August 23 - Ketchikan

Aug 23  Ketchikan

 

Today is a boat cleaning, crew/guest departure day for Magic.   I was up early as usual.  It looks like it’s going to be another hot day in Alaska.

Bill Gibson and Michelle Young our guests since the 15^th are departing today heading back to California via a couple days stay in Edmonds (at our house).  It’s been fun having them onboard.  And boy did they pick the week right, it was sunny and flat water during their entire trip.  We caught prawn and crab during their stay as well, but no fish. 

 

 

 

 

We said our goodbyes and dropped them off at the airport dock just before noon for their flight and then came back to Magic.  The rest of the day was spent doing boat chores, laundry, etc… and getting caught up on some paperwork.

We went out to dinner at the Oceanview Mexican & Italian restaurant and had a great meal (we both went Italian).  They have totally renovated the restaurant since the last time we were there (2008 I think). It looks nicer, and the food was much better than I’d remembered.  After dinner it was a nice walk back to Magic and then some reading and writing time before bed.

 

 

August 22 - Naha to Ketchikan

 

Aug 22 Naha to Ketchikan

It is another sunny warm day. 

We hung around Naha for a bit in the morning and then headed out for Ketchikan, arriving about 2:30pm. 

Michelle was excited that the Time Bandit (Deadliest catch) was moored just a few boats down the dock.   It could really use a paintjob.

 

 

 

 

Seven Seas the boat that gave Willard and Diane the tour the other day is moored right next to us.  As we came in they jumped to the dock and helped us tie up.  Very nice crew.

 

 

 

Michelle and Bill needed to go see the sights in Ketchikan and do some souvenir shopping (Michelle) so we walked from Barr Harbor down into town, did all (okay most) of the shops, and stopped for dinner at the Barr Harbor restaurant on the way back to the boat.   Michelle said that we walked her legs off.

 

A small yacht in Ketchikan harbor …. The ‘Sin or Swim’  that is an interesting name.   While we were headed into Naha another boat called us to ask some questions about places to go in Alaska.  That boat was the ‘Long Since Dead’   There has to be a story behind that name.  Glen wouldn’t ask on the radio. 

 

 

Creek Street

 

 

Fish swimming up the creek

 

 

 

We were back to Magic and we had a relaxing evening reading (Glen and Bill), working (me) or playing (Michelle) on our computers.  Had some internet and cell service so took advantage as much as we could.

 

August 21 - Neet to Naha

Aug 21 Neet to Naha

 

 

 

Weird lobster like creatures in the prawn pot

 

 

In Naha we tied to the dock.  The ramp to shore is missing.  It was taken out last year by a huge storm which also took out much of the trail up to and thru the lagoon.  There are downed trees everywhere.

 

 

The walking trail is under this tree fall.  They have a lot of work to do to clean up this trail. 

 

We took a dingy ride over to Loring to look around.  There was a fish cannery/packing operation there about the turn of the century.   The last ship-load out of there was in 1930.   We went to the ‘museum’, which was really just the Heckman house with a lot of old family photos (Stack family – who still live there, 5 generations have lived there), and old stuff that has been gathered over the years from back in the day.   There appear to be about 4 houses there in use.  We walked thru the woods toward Naha and saw what the women at Loring told us was the native cemetery ….. interesting no natives buried there according to the headstones.  The oldest headstone was from 1865 marking the resting place of a man who fell from the rigging on one of the ships from California. 

 

 

 

 

Further along the path we came to a place where we had to wade thru the water … above my knees deep, and then on to a waterfall. 

 

The waterfall by Loring.  No fish are going to make it up that one.

 

It is a pretty waterfall, and had salmon around the bottom of it.  There is no way any salmon could make it up this waterfall as it was very tall.  Anyway, we made the loop and came back to that watering hole that we had to cross.  You guessed it the tide had come in and it was deeper yet.  Let’s just say I am lucky to have very long legs, else my waist would have gotten wet.  As it was both Diane and I were wet further up than we would have liked.  We had to change clothes when we got back to the boat.  Glad we did not linger any longer at the waterfall.

