Mood Indigo

Mood Indigo ...Over

2009-08-21T19:13:00.000-07:00

August 18
In the last few days we crossed into US waters and checked through customs at Friday Harbor. We stayed in the Marina for the night and Bill (Mike's - 1st mate earlier on the adventure) met us for a few days of rest, relaxation and lots of laughter. We anchored at Doe Harbor and went ashore and hiked on Doe Island.

August 18th we dropped Bill in Anacortes to return home and we are continuing to Bellingham.

We have had an amazing adventure. It is hard to put into words all the incredible sights, sounds, smells and experiences we have had. I know I speak for all of us that got to experience this adventure, (Jim, Brian, Bill, Evan and Mike).

After 60 days together on the boat Mike and I still even really like each other...at least I think he likes me?

Just a minute let me yell to him..."Mike did you have a great time and do you still like me?" "Yep, he is giving me a thumbs up - later when I pull the dinghy in to throw him his dinner I will ask him again." We've been getting along just great!!!

Thanks for tagging along with Mood Indigo. Until next time...this is Mood Indigo - over!

Restricted Area??

2009-08-21T19:09:00.000-07:00

August 14
We are in the Strait of Georgia more big water and today we have 3 foot, choppy seas with winds up to about 15 knots, nothing the boat can't handle, but uncomfortable to be in for too long. Mike tried to set a course to keep things smooth as I made breakfast. We noticed out the window that some military planes were flying very low and in the middle of the strait there is a large boat anchored - that is unusual. Mike knows we are close to the Military Explosive Canadian Torpedo range which periodically is closed for military operations. Mike casually says, "They are probably going to bomb that boat." I respond, "I hope they don't make a mistake and go for us." I almost have breakfast ready when I see a zodiac boat come zooming in on our stern and guess who? Oh, just some fellas from the Canadian Navy and they aren't dropping in for breakfast. Mike steps out and they tell us we ARE in the restricted area and it is closed today - WHOOPS. We quickly change course as the breakfast dishes start crashing and things get jostled around as we take the bumpy course out of the restricted area. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of the guys, they didn't appear to be very friendly. Later I notice that Mike had taped up the Canadian flag last night because it was flapping in the wind - I don't think they appreciated our lack of patriotism for their country or maybe us trespassing into their military zone.

Orca Whales

2009-08-11T09:51:00.000-07:00

August 10
Whales - Orca Whales! Heading South on Johnstone Strait there is a bight called Robson Bight, it is a whale preserve. The Orcas frequent the bay to rub against the sand and gravel bottom to rid their bodies of parasites and because, it just feels good. The preserve is closed to motoring vessels and open to kayakers. We see kayakers all up and down the area around Robson and we see a huge pod of 15-20 Orcas's, all sizes including one huge male with a dorsal fin that curves up into the sky like a windy road. We observe them "fishing" they are lined up moving down the coastline. They stop and splash around a bit, but they are definitely on the search for food, salmon or seals are their preferred dinner, but their have also been sightings of orcas's finding a bear or moose crossing the water and attacking and eating them. Mike wants to know if I would like to get out and kayak - no thanks! We stop the engine and they glide very close to the boat and as they dive you wonder where will they come up? And then, this dorsal fin starts to surface, like a submarine's telescope and he is right in front of the boat, his back end must have been under the bow - he is magnificent.

August 11
Planning to get somewhere by boat, in these waters takes some thought. If we leave at a certain time we can catch the right current, but that would put us at the whirlpool at the wrong time, so you adjust. You have to watch the tides, sometimes at a very low tide there is not enough water to leave your anchorage and then on top of all that - you think you have it figured out. You get up at 4:30 AM, slurp down some coffee, gulp down some oatmeal, pull up the anchor and start the engine and go around the island and there is fog! Not your wispy, misty fog your thick pea soup fog - thank goodness for radar. We see a big, moving island on our radar screen, no, beg your pardon it is a huge cruise ship. You have heard of Norwegian and Carnival Cruise Ships - we have no idea what this ship is called, it slipped right by us - let's just call it the Foghorn Cruise, as the shadow moved parallel to us it let out a resounding HHHOOKKK! We have heard this sound before, but usually it is behind us telling us to get out of the way.

Move Over

2009-08-10T19:19:00.001-07:00

August 9

We are heading into Port McNeil Harbor for the night. We are motoring along minding our own business when -HOOOONNNKKK! Something right behind us honked at us and it sounded like a freight train, it's not a freight train just a HUGE cruise ship about ready to mow us over. The radio had gotten turned to a different station, so the ship wasn't able to radio us and so we got the big honk. We quickly moved out of their way, but we did notice as we slipped behind them that the ship was leaning to the port side. We think it was all of the cruisers hanging over the rails watching the drama unfold in front of them! Luckily, we out maneuvered them and rode the huge wake into the harbor. For Mike's late birthday present I am considering getting rearview mirrors for the boat.

Starfish and Urchins

2009-08-10T12:44:00.001-07:00

August 5
We are in Shearwater. I small little village that is busy with summer boating traffic. We can't get to the dock, so we anchor outside the harbor. We go in and take a shower and feel refreshed. We stop by the local watering hole and have dessert and a drink. We met a nice man (Bob) that is anchored near us and it is his birthday, so we invite him for a drink to celebrate his birthday. Little did we know that later we would meet him again - knock, knock, knock - who is knocking on the boat at 12:30, it is Bob and our boats are dancing a little too close together in the middle of the night. We get up Mike makes some adjustments on our anchor. It is now...August 6th - Happy Birthday Mike, what a way to start his birthday.

August 6
We decide to go outside of Price Island and down to Calvert Island. On the way we see whales near us and stop to enjoy. We decide to fish a little off the coastline and see thousands of birds. When the birds find bait fish on the surface the ruckus begins, screeching and squawking. We move a little closer and all of a sudden we are surround by fins, fish are flipping and diving all around us - they are black cod fish. We put our lines in the water, to hopefully catch salmon, but these cod fish are biting at anything. I hang my lure over the boat just touching the water and they are jumping out of the water to get it - it was a feeding frenzy. We celebrated Mike's birthday with a boatmade (toaster oven) lemon tart and a fun day on the water. Anchor in Adam's cove.

