COULDN'D STAY NEAR THE BOTTOM
1030 - DOCKED AT SULLIVAN BAY - NICE LAYOUT WITH LOTS OF DOCKS WITH BOTH POWER AND WATER - PAT FINNARTY OWNS THE PLACE - GOT BURNED OUT LAST YEAR SO IS BUSY REBUILDING A MINI-KNOTTS BERRY FARM OF THE NORTH - BOUGHT A BUNCH OF FLOATING BUILDINGS FROM A LUMBER CAMP DOWN IN JERVIS INLET - TALKED WITH A COUPLE LIVING ON A SKOOKUM 47 CALLED THE "POLLUX" FROM PORT TOWNSEND - THEY SAID THE "RESOLUTION" HAD BEEN HERE ABOUT FOUR DAYS AGO
- FILLED THE WATER TANK AND BOUGHT CHART 3596
1300 - LEFT SULLIVAN AND FISHED FOR A WHILE ON THE WAY DOWN TO TRACY HARBOR - GOT A COUPLE OF LITTLE ROCK FISH AT THE ENTRANCE TO TRACY
1500 - ANCHORED IN COVE SOUTH OF CARTER POINT IN TRACY - PUT OUT THE CRAB POT THEN HAD A NEAT DINNER WITH CLAMS, SHRIMP, AND LITTLE ROCK FISH FILLETS - BEAUTIFUL EVENING
0740 DEPARTED TRACY HARBOR
0940 HRO ON WHILE RUNNING UP QUEEN CHARLOTTE STRAIT IN BEAUTIFUL WEATHER - WHAT LITTLE WIND THERE IS IS COMING FROM ASTERN SO THE ANOMOMETER ACTS LIKE IT IS BROKEN
1115 CALLED BULL HARBOR AND TALKED TO TREVIS - ONE OF THE RADIO OPERATORS WE HAD THANKSGIVING DINNER WITH LAST FALL - STARTING TO PICK UP A PRETTY GOOD SWELL BUT SO FAR WE HAVE BEEN RUNNING INTO IT
1200 - OFF BRAMHAM ISLAND - ONLY NOON - GOOD DAY TO GO AROUND CAPE CAUTION BUT THE SWELLS ARE NOW STARTING TO ROLL US AROUND A LOT - DECIDED TO GET THE FLOPPER STOPPERS DOWN - LOIS STEERED INTO THE SWELLS WHILE I GOT THE OUTRIGGERS DEPLOYED - AS SOON AS THE "FISH" WENT INTO THE WATER THE ROLL ALMOST STOPPED - BROKE ONE OF THE RAIL SUPPORT FITTINGS WHEN PUTTING THEM IN PLACE - GOT TO CATCH UP WITH RON & JAN - RON CAN REPAIR IT
1330 - OFF THE CAPE - SWELLS BIGGER NOW - LOOSING THE HORIZON ON ABOUT 20% OF THEM - RAN NORTH AROUND THE WEST SIDE OF EGG ISLAND TO DUGOUT ROCK - LISTENED TO THE "SCARBROUGH" AND THE "STEFANY ANN" TALKING ON THE WAY ACROSS - SAID THEY WERE GETTING ROLLS UP TO 35 DEGREES AND HAD A BIT OF BROKEN GLASS TO CLEAN UP - WE HAD NOTHING EVEN FALL OUT OF PLACE
1600 - TURNED EAST INTO RIVERS INLET RUNNING BEFORE THE SEA PAST MAJOR BROWN ROCK
1815 - DOCKED AT DAWSON'S LANDING - VERY WELL STOCKED STORE FOR GROCERIES, HARDWARE AND BOOZE - STOREKEEPER SAYS IT'S A LITTLE EARLY FOR THE SALMON
1000 - HEADED DOWN DARBY PASSAGE - FISHED THE RELATIVLY SHALLOW AREA NEAR THE ROCK AND PICKED UP A COUPLE OF NICE LITTLE ROCK FISH - ALSO BROKE THE STBD POLE HOLDER - SOMETHING IS SCREWY ABOUT THE DRAG SETTING - LAST TIME THE POLE BROKE
1300 - PASSED THE "REGENT SEA" A HUGE CRUISE SHIP FROM PANAMA THROWING A BIG WAKE