 

A bare print …. But not a Bear print

 

 

Mushrooms anyone?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back at Naha ….. Old Skid where small boats were pulled up into the lagoon and back out again.

 

 

Rapids heading into the lagoon

At our last bend in the stream up the lagoon.  Great place to watch bears, but no bears here today.   There is a viewing stand on the hill to the left out of view.

Diane and Willard exploring the stream and lagoon.

 

 

 

 

Back to Naha and we looked at the entrance to the lagoon again, hum, need about another ½ hour. There were kayakers riding the standing waves at the waterfall.   We goofed off and went back a ½ hr. later. Perfect we made it into the Lagoon.  We spent the next hour or so running up to the end of the lagoon/lake and up the river as far as we could.  We made it past the church camp and to the bear viewing area at the next set of rapids.   No bear were sighted during this adventure.   We saw lots of salmon trying to make it up stream, many swimming and many who either finished their business or just died trying to get to their goal.  

We spoke to the new caretaker of the camp.  They have had a tough time for the last couple years.  Their prior caretaker got ill and passed away and then they had no one and the place went downhill as one can imagine.   He and his three sons (14, 12, and 4 yrs. old) are living there this summer working on the place while his wife is in school, he plans to stay there over the winter and get the place into shape for next summer in hopes of getting some campers (church groups, scouts, etc…) to once again enjoy time up there. 

We headed back down the lagoon and out before the tide turned and made our exit more difficult.  We rode the rapids out.  Fun fun.

The wind picked up and made it a bit bouncy so we decided not to put our crab or prawn pots down.  

Had a quiet evening and movie night.

 

 

August 20 - Helm Bay to Neet Bay

Aug 20  Helm Bay to Neet Bay

 

The tide ran strong last night with a constant slapping of water against the boat, and bouncy night in Helm Bay.  The water was hitting from our stern which made for a loud night.  

By morning the tide was headed back out and things were calm again.  If we stay here again I think we should rethink the positioning.  But then what do I know, it appears that I was the only one who could not sleep at all due to the noise and bouncing. 

Breakfast was on Sea Life this morning with Eggs Benedict with Ham and Crab, and fruit on the side.  Yummy.

Crab and prawn pots were pulled and we got another batch of prawn but no crab.

We started out for Shrimp Bay but part way the Captains decided yet again to change plans on our destination; now it is Neet Bay. 

 

Neet Bay – Willard was in the lead and found a nice place to drop anchor, but as we got there Glen said …. Hey Willard, we only have 10 feet of water under us now and we have a 19 foot drop tonight.  Do you think we should rethink this spot?  Willard replied something like … I wondered about that.  So another spot in the bay was selected and Willard dropped his anchor and Glen tied the shore tie.   All set, a quick snack and Glen shuttled us all off for a dinghy adventure.  There apparently is a fish hatchery in the bay so we headed that way.  There were a large number of float planes coming and going to what appeared to the be the hatchery dock.   In route we spotted a Seiner with its nets out and ready to pull them back in so we stopped to watch the process.  They got a good number of fish.   The fish buyer boat was standing by and ended up coming in to actually get the fish directly from the net which was tied close to the boat.  The Magic dinghy moved on to give them more room.  The Sea Life dinghy stayed in the area to watch.   Willard and Diane ended up being invited onto the ‘Seven Seas’ fish buying boat so that they could see the entire operation and chat with the guys on board.  They found it very interesting.  They also found out that there is a bear watching blind nearby where people can go on guided bear watching tours.  That explains the number of planes coming and going.   It looks like the plan drops people off, picks up their earlier group and leaves, coming back soon with another group to drop off.   We are not far by air from Ketchikan.

