July 4 - Day 65 Happy Independence Day! Part 1

July 4 - Day 65     Happy Independence Day!     Part 1


It rained all night, but have wet woods stop us from an exploratory hike? Nope. So off we went looking for gold and silver at this mining site. No gold or silver but we did find colorful metal ….. RUST.

I also found a deer antler to add to the treasurers of this trip. My treasures are a lot smaller than Pelton wheels.

This place looks about like it did when we were last here in 2016. We hiked up the hill following animal trails, we did find one mine entrance that looked to have been blasted closed.

You call this a trail? I don’t think so!

Old abandoned equipment up in the hills.

Interesting flowering plant. Have no idea what it is an only saw these two.

Chichagof Anchorage

July 3 - Day 64 - Pelton Wheel

July 3 – Day 64 - Pelton Wheel


Not to be outdone by a Pelton wheel a team went back to try again. This time we took the whole crew to the mine site to see if we could conquer the removal of the wheel. With better tools we were able to lift it from its resting place by using a come along to near by trees and cutting away some roots that had grown around it. Finally, it was upright but at an estimated 500 pounds it was still a daunting task to move it. We worked hard to move it about 8 feet before deciding in the end that getting it out of the woods, across the beach (low tide) and into the jetboat without injuring someone that it was better to leave it leaning against a tree for another day. But he has a plan.

It would make great yard art! I was actually hopeful that the crazy man would prevail over the wheel.



Back to the boats by 12:30 and ready for our cruise to Klag Bay and the Chichagof Mine area

We arrived but chose to hang out on the boats.

July 2 – Day 63 Waterfall Cove via Piehle Pass Part 2

July 2 – Day 63    Waterfall Cove via Piehle Pass   Part 2

We then headed to Island Cove to investigate the mine sight.

 

House for sale – fixer upper!

 

He found the collapsed storage shed and the prize Pellon wheel was sitting there waiting for him.   

 

Great Yard Art

 

Glen tried to lift the wheel but it wouldn't budge

Glen got the come-along from the jetboat and tried to move it again.  Instead of it budging the 

Other wheel that he had the come-along affixed to moved.   

 

 

So next he tried having me sit on the wheel  thinking I'd hold it down.   That only gave me a ride. 

 

 

 

Back to the big boats for more tools and people power.  

July 2 – Day 63 Waterfall Cove via Piehle Pass - Part 1

July 2 – Day 63    Waterfall Cove via Piehle Pass - Part 1

 

The waves have settled down nicely to a 3 foot roller so off we go to Piehle Pass. The route past Leo Anchorage will offer a smoother ride for a while.  The Pass was well defined by the kelp patches and we made it to Waterfall Cove for a comfortable anchorage. We are one bay north of Inland Cove where in 2016 we discovered the remains of a mining operation that had used a light gauge rail line to get from the beach to the mine site. Pete and Glen had followed the rail for some distance then but did not find the end. What Glen did remember finding was a Pellon wheel in the remains of the storage shed and had his mind set on claiming it for this years yard art collection.   

 

 

 

Otter colony

 

 

 

Curious Otter

 

Still snow in the hills and very close to the water in places

 

Glen, Jane, and I walked the beaches and wooded area of the bay while Steve and Michelle went to fish a mound that they saw on the way in.  While we saw a large iron belt wheel on the beach there were no other signs or people intrusion.  We did see a lot of  animal use.

Waterfall Cove river delta, there should be a bear out there somewhere

 

 

 

Bear claw marks in log.

 

Well used game trail

 

Likely Mr. Bear's house  -  it was very deep and had bear evidence around it.

July 1 – Day 62 - Headed to Piehle Pass

July 1 – Day 62   - Headed to Piehle Pass

 

Yard Art ….  No Glen we don't need this piece

 

Woke up to fog, drizzle and cool temperature.   Looks like the weather forecast is going to be correct.  Cooler temperatures, wind, and rougher seas for a few days.   We are heading out of Sitka today.   

 

 

Our target is to get to Piehle Pass but will have to evaluate the ocean after passing the entrance to Peril Straight.  Turned out to be 5-6 foot rollers so we chose a bay on the North side of Salisbury Sound about a mile above Peril Straight. With a stern tie to a 10 year old beach log we had a comfortable stay with a little fishing and beachcombing thrown in for good measure.

 

 

 

 

 

June 29 – June 30 Days 60-61 Sitka

June 29 – June 30  Days 60-61   Sitka

The plan is to go into Sitka this afternoon and stay at a dock for the night.  Do some chores, like an oil change, some house cleaning, reprovisioning, and may go out to dinner.  Maximo and Spirit are in town.

I had a conference call Tues afternoon, and caught up on communications.  Glen got the oil changed.   After dinner we all went over to Spirit to visit Patrick, Miriam, Harry and Terry, and had a great time.  They have had a good summer and Miriam looks great and her rehab is going well.  I had Michelle bring her camera with timer so that we could take a group shot for the yacht club's newsletter.  

 

Wednesday saw Tom off on to the airport with his box of fish.  It was fun having Tom with us for this leg of the trip.  Kim Oberto was his taxi. 

Then the rest of us walked into town.  We walked through the cemetery on the way to town.  It is a very old cemetery and it is interesting to see the names, dates, and wonder what their lives were like.  We always try to find the oldest grave.  Today Glen found the oldest monument which showed a passing in 1880.   I found one from June 29, 1898; 123 years ago yesterday.   

 

 

There were some people working in the cemetery clearing out the weeds and overgrowth around their ancestor's graves, a true labor of love and respect.

 

Not a relative that we know about

 

We went through the shops, quite a few were open unlike what we've seen this year elsewhere. 

Jane and I found these guys on a sale rack

 

 

There were quite a few people as in tourists in town which was good to see.  Everyone we saw was very friendly and welcoming.  The Russian church was open as were museums.

 

 

 

 

There are a some very interesting, beautiful and old houses and other buildings here.  We got lunch at a shop and ate outside at a picnic table by the water, then headed back toward the boats stopping at the grocery store for provisions on the way.  Got back to the boats, stowed the purchases, cleaned up a bit and headed back into town to go out to dinner.    Had a quiet evening.

June 28 - Day 59 Heading to Goddard Hot Springs

 

June 28