August 7
Got up early - not too early and tried our luck at fishing from the dinghy. On our way out of the cove at low tide, we noticed the incredible sea creatures clinging to the rocks. The tide change was at least 20 feet and the most beautiful creatures were peeking from the water; red sea urchins, some spotted, large and small, colorful star fish all wrestled together and white puffy sea anemones. So beautiful, we wanted to suit up and scuba dive, until we remembered we weren't in Hawaii. We fished for a few hours and caught a few rock fish, saw some seals slumbering on the rocks. Later, we went on a search for a beach that would take us to a resort. Mike promised me lunch at the resort. We found the beach - white sand, sea shells and crashing waves. The sand was like flour between our toes. Then we decided to find the trail, first idea was over the logs - no luck, next idea was the other end of the beach, no luck. Third idea follow the wolf tracks in the sand- no thanks. Last idea, look closely at where those buoys are hanging on the trees - BINGO! We walked on a rough trail through the woods, of course Mike didn't think we needed our "Bear Go Away Bag", but I snuck a fog horn along and I sang Christmas tunes the entire way. We finally came out on another beach - no resort, no lunch and thank goodness - no bears or wolves! Incredible anchorage, the rocks had varying colors of moss and seaweed, it was like gazing at an artist's canvas surrounded by water.

Eagles and Beautiful Scenery

2009-08-10T06:42:00.000-07:00

August 3
Heading south on Whale passage and then into Campania Sound and down Laredo Channel. Sunny day with some wind - the wind is usually right on our stern, not good sailing weather. Along the way we see a group of 5-8 eagles swooping down from their perches along the shoreline and "fishing" in the sound. It might be a training session since we see about 4 eaglets that are also trying to catch fish. We stop and watch for a few minutes. We also see a few whales today. Catch a glimpse of a humback's tail taking a deep dive.

Jumping Fish Cove - That is the name I am giving it because we were surrounded by jumping, spinning, splashing Silvers. They were begging us to catch them. So, we "mooched" basically means,you fish off the boat. We would drop our hooks to the bottom and slowly reel it in. The fish were not much interested in our mooching, they were too busy jumping. At the end of the cove was a creek, we could hear the waterfall back in the forest, we think the fish were getting ready to spawn up the creek. Maybe the Silvers didn't like my fishing position. I want to sit back and relax and rest the pole and enjoy the experience. Mike would like me to stand up and hold the tip down and support the pole and "feel the fish" all I felt was my back getting tired and my arms aching. That technique is just not working for me. I like to sit on the pilot house with one leg up supporting the pole on my knee, one hand lightly holding the pole, so I don't get a arm or hand cramp, while my eyes gaze out over the sparkling water, wind blowing my hair, sun on my back and drinking a Mike's Lemonade - that works for me!

August 4
Rudolf Bay is on the rugged coastline of Price Island. It is the only anchorage on the west coast of the island. It sounds easy enough to get to, just go through a maze of rocks and anchor. The book wasn't clear about what side of the island to go on a the charts aren't real complete in this area. We swerved and manuvered through the myraid of rocks, kelp and with the extreme tides we weren't sure we would have enough water under us, so we better leave now while the tide is still high enough to get out - but no, the fog is rolling in and we have to stay. We find another deeper place to anchor and we are here. It turns out to be absolutely gorgeous. The rocks are huge, jagged and tower over us. We take a dinghy ride around the area and take the GPS to check out the depths, so we can find our way out safely. Later in the evening we heard wolves howling and loons singing, every anchorage has something special to offer.

Float Plane Ride

2009-08-09T20:54:00.000-07:00

July 31

Mike had wanted me to see Kyutemazeen Bear Preserve, but we didn't want to go back North to go up the channel, so we went by float plane. We waited till the early morning fog had lifted and flew over the mountains to the Bear Preserve. We landed near a floating lodge, called Palmerville lodge. The lodge is quite rustic, everything is made out of rough hewed logs that have been varnished. Greg Palmer is the local expert on bears and his 9 year old son lives with him in the summer and sells cookies. After landing Mike and I loaded into Greg's boat and proceeded up strait. We saw two grizzly bears. The first bear was eating grass in a field next to the beach the other bear was looking for fish in a creek. The plane ride was exhilarating, going over the mountains that we have been looking up at was a special gift.

Mood Indigo joins the fishing fleet

2009-07-30T14:26:00.000-07:00

July 27 Gardner Cove
Long day, we are now in the waters around Dixson Entrance and we can feel the ocean swells. We went around the south side of Prince of Wales and ducked into a beautiful serence cove called Gardener Cove. It is very rocky, but pristine. It is hot out - almost hot enough to jump in and cool off. Instead we have a cold outdoor shower on the stern.

July 28 Foggy Bay
Last stop in Alaska, tomorrow we will be in Canadian waters.

July 29
Prince Rupert here we come. Gorgeous trip down Chatham Strait - we try to sail, but not enough wind. We stop the boat and have a wonderful lunch and relax before we get back to civilization. When we get in to Prince Rupert harbor we are in for a surprise. It is so full you need to "raft" with other boats. As we pull in the wind is whipping up and we hear on the radio there are gale warnings for Prince Rupert Strait and there appears no place to dock. Finally, some nice guys tell us to tie up to an old fishing boat. By the looks of the boat it hasn't been out fishing for a long time and won't be moving any place soon. We tie up next to him and he is tied up to another boat, who is tied up to another boat. We are actually 4 boats away from the dock. We will stay in Prince Rupert for another night and then we will continue south.

Craig, Alaska

2009-07-30T13:32:00.000-07:00

*Before we left Craig we heard about a local artist that works with Alaska Stones and creates amazing creations. We called and he (Gary) happened to be at the studio and agreed to let us come see his work. When we got there we noticed immediately how talented he was, and then we saw a book that we had bought a few days earlier. He asked me how I liked the writing in the book and I told him we had only read one story about a sailboat getting stuck in Rocky Pass and how we had just come through Rocky Pass. I was busy looking around and Gary continued to ask me questions about the book and Mike was laughing. (While I was looking, Gary showed Mike the book and pointed to the author's name.) Come to find out - the artist, Gary, is the same person, he not only wrote the book, but he also had the sailboat adventure. He was actually in Rocky Pass to look for some rare rocks. We got some beautiful things at his studio and if you ever go to Craig, Alaska you must go and see his work. We also found out that he lives part of the year near Bellingham - it really is a very small world.

Sunday, July 26 - We are back on the boat and it must be at least 70 degrees. The sky is blue and we are heading south. We have a short stretch of water to go through called the Tlevak Narrows. We are getting pretty good at this type of navigation and Mike has figured out the best time to go through...well we thought. Come to find out the current that was supposed to run through at about 2.5 knots was actually running 6.5 plus. The Mood Indigo usually travels around 6.5-7.0 knots. We were only traveling about .2 knots - that is almost standing still as the water rushes past and the whirlpools whirl. I was down below when Mike called to me and ask me to put on my life vest. Not a good sign! I joined Mike outside and we were not going anywhere fast, but he kept with it and slowly we came out of the narrows. Yikes! I think we will head for big open water tomorrow!