While they were doing the that the Magic dinghy was checking out the shoreline at the end of the bay by one of the hatchery buildings.  I (Liz) spotted a bear walking the shoreline so we went closer to watch.  This was a mid-sized male black bear.  He had an injury on his left rear foot and was walking very gingerly and with a slight limp.  He was eating the dead salmon on the beach, and occasionally caught a live one to eat.  Another black bear who was a bit smaller and looked much healthier came along to do some fishing.  The hair on the back of the apparent older bear stood on end and he ‘said’ something to the other bear, who turned and walked to a different part of the beach about 25 feet away.  Apparently the ‘younger’ one didn’t see anything he liked so he wondered back around the corner and back to the other creek.  Shortly thereafter the other bear also left.

We met back up and headed for more adventures.  There was a lagoon on the other side of the bay and of course we had to go investigate it.  It had a narrow rocky entrance and widened out into a very protected and deep lagoon.  The water was flat calm and reflective.  We stopped for snacks once out of the lagoon.  Hey, we’ve learned when Glen says we are going on a cruise ….. take a coat, and as I call it ‘nuts and berries, and a beverage’ as you never know when you will be back.   We’ve have 1 hr. adventures turn into 3-4 hrs. so you get my drift here.  LOL

While we were snacking on our ‘nuts and berries’ we saw a can in the water and decided to do our part to and clean up the water.  It was a full sealed can of Coors Light.  Not our style but it was funny that it materialized during snack time.

Once refortified, we headed out again this time stopping at what looked to be a logging or mining dock.  The guys went ashore and looked around.  Lots of pipes, but nothing that told them what the operation was all about.  Back to the big boats for the rest of the evening.   

Decktails on the Lido of Sea Life then Dinner on Magic.  Darn more Halibut.  J

 

August 19 - Meyers Chuck to Shrimp Bay ..... wait change of plans now to Helm Bay

 

Aug 19   Meyers Chuck to Shrimp Bay   change of plans to Helm Bay

Woke up to a nice reflective morning.  The houses around the bay all reflecting in the water.

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

When Glen told me that we were going to Shrimp Bay today I had to ask ….. Are there Shrimp there or is it just a very small bay.  He did not answer. 

 

 

 

We stopped to fish a bit along the way but did not catch anything worth keeping.  Same result for Diane and Willard.  But we’ll still eat fish – Halibut tonight …. Pulled from the freezer. 

 

We pulled into Helm Bay at Forss Isl., apparently the captains decided to change our destination for today.   We anchored and deployed a stern anchor to hold our position behind the island and without spinning.   The stern anchor was also to hold us in the direction of the tide flow.  Tying to shore would have put us sideways to the tide.

When the tide went out the island became connected to the other side with a very wide sand/gravel beach.   On the other side is a floating dock (full when we arrived) and one of the forest service cabins.   This is a pretty spot, but then most of them are.

The crab pots and shrimp pots were put down for an overnight soak.

Great dinner, movie, and sleepy time.

 

 

August 18 - Fools Bay to Meyers Chuck

 

August 18 - Fools Bay to Meyers Chuck

More crab and prawn from the overnight soak.

I rode on Sea Life today as Diane was not feeling well in the morning.  I wanted her to feel safe and confident that she got whatever she needed and Willard had another set of hands if he needed them.  We had about a 30 mile run and the water was pretty darn flat.  By the time we got into Meyers Chuck Diane was feeling almost normal. 

The dock in Meyers Chuck had lots of space so we put both boats on the dock.  We went for a walk/hike on shore around the entire community.  Had a nice chat with Donna Meyer (yep of the Meyer’s Chuck family), and her dog Charlie.  At the other end of ‘town’ we were able to go thru the family’s yard gated yard so we could get to the other side. Gated to keep the chickens in.  Funny cuz the other end of the yard is not gated.  The community looks about the same as it did in 2013 but there appears to have been a couple house remodels.  One change is that they have switched out their tower to obtain cell and some internet service; that was nice as it enabled us to get a few calls and emails out.  But still not a strong enough connection to get to any website.

We had a nice evening in Meyers Chuck.  It is one of my favorite spots up here, so cute, quiet and peaceful.