1500 - DOCKED AT NAMU AND WALKED UP TO THE SUPER STORE - BOUGHT A CHART AND A PAIR OF RAIN PANTS - TALKED TO THE CREW OF THE COAST GUARD CUTTER "RACER" AND THEN MET THE MAN & WOMAN ON THE "SHANANDOAH" COMING IN AS WE WERE LEAVING
1700 - RUNNING UP FISHER CHANNEL TOWARD THE POINTER ISLAND LIGHT PASSED BY THE "ENDEAVOR", A 56' PLEASURE CRAFT RUNNING AT ABOUT 15 KNOTS
1815 - ANCHORED IN A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE BAY CALLED "FANCY COVE" IN LAMA PASSAGE OVER LOIS' OBJECTIONS (SHE DOESN'T TRUST PLACES THAT AREN'T DESCRIBED IN THE GUIDE BOOKS) - NO SOONER GOT THE HOOK DOWN THAN HERE CAME THE "SHANANDOAH" AND THE "DEVA" TO ANCHOR IN THE SAME COVE - OH, WELL THERE IS PLENTY OF ROOM
0750 - BELLA BELLA - SURPRIZED AT THE SIZE OF THE "VILLAGE" - IT'S AS BIG AS FRIDAY HARBOR - DIDN'T CHECK OUT SHEARWATER BUT THE AREA IS PRETTY WELL POPULATED
0850 - STATED HRO - RAN ABOUT 1 1/2 HRS TO FILL TANK THIS TIME
1000 - DROPPED POLES FOR THE RUN ACROSS MILBANK SOUND - WORKED WELL THIS TIME - HAD SOME PRETTY GOOD SWELLS BUT NO WIND COMING AROUND THE CORNER SO WE RAN STRAIGHT INTO FINLAYSON CHANNEL RATHER THAN IN THE BACK WAY
1040 - HEARD THE "OURLAND" CALLING "SCARBROUGH"
1145 - ATTACKED BY PORPOISES ON THE WAY INTO KLEMTU - THIS WENT ON EVERY HOUR OR SO ALL THE WAY TO BUTEDALE - THE FIRST POD MUST HAVE BEEN 30-40 DANCING AND PLAYING AROUND THE BOAT - LATER I SPOTTED FOUR ABOUT 1/4 MILE OFF OUR BOW COMING ON AN INTERCEPT COURSE - THEY CROSSED WITHIN INCHES DOING ABOUT 30 KNOTS THEN SWUNG AROUND AND RAN WITH US FOR A FEW HUNDRED YARDS
1815 - DOCKED AT BUTEDALE - THE BOOKS DON'T QUITE PREPARE YOU FOR THE STATE OF DELAPIDATION OF THE FACILITIES - NOT ONLY IS THE CANNERY CLOSED AND ABANDONED BUT THE "MARINA" DOCKS ARE BARELY AFLOAT - TO GET OFF THE DOCK YOU MUST CLIMB AN IRON LADDER UP THROUGH THE OLD WHARF - LOIS DID IT THOUGH - UP AT THE STORE IT'S REALLY SPOOKY - THE LIGHTS AND HEAT ARE ON BUT ALL THE DOORS ARE WIDE OPEN AND THERE IS NO ONE ANYWHERE AROUND, JUST THE BIG HYDRO GENERATORS KEEPING THINGS GOING! (WE LEARNED LATER THAT THE CARETAKER HAD GOTTEN ILL AND LEFT A COUPLE OF WEEKS EARLIER WITHOUT SHUTTING ANYTHING DOWN)
2000 - INVITED A COUPLE OF KIDS, JOHN AND KEVIN, FROM THE "DAWN CHASE" IN FOR A BEER - NICE BOYS FROM SIDNEY WORKING WITH A FATHERLY TYPE SKIPPER FISHING FOR SHRIMP
- CHANGED #1 FRESH WATER FILTER TO A FILTRITE
1000 - DEPARTED BUTEDALE
1400 - ENTERING GRENVILLE CHANNEL - PRETTY SPECTACULAR
1505 - PASSED RCMP BOAT THE "BABINE POST" OFF ORMISTON POINT
1700 - STOPPED AT THE SOUTH END OF KLEWNUGGIT INLET TO DROP SHRIMP POTS - WIND BLOWING PRETTY GOOD - DRIFTING - MY KNOT NOT REALLY TIGHT - LOST THREE POTS IN 300 FT OF WATER (SOB, SOB!)
