Everyone was anchors up by 6am today for the long run up to Red Bluff Bay (60nm). Julie from Dog Star snapped this beautiful pic of the sunrise this morning. Airship was the last one out! The water in the bay was flat, but turned to lazy swells as we got out into the open. A little beamy and rolly, but not too bad. We transited closer to Kuiu Island … Read more
Today was a longer cruise — 59nm from Cannery Cove down to Explorer Basin on Kuiu Island. But the potential for whales is extremely high along the west side of Kuiu Island and down near Tebenkoff Bay and Explorer Basin, and it’s one of the most remote spots we visit. AND the weather today was PERFECT for our 6am departure. We crossed Frederick Sound and headed south in Chatham Strait. … Read more
We said goodbye to the appropriately named Scenery Cove by 6am this morning for our 52nm cruise up Frederick Sound to Cannery Cove in Pybus Bay. Conditions in Frederick Sound were calm, with just a little occasional drizzle. We saw several humpbacks in the distance, breaching, and tail- and fin-slapping. Dall’s porpoises surfed the bow of Airship for a half an hour or so. As we neared the Brothers Islands … Read more
We got back into the glacial lake at Baird Glacier again tonight (high tide 7:30pm). Armed with the GPS breadcrumbs from the route we eventually found in yesterday, we got right in and spent about an hour cruising in and out of the mostly grounded icebergs and bergie bits. No rain, and we dressed a bit warmer tonight! Julie (Dog Star) took these two shots with Kevin and I in … Read more
Saturday — We left Petersburg for the relatively short cruise over to Thomas Bay (20nm). Conditions in Frederick Sound were calm with gray skies and no significant rain. Kali and Evenstar 55 anchored near the Cascade Creek trailhead, and the rest of us anchored at the Ruth Island anchorage, just across the way. Soon after getting settled, we dinghied to shore to hike the Cascade Creek trail. After the hike, … Read more
We opted to stay an extra day in Petersburg this visit. The skies were gray and it rained/drizzled a bit, but the town is plenty colorful to make up for the weather. We explored, shopped, tried several of the local restaurants and cafés, and did a few boat projects. We’ve of course seen this sign for bingo on the side of the Sons of Norway Hall just about every visit, … Read more
We left Wrangell around 6am this morning for a date with Wrangell Narrows. Yesterday brought some gray skies, cooler weather, and a little rain. We’re not complaining at all though because look how beautiful it still is! The annual photos of Two Tree Island: There’s a little blue sky to the west, but mostly gray where we are headed. The current in Wrangell Narrows ebbs from the middle out, and … Read more
We are all enjoying the slower pace, now that we’re in SE Alaska. With a short cruise from Thoms Place to Wrangell, we had time to sleep in a little, check crab traps, and depart at a more sensible hour. Several of us had some luck with crabbing. Fleming Evenstar left first and sent back this gorgeous photo of the superflat water: There were a few more clouds in the … Read more