Fish Stories

2009-07-26T10:50:00.000-07:00

July 23

It is evening and we had an early dinner. Fish are jumping everywhere. I ask Mike about going fishing and he agrees, we should gie it a try. Mike has a "technical gadget" for most things and for fishing he has the "fish finder" ...unfortunately - Julie unplugged it before it was charged. I told him I didn't need it - we were going to catch a fish. After about 10 minutes I felt a nibble on my pole. I pulled on the rod and started reeling. The fish was giving me a good fight, jumping all over the place, but I kept the tip up and kept going. I finally got the fish to the dingy and we realized - we forgot the net. Oh well, Mike will just grab it with his hands and he does, so we have a fish flipping all over the boat and we notice the fish isn't on the hook - it is tangled in the line and I still have another fish on the line. I keep reeling and Mike was pulling the line and in comes fish number two! Mike grabs the second Silver and we pull in 25 pounds worth of fish from one line and one hook - what a fish story to tell. Of course, we have the pictures to prove it!

July 24-26 Craig Alaska

We find moorage at the North Harbor in Craig. We have lots of laundry to do and also some shopping. We stumble onto a lovely B&B and stay for 2 nights. Right now I am typing on the the bed looking out over the Bay, watching Eagles carrying fish, the sun setting in the pink sky with the crescent moon above and whales blowing their spouts in the distance. Tomorrow we head down the coastline and get ready to cross Dixon Entrance. We will update you when we can.

Thanks for following our adventure with us. We wish we could share more with all of you.

Keku Strait

2009-07-25T22:39:00.000-07:00

July 22
We left Kake and after much deliberation decide to try a very tricky pass, Keku Strait. Many of our books said it was "dooable" and others said we should get some local knowledge. Kake's harbor didn't seem too full of local knowledge, so we decided to try it and we did it! Mike was busy at the wheel going in and out of shallow areas and kelp beds. We heard a new sound come from the boat - the sound of kelp being pulverized by the propeller. We were happy to come out the other side! I was able to work on my radio skills and call in a Securite call. Before transiting through a narrow channel boats call and let other boaters know of your whereabouts. As always, give a microphone, telephone or a radio and I become a wanta be karaoke character! **Just today, I read a story about a sailboat that tried Rocky Pass and got stuck high and dry on a rock for 12 hours - thank you, Mike for getting us through safely!!

Another big decision...do we go outside and down the west side of Prince of Wales Island or go down the east side which would lead us back to the "traditional" Inside Passage? We both wanted to go outside and see something different, but what about the weather? We could get stuck somewhere and not make progress south...oh, well - who wants to go home anyway? We took a left (outside) and found calm, beautiful water and some whales - all signs that we chose the right route. We then entered a narrow strait - Shakan strait, to Dry Strait to El Capitan, We are now tucked in to Devilfish Cove and the rain is trickling down the boat and we are relaxing and enjoying the daily life of traveling and living on a boat. It is peaceful, relaxing and a wonderful place to be spending our summer.

We find moorage at the tip of Prince of Wales Island in Wooden Wheel Cove. A sweet little settlement that has no roads that go to the town. Everything is built on a boardwalk and the best way to get around is in your dingy. We meet the "colorful" Alaskan fishermen on the dock and have a quiet evening.

Red Bluff

2009-07-25T21:57:00.000-07:00

July 19th
Red Bluff - We are ready to check our shrimp pot, but before we can a couple of men dingy over and ask if we hit their pot yesterday on our way in to anchor. Of course we didn't, but they had thought we had hit theirs, and put ours there to repay them. Mmmm, interesting idea - but NO! They gave us our shrimp pot and informed us it had no shrimp in it - but theirs had 135!. I was practically salivating thinking about the shrimp, I even asked if we could buy some from them. No, they weren't for sale. Now we have no shrimp and our pot isn't even reset. Well, you can imagine the story I concocted about those ....guys. Well, a few hours later we heard the putt-putt of a dingy and there is one of the men with cleaned shrimp and an offer to reset our pot. Mmmm, what will we have for dinner tonight - Humble pie and Shrimp. From now on we will call this cove - Humble Shrimp Cove.

July 20th
Eagles, eagles and more eagles. At the end of our cove, where the stream meets the water of the cove the eagles are meeting. We aren't sure what they are meeting about, but something is going on. We count at least 40, huge adults and some younger eaglets. They are all just standing around or perched on stumps - we keep waiting for something exciting to happen, but there doesn't seem to be much excitement - except us on the boat, going crazy over seeing them everywhere. Later in the day we pulled up our shrimp pot and...no shrimp. Maybe we can "borrow" some from another pot and reset it with new bait. We pulled up the boat that had obviously been there for a long time. We found a stone fish in the pot with his mouth full of shrimp - Stone fish are very poisoness, so we carefully sent him back to the sea and "borrowed" a few shrimp for us....Ssshhh don't tell. We think the trap may have been lost or abandoned, so really we helped that poor fish and those shrimp, they were either going to be eaten by the fish or by us...might as well have been us! I even cleaned the little buggers later. Pulling their heads off was the worst part. There bulgy eyes kept looking at me, until we put them in the freezer for awhile to "cool off".

July 21
We moored in Kake last night. We had to carefully choose what dock to tie up to, because most of the docks were leaning to one side or the other. Kake's dock needs some repair - like most of the boats on the dock. We walked to the SOS store and arrived 10 minutes before closing. We grabbed supplies quickly and walked back to the boat.

Warm Springs

2009-07-25T21:28:00.000-07:00

July 15th
Anchored again near Piper Island and got a quick peek of the grizzly cubs that we had seen about a week ago. We tied to a moorage buoy - that is the easy way to go. The next morning we got up and dingyed around the island and saw the cubs again - no mama bear! It was a beautiful morning on the water.

July 16
Headed towards Peril Strait, past Sergius Narrows, Poison Cove and Deadman's Reach. Sounded ominous to us...but come to find out the reason it is named such frightening names was back in 1799 during the Russian occupation some Aleut hunters were on their way from Sitka to Kodiak, when they found and ate quantities of mussels and later over 100 of them died from paralytic shellfish poisoning. No seafood for us for dinner tonight! Actually, we did try a new halibut recipe given to us by a lady in Sitka. She told us to boil the halibut in Sprite and it would taste like lobster - and it kinda did!!

