May 18 - Khutze to Bishop

May 18   Khutze to Bishop

It was still raining when we got up.

Steve and Michelle got a message from Fran and Jeff this morning, they are crossing Dixon Entrance today.   We are 3-4 days behind the sailboat, but we are not in a rush and have not been running long days like they have.  

We slowed going by Butedale for some photos by the waterfall and the town ruins.   Sorry Glen, still no Ice Cream in the store.

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The lodge (large building) has no roof and is mssing a lot of other necessities

Just after leaving, we came upon a solo smallish Humpback whale, playing and likely feeding along the shoreline.  

Lots of waterfalls in this section, some little, some big, and some ginormous.

One of the waterfalls had a ‘firehose’ wall shooting out of it. 

                                                                                                      

Glen of course decided that the boat needed a wash and nosed up to it.  Not only did I get a cold shower but we very quickly had a 4 inch wave of water running down the deck.    

That water was COLD!

Anchored in Bishop bay just inside the three mooring buoys.  Two other boats came in about the same time we did so 7 boats in the bay.  The other two boats anchored up and immediately headed to the hot springs   

The small dock is still there but the ramp is gone.    Pete and I went to do a little recon and scout out the new route.  Apparently a storm took out the ramp in 2015.  Like anything governmental it takes a long time to get anything done.  There is a sign on shore (facing shore) that says tie to the float and dinghy to shore.  Well duh, to get to the sign you already came ashore by dinghy.  LOL   It also says that the dock and ramp will be replaced on August 18, 2016. That would be at the end of the cruising season for most.   We chatted with the others in the ‘tub’ before heading back out to our group.

Shortly thereafter a group of six boats headed into the bay.   Looks like the Mother Goose group out of Bellingham.  That is a group that goes to Alaska each summer with folks on their own boats or charter one of the ‘Goose’ boats.  It is a great way for people who are new to boating and don’t have a group to travel with to be able to travel to Alaska as first timers.   Some of these boaters have never been on a boat before or have very little experience.   The trip is lead by and orchestrated by the Mother Goose team and they are there for any help that is needed, and do boat training along the way.  

For a short bit there were 13 boats in the bay, but then the first two boats in left. By nightfall there were three more tied to the float.

We took the dinghies to shore a bit down the shoreline where it was not a steep wall to climb up.  Walked up the beach to the area where there are three tent platforms and the end of the boardwalk.  Then just walked the boardwalk over to the hot springs.  We all (except Linda and Chris) went for a nice hot soak. 

Picture to follow – maybe.

Back to the boats for appy’s on Sea Life followed by dinner on Nelsea.  Nelsea has a large salon and table where all 10 of us can sit together for dinner.  It was tough but we had to have Prawn and Crab again.  Some added a steak as well to add back a little turf. 

This is another beautiful spot and one not to miss if headed north.