1800 - ANCHORED AT HEAD OF EAST INLET OF KLEWNUGGIT - BEAUTIFUL SPOT WITH SNOW CAPPED PEAKS AROUND AND A CREEK DROPPING INTO THE BAY - ONE OTHER BOAT - THE "PAKKA II" - SAILED BY A YOUNG MAN NAMED JOHN - HE CAME OVER FOR A DRINK & OUTSTAYED HIS WELCOME
0730 DEPARTED EAST INLET TO THE TUNE OF CHICKADEES WHICH STAYED PERCHED ON OUR POLES FOR A MILE - BIG BUNCH OF SEALS ON THE ROCK AT THE ENTRANCE INCLUDING SEVERAL LITTLE BABIES ABOUT TWO FEET LONG
0945 - BAKER INLET - HRO ON
1100 - TANK FULL
1330 - ENTERING PRINCE RUPERT HARBOR - LOTS OF CARGO VESSELS WAITING TO TAKE ON LOADS - THE "GREAT NANCY", "SOARER DIANA", "KOTA HASIL", "GREAT COSMOS" - LATER AT THE DOCK A JAPANESE CREW WERE LOADING GREAT QUANTITIES OF RICE, CABBAGE, EGGS, ETC INTO A SHORE BOAT - VERY MUCH A SEA PORT TOWN
1500 - RAFTED WITH THE TUG "LADY JODI" AFTER CALLING THE RUSHBROOK HARBOR MANAGER ON CHANNEL 16 - TALKED WITH A YOUNG COUPLE, SCOTT AND LINDA HAMILTON ON THE "DOMILETA" RAFTED BEHIND US - THEY WERE ON THEIR WAY SOUTH AFTER WINTERING IN SITKA - SUGGESTED WE BE SURE TO SEE TRACY ARM & FISH FOR HALIBUT AT ENTRANCE TO THOMAS INLET - THE ARE PLANNING ON THE BAJA NEXT WINTER ALSO
-ABOVE THE MARINA ARE CLIFFS AND EAGLES - DOZENS OF EAGLES WHO ACT LIKE A BUNCH OF SQUABBLING GULLS - WHILE WE WERE AT A PHONE BOOTH CALLING KRISTY & BOB ONE OF THEM DROPPED A 4-5 LB FISH IN THE ROAD ALMOST AT OUR FEET - QUITE AN UNUSUAL SIGHT
-CALLED GIRL FRIDAY AND WALKED TO OUR ANNIVERSARY DINNER AT "SMILE'S" CAFE, RATED THE BEST IN PRINCE RUPERT - IT WAS SURE GOOD! - GOT TO TALKING TO A FAMILY SITTING NEAR US, NORM & LINDA RAE AND BOYS JASON AND DWANE - HE HAS BEEN LOGGING AT THE SOUTH END OF GRENVILLE - THEY CAME BACK TO THE BOAT WITH US AND WE TALKED FOR AN HOUR - THEN WE PLAYED CRIBBAGE UNTIL 10:00 AND WENT TO BED WHILE IT WAS STILL LIGHT
- SWITCHED TO PORT TANK
1200 - DEPARTED RUSHBROOKE - OUT THROUGH VENN PASSAGE - KIND OF SHALLOW BUT WELL MARKED
1420 HRO ON
1540 HRO OFF
1640 KITIMAT II RCMP BOAT AT THE ENTRANCE TO BRUNDIGE INLET
1730 ANCHORED IN BRUNDIGE NORTH OF FITCH ISLAND
0630 - ALMOST TO THE USA LINE AND THE PORPOISES CAME TO WELCOME US - STAYED WITH US ABOUT 15 MINUTES THIS TIME SEEING HOW CLOSE THEY COULD COME TO THE PROW WITHOUT GETTING RUN OVER - I STOOD OUT ON THE BOW PULPIT AND THEY WOULD TURN OVER AND SEEM TO WINK AT ME AS THEY RAN WITH US AT SEVEN KNOTS
0925 - GOT A CALL FROM THE "NINA D" - THEY WERE IN BRUNDIGE LAST NIGHT ALSO
1145 - CALLED KETCHIKAN PORT AUTHORITY ON CHANNEL 73 - SAID FLOATS WERE PRETTY FULL - RECOMMENDED THE CITY FLOAT - CONFIRMED THAT THE "RESOLUTION" WITH RON AND JAN GUNDLACH WAS AT BAR HARBOR
