Petersburg, AK

Jason and Carter flew into Sitka last week and it has not stopped raining.   So our first plan was to get Carter all geared out for the weather.  She has her Grundins and Xtratufs. She immediately was running through water puddles so cute….

Our first stop was Appleton Cove which was late in the afternoon.  Jason tried some fishing and we set out crab pots.  The next morning we had one crab only and this star fish eating the crab bait.

We got up early the next morning to head to Ell Cove down Chatham Strait.  We wanted to get down the Strait before the 3 ft waves started.  We did pretty well for the first few hours then it kicked up.  I was at the helm and needed to make the turn into the cove having to go into a beam sea.   Well I didn’t quite make it and we went into the trough and started to roll.  Ron had to immediately take the wheel to get us back on track.  Just another learning experience lol……But when we got backin the cove it was beautiful and all to ourselves.  Ron got the dinghy down and they went off to see the bears by the fishery.  They were up close and personal to the bears.

We left again early the next morning to continue back down Chatham Strait to Red Bluff Cove.  We winded our way to the back with beautiful fjords on both side and waterfalls.  Again it was still raining with low clouds.  Jason started fishing and snagged a salmon yea sushi for dinner.  We then got ourselves dressed in our rain gear and went out in the dinghy trying to get up the river but did not get very far.  But we did see all the salmon trying to go up stream but no bears.

The next morning we headed across Chatham Strait to Kake.  I really was done getting up early just to get through Chatham Strait.  Guess we were still remembering our experience the last time…..On our way to Kake we finally saw a lot of whales bubble feeding.  Again raining the whole way.  Finally we anchored and decided to check out the town of Kake.  Not much there.  Carter got to play in all the mud puddles as we walked down the street.  A guy came by us walking and told us about the fishery up the road and that there are black bears and that they were have some festival on Saturday that we should stay and enjoy the festivities.  Since there was not much to do in Kake and it was only Thursday we decided not to stay.  We hiked up to the fishery which is now closed and saw girls down in the river trying to catch salmon in shorts while it is pouring rain.  I guess they don’t know when the sun is shining or raining.  While we were there a black bear came out of the trees and started wandering down the stream, but the dog with the girls saw him and started barking.  The bear retreated back to the woods and didn’t see him again.  Kake has the largest Totem Pole in Alaska.

As we were anchored outside of Kake another boat that we were anchored next to in Red Bluff Cove appeared to have went aground during low tide so we watched as they tried to get the boat moved out because tide was not completely out.  They made it……We put out crab pots but no such luck only those funny looking star fish.

Our next stop was Portage Bay and we went through entering the cove at high tide.  We finally had some sun so Jason and Carter took off in the dinghy with the bear spray and no walkie talkie.  Just like his Dad going exploring and out for hours with no communication.  Finally he and Carter emerged from the woods and headed out to the end of the cove enjoying the weather.  The next morning we wanted to get out before low tide which was a minus.  We hit slack but did go through 9 feet thank God we didn’t wait for complete low tide to go through.  We motored to Thomas Bay and saw the Baird Glacier.  Jason and I spelled rotten fish outside and was glad we were not anchoring there.  We motored to Cascade Creek Bight and anchored and stern tied.  While i was outside Jason and I could still smell rotten fish.  I finally found the source and it was a bucket on the side of the boat with rotten fish (carcass from the salmon) Ron was saving to put in the crab pots.  I made him get the crab pots down immediately.  We caught two crab the next morning.  Guess it worked.  Again we had another beautiful day but Jason had to take the dinghy out and find the rain.  Bailey got to go to shore and run and play which she had not been able to do for a while.  Carter and Papa played hide in seek with Bailey in the tall grass.

We did not have long to get to Petersburg the next day and of course it was raining.  Now the kids are leaving and Jeff and Shannon just flew in so we are off today headed towards Wrangell.  Great time with the kids we will miss them.

Cabernet  “at home on any sea”