We did not see any whale on the way into the bay which seemed odd because in both 2008 and 2013 we saw whale on our way in and out of that harbor.

 

August 17 - Anan Bear Observatory

Aug 17 – Anan Bear Observatory

Today we are headed into visit the bears at the Anan bear observatory.  It was a sunny warm day and a great day for both a hike and viewing bears.  And there were bears to view.  With all the rain in the past couple weeks the creek was running high, hard, and fast making it more difficult for the bears to fish.  We guessed that the water level was about ½ again higher than when we were last here in 2013.   The ranger told us that a couple days ago it was running even higher than today.  When we got there, there was one black bear wandering around.  He was mid-sized and per the Ranger almost 20 years old.   Soon another bigger and much rounder (aka fatter) black bear came, he wanted the same fishing spot that the other bear had but that was not going to happen.   He looked but did not approach and moved down the creek a bit.  The bigger one kept moving around and never did find his new fishing hole on either side of the creek.  He came over and wandered around the viewing deck a while and went down to the creek on our side.  A mid-sized brown bear came along and tried his/her hand at fishing downstream.  While we were down watching the other two from the viewing blind, we were told that the brown crossed over to the human side of the creek and walked up to the viewing area.  Apparently he/she decided to sniff around the ‘outhouse’ while a boy about 13 was inside it.  Nothing too exciting for the kid but his mom was apparently a bit ‘excited’.  The ranger just called to the kid and told him to stay inside until told it was clear.  His father apparently got some good bear and outhouse photos.  LOL  

 

Later the fat bear went back to the other side of the creek and once again decided it was his turn at the prize fishing hole.  He was not as aggressive as the other bear, so I figured he must be younger.  I asked the ranger if she knew his age and she said that it was about 10 yrs. old.   That would fully explain why the smaller one was winning all the fishing hole discussions.  That special fishing hole came complete with a cave in which to eat in privacy.   At one point the big guy decided to go thru the cave and stick his head out and try to convince the other guy now with a fish to move.  That did not work, in fact after the best parts of the fish had been consumed that bear moved into the cave and we could hear lots of loud growling and commotion behind that rock, then all of a sudden the larger bear came out of the cave (the way he went in) very quickly.  He just stood there for a bit sulking, then walked on down the creek.  We never did see him catch a fish.  We got some fairly good photos and video of the bears. 

I think we ended up seeing about 5-6 different bear during our bear adventure.

 

New cabin at Anan

 

Part of the trail – boardwalk into Anan

 

20-year-old male with fish for lunch

 

10-year-old bear who was not getting any fish or his favorite fishing hole.

Action shot of fish catching.  This fish is thrashing for his life …. Lost!

 

Bear visiting us at the viewing deck.

 

Bear sitting just outside the fence at the viewing area.  

By the way the fence is about 3 feet tall.

 

Brown bear in the creek

Brown bear crossing the creek

The lower creek

 

After our bear adventure we went by dinghy back to Fool’s bay for a nice warm evening in the sunshine.  Caught more crab and prawn.  Dinner, movie, and bedtime.

 

August 16 - Berg Bay to Fools Bay

Aug 16 – Berg Bay to Fools Bay

I was up early and the water in the bay was totally reflective, making for some nice photos.   After everyone was up and after breakfast the Crab and Prawn pots were checked and brought in.  More Crab and yep we got about 60 good sized prawn.   Sea Life got a few more crab than we did but a few less prawn.   A big community Crab and Prawn dinner is planned for tonight.  I will also be baking fresh French Bread to go along with dinner.

We went ashore by the cabin, checked out the cabin (cute) … read in the book that Tom Miner was there recently.  We then took a hike over to the big meadow/delta.  We did not go clear to the Berg Creek as that was 4 miles and none of us wanted to go that far today.  The weather was nice with blue sky for a change.  It rained in Wrangle yesterday.  