1245 - ENTERED KETCHIKAN HARBOR - CHECKED THE THOMAS BASIN DOWN TOWN AND FOUND A SLIP WHERE WE COULD TIE UP AND SEE ALL THE ACTIVITY SO DECIDED TO TAKE IT
-GOT OUT ONE OF THE BIKES AND RODE UP TO THE CUSTOMS OFFICE TO CHECK IN - ENTRY LOG NO. KTN 000050 THEN WENT BACK & GOT LOIS AND WE RODE DOWN TO BAR HARBOR AND FOUND THE "RESOLUTION" - I'M A BIT DISAPPOINTED WITH KETCHIKAN - NOT ANYWHERE NEAR AS NICELY GROOMED A TOWN AS PRINCE RUPERT BUT VERY, VERY BUSY - EVERYTHING BUILT ON ABOUT 3 MILES OF WATERFRONT - BOUGHT OUR FISHING LICENCES ($72) AND THEN WENT BACK TO THE BOAT - SURE WARM, ALMOST TOO HOT FOR BIKE RIDING
-RON AND JAN CAME DOWN IN THEIR DINGHE, WE HAD A DRINK AND THEN WENT TO DINNER AT THE "NEW PEKING" - GREAT CHINESE FOOD HOT & SPICY STYLE
-SPENT THE MORNING ON MAINTENANCE - CHANGED OIL ON THE HRO AND ONAN - CHANGED FUEL FILTERS ON THE ONAN AND THE RACOR AND FRAM FILTERS ON THE GMC - MY NEW OIL CHANGING PAN SURE MADE IT GO EASIER
-RODE THE BIKES UP TO THE GROCERY STORE AND BROUGHT BACK FOUR BIG BAGS IN THE DOCK CART - MY TROLLING SPRING HITCH WORKED GREAT AND THE CART TRACKS BEAUTIFULLY BEHIND MY BIKE - WE THEN RODE ALL THE WAY UP TO THE NORTH SHOPPING CENTER WHILE I FUSSED ABOUT WHAT KIND OF A DOWN RIGGER TO BUY - I THINK I'LL GO TO SOMETHING LIKE THE COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN USE
1430 - DECIDED TO TAKE A LITTLE CRUISE OVER THE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND WHILE WAITING FOR OUR MAIL SO SHOVED OFF THE DOCK IN THOMAS BASIN - UP THROUGH THE TONGASS NARROWS PAST MUD BAY AND THE TOTEM VILLAGE (A LONG HOUSE AND A BUNCH OF NICE POLES RESTORED FOR THE TOURISTS) AROUND THE POINT & THRU CLOVER PASS - HUNDREDS OF SPORT FISHERMEN OUT FOR THE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND - DIDN'T SEE ANY FISH CAUGHT THOUGH
1830 - ANCHORED ON A LITTLE BIGHT ON THE NW OF MOSER BAY - HOOK DIDN'T WANT TO SET VERY WELL ON THE ROCKY BOTTOM
0730 - ANCHOR UP - RAN OVER PAST LORING ON THE NAHA RIVER - AT ONE TIME AN IMPORTANT FISH PACKING CENTER - NOW ABOUT TEN HOUSES OF A WEEKEND COMMUNITY - PRETTY SETTING THOUGH
0840 - HRO ON - FILTERS LOADED UP IN ABOUT AN HOUR - WATER MUST HAVE MORE PARTICULATES IN IT
1050 - PORPOISES WELCOME US AT THE MOUTH OF YES BAY
1110 - DOCKED AT THE YES BAY LODGE - VERY NICE FACILITY - FRIENDLY PEOPLE AT THE DOCK - KEVIN HACK WAS THE CREW CHIEF - FISHING WASN'T VERY GOOD TODAY - SIX BOATS WERE GETTING IN JUST AS WE ARRIVED - ONLY ONE NICE 14 LB SALMON TO ABOUT 15 PEOPLE - WALKED UP TO THE LODGE WHICH HAS ALL THE GOODIES - GYM/REC ROOM /HUGE FIREPLACE/NICE DINING ROOM/TV/ETC
1140 - LEFT YES BAY HEADING FOR BELL HOT SPINGS FOR A HEALTH SPA
1230 - WAVED OFF THE DOCK AT BELL HOT SPRINGS - NO VISITORS FOR "INSURANCE" REASONS - OH WELL! TO HELL WITH THEM!
