Cruising Life Continues

It’s been a full year since I posted on this blog about the storm we were in last Halloween evening, seems like time has passed quickly. 

We made it back to Wrangell, spent the winter in our slip, and prepared in the spring for the next cruising season. We’re still onboard even though I was shaken and hesitant about my future on the water.

This year my comfort level bar was set very low. I wanted to anchor in safe, known bays, no surprises, no outside island waters, inner channels only, and when the fall storms start to roll in, we head back to our home port. For the most part, we’ve stuck to this plan, we’ve been in a few blows, but never over  40 knots of wind, and transits were mostly calm. 

We’ve been to Sitka for a wedding, Hoonah to meet up with friends, Juneau for friends, and shopping,(Costco, Fred’s, Jerry’s Smoked Meats),  and Petersburg for more friends. We’ve anchored in many bays, had a rafted duo of small cabin cruisers break loose from their anchor, and drift by us with no one onboard to stop it, had the keel kiss the gravel bottom in Rocky Pass, (twice), and watched a rare lightning storm. We’ve seen our share of bears, orcas, whales, porpoises, seals, sea lions, and beautiful sunsets. Bill has done his part with the usual boat repairs, and Gus has been seasick a time or two. We’ve made new friends, listened to their stories, and shared the bounty of fresh caught salmon, halibut, and crab. Though my confidence is not wholly back, I’m feeling better about our life on Denali Rose.

Generator exhaust elbow gave out.

Taku Harbor dock

We’re currently in Petersburg, and are planning our departure for the final transit back to Wrangell, Monday, depending upon the weather of course. 

Gus hopes you’re warm, and enjoying life.