Rain and Wind and Crab

Anniversary Dinner

Thursday, June 10

The weather report has deteriorated, with a major low pressure system in the Gulf of Alaska slowly working towards the Alaskan Panhandle. Gale force winds are predicted near Sitka, but only 30 knot winds in Chatham Strait and Tenakee Springs.

Today Miriam and Patrick celebrated their 38^th Anniversay by cruising to Baby Bear Cove, just past Sergius Narrows in Peril Strait. We set the hook and after launching the tender, placed our two crab pots in Deep Bay, several miles away. The wind increased, but only gusting to 20 knots, with only occasional rain.

The anniversary dinner celebration was grilled white king salmon, scalloped potatoes and grilled asparagus and peppers, with a green salad built by Bob Tucker with his special dressing. Dianne and Sarah had baked a chocolate cake for dessert. We put out the Spode china Miriam had brought and had a really good time.

Friday, June 11, 2010

The winds were light in the morning, and the predictions for Chatham Strait had improved overnight, so we left the tender down and motored over to Deep Bay and picked up the pots. Five large Dungeness crab (all about 8 inches) were in the pots. We left the tender down and headed east in Peril Strait. About halfway along Deadman's Reach the wind and sea began to increase, and when we turned the corner we were subject to the full fury of wind peaking at 51 knots, averaging 30+ knots and seas that continued to build. We watched the tender, and slowed down to 5-6 knots due to pounding. We really regretted not putting the tender back on deck, but it was too late! Slowly, Appleton Cove drew closer, and we turned the corner and anchored in the western cove about 5:30 PM in 25 knots of easterly wind howling into the cove. We joined two other pleasure boats that were also hiding from the wind. After anchoring, we set out both crab pots, which was difficult due to the wind, and then cooked up the crab from Deep Bay. Today, we also discovered some new leaks in doors and windows which will have to be addressed at some point. A fourth boat, a crabber joined the crowd later in the evening.

Today was Sarah's birthday, so her special dinner was baked halibut fillets and sautéed halibut cheeks with Bob's special salad, followed by another delicious cake frosted with whipped cream. (We could not use the BBQ in the wind and heavy rain) Later, while watching a movie we spotted 4 brown bears on the beach, including three cubs. It was fun to watch them cavort and wrestle in the grass.

The wind was continuing to gust about 25 knots, and Spirit was sailing through 100 degrees at the anchor, so Patrick slept in the pilothouse so the anchor alarm would be heard by someone in the event the anchor began to drag in the gusty winds. All was well overnight and by morning, conditions looked favorable to continue to Tenakee Springs.

Our log now shows 1647 nautical miles.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

After looking at the weather report, which still predicted 30 knot winds in Chatham Strait, we pulled the pots and only found one keeper crab. We pulled the anchor and headed out Appleton Cove and were greeted by a solid line of whitecaps and rollers. Just outside the entrance was the small cruise ship "Island Spirit", which we had last seen four years ago in Princess Louisa Inlet. They called us on the radio and asked where we were going. We asked about the weather and were informed that Peril Strait was calm compared to Chatham Strait, which had seven foot seas and 30 knots of wind. They had come from Tenakee Springs and suggested we not go today. We followed their advice and re-anchored in Appleton Cove and put the crab pots back out. "Island Spirit also came in for a short kayaking stop, as well as another pleasure craft. By this time we were all ready for a crab omelet for brunch. There are now five boats anchored here, the most we have ever seen.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

We pulled the pots early in the morning, with 5 large (all over 8 inches Alaska Measurement) Dungeness crab, and headed for Tenakee Springs, with crab burritos for brunch. There were still moderate seas in Peril Strait, which turned into quartering seas as we headed up Chatham Strait to Tenakee Springs. On the way we saw Dall Porpoises, Gray Whales and more eagles. We docked without incident, cleaned the boat, cooked the crabs, set the pots back out and after a dip in the hot springs, had a crab feed dinner on the flybridge with the crab from Appleton Cove. We are moored just ahead of "Eagle Spirit", a Bayliner 38 that we have been leap-frogging the last 7 days. The owners (Roy and Suzanne) are from Juneau where he is a firefighter – nice people.