1410 - OFF CLAUDE POINT AND STARTING TO GET INTO SOME TRULY SPECTACULAR SCENERY - SNOW CAPPED MOUNTAINS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CANAL WITH WATERFALLS EVERY MILE OR SO
1500 - THE PORPOISES ARE WITH US MOST OF THE TIME NOW - FROM TWO TO TEN CONSTANTLY PLAYING WITH OUR BOAT - SAW ONE OFF COLOR ONE - MAYBE A YOUNG ONE (??) SORT OF A MOTTELED GRAY AND WHITE RATHER THAN THE DISTINCT BLACK AND WHITE MARKINGS OF THE REST - ITS AMAZING TO ME HOW THEY CAN SWIM SO FAST WITH SUCH A SMALL MOTION OF THE TAIL AND BODY - I HAD HEARD ABOUT THEM "RIDING THE BOW WAVE" OF BOATS BUT THESE GUYS AREN'T "RIDING" ANYTHING - THEY MUST GO TWICE AS FAR AS WE DO IN THE SAME DISTANCE, WHIPPING BACK AND FORTH, DROPPING BACK AND THEN COMING SCREAMING UP UNDER THE BOAT TO BLOW AS THEY PASS THE BOW - IT WAS COLD THIS AFTERNOON SO AFTER A WHILE WE STOPPED STANDING ON THE BOWSPRIT AND CAME INSIDE BUT WE COULD STILL HEAR THEM ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BOAT AS THEY PLAYED
1620 - LOIS SPOTTED A BLACK BEAR ON THE BEACH - HE WAS GRUBING AROUND AT THE TIDE LINE FOR SOMETHING
1740 - ENTERING WALKER COVE LOIS SPOTTED A SMALL BOAT ON THE BEACH THAT LOOKED LIKE IT MIGHT BE ABANDONED BUT TURNED OUT TO BELONG TO A GUY ON THE BEACH - FIRST BOAT WE'VE SEEN IN THIRTY MILES OF THE EAST ARM OF BEHM - LONG WAY HERE FROM ANYWHERE
1815 - TIED TO THE FOREST SERVICE BUOY IN WALKER COVE - THIS IS AS SPECTACULAR AS PRINCESS LOUISA - GRANITE WALLS RISING 4000 FEET STAIGHT UP OUT OF THE WATER WITH SNOW CAPS AND THOUSANDS OF WATERFALLS STREAMING DOWN THE SIDES - MAKES EVERYTHING LOOK TINY IN COMPARISON - OUR BUOY IS AT THE MOUTH OF A PRETTY LARGE CREEK COMING OUT OF A DEEP VALLEY - IT'S NOW 6:10 AM AND LOW TIDE SO I'LL GET DOWN THE METZELER AND GO EXPLORING
-IT'S ABOUT 1/2 MILE OVER TO THE RIVER WHICH IS ABOUT THE SIZE OF THE GREEN - FROM OVER THERE, LOOKING BACK AT OUR BOAT FLOATING WITH THE HUGE GRANITE BOWL IN THE BACKGROUND, OUR HOME ON THE WATER LOOKS LIKE A CHILD'S TOY - ABOUT ONE FOOT LONG - GOT SO ENGROSSED IN THE SCENERY AND CARCASS THAT I FORGOT TO LOOK FOR CLAMS BUT ALL THE PSP WARNINGS ARE STARTING TO GET TO ME ANYWAY
0900 - DEPART WALKER - DOWN THE CHANNEL TO RUDYARD BAY AND PUNCHBOWL COVE, ANOTHER SPECTACULAR - THE GRANITE FACE ON THE SOUTH SHORE OF PUNCHBOWL LOOKS VERY MUCH LIKE THE YOSEMITE HALF DOME AND, AT THIS TIME OF YEAR WITH THE MELTING SNOW, IT IS COVERED WITH WATER FALLING THOUSANDS OF FEET TO THE BAY
- RUN ON DOWN BEHM AND OUT INTO REVILLEGIGADO PRETTY ANTI-CLIMATIC - FEW MORE PORPOISES CAME OUT TO ENTERTAIN US BUT IT WAS JUST ONE MORE DAY IN PARADISE
