Day 17 | Flotilla to Alaska | Lowe Inlet to Kelp Passage

Today felt like a longish day from Lowe Inlet up Grenville Channel to Kelp Passage. It wasn’t actually that much longer than any other day, it’s that it was a day of gray, rain, fog, and not a lot of scenery or wildlife. Grenville Channel can be a bit boring when the weather is less than stellar and visibility is poor, and today was one of those days.

Rhapsody leaving Lowe Inlet

As soon as we were all anchored in Kelp Passage (technically not IN Kelp Passage, but just north of Kelp Passage where there’s a spacious, easy anchorage we discovered last year with decent cellular internet, even!) Kevin put a couple of crab traps out and he and Dan went out for some fishin’ in the rain. They were trying for ling cod, but instead caught some rockfish, a few greenling, and a flounder (didn’t keep any).

Dougal and Jen and Cassidy went out in their dinghy for some exploring (not letting the rainy weather stop them either!) and then everyone came over to the Airship/Safe Harbour raft for dinner and a briefing about tomorrow’s Dixon Entrance crossing. The weather forecast is looking great!

Dan, Eileen, and Ralph, arriving for dinner

Dan and Eileen brought over a tray of lasagna and a salad, Laura made crab cakes and lemon risotto, and Sam baked brownies for dessert.

Laura’s Crab-Forward Crab Cakes

These crab cakes are all about the crab. We’re catching a lot, and have an ample supply of
out-of-the-water-an-hour-ago fresh Dungeness crab, so why mess around? (Preheat oven to 375.)

Ingredients:
3 Dungeness crabs worth of fresh crab meat
Panko
1 egg
3 Tbsp. mayo
1 tsp. Old Bay
1 tsp. Worcestershire
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp. fresh chopped green onions or other herb (cilantro, parsley)
2 tsp. lemon juice
Fresh ground pepper

Directions:
Combine all ingredients except the crab meat in a bowl. Add crab meat, then just a couple Tbsp of Panko. Chill for an hour (the crab mixture, but you can chill too if you want) before forming into crab cakes. Spread more Panko in a shallow dish, and dip formed crab cakes in Panko to lightly coat both sides. Line a rimmed cookie sheet with foil, add 1 Tbsp or so of melted coconut oil to cover the bottom, and bake crab cakes in oven at 375 for 10-15 minutes per side
(flip when browned on the bottom).

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Today’s total: 40.6 nautical miles, 5 hours 5 minutes
Flotilla total: 588.6 nautical miles, 80 hours 54 minutes underway