After our hike we went back to the boats and headed out.  First the plan was to go to Frosty Bay, then it changed to Fools Bay.  We have been in Frosty Bay before and decided that we should try Fools Bay this time.  We stopped by, well did a drive by of Anan just to see if there was any place to anchor in preparation for tomorrows visit.  Nothing looked good so we went on to Fools Bay.  The bay’s name sounds fitting for us anyway. 

During our travels today we saw a couple Eagle, some other birds, and a bunch of seals on a rock.  I baked the bread; two good sized loaves.

We got anchored in Fools Bay about 5pm.  Lovely bay with a cute island in the middle which we might need to explore.  No sign of critters on the beach as we entered the bay but who knows, we’ll have to keep our eyes open.

August 15 - Seattle to Wrangle to Berg Bay

Aug 15 – Seattle to Wrangle to Berg Bay

Diane, met up with Glen and I and our new crew Bill and Michelle at SeaTac airport about 7am for our flight back to Wrangle Alaska.  We boarded about 7:15 and left about 7:55am.  First stop in Ketchikan then on to Wrangle, arriving about 10:30 am.   We walked the town to see the sights, did the grocery shopping, and headed out for Berg Bay.  

Berg Bay is a nice very protected bay with one of the forest service cabins.  Empty tonight.   Crab and Prawn Pots were put down.   Early evening crab pots were pulled and checked.  Yippee Magic caught 4 with 1 keeper.  The other 3 were very close but not close enough in size to keep.  Sea Life got 2 keepers.  Into the crab hotel they went waiting for more tomorrow morning.

We had a nice join dinner and chat, then off to bed.  It had been a very long day for most of us. 

Oh, for those from the ski patrol world the convention went very well and was fun and informative.  All of our programs (education and support) had break-out sessions.  My buddy Bill from California, who is crew this week, was there and he helped me with two one-hour informational and training sessions on our new database management system.  He and I have been working on this project for two years as part of the NSP IT Committee and have been on weekly meetings for about 1 ½ years.   The system went live August 1^st and as with most new systems there are some things that are not working as we had planned them and how we requested they be programmed.  Duh, that is nothing new.   We will be working over the next several months to get the tweaks done and start into phase II of this project.  Basically the entire system was rebuilt for tracking everything related to membership, educational programs including: on-line training, traditional/classroom courses, student and instructor records, and membership recognition and awards.  Our work directly impacts and touches all 28,000+ members of the National Ski Patrol (NSP) organization.  Although I have tried to keep up on what has been happening and helping from a distance, my being on this trip (the last 3 months before go live) has been hard on me and on my teammates on the IT committee.  But life will go on.   Regardless of the still needed tweaks, the members that we introduced the system and process to this past weekend were very pleased with the changes, concepts, and goals of our work. 

 

 

 

August 10-14 Seattle and Pendleton Oregon

Aug 10 – 14  Seattle and Pendleton Oregon

We are on ‘vacation’ (ha ha) from our Alaskan adventure.    Actually we are attending the National Ski Patrol – Pacific NW Division’s annual conference in Pendleton.  As the Division Director for PNWD, which covers Washington, Oregon, and Southern Idaho, I am responsible for conducting and presiding over this annual conference.   We will be conducting meetings of the board and executive board, as well as having training sessions for Patrol Directors, and breakout informational sessions for our various educational and specialized programs.   These include:  Outdoor Emergency Care (first aid), Outdoor Emergency Transportation (ski and toboggan), Avalanche, Mountain Travel and Rescue, Radio Communications, Advanced programs, Alumni members, Young Adult members (15-17 yr. olds), Awards, etc…  We will also be honoring and recognizing our members who have done exceptional or extraordinary work or rescues this past year, and also honoring our fallen members (those who passed since last summer).   Generally, there are about 200 members and family in attendance.  It is a lot of work but also a lot of fun seeing friends and colleges who we may not see on a hill in the winter but only at these conferences.  Glen and I have both been patrollers for many years (me 46 years, Glen 43 years) so this is in our blood.   Our daughter Nicole is also a patrollers and upcoming leader in the organization with approx. 12 years under her belt, and a lifetime of watching and being dragged around by us.   She will be at this conference and will be presenting during one of the breakout sessions this weekend.

