We left Sitka last Sunday (June 6) for the west side of Baranof Island (that is the Gulf of Alaska side). The weather was predicted with a NW wind of 15 kts. There was only a short distance where we were totally exposed to the Gulf which was a little rough with some swells. Mostly, there are enough rocky islands that you can get behind to knock down the fetch. We went into Goddard Springs along with several boaters and fishing vessels. Apparently the hot tubs are a big hit. We took a dinghy ride to a beach in front of a beautiful ‘cabin’ that is rented out by the city of Sitka for $50 a night. The setting was just beautiful. While walking the beach we could see a lot of washed up baby crabs and decided maybe we should put out our crab trap.
Next day we went up to the hot tubs. There were 2 buildings with tubs in them and very very hot water. After Jerry did a ‘soak’ we did a little exploring in the dinghy. Next morning we decided to move on down the coast …………..not so fast. We both seemed to be in a ‘testy’ mood and Jerry did not like the way I was pointing the boat for him to get the anchor up. Then we were retrieving the crab pot and I rode over the float. WWWEEEELLLL, we knew we had a ‘cutter’ on the shaft but Jerry did not want to loose the crab pot. After much discussion and several hours of laying on the swim platform trying to see the line and the pot under the boat we decided to ‘go for it’. Sure enough the cutter cut us loose from the pot. We called it a day and planned on heading out the next morning.
In the meantime the weather reports were not looking so good and we had an open area we needed to cross to get to Still Bay. Well 20kt was ‘ugly’. When the swells would lift the boat it was very scary. We thought we had everything secure but we missed a few doors and drawers. We made it to the protection of some rocky islands and into Still Bay.
Well Still Bay was not as ‘still’ with a NW wind so after one night we decided to go to Kitoi Bay. This Bay has a narrow 70 foot opening into beautiful calm waters. Looking at the weather again, the winds were increasing in the Gulf as well as the swells. We were anticipating staying put for a few days.
Friday June 11 Jerry got up early as is his custom and checked again on the weather. The winds were shifting to the SE for a short time and then gale force winds would begin in the afternoon. The prediction was for 25kt winds and 12ft seas, very ugly. We decided to take advantage of the SE winds and head back to Sitka. We got to sheltered waters as the weather changed. The Sitka Harbormaster was obviously in a very challenging situation trying to get every boat into a slip. There are a lot of fishing vessels here as well as summertime cruisers. We were given a slip assignment and it was actually a double wide space. The wind was blowing the rain was starting, my phone was ringing, Jerry’s phone had a message and we were trying to keep the boat from slamming the dock. Whew! We made it!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Welcome to Jade Princess in Alaska, Phase III!
Jerry and I (along with our trusty ‘boat dog’ Misty) arrived in Petersburg on May 7th. Lee and Diane from Sonata and Susie (and Dan) from Pacifica also came in that day. Lee and Ellen from invited all of us for dinner. It was great to see everyone again. We all exchanged our winter woes and plans for the summer. Sonata is also going to be heading south to Washington late this summer. In fact, Lee is putting Sonata up for sale at a fantastic price (62 ft. steel trawler with a skiff and dinghy and all the bells and whistles an engineer can think of to put on a boat).
Once again we were in time for the annual Petersburg Viking Festival. The day of the parade was beautiful and sunny all day………..the Vikings and Valkyrees were out in force and everyone seemed to have a great time.
Finally we got the boat all clean and the gear checked out, stocked up on groceries and headed for Sitka. We stopped at Red Bluff Bay……… That has got to be the most protected and beautiful bay anywhere. Next we spent the night at . We put out 2 crab pots last night and nice big Dungeness were waiting for us this morning…………..can’t wait for dinner.
We took a little detour today out in the ocean from so Jerry could get his fishing line wet. There were several boats trolling through the rollers but we did not see anyone catch anything today. We turned south to continue on closer to Sitka and found a nice quiet cove for the night.