July 17

We came to the aid of a sailing vessel today. A couple from San Francisco radioed that they were having difficulties with their engine. We were following them to a secure anchorage - just in case their engine quit. We had to retrace our direction, but they were so thankful not to be left alone out here. The search and rescue boat finally met us and escorted them to a safe harbor. We turned around and headed for Baranoff Warm Springs. We arrived about 7:00 pm to a beautiful little village set right next to a thunderous waterfall. We anchored near the entrance to the salt lagoon and near the falls. A very popular place with lots of fishing boats at the dock. Lovely evening and lots of activity to watch. I am beginning to get quite good at using my binoculars and concocting stories about our fellow boaters. My idea of a "boaters soap opera", Mike is thrilled.

July 18
Got up and decided to hike up to the Warm Springs. We pulled on our rubber boots and walked up the board walk through the beautiful, lush forests to a small, rooty path that led out to some rock pools. There was a fisherman from Lopez already enjoying a soak, but we quickly joined him and it was ...hot. There were a few different pools that led closer and closer to the waterfall. The last pool was about as big as a tire and deep and if you laid with your rear end in the pool you could reach your arms out over the cliff and feel the power of the waterfall cascading past you, with the spray misting the air and cooling off your face - what a feeling. There are some things you just put in your "happy" memory bank and they will always be there - I will always remember what joy I felt experiencing the waterfall at Baranoff. Before we left we dingyed through a shallow passage into the salt lagoon. Through the narrow passage we saw the most beautiful sea anemonies on the bottom. We left later in the day and motored down the coastline to Red Bluff Bay. We arrived late and set our shrimp pot. We anchored in a cove full of waterfalls. The waterfalls came off every mountain in our sight - I do love waterfalls.

Sitka

2009-07-25T21:05:00.000-07:00

July 10-15 Sitka

We arrived in Sitka and could not get into the harbor, so we anchored outside the harbor waiting for a slip to open up. We stayed at the Westmark Hotel - to have a night off the boat and stretch out a little in a "real" bed. Mike's back has been bothering him since Glacier Bay, we hope a few days on solid ground will help him feel better. Sitka is a beautiful city. It is very historical and has museums and cultural centers throughout the town. Also, it has a beautiful Totem Pole Park that we visited. Evan got a chance to go out on a chart boat to catch "the big one". We are all staying in a sweet little bed and breakfast called Alaska's Ocean View. We had dinner last night on our deck with a beautiful view. We have enjoyed Sitka! Evan flies home tomorrow and we will head home...it will just take us a little longer to get there!! As we go back to the wilderness - it might be a bit before you hear from us on the blog again - at some point I will catch up our adventures. (Finally, getting a chance to update - it is now July 25th). Hope everyone is enjoying summer - we are!

2009-07-13T21:46:00.001-07:00

July 5th
Sandy Cove Anchorage - biting flies- ouch! Looked for Brown Bears, but no bears.

July 6th
Early kayak ride in Sandy Cove with Evan.

Moored on the dock at Glacier Bay. Mike and I stayed at the lodge for the evening. We all had a nice dinner at the lodge. Evan and I each had a whole crab - delicious.

July 7th Whales, whales and more whales! We were on Adolpho Point and we saw humpbac k whales in the distance and I got lots of good pictures of black specks and water. We were just leaving when they started to come right towards our boat. Evan had the camera and started to shoot. Wow! They came right at our boat and then started to play. Flapping tails and fins back and forth at each other. Vocalizing and spouting it was so amazing and then the breaching - and Evan caught the breaching! It was spectacular. Evan also caught a few more halibut - they are tough fish. Even after being hooked, gafted and beat over the head they keep squirming around in the cooler. We moored at the quaintest little cove. Elfin Cove, the town is completely made up of boardwalks. We walked to the little store and got a few supplies. Amazing sunset and a nice hot shower in the morning.

July 9th
We spent the night in a beautiful little cove with a waterfall at the end. Things sure look different in the morning when we woke up to a very low tide. There was a huge mound of kelp on top of a rock - just 10 feet from us. The tides can change up to 30 feet up here. Watched the eagles soar over the cove looking or fish.

2009-07-13T08:40:00.000-07:00

July 2nd
We arrive in Glacier Bay at 11:00. Mike has to go to an orientation and Evan and I check out the lodge and take a short hike through the forest. I am chatting with the manager in the restaurant to see if I can buy some milk from them and we start talking about halibut and they tell me their chef will cook our halibut for us, anyway we would like it. About 30 minutes later we were sitting down to..."The best halibut I have ever eaten," says Evan. It was delicious blackend halibut and he also made us some halibut saviche. What a treat for us. it is about 8:00 pm and we are all in short sleeved shirts the weather is unbelievably beautiful. We can see the tops of the mountains, glaciers and an occasional whale. Evan has already caught one halibut and lost a 50 pounder right at the boat.

July 4th
Happy Independence Day! We don't have any fireworks, but we did hear thunder today. The glaciers were magnificent and we sat and "glacier gazed" for hours and listened to the the massive chunks of ice falling into the sea. Evan and I took a ride in the dingy to get as close as possible to the glacier. It looks like a sea of ice and it was! A wonderful 4th of July and another hammockable day ...in front of glaciers

We anchored last night in front of Reid's Glacier. It is 130 feet tall and 9.5 miles long. We all dingyed over to take a hike in front of the glacier. Mike "futzed" with the dingy, as Evan and I walked up to the face of the glacier. It is amazing to get so close and see the colors and watch the water forming into waterfalls and cascading down the crevices and caves. We also saw big bear tracks in the stream bed - we were prepared with our bear spray and flare gun!

Evan joins the crew

2009-07-07T09:46:00.001-07:00

July 2nd
Evan is here! We are excited to have him aboard and he is ready to fish and he wants to see glaciers. He is hoping to catch a halibut like the one in the picture. A couple caught a 380 pounder, it took 4 hours to bring it in. We are off to Glacier Bay tomorrow.

We have been in Glacier Bay for 4 glorious days. (Today it is July 7th). The pictures are amazing...but you will have to check our blog out later in the week to see the splendor. The boys are on the boat and if I don't get to the dock I might be spending more time here in Glacier Bay without them! We are headed in the direction of Sitka and plan to go the outside way - because the weather is supposed to be beautiful!

Halibut Fishing

2009-07-07T09:36:00.001-07:00

July 1st
We leave Juneau on our way to meet Evan in Gustavus. On the way we take a few of Richard's fishing tips on where to fish and...we catch two 20 pound halibuts! It was so much fun - my first halibut. Mike filleted them and we have been eating well, nothing like fresh halibut.