1700 - ANCHORED IN ANNETTE BAY ABOUT FIVE MILES SE OF KETCHIKAN - PRETTY LITTLE DEEP HARBOR WITH JUST ONE SHELF ABOUT 50 FEET DEEP TO PUT YOUR HOOK ON - IT'S STILL AMAZING TO ME TO BE THIS CLOSE TO CIVILIZATION AND NOT SEE "NO TRESPASSING" SIGNS ON THE BEACHES
- WE'LL RUN INTO TOWN IN THE MORNING AND SEE IF OUR MAIL IS HERE THEN NORTHWARD!
0900 - DEPARTED ANNETTE BAY
1000 - PARKED AT CITY DOCK JUST BELOW TONGASS - 4 HOUR LOADING ZONE - BOUGHT A DOWNRIGGER AND CHART AT TONGASS AND THEN RODE THE BOROUGH BUS WHICH RUNS EVERY HALF HOUR TO THE POST OFFICE TO PICK UP OUR MAIL - CALLED KRISTY, MOM & DAD, AND TRIED FOR JEAN BUT NOBODY HOME
1130 - STOPPED AT THE CHEVRON DOCK FOR A CASE OF OIL AND TO FILL OUR WATER TANK - PULLED THE HRO FILTERS - NO.1 FILTER WAS TOTALLY CHOKED - NO. 2 WAS OK
1200 - HEADED NORTH - RAN THROUGH THE NARROWS PAST GUARD ISLAND AND THEN ALONG THE WEST SIDE OF THE CLEVELAND PENINSULA
1700 - MEYERS CHUCK - A REALLY NEAT LITTLE COMMUNITY IN A NEAT LITTLE COVE OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE - THERE ARE ABOUT 20 HOUSES RANGING FROM FLOATING SHACKS TO ONE VERY LARGE AND MODERN HOME - THERE IS AN EXCELLENT STATE DOCK WITH A HELIOPORT AND A SMALL STORE - THE COVE HAS A NARROW ENTRANCE BUT IS VERY WELL PROTECTED
- WHILE LOIS WAS COOKING DINNER A REINCARNATION OF TORNASUK SHOWED UP - AN ALASKAN MALAMUTE WITH DIFFERENT MARKINGS BUT THE SAME EYES & MANNERISMS AS MY OLD MUTT - IT REALLY GOT TO ME - I'D ALMOST FORGOTTEN WHAT A GOOD DOG IS LIKE
- AFTER DINNER I JIGGED FOR HERRING - THEY WERE JUMPING ALL OVER THE COVE AND I HAD A DOZEN IN ABOUT 1/2 HOUR - WE ARE OUT OF FISH SO HAVE SOME SERIOUS FISHING TO DO TOMORROW
-MESSED AROUND WITH FISHING GEAR THIS MORNING - GOT THE DOWNRIGGER INSTALLED - MOST OF MY HERRING ARE STILL ALIVE
1000 - SAID GOODBY TO TOR II (WISH I HAD TAKEN A PICTURE!) AND MOVED OUT OF THE CHUCK - HAD 3-4 FT SEAS JUST OUTSIDE IN CLARENCE STRAIT BUT WE SOON GOT TURNED AROUND HEADING WITH THEM AND IN THE PROTECTION OF ERNEST SOUND BUT IT WAS STILL TOO ROUGH TO FISH
1430 - ZIMOVIA STRAIT AIN'T STRAIGHT - OR AT LEAST THE CHANNEL ISN'T - BUT LIKE THE BOOK SAYS IT IS WELL MARKED - WE ZIG-ZAGED THROUGH WITH NO DIFFICULTY
1600 - ALMOST TO WRANGELL I SAW A LIKELY LOOKING SPOT ON THE CHART SO WE FISHED FOR A WHILE - WHILE I WAS FOOLING AROUND TRYING TO GET A HERRING RIGGED ON THE DOWNRIGGER A NICE LITTLE FOUR POUND KING WENT AFTER MY PINK HOOCHIE ON THE OTHER POLE - FRESH SALMON FOR DINNER!!!