ARRIVED IN SITKA
We got here pretty early today and took a slip at Eliason Harbor. We contacted Skookum Canvas Works and Donna will be here tomorrow to install the canvas on the cockpit (aft) of the boat. We took a long walk and ordered some Chinese food for dinner.
Well it took more time than we thought but Donna finally finished the canvas and strataglass and what a difference it made. We feel like we have gained another room. We were immediately able to open the door and enjoy the warmth. Warmth you say, yes warmth…..the weather for the last three days has been in the mid 70s SUNNY all day.
The locals are loving this weather, talking about going to the beach (and yes they get in the water – 50 degree water) and with a Holiday Weekend, the Salmon Derby and 4 cruise ships in town………….things are really hopping in Sitka.
We left the harbor this morning Friday the 28th for the ‘haul out’. We are now high and dry. We are having the zincs on the bottom of the boat replaced and the bottom painted. We were pleasantly surprised to see that the bottom was still in really good shape – I guess the cold water is not as hard on the boat bottoms here.
We are planning on renting a car and seeing more of the sights of Sitka this weekend.
Well we didn’t rent a car but waxed the boat instead……………it looks like new! We were put back in the water on Saturday afternoon and headed for a small cove for the evening and night. Sunday, May 30th Jerry tried his hand at fishing while I did the trolling. I say lots of fish on the fish sounder but he decided just to feed them instead.
Back in Sitka we got a car and went for a drive south of town until the road turned to gravel and finally ended in Silver Bay. We drove up the mountain to Blue Lake which is damned and used for electricity but we could not see much because of the shape of the mountains and the lake itself.
Once again we were in time for the annual Petersburg Viking Festival. The day of the parade was beautiful and sunny all day………..the Vikings and Valkyrees were out in force and everyone seemed to have a great time.
Finally we got the boat all clean and the gear checked out, stocked up on groceries and headed for Sitka. We stopped at Red Bluff Bay……… That has got to be the most protected and beautiful bay anywhere. Next we spent the night at . We put out 2 crab pots last night and nice big Dungeness were waiting for us this morning…………..can’t wait for dinner.
We took a little detour today out in the ocean from so Jerry could get his fishing line wet. There were several boats trolling through the rollers but we did not see anyone catch anything today. We turned south to continue on closer to Sitka and found a nice quiet cove for the night.
ARRIVED IN SITKA
We got here pretty early today and took a slip at Eliason Harbor. We contacted Skookum Canvas Works and Donna will be here tomorrow to install the canvas on the cockpit (aft) of the boat. We took a long walk and ordered some Chinese food for dinner.
Well it took more time than we thought but Donna finally finished the canvas and strataglass and what a difference it made. We feel like we have gained another room. We were immediately able to open the door and enjoy the warmth. Warmth you say, yes warmth…..the weather for the last three days has been in the mid 70s SUNNY all day.
The locals are loving this weather, talking about going to the beach (and yes they get in the water – 50 degree water) and with a Holiday Weekend, the Salmon Derby and 4 cruise ships in town………….things are really hopping in Sitka.
We left the harbor this morning Friday the 28th for the ‘haul out’. We are now high and dry. We are having the zincs on the bottom of the boat replaced and the bottom painted. We were pleasantly surprised to see that the bottom was still in really good shape – I guess the cold water is not as hard on the boat bottoms here.
We are planning on renting a car and seeing more of the sights of Sitka this weekend.
Well we didn’t rent a car but waxed the boat instead……………it looks like new! We were put back in the water on Saturday afternoon and headed for a small cove for the evening and night. Sunday, May 30th Jerry tried his hand at fishing while I did the trolling. I say lots of fish on the fish sounder but he decided just to feed them instead.
Back in Sitka we got a car and went for a drive south of town until the road turned to gravel and finally ended in Silver Bay. We drove up the mountain to Blue Lake which is damned and used for electricity but we could not see much because of the shape of the mountains and the lake itself.
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