Petersburg to Ketchikan Southbound

July 3, 2012

Petersburg Fish Processing at dusk

The 4^th of July celebrations started early with a “trash” fish derby for the kids.  Many of them were fishing alongside our boat.  Only hand lines were allowed and the size of some of the fish was amazing.  After final photo ops we departed Petersburg just before noon to take advantage of the currents in Wrangell Narrows as we headed southbound under partly sunny skies with no rain for a change. 

Proud Petersburg Fisher Girl 

The tide really goes out!

 The only traffic in Wrangell Narrows was one tug/barge at the south entrance. Exiting into Sumner Strait we bucked a strong ebb tide all the way into Wrangell where we docked at a nearly deserted Heritage Harbor at 1720. Walking into town we discovered that Reliance Floats also were nearly empty. The main street was still partially torn up and all the stores were already closed in preparation for the July 4^thholiday.  Continuing to the end of town we stopped at the Stikine Inn for martinis and appetizers (bacon wrapped scallops in a bed of white wine hollandaise sauce – yummy) before returning to Heritage Harbor in the courtesy van.  Dinner was grilled steak and salads served on the flybridge in the sun.

July 4, 2012

Independence Day started out sunny so we launched the tender for the one mile run into Reliance Floats in time for the parade.  We think everyone on Wrangell Island was either in the parade or watching, a sizeable crowd.  Almost every vehicle and float was throwing out candy to the children watching, many of who brought shopping bags to collect the largess.  The fire engines were full of kids sitting on top of the hoses.  The parade started with the American Legion carrying the flags and ended with one of the police cars.

Waiting for candy

Kids riding the Wrangell Fire Trucks

One of the more unusual participants

We all headed down to the logging competition and sat on logs in the sun watching the competitors saw, chop, bucksaw and throw axes. 

Logging Chain Saw Competition

Chopping competition

Lunch was salads and Waygu beef sliders at the Stikine Inn before heading back to Heritage Harbor for a rest, a late dinner, some photography and then fireworks.  Heading back into the summer floats in front of the Stikine Inn we had excellent New York steaks and salads before heading out onto the patio to watch the fireworks which were launched from the dock just above where the tender was tied.  The fireworks started at dusk, which meant 11 PM and lasted about 30 minutes.  There was still enough light that taking the tender back to Spirit was easy.

Interesting crab pot floats

Purse Seine Floats

July 5, 2012

Intending to fish, we left Wrangell and headed south down Zimovia Strait at 0845.  The fish were not interested in tasting any of our bait and we finally anchored in Santa Anna Inlet at 1530 under sunny skies.  Patrick & Jon set three prawn pots and two crab pots.  A check at 2130 brought up 4 dozen nice sized spot prawns.  Dinner was a black rice salad and curried halibut and sea bass.

Spot Prawns

July 6, 2012

The prawn pots yielded another 6 dozen nice prawns, but only starfish in the crab pots.  Jon and Patrick worked on the clogged drain in the anchor locker since most of the chain was already on the bottom and discovered a mass of debris which was cleaned out.  At 1030 we raised the anchor and headed down Seward Passage to Ernest Sound where Dall Porpoises played around the bow for 20 minutes.  Turning the corner into Clarence Strait we encountered 25 knot winds and confused seas for the two mile run into Meyers Chuck.  There was plenty of space at the public float and we were moored by 1530.  Although rain was predicted, by 1700 the wind had calmed down and the skies were still dry.

Meyers Chuck Yard Art

With only 35 miles to run tomorrow to Ketchikan, we have now travelled 2205 nautical miles since leaving Anacortes.

July 7, 2012

Shortly before 0700 Cassie from Meyers Chuck delivered freshly baked cinnamon rolls to the boats on the dock and then opened up the gallery where we purchased another wood bowl.  The bowl was New Zealand Kauri wood, made by Cliff Hall who splits his time between Meyers Chuck, New Zealand and Seabeck, WA.

After a hearty breakfast of biscuits and sausage gravy we headed out in Clarence Strait at 0820 into 3-5 foot seas with SE winds that gradually built to 30 knots right  on the bow.  The rain was heavy so the salt spray was washed away.  The seas continued to build to occasional 8 foot steep waves due to the current opposing the wind.  As we approached Tongass Narrows the winds decreased to 15-20 knots and the seas subsided as we reached the lee of Gravina Island.

We managed to find an empty spot at City Floats right downtown near where we moored on the way north.  The rain increased to a drenching downpour as we tied up at our home for the next few days until we have the right weather window to cross Dixon Entrance and re-enter British Columbia at Prince Rupert.

After a happy hour menu on board Spirit of smoked king salmon, spot prawns and vodka martinis we walked to the Cape Fox Lodge funicular tram for a ride to the lodge and dinner.  The scallops wrapped with bacon and hollandaise sauce was not the same standard as in Wrangell, but still good.  The prime rib, pepper steak and baby back ribs were all excellent. 

Finishing Dinner at Cape Fox Lodge

The stop on the way back at the Sourdough Bar was interesting since a group of visitors from Missouri rang the bell and bought a round for everyone in the house.  We finally called it a night shortly before 2300, since Jon and Susanne have a return flight tomorrow and have not started packing.

A deserted Creek Street at 9:30 PM