Auke Bay

2009-07-07T09:27:00.000-07:00

June 30th

We spent two days in Auke Harbor near Juneau. We got off the boat and stayed at a B&B, it was nice to be on solid ground for a couple of days. We toured the Alaska State Museum in Juneau - really interesting and a nice way to spend a rainy day. We also ran into a friend of Mike's from Bellingham. Richard and his wife Nancy ( she was back in Bellingham) run tours between Juneau and Sitka every summer. Richard cooked us a delicious halibut dinner and we enjoyed an evening on their boat the Alaska Song. If you ever want to see Alaska in comfort with a knowledgeable captain, beautiful accommodations and yummy food - their boat would be an adventure of a lifetime.

Pictures of Whale

2009-06-30T12:02:00.000-07:00

Here is the proof. A large humpback and a smaller calve came very close to our boat. What a wonderful experience to see and hear and experience.

Last pictures for now. Here is the view from our last anchorage before we got into Auke Harbor near Juneau. Rainbows and Sunsets both pictures show what a treat the sky is putting on for our eyes.

Whales

2009-06-30T11:46:00.000-07:00

June 28th
I have been on the boat for over a week and Mike has been on for over 5 weeks, everyday brings beauty beyond words. We are having such fun. Little things that we laugh about - like a little hummingbird that came to us in the middle of this huge channel and circled around my flower hat and was only inches away from it...maybe thinking it was a colorful flower. Mike's amazement at seeing Sawyer glacier and then today....WHALES! We were heading up near Juneau and all of sudden there was a big burst of air and water and a humpback whale, maybe with a calf. We stopped the boat and watched and listened. The water was calm and we just took it all in and now as I am finishing this...I look at and see porpoises playing around the boat - amazing. Hope all is well with our family and friends. We are heading North to pick Evan up next Friday and then on to Glacier Bay! More pictures to come as we get them downloaded.

Taku Harbor

2009-06-30T11:38:00.001-07:00

June 26th
Taku Harbor is our home for two nights. We are on a dock and it is nice to be able to get off the boat and look around. This is the sight of a Hudson Bay fort in the 1840's and then more recently a cannery that lasted until 1923. Lots of fun ruins to explore. Over the years people have made sculptures on the old pilings with some of the iron and steal left from the cannery. We also took the dingy around to the most incredible rock formations. I managed to fill my pockets with rocks - until Mike notice a squall coming our way and we hurried to the dingy to motor back in the soaking rain and wind! We have been on the look out of a Grizzly bear mother and cub that have been in the area - no sign of them, though I am driving Mike crazy singing and jingling my bear bells whenever we step away from the boat!

Sawyer Glacier

2009-06-30T11:29:00.000-07:00

Next morning, unbelievable day - we started at 5:00 AM as the sun was coming over the towering snowcapped mountains. The water was calm and around every corner there were majestic waterfalls cascading down shear rock walls. It looks like we are driving a boat through Yosemite Park. We were also zigzagging through ice bergs - some as little as ice cubes and others as big as three story houses. We finally worked our way past the mother and baby seals and as close to the glacier as we could get. We could hear it thunder when huge chunks would calve off and the air was crystal clear - so fresh. We stopped the boat and had a picnic on the boat. Then Mike noticed the tide was coming in and with it were all of icebergs floating back towards the boat...time to go! I climbed onto the boom and pointed as we made our way out of the maze of bergs! We made it back to our lovely little cove and had a nice relaxing drink - We called it Sawyer Iceberg Margarita - the best Margarita we have ever had!

Icebergs

2009-06-30T11:23:00.001-07:00

June 24-25
Wow! We are in the Tracy Arm that leads to the Sawyer Glacier. Our first evening we took the dingy out to the channel to see the icebergs floating down from the glacier 25 miles away. They are breathtaking...take a look.

Sandborn Channel

2009-06-30T11:05:00.000-07:00

June 23rd - Happy Golden Birthday to my daughter Megan. 23 on the 23rd!! We cruised into a lovely little channel called Sandborn Channel. We saw lots of sea life today; a huge stellar sea lion swallowing a big salmon, a Minkie Whale, the flipper of an Orca (my first Orca sighting) and a little black bear nibbling on the grass near the shoreline. This channel is so still we can see these lovely reflections during low tide. The trees, moss, rocks, kelp and water just become one lovely mirror.

2009-06-30T11:02:00.000-07:00

June 22nd
After we left Wrangell we headed North to Petersburg, a small fishing town with a Norwegian Flair. We had fabulous halibut and chips and explored the quaint little town. I had to do a little shopping I brought 8 pair of shorts and 4 swimsuits - but just one pair of jeans!! I have always been optimistic, but Alaska and shorts? (Mike has now discovered he has more shorts than me!) I think we may have to fly to Hawaii from Alaska to use our shorts.

Wrangell

2009-06-30T10:35:00.000-07:00

June 19th-21st Wrangell -We met up with Nona and Dick and had a fun boat trip up the Stikine River. The Stikine is the largest river in S.E. Alaska and we spent 5 hours on the river enjoying the scenery (glacier, flowers, waterfalls and a little bear dung) and near the end we saw about 10 eagles eyeing something in the water. We have eagles in Washington, but these eagles are huge - plenty to eat up here!

Changing of the 1st Mates

2009-06-28T18:28:00.000-07:00

Hello Again, Since you last heard from us...we have made some 1st mate changes. Good bye Bill - we will miss you and hello Julie.

The last week, we have been out of cell service and internet service most of the time - so no blogging, but lots of adventures. Here are some of the highlights... (Sorry if things get out of order - I am still trying to get used to doing this from the boat and not from home.)

She's here!

2009-06-19T14:10:00.000-07:00

I survived! Yup, after three long and eventful weeks, my adventure is over and Julie's has just barely begun.

Relationships

2009-06-19T13:41:00.000-07:00

Each morning Bill and Mike would attempt to solve a serious world problem. As the days went by this dialogue inevitably lead to increasingly dramatic retaliatory behaviour (from one of us who hates being wrong). However, we finally agreed on one premise for the one problem that seems to plague the unconscious in every culture and era of time; Relationships. Our conclusion: "Anyone who is not you . . . who is living with you . . . is a problem."

Addendum: Mike's version of a fair fight. He gets the razor sharp knife, and I get the spatula!

Good luck Julie!!!