1715 - ALL THE DOCKS FULL IN WRANGELL HARBOR SO RAFTED TO THE "CAPELLA" FROM HAINES - NICE YOUNG MAN NAMED RANDY SMITH WHO HAD BEEN RUNNING A CHARTER FOR A GROUP OF CALIFORNIA BEAR HUNTERS - SAID THEY HAD FILLED OUT WITH SEVEN BLACK BEARS - I CAN'T SEE MUCH SPORT IN SHOOTING BLACK BEAR IN THIS COUNTRY - THE ONES WE HAVE SEEN JUST STAND AND LOOK AT YOU
1900 - JUST FINISHED EATING OUR SALMON WHEN A GUY CAME POUNDING ON OUR DOOR - HE SAID HE WAS FROM THE WRANGELL FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THAT THERE HAD JUST BEEN A SPILL OF 1000 GALLONS OF GASOLINE FROM A BARGE THEY WERE UNLOADING ACROSS THE CHANNEL - "DON'T MAKE ANY FIRE!" - WE WERE ON DECK WATCHING THE CREW BRING OUT THE BIG YELLOW CONTAINMENT FLOATS TO PUT AROUND THE BARGE WHEN A BOAT CAME BY AND SOMEBODY HOLLARED, "PUTNAM!" - IT WAS DAVE TATOM - HE IS RUNNING THE MAINTENANCE OPERATION FOR WRANGELL AIR, REMARRIED TO A GAL NAMED PEG, AND LIVING ON A BOAT HE IS RENOVATING - WE HELPED HIM PULL A STOVE OUT OF THE BOAT WITH A DOCK CRANE AND THEN HE, PEG AND CHRIS, THEIR SHIPWRIGHT, CAME OVER FOR A DRINK ON OUR BOAT - SMALL WORLD
- BY THE TIME WE GOT BACK TO THE BOAT I WAS READY FOR A NAP - THEN FINISHED LOIS' "STORM" SEAT ON THE STAIRWAY - ABOUT 4:00 TOOK OFF AGAIN AND RODE OUT TO SEE THE PETROGLYPHS ON THE BEACH AND THEN TO THE AIRPORT AGAIN - DAVE WAS FLYING THE 6:00 FLIGHT TO KETCHIKAN AND HAD A COUPLE OF SPARE SEATS SO WE FLEW TO KETCHIKAN WITH HIM - IT WAS FUN SEEING THE SAME COUNTRY WE HAD COME THOUGH FROM THE AIR
- WENT TO DINNER AT THE "ROADHOUSE" SOUTH OF TOWN WITH DAVE, PEG, AND DAN BALDWIN, DAVE'S BOSS - HAD REALLY GOOD RED SNAPPER AND SOME DEEP FRIED "INDIAN" BREAD THAT WAS SUPER GOOD - DAVE SAYS WE SHOULD GO TO THE CHANNEL CLUB WHEN WE GET TO SITKA - IT'S EVEN BETTER! HE ALSO SAYS WE SHOULD GET TO THE W.T. FUGARWE LODGE IN GUSTAVUS RUN BY A GUY NAMED BAILEY - DIDN'T GET BACK TO THE BOAT 'TILL 11:00 AND IT WAS STILL LIGHT ENOUGH TO SEE THE COMBINATION ON OUR DOOR LOCK
- RAN BACK DOWN ZIMOVIA CHANNEL TO CHICHAGOF PASS BETWEEN WORONKOFSKI AND ETOLIN ISLANDS (AIN'T THOSE NEAT RUSSIAN NAMES?) TO DRAG ISLAND WHERE DAVE SAID THE FISHING WAS GOOD - SURE ENOUGH ON ONE PASS WE GOT ONE SALMON AND ONE ROCKFISH - ENOUGH TO FEED US FOR ABOUT FOUR DAYS
