Alaska 2014 - Passing new Bella Bella

May 25, 2014

The wind remained calm all night in the quiet anchorage in Pruth Bay.  The weather is beginning to deteriorate for the next few days, so we are heading to Codville Lagoon Marine Park, just 25 miles away.

Peregrine and Spirit Crews, Mosquito Sculpture

West Beach, Pruth Bay

Turning left shortly after leaving the anchorage at Pruth Bay we headed into Meay Inlet and across Hakai Passage where the ocean swell had penetrated.  We then headed up Ward Channel, a narrow but deep passage between Nalau Island and Underhill Island.  We identified several potential anchorages, totally secluded, for future visits.  The rock formations were interesting due to the erosion patterns.  We re-entered Fitz Hugh Sound via Nalau Passage and set a direct course for Codville Lagoon.

Peregrine at anchor, Pruth Bay
Hakai Beach Institute

Ward Channel

Rock formations, Ward Channel

At Anchor, Codville Lagoon

Our Totem Pole (Reflections at dawn, low tide)

Sunrise in Codville Lagoon

We anchored Spirit in 40 feet of water in Codville Lagoon just off the trailhead to Sager Lake.  The only other occupants of the basin when we arrived were a pair of loons cruising around.  Shortly after setting the anchor “Peregrine” entered and anchored close by.  We travelled only 30 nautical miles today, in a now familiar downpour, beginning to remind us of our 2007 Alaska trip on the previous “Spirit”, a Jeanneau 49 DS.  The persistent rain on that trip led directly to ordering the current boat.  Patrick set a crab pot, hopefully there are still some crab in Codville Lagoon.

After 5 hours the crab pot only had a large starfish, so no luck.  The commercial fisherman pulling his pots in the same bay had the same result!  The rain returned, with a vengeance as we headed to Peregrine for another potluck dinner of crab cakes, salad and quinoa with broccoli, washed down with both wine and martini’s and a fruit compote for dessert.  Miriam and Patrick returned to Spirit about 2300 in another torrential downpour after a great evening with Dance’s and Dachel’s on Peregrine.

The rain continued heavy most of the night.

May 26, 2014

Memorial Day started out partly sunny as we headed out at 0730, meeting the cruise ship Oosterdam heading for Lama Passage.  We followed astern, since they were doing 15 knots compared to our 8 knots.

Following Oosterdam through Lama Passage

Based on weather reports we will not arrive in Ketchikan until either 29 or 30 May.