Foggy Bay +++

2009-06-18T12:56:00.019-07:00

What a day2 (day squared)! Vietnam, Grizzlys, Heaven's door, and now this. Deep inside Foggy bay we found a little channel that lead back to a secluded lagoon. These two pictures were taken about the same time. The light picture is our view over the bow, the dark picture is our view aft. It would be impossible to capture eveything in between. One incredible day. Few people have as much awe in a year as we had today. I guess that makes it an "awesome" day

Leaving Ketchikan

2009-06-18T09:20:00.000-07:00

Heading up the narrow straight that leads north from Ketchikan. We decided this was not a good place to stop for lunch.

In Ketchikan, Alaska!

2009-06-18T00:31:00.000-07:00

We made it to Ketchikan, Alaska! We now have phones, internet, and they speak english! More updates tomorrow!

Arriving in Ketchikan

2009-06-17T14:05:00.000-07:00

Finally arrived in Ketchikan. A seasoned fishing village embedded in the rocks of Tongass Narrows on Revillagigedo Island. There are about 10,000 residents, and about 12,000 visitors who arrive aboard the four cruise ships that dock here every DAY. As you can see, the ships dwarf the town. We were surprised to find that there were more jewelry stores and bars than anything else. Excellent dinner at Bar Harbor Restaurant with Banana ice cream for desert. Deluged with epiphanies and sweet slumber.

There is a god!

2009-06-16T20:52:00.000-07:00

What a day! Vietnam war, Grizzly congregation, and now, we were sure that some diety was going to step out of the sky and bless us. Then we decided that we were already blessed. Who would have though it could get even better?

Bears Bears Bears!

2009-06-16T14:00:00.000-07:00

Beyond amazing! Found over a half dozen Grizzly bears. These are not typical neighborhood bears, they are big, as in gargantuous. Sometimes within one hundred feet of us. They didn't mind at all, just kept on eating grass. We, on the other hand, couldn't get enough of them, hence another 450 pictures, we'll spare you all but three.

Reflections

2009-06-16T13:00:00.000-07:00

Everywhere we look there is a great picture. On the way up Steamer passage to find Grizzly bears.

Khutzeymateen Inlet

2009-06-16T12:33:00.000-07:00

So far this is the most colorful and picturesque fjord we've been to, and we haven't even seen any bears . . . yet. The inlet is about six miles long. The last three miles are inside the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary. There are an estimated 55 Grizzly bears that live here full time.

Vietnam?

2009-06-16T09:30:00.000-07:00

Okay, so we ran over your fishing net, that's no reason for "I go ram yo bout" or calling the Vietman fishing boat militia. Plus, I think he's swearing at us! Pic of Mike trying to talk sense to the senseless. Hmmm, wonder why things settled down when Bill started taking pictures?

Stuck in Prince Rupert

2009-06-15T14:30:00.000-07:00

Yup, we've been stuck in Prince Rupert awaiting a new waterpump for the engine. It should arrive today and we'll be on our way. Good thing because we kinda like it here. The most delightful people, plus it just so happens that it is Seafest weekend. Thank you Mike! We are so fortunate that we discovered this problem while tied up to the dock. The pump was on its last leg and could have gone out at a much more opportune time, ie: heavy seas, far away, rocks, etc. Then, to make matters even worse, one of us decided that we should clean out the bilge . . . with soap. Great idea except for one problem . . . SUDS! That's all I have to say for now as a picture is worth a thousand words.

Leaving Prince Rupert, BC

2009-06-15T07:04:00.002-07:00

After four nights in Prince Rupert, we're back on the high seas. Nicest people in the world, but it's good to be off. Headed for the U.S.A.

While you're down there do ya think you could . . .

2009-06-12T19:32:00.001-07:00

Getting rid of a bilge full of suds by sunset, unlikely; finding a Volvo water pump in Prince Rupert on Friday night, impossible; the look on Mikes face when he realized we'll be here 'till Monday, Priceless!

Bedroom Mechanics

2009-06-12T18:43:00.000-07:00

Hmmm, never thought I'd be fixing a diesel engine with my head on my pillow? That's my bed on the starboard side, Mike's bed on the port, and the bed in the bow is for Julie, when she get's here.

Uh Mike . . .

2009-06-12T18:42:00.000-07:00

. . . it's the water pump.

Found one!

2009-06-11T21:52:00.000-07:00

You're right Julie, there is nothing to worry about, the girls up here really do wear rubber boots!

Enjoying the scenery

2009-06-11T18:25:00.000-07:00

Bill holding up the mast on another beautiful day.

What's that attached to?

2009-06-11T10:10:00.000-07:00

We're 20 miles from shore and we have GPS, Radar, Sonar, and autopilot, why do we have to look where we're going? Fog at last!

Smile guys!

2009-06-10T19:03:00.000-07:00

Okay, we didn't smile for the auto-timer, but we were happy campers. Who wouldn't be? Gorgeous trip and dinner is served; penne pasta with scallops, longistos, and artichokes with fine Australian wine. Who needs Wolfgang when you've got Joe?

Stand By Me

2009-06-10T10:39:00.000-07:00

Mike practicing "Stand by me" as we head up Grenville Channel.

Leaving Port Hartley

2009-06-10T07:21:00.000-07:00

Fog pours out of Port Harltey as we head for Grenville Channel early in the morning.

The Red Door

2009-06-09T18:35:00.000-07:00

We were monitoring Channel 6 (the community facebook) when we heard the announcement that "the Red Door now has ice cream available?" Several minutes later we met Barbara and Camelia. The Red Door is their home. You knock, she yells "come in" and asks you what you would like. The groceries come out of her cupboards and the ice cream comes out of her refrigerator and get's scooped into cones from her husbands boat. Her husband is "the only white guy in town." She got him from Toronto on the internet. She no longer has any use for the internet. Camelial is their daughter. By the time we got to the Red Door Mike had offered 1/2 the neighborhood ice cream cones. Good thing, it got us free moorage and lots of new friends. I visited with Barbara and managed he purchase while he ran back and forth delivering the goods. Good thing I had a pile of Loonies in my pocket.

Bill on the boardwalk

2009-06-09T17:58:00.000-07:00

The local's told us about a hike to the lake above Port Hartley. To our surprise, the mile long path to the lake was also a boardwalk. During the hike we met Denny who started a small fish hatchery up here and now raises 500,000 Coho each year to stock the local lakes.

Port Hartley

2009-06-09T15:50:00.000-07:00

We arrive in Port Hartley for a quick fuel stop and decide to spend the night. We are surprised to see that the streets of the entire town are built on boardwalks. They were originally built by Barbara's Grandfather, who was the Chief, because many people were so poor they couldn't buy shoes. Wood is easier on their feet, especially in the winter when they get thirty feet of snowfall. Now they allow no cars in the town, only four wheelers, golf carts and snowmobiles.

