I've done a pretty lousy job of keeping the blog up to date this year. It's partly due to the fact we didn't have much internet while cruising, but also due to just plain laziness.
So, it's the end of the year, and since you weren't updated on much this last cruising season, here's our synopsis. I'll try not to bore you with, "we went here, we did this". It's a Denali Rose adventure.
We left Wrangell the first week of May, we were trying to reach Ketchikan to pickup my daughter and her partner before a blow came in. Our first stop was Meyers Chuck, we've been before, and it's always cute.
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| On the dock by ourselves that evening. |
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| The funny little hut on the dock, with spare PFDs for the "kids don't float" program. Denali Rose on the arrival board.😀 |
Onto Ketchikan the next day, Clarence Strait can be "sporty", but our transit was calm and smooth. We really like going to the grocery stores there, the large Safeway, and an independent grocer, have a great selection of things we can't get in Wrangell.
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| 3 bags full.... in dry bags to protect it from the rain during the walk from store to boat. |
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| Guests arrive! |
We spent one night at the dock, and the next day, left for Kasaan Bay, and the small community of Kasaan. Clarance Strait was a bit sporty that day, and we had small bouts of seasickness. Way to go.... make your guests sick on the first day. To be fair, I did tell one NOT go below, advice not heeded. 😬
It was good to get off of the boat the next day, and investigate the totem park.
We explored multiple bays in the Kasaan area, and enjoyed sunny days. The salmon hadn't arrived yet, so there weren't many animal encounters.
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| We did see one black bear on the beach, looking for a snack. |
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| Learning to drive the dinghy |
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| kayaking |
Alexa did get to see porpoise leaping and diving playing in the bow wake on the trip back to Ketchikan to drop them off for their flight back home. That's always a treat.
Just the two of us again, we left the area, and headed up Behm Canal to Gedney Pass, with a stay in Klu Bay. Beautiful waterfalls, kayaking and plenty of seals to watch. We were surprised to find some friends on Hongvie in the bay, and enjoyed a visit. As beautiful as this bay is, it had very little traffic, don't tell anyone.
We stopped back in Meyers Chuck on our way back to Wrangell. We needed to get some maintenance work done, and figured we might as well do it at a dock we already pay for, as well as use the supplies we have in storage. We off loaded a bunch of stuff to make room for guests, and we refilled the "guest room", ie, the v-berth with our cruising provisions.
One of the treats this time in Meyers Chuck, for the first time, we were there when the post-mistress bakes cinnamon rolls and delivers them to your boat in the morning. One word description: FABULOUS!
While in Wrangell, our friends on Quiet Chaos graciously invited us to take break from chores, and go fishing with them. Dean, and Wendy are gifted fishermen.
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| My halibut! |
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| Dean takes a break from baiting hooks. |
We caught rockfish, salmon, and halibut, a very productive day!
After a couple of weeks in town, chores done, supplies stowed, we shove off for our extended cruise. A short stop in Red Bay to shelter from some weather, and then onto Labouchere Bay. Guess what!?! A rondezvous with Dean and Wendy, who invited us to fish with them again. Of course, we'll go.
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| My silver salmon! |
Again, rockfish, halibut, and silver salmon. Bill caught something special, a lingcod, preferred by many as the most delicious fish ever. This one was a monster, one of the largest most have seen.
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| Wendy's good sized halibut. |
Our freezer was already full, but we made room for as much seafood as we could, and left the rest with Quiet Chaos. Thank you so much for having us along.
We left Prince of Wales Island, and headed for Kuiu Island, Affleck Canal.
Out in the middle of Sumner Strait, you can't see all the rocks, but you can see the marker, and the white water breakers. Stay off of the hard bits.
We anchored in Kell Bay, and Bear Harbor, as we explored the south end of Kuiu Is, and then onto Coronation Island. As we pass the southern most tip, we get a good view of the Cape Decision Lighthouse.
They have a
Facebook page, and a
webpage for information, history, and contributions. A work group goes out every summer to help restore this historical landmark.
Being at Coronation Island, for me, was one of those, been there, done that, events. If you look back at the chart, you can see that it is basically in the Gulf of Alaska, and the bay we anchored in, Egg Harbor, is open to the ocean. Even on good days, at anchor, we were rolly back and forth, and Gus and I had trouble keeping our equilibrium.
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| In addition to the rollers, that's a fog bank out there. |
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| Fog bank in the Gulf of Alaska rolling over the hills of our island anchorage, and then vanquished by the afternoon sun! Denali Rose is the spec just right of center in this photo of yet another crowded anchorage… |
This bay is named as the place of rondezvous for Tlingits to wait for good weather to gather eggs from the nearby Hazy Islands. There are limestone caves around the edges of the bay, which visitors like to explore. (Not me, but Bill went to check them out.)
After 3 days of rolling around, we decided to take a good weather window, and cross over to Baranof Island. Gus, and I took seasickness meds. and I also used a seasickness oil behind my ear, and pressure point bands on my wrists. I was good on the crossing, but Gus had a bout.
I was glad when we motored into Port Alexander, and tied up to their dock. No more rolling in swell from the gulf.
This post has gotten quite long enough, so I'll continue it in the next installment. I promise not to wait so long.
Happy New Year to everyone, and may 2024 bring you good health, and happiness!