1200 - ANCHORED IN ST. JOHN HARBOR ON ZAREMBO ISLAND JUST ACROSS THE STRAIT FROM THE WRANGELL NARROWS WHICH LEAD TO PETERSBURG - I HAVE BEEN FEELING A BIT POORLY SO WE JUST LAID AROUND FOR THE AFTERNOON AND THEN COOKED A CHUNK OF SALMON ON THE BARBEQUE AND PLAYED CRIBBAGE 'TILL BEDTIME - HOPED TO CATCH A HALIBUT HERE BUT NO LUCK WITH EITHER THE JIG OR A HERRING - OH WELL! WE'RE IN HALIBUT COUNTRY, WE'LL GET ONE ONE OF THESE DAYS
1200 - WERE HEADING OVER TO WHAT LOOKED LIKE ANOTHER LIKELY SALMON BANK WHEN WE NOTICED THAT THE FISHING BOATS WERE HEADING UP THE NARROWS - NOW THE BOOKS ARE SO SCARY THAT IT SEEMED LIKE A BIG GAMBLE BUT WE FIGURED THAT IF SOME OF THOSE OLD SCOWS COULD MAKE IT SO COULD WE - WELL, IT WAS A PIECE OF CAKE! THE CHANNEL IS SO WELL MARKED IT WOULD TAKE A REAL DUMMY TO GO WRONG - WE SCOOTED THROUGH ON THE FLOOD AND WERE IN PETERSBURG BY 2:30
1445 - DOCKED AT PETERSBURG - WITH A HALIBUT OPENING MONDAY (THEY ONLY GET 48 HOURS THIS TIME) THE HARBOR IS A SCENE OF FRANTIC ACTIVITY AS THE FISHERMEN GET READY - FORTUNATELY, THERE ARE LOTS OF FISHERMEN OUT OF THEIR SLIPS SO WE HAVE NO TROUBLE FINDING A PLACE ONLY A COUPLE OF SLIPS AWAY FROM THE "RESOLUTION" - RON AND JAN CAME ABOARD AND BROUGHT A FRIEND, BILL STEADMAN, WHO HAS BEEN FLYING OUT OF PETERSBURG SINCE 1941 - HE LOANED RON HIS CAR TO TAKE US FOR A RIDE AROUND THE TOWN, A VERY PROSPEROUS LOOKING LITTLE CITY FOR ONLY HAVING 3000 RESIDENTS - BILL AND HIS WIFE, CAROL, LATER TOOK ALL OF US TO DINNER AT THE ELKS CLUB WHICH IS ONLY A BLOCK AWAY FROM THE DOCK - THE WHOLE PLACE IS VERY MUCH LIKE A FRIDAY HARBOR WITH FEWER TOURISTS, MORE NORWEGIANS, AND A SPECTACULAR BACKGROUND OF SNOW COVERED MOUNTAINS SURROUNDING IT
- I CLEANED UP THE OUTSIDE OF THE BOAT AND LOIS DID THE LAUNDRY AT THE LAUNDERMAT AT THE TOP OF THE DOCK THEN WE HAD THE GUNDLACHS OVER FOR A SPAGETTI DINNER - JAN LEFT FOR JUNEAU ON THE 9:45 PM FERRY. SHE IS GOING ON TO SEATTLE SO RON WILL BE BATCHING IT FOR A FEW DAYS
- POKING AROUND AT THE GROCERY STORE TODAY IT SEEMED TO ME THAT THE PRICES WERE NO HIGHER THAN THEY WERE IN FRIDAY HARBOR - SEEMS LIKE THEY COULD CHARGE A PREMIUM JUST FOR THE SCENERY! MORE?