Native Cultural Center

2009-06-09T15:05:00.000-07:00

Bill in front of the Native Cultural Center. Strange resemblence to the man standing next to him. Port Hartley residents here are proud of this center and encourged us to visit. The history of their relatives in this rather isolated culture is told inside.

Enter Verney Passage

2009-06-09T11:30:00.000-07:00

Verney Passage was not mentioned in any guide or book we had, yet it was one of the most amazing days of the trip. It's a narrow passage with steep walls filled with cliffs and waterfalls. Even at seven knots each moment was a new wonder.

Another day in paradise

2009-06-09T09:10:00.000-07:00

Mike Futzing as we head up Ursela Channel.

It's beautiful everywhere!

2009-06-09T08:45:00.000-07:00

Pulling out of Bishop Bay, we finally realize that there is never a moment when there is not a great picture to be taken.

Bishop Bay Hot Springs

2009-06-08T17:00:00.000-07:00

Like the good book said, this is a "must stop." Indoor and outdoor tubs, gorgeious view, perfect temperature clean, clear water. I want one of these at home! Joined by Wendy and Tracy who we met at Shearwater. They have had a couple of real trials on their four-month Alaska hot springs trip. Back to boat for excellent seafood dinner. Out to anchor and three Chinese fishing boats took our place. Beautiful, calm night. Mike still won't practice the guitar? I'm obsessed with "The Curve of TIme."

Guess who's back?

2009-06-08T13:45:00.000-07:00

You can tell I'm getting better at taking porpoise pictures because there are porpoises in some of them.

Our view

2009-06-08T13:06:00.000-07:00

Mike thinks I just pick the opposing "Save the world" perspective because I like arguing with him. He might be right, but this is the one view we definitely have in common.

Butesdale Bill

2009-06-08T11:40:00.000-07:00

Butesdale Lou

2009-06-08T11:32:00.000-07:00

Our best discovery was Butesdale Lou, the only remaining resident. He brought us into his home and showed us his artwork as well as pictures of the Spirit Bears which may only reside on this island. Beautiful white bears that are almost extinct. The once prosperous fishing village that has been abandoned since 1966. Amazing how fast nature reclaims our effort.

Spirit Bear

2009-06-08T11:05:00.000-07:00

Up a trail behind the powerhouse we found a Spirit Bear track. They are actually called Kermode Bear and they only reside on this island. Yes, I was obsessed with finding one, but this track will have to do for now.

Butesdale's amazing hydro-electric plant

2009-06-08T11:00:00.000-07:00

Up in the woods behind Butesdale, on the river that is about to become the Butedale waterfall, we found their hydro-electric plant hiding in this picturesque cabin which is supported on stilts twenty feet above their raging river. The second picture is Mike looking at one of the power generators. What is particularly unusual is that it still works, sort of. The water flows through the 18" pipes on the left and falls through the turbine that spins the large generator you see in the middle. Unfortunately the generator doesn't work any more. Fortunately, Lou, who you are about to meet, has hooked it up to an automotive generator you see above the white board on the right. So, this enormour piece of machinery which once powered a small city, is now developing as much 12 volt power as your Geo Metro. it then run through an inverter and a 500 foot extention cord to Lou's house. The last picture is the remains of the water-turbines that once powered their ice-making plant.

Our special invitation to Butesdale!

2009-06-08T10:31:00.000-07:00

It's so weird, we swear to you that when we arrived this sign said "WELCOME, please come up and explore our lovely little town." Even after they changed the sign, it was still a completely inadequate warning of the risks inherent in going near this place . . . but it was fascinating. Fortunately, when we returned to the boat, neither of us were injured or dead.

Pulling into Butesdale

2009-06-08T10:21:00.000-07:00

Don't think we're going to a restaurant tonight? This once-thriving fishing community had 500 residents, a processing plant, and its own hydo-electric power plant. Actually, it still has its own hydro-power as you will see.

Butesdale waterfall

2009-06-08T10:11:00.000-07:00

Pulling into Butesdale we find, yup, another gorgeous waterfall. This one provides the power for this . . . city?

Another beautiful morning

2009-06-08T08:45:00.000-07:00

Khutze inlet in the morning. Even when the sky's are gray it's beautiful.

Grizzly visitor

2009-06-07T21:30:00.000-07:00

Our sunset visitor. Mike always seems to find what he is looking for.

Another amazing waterfall

2009-06-07T16:30:00.001-07:00

This one is worth clicking on for a larger version

Waterfalls everywhere

2009-06-07T16:25:00.000-07:00

Amazing waterfalls, one after the other, mile after mile. Like kids in a candy shop we stared at each in awe as if we had found a hidden treasure. There is no way for a picture to begin to capture the magnificance of this place. I guess that's a good thing or we wouldn't have to go on vacation?

Our Porpoise friends are back

2009-06-07T13:00:00.000-07:00

We saw them coming but had no idea they were headed out to join us. Sure makes for a magical lunch hour.

Anchors away!

2009-06-07T09:01:00.000-07:00

No, it's not another porpoise picture, it's a reflection of our anchor on the bow while underway. After this experience we reflect on our anchor often so we thought you might want to also. We were about to anchor in Khutze Inlet for the night, beautiful. The instrumentation had been giving us a little trouble, but now we were getting divergent depth readings and were unsure of where to anchor as the tides can recede a mile here. Pulled up the anchor to go find another anchorage. It was covered with gross mud and seaweed that smelled awful. Pulled out into the middle of the channel where it was over 400 feet deep to wash it off. Lowered all 400 feet of anchor chain. With about 375 feet out it slipped teeth in the winch and started falling to the bottom, pulling rope out of the anchor box at an alarming rate. We both grabbed the rope which was fortunately wrapped around the winch housing enough that we could stop it without going overboard. Now we have 1/3 of a ton of chain hanging from a rope off the bow, that is not going through the winch, and which we have to get back on board before dark. The pressure on the line made this rather precarious. It would pull you to the bottom in an instant if you got caught in it Anyway, we devised a variety of pulleys, lines and backup devices, and a few hours later we were feeling like "We are the champions of the world." Which is rather true as our world has become a three hundred square foot cork that was about to bob in the waters of Khutze inlet forever.

UTC?

2009-06-06T20:46:00.000-07:00

You're right, this has nothing to do with our Alaska trip, but I'm going to jump if I see another picture of a wave, whale, or waterfall. Besides, don't you think I have the most delightful Grandchildren! Cousins Clayton and Bronte Chandler. UTC? Ultra Cute, it's a family acronym that you don't want to be until you aren't any more!

