The second half of our Alaska cruise involved some surprisingly warm weather. Between Juneau and Sitka, we found our selves searching for shorts and flip flops as temps rose to the mid-80s. Forest fire smoke sometimes tainted the otherwise crystal-clear sky. In the more remote anchorages, horse flies (solar powered?) swarmed the boat and drove Lucy to hiding in the inner recesses. Luckily as we neared Sitka, they became scarce and we had very pleasant conditions to explore the area. Sitka was actually one of our favorite towns. Our friend Jolynn joined us in Sitka and cruised to Petersburg where my parents and sister Linda came aboard for the leg back to Ketchikan via the LeConte Glacier and Anan Creek bear observatory. We were able to take a more leisurely cruise down through British Columbia after cruising up and around the Misty Fjords National Monument with Tom & Luann on Liberty and Michael on Candor. We’re back on Bainbridge now getting things ready to drive down to San Carlos Mexico in October to rescue Carmanah from the sweltering boat storage yard. The summer cruise totaled just over 2,700 miles at 6.5 knots average. The trawler was a great way to do the trip because we could be warm and dry while having great view of the amazing scenery when it was sunny or raining hard. Even on 80-mile days, we never felt tired or burned out from traveling. We were definitely a little rushed though and would love to do the trip again, slower– possibly leaving the boat up there for the winter. Maybe make two seasons out of it
After leaving Juneau, we rounded the light house to head down Chatham Strait. Great view of the Mendenhall Glacier, just 12 miles from down town Juneau.
On the way from Juneau to Sitka, the native village of Angoon was a very pleasant stop. The locals were very helpful and friendly. When we arrived the harbor master drove me to the village store and proceeded to introduce me to just about every one in town.
A big black bass caught in Peril Strat (another reassuring name) near Sitka. These fish taste great!
The 4th of July parade is a big deal in Sitka.
Tommy Bahama was my best friend sometimes when exploring in the peddle kayak during frequent downpours in the Misty Fjords.
Tommy B also works great as a spinnaker when peddling down wind. Can be a bit of a wild ride sometimes.
Safely inside the fenced area at the Anan Creek bear observatory, Donna and Linda realize they just hiked the trail in the back ground now occupied by several bears.
This guy is looking for a free fishing hole. Most of the good spots are taken.
At Anan Creek falls, the black bear nick names “Crack” watches for salmon attempting the falls.
“Crack” scores another salmon and retreats inside her crack to eat in peach.
At Anan Creek, the Eagles often score leftovers from the bear fishing frenzy.
Donna getting the daily ration of crab ready for happy hour.
Mom and Dad & Linda heading to Creek Street for some shopping in Ketchikan. If you can work around the cruise ships, the town can be pretty fun.
These granite walls were sculpted by glaciers and can rise 2,000-3,000 feet seemingly straight out of the fjord.at Walker Inlet. Truly awe-inspiring.
There are so many waterfalls in Punchbowl Cove (Misty Fjords National Monument 40 Miles E of Ketchikan) the we thought we could nose Restless’ bow under one for some free water.
Tom & Luann of Liberty daredeviling amongst hundreds of salmon staging to scale the Verney Falls at Lowe inlet off the Grenville Canal. The fish stand their best chance of success at high tide but they stage there 24/7. I had some luck fishing just outside the fall area.
We stopped at Klemtu on the central BC coast, one of our favorite native villages. Population 350. Many sasquatch sightings have been reported here. We love the newly complete big house on the eastern peninsula.
Herb & Lena Carpenter in front of Lena’s gift shop. Ocean Falls is basically a ghost town since Crown Zellerbach pulled out in 1980. But many building from the once thriving community remain as wall as a marina for us visitors. Herb is the dockmaster.
Before rounding Cape Caution on our way down to Vancouver Island, we stopped at beautiful Fury Cove. (These names sound daunting at times) A little bocce ball game on the white shell beach with the crew of Liberty.
Restless moored in Shoal Bay, a former cannery town that was at one time the largest town on the BC coast. Not much of the original structures remain except for the 600′ pier that takes us to shore. Just a few hours and 3 tidal rapids north of Desolation Sound.
The infamous Devil’s Hole just forming as we motored past at near maximum flood in the Dent Rapids just north of Desolation Sound. At times the Devil’s hole swirl can be quite deep.
Mountaineer Donna climbing to the top of Flag Mountain at Tenedos Bay in Desolation Sound. Look at her go.
Good old Tenedos Bay in Desolation Sound. Not as warm as it sometimes is but pretty darn nice.
Restless’ flybridge is always a great place to gather for sundowners, here with the Witty family and Bob from Bainbridge all hanging out in Desolation.
Jolynn happily paddling outside our anchorage at Ruth Island in the shadow of the Patterson Glacier. Note the water is glacier run off. Visibility less that an inch and really really cold.
Almost home, Watmough Bay Preserve on Lopez Island in the San Juans. Restless is visible 439′ below after our climb of Mt. Chadwick. Beautiful panorama of the Juan de Fuca Strait and Islands from the top.
Our last stop before reaching home was in Port Townsend where our niece karrin (a student at WWU) is interning on the fabulous schooner Adventuress. What a gig!
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Aloha Donna & John, “Alaska, the 2nd half” is incredibly beautiful! Mahalo for sharing, Joan (What is all that white stuff??)
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Wwowsa! You guys do know how to pick your destinations. The photos are incredibly spectacular. Thanks always for your sharing stories and visuals … a treat for us indeed. Up to Maine this week to get the Seaway and moorings out of the water. Kirstin and David have driven up from the other Brooklyn to be our muscle and stamina. Of course they really wanted to have a chance to spend free range time with their new pup Ellie. We could not manage these chores with out their help. I still have the boot on my left leg, certainly an improvement from the over the knee cast, but I’m pretty slow getting around. Lots of adaptive equipment makes it a bit possible to do a bit of weeding and deadheading in the garden. Thousands of apples to think about trying to use a few of … Kitchen chores are pretty do-able but those two are really happy to cook and do it so very well. Starting to get nippy here these days and of course the days are so much shorter. Foliage has been showing it’s seasonal change. Trust you are organizing your next adventure …
So glad we did get you guys here that summer and that we too had a chance to spend time in your waters, your home and with Evellyn. Memories …
The cove at our shore Fourth of July family gathering D&K’s Ellie and Steve’s Lucy in Etna Happy Fall! ♡♡♡ Elizabeth Tobiasson WEWorkshop43@Gmail.com
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