Humpback Whales and Sun at Last

Sunday, June 27, 2010

We are back in shorts for a few hours, as the skies cleared overnight. Patrick fished for halibut, one good bite, but no luck keeping it on the hook. Heading south down Stephens Passage, there were lots of Humpback whales breaching. Sun at last, often glassy water, but rain squalls on the horizon. Since the weather was so nice, and the forecast was improving we decided to explore Thomas Bay and look at the Baird glacier. The entrance to the bay was well marked, and the ebb current was only about two knots against us. Once inside the bay the water color changed to a murky green-brown from the glacial runoff from both the Baird (green flow) and the Patterson (brown flow) glaciers. The available anchorages were about 6 miles inside the bay and we anchored with one other boat in Ruth Island Cove in 30 feet of water. There were numerous commercial crab pots set, so it was a little tricky finding a spot with enough swinging room to avoid the pots and the other boat, also from Bellevue, who put out a lot of scope and took a lot of room up in the cove. In addition, both the Navionics and the Nobeltec maps showed significant differences compared to the radar plot. With the murky water, underwater hazards are hidden, so accurate charts are important in tight anchorages like Ruth Island Cove.

The anchor roller problem has resurfaced and will require repair when we get to Petersburg. Fortunately we could use the Bruce anchor on the port side while awaiting repairs to the starboard roller assembly. The design is poor and prone to failure; we do not have a long term solution yet.

The rain finally, but briefly, arrived and then the skies cleared again for a nice sunset, which we enjoyed over a dinner stew/cassolet made up of the accumulated leftover meats and vegetables in the refrigerator, along with fresh sourdough bread and Caesar salad.

We now show 2206 nautical miles on the log, and have consumed 1700 gallons of fuel, which includes running the Kabola heater nearly continuously for the last 58 days, 300 hours on the main engine, as well as some 245 hours on the generator.

Monday, June 28, 2010

We woke up to a minus tide and partly sunny skies after a motionless night at anchor. Bill and Ruth are in charge of breakfast this morning, which consisted of Grand Marnier French toast, bacon and orange slices. Since we are only 15 miles from Petersburg, we spent some extra time relaxing in the sun. Leaving the anchorage about 1015, we looked at the currents predicted over the Thomas Bay bar and decided we should go directly out, since the maximum current was predicted to be nearly 5 knots against us. We evaluated the weather forecast and the state of fresh food and water and decided to stay out one more night before arriving at Petersburg. That would still give us plenty of time to sightsee and for Bill and Ruth to make their flight connection back to Seattle. So we are on the way to Portage Bay, still only 17 nautical miles from Petersburg.

We arrived at Portage Bay and found the currents at the entrance everything the coast pilot indicated as we were swept through by a current of over 4 knots. Inside the bay we cruised around and finally anchored at 1330 just behind East Point in 30 feet of water, just outside the current swirls. The recommended anchorage in the cruising guide was in an area that had 3 knots of current and lots of eddies and swirls.

Dinner included marinated flank steak, loaded baked potatoes and Caesar salad. We are trying to clear out the perishables before heading home from Wrangell on Saturday for a short visit. We started with some of Patrick's crab cakes and finished off the evening on the flybridge enjoying the sunset. The temperature continued to rise all evening as the skies cleared and the winds disappeared, so it was pleasantly warm even at 11 PM, and still light.

The log is now at 2230 nautical miles on Day 59.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

We awakened to glassy water and mostly sunny skies as we prepare to head to Petersburg.