Wastin' away . . .

2009-06-06T11:30:00.000-07:00

. . . Some people sayyy that there's a woooman to blame . . . but I know . . . ! Hey, was that a song? Serenading Bill . . . again.

Happy Mike?

2009-06-06T08:55:00.000-07:00

Happy Mike making himself a morning latte? Nope, it's politician Mike making me a peace offering after our morning round of "Solve the Worlds Problems." It's the least he could do after trying to throw me overboard because I don't think Republicans should be executed.

He found us again!

2009-06-05T17:45:00.000-07:00

Pulled out of Shearwater and headed for a secret Indian hideout called Boat Inlet. We're skating through the narrow entry when we spot another boat in our hideout! Sure enough it's Dick. He found us again. We snapped a quick pic of Garfield and snuck away before he started shooting. Heading North as fast as we could, we ditched into the literally uncharted waters of Lombard Inlet for safety. We were certainly safe from the great striped cat, but he left us in water so shallow the depth sounder stopped working and underwater rocks threatened both sides of the boat. Navigation digressed to Bill laying on the bow of the boat yelling out orders and Mike obeying at one knot. The boat survived unscathed, but in the middle of a deep sleep Mike still yells out "I am still the boss!" Who is he trying to convince?

The Halibut Hunter

2009-06-05T08:25:00.000-07:00

Another beautiful Shearwater morning. Mike is off in search of the illusive Halibut while I do the dishes. I keep telling him how I attract the porpoises, just feel as if you already have what you want and it will be there. He insists on doing it the hard way, but I think he's smiling?

Family Reunion

2009-06-04T19:12:00.000-07:00

We pull into Shearwater and guess who is tied up to our dock? Yup, Dick was already there having a sensory experience (but we think he was napping). We figure Garfield had been following us for days. Dick, Mike and Bill having dinner at the Shearwater Cafe.

What's is eight feet wide, has no hair, and can really mess up your hair?

2009-06-04T14:25:00.000-07:00

Our Billionaire friends on the Copaseptic had a herd of gargantuas bald eagles living on their anchor light. Beautiful, but what a mess. Hang on to your children!

Women's Clothing store

2009-06-04T12:00:00.000-07:00

I thought you were joking! Neil was right Julie, the women up here must really wear rubber boots. I guess you have nothing to worry about.

Hammickawhat?

2009-06-04T11:40:00.000-07:00

We added to Webster's today. The new words are hammocking and hammickable. "This is very hammickable weather." "Yes, we should be hammocking!"

Seaworld show and Snapper dinner

2009-06-03T19:25:00.000-07:00

However, Namu's secret is Harlequin Bay. A narrow passage behind the decrepit town lead us to this delightful lagoon where we had a delicious Red Snapper dinner and our own private porpoise show. There were four of them in here putting on a show for us all night. If you don't like my photography, then you try taking a picture of porpoises right when they jump out of the water twenty feet away.

Thriving Metropolis?

2009-06-03T17:22:00.000-07:00

Off to Namu for some fuel and food. Unfortuately, neither have been available there for many years. The place is a wreck; abandoned buildings, docks falling into the ocean, and boats that will never float again. They names Seattle's famous whale after this once-thriving fishing community.

Halibut fishing?

2009-06-03T14:15:00.000-07:00

Headed for South Pointer Rock out in the open ocean to catch some Halibut. That didn't work, before we could get our lures to the bottom we each pulled up a Red Snapper.

Hakai resort

2009-06-03T00:30:00.000-07:00

Visited Hakai Resort. Mike & Evan were here years ago. Not open yet, but we chatted with Fred the caretaker and checked out this incredible place. They are careful to preserve this ancient Indian tree carving which was probably carved by an insomniatic resort builder. Rather than pigeons, Fred feeds the Bald Eagles in the mornings, so they don't eat his cat.

Captain Mike at his best

2009-06-02T11:45:00.000-07:00

On the way to Safety Cove. Just passing the rocks where Captain Vancouver ran aground and damaged his ships. He then pulled into Safety Cove for repairs and to replenish supplies. It was here that Vancouver decided to end his exploration and head home.

Pulling up the anchor

2009-06-02T08:10:00.000-07:00

Julie, this one is for you. I added scenery for the rest of us. Incredible morning in small cove south of Port Hardy.

We're off!

2009-06-01T14:00:00.000-07:00

The boys are off. North to Port Hardy. Feels so good!

June 1, Bill Arrives

2009-06-01T08:53:00.000-07:00

Bill arrives at Port McNeil, the water smoothes out and the clouds disappear! Yes, this is my very first blog entry ever.

2009-06-01T05:50:00.001-07:00

2009-06-01T05:48:00.000-07:00

2009-06-01T05:47:00.000-07:00

Goodbye Jim!

2009-06-01T05:36:00.000-07:00

Jim's last day on the boat was May 31st in Port McNeill. Thanks Jim for being the photographer on board. Here are a few of the beautiful shots taken along the way. Today, Bill will join the crew and he and Mike will set sail for the tip of Vancouver Island - Port Hardy and then ...Alaska here they come.

Port Mc Neill

2009-05-31T09:12:00.000-07:00

Jim and Mike arrived at Port McNeill, located near the top of Vancouver Island. They thought they might run into some bad weather, but they didn't have any problems, the weather system didn't come through like predicted. Jim reported that they rarely see any boats as they meander through the channels. When they see one...it's a big one. Which way? Starboard...Port...Starboard...Port?

2009-05-30T06:48:00.000-07:00

Life on board can be kinda rough. Notice the beautiful scenery in Smuggler's Cove. Notice the kayaks tied to the back of Mood Indigo and look closely and notice the hammock.

Yes, Life is Good!

Captain Futz

2009-05-30T06:44:00.000-07:00

There is always something to fix on a boat. When the auto pilot quit working Captain Futz was able to get it going again...Whew! If you can't get the auto pilot to work - the crew might actually have to steer the boat.

2009-05-30T06:40:00.000-07:00

Bye Brian...The Brothers will miss you!

2009-05-30T06:32:00.001-07:00

The Adventure continues as Mood Indigo and the crew head North towards Alaska. Lets see what they have been up to?

Brian enjoyed the first few days of the trip before he was loaded onto the sea plane and headed for home.

The Adventure Begins....

2009-05-25T13:49:00.000-07:00

On Friday, May 21st, the Mathew brothers embarked on Captain Mike's excellent adventure to Alaska!
The Mood Indigo was fully provisioned and ready for sail.