We’ll restart our Alaskan adventure blog upon our return to Alaska on the 15^th.

Until then, keep the keel down and the antennas pointing skyward.

 

August 9 - Wrangle to Seattle

August 9 -  Wrangle to Seattle

Today we got up and did some boat cleaning and prep for our leaving the boat for a few days.   Maryann, Dave, Mike, Diane, Glen, and I are all on the same flight back to the lower 48 this evening.  Dave, Glen, and I will be attending our Ski Patrol Convention in Pendleton Oregon later this week and weekend.  Diane decided to go south to do a bit of work.  Willard will be the man in charge of two boats in Wrangle until our return. Diane, Glen, and I along with our next boat guests will be meeting up at the airport next Monday for our flight back up to AK. 

 

Our chores done we walked into town and went to the museum.  Then out to lunch at the Stikine Inn.  Thankfully it was not raining today.

 

At the airport we saw Josh Nelson, Michelle and Steve’s son as he got off the plane, which we were waiting to get on.  We said a quick hello and wished him a fun trip with his folks.   The Nelsea and Miners Debt crews will be going to Anan Bear Reserve tomorrow, and they left Wrangle this morning to get into position.  They actually rented the forest service cabin at Anan for two nights so that they could use the dock there instead of having to anchor out a few miles down the bay.   Michelle looked into the possibility for the Sea Life and Magic team to rent the same cabin (for the dock) on the16th and 17^th but no luck it was already booked.   Something to remember for our next trip north.

 

We finally got home about 11pm after our flight and then stopping at the office/warehouse to pick up supplies for the convention, and the Shoreline house to get mail before heading to the Edmonds house.  There was a good sized pile of mail at both houses, which we’ll need to go thru before we go back to Alaska.  Glen started on that while I started in on other things that needed to be done before heading to Pendleton Thursday morning.

 

Just like this photo of the twins from Pack Creek

 

August 8 - Day 100 and approx. 2,300 nautical miles

August 8 – Day 100 and approx. 2,300 nautical miles   

 

--- Petersburg to Wrangle

The plan is to finish up our activities in Petersburg in the morning and then head out.  We have about a 50-mile cruise to get to Wrangle. 

We said our goodbyes to Gary & Lenore (Noon Balloon), Jim, Cheryl and Bryan (Sea Jay), and Pete and Linda (Spirit Bear).  They are starting their trip south. It is very unlikely that we will meet up with them during the next couple months on our way south as they will be a couple weeks ahead of us. 

 

 

 

 

August 7 - Thomas Basin / Spurt Cove to Petersburg

August 7 – Thomas Basin – Spurt Cove to Petersburg

 

Today was a bright sunny and very warm day.   The mighty five headed into Petersburg and were all docked near each other in the North Harbor.   We did some sight-seeing to show Dave around and a bit of shopping.  We had lunch in a café primarily so that I could download some emails.  Verizon basically has no internet service in Petersburg, but you can get a cell call through that system.   Go figure.

Pete finally caught a fish …. Actually 43 fish today ….. okay they were herring off the dock but he was still a happier guy about fishing.  

Our moorage was just across from the Cannery building and we could watch the action and smell the mess all day long.   One fishing boat (long liner) caused quite a stir when it brought in a Halibut that was about 9 feet long and weighed a reported 400 lbs.   It was huge!   It is too bad that this fish was caught as being that large it was a she and a breeder.   Basically any Halibut over 100 lbs. is likely female and a breeder. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My photos from across the waterway

 

 

Photo from the internet while still aboard the fishing boat.

That is one big fish!

 

It was hot so no one wanted to cook so we ordered pizzas and had a pizza party with our tables and chairs out on the dock.  

I spoke to some guys on the dock and they had seen Humpbacks and Orca breaching in Frederick sound yesterday and today getting great photos of all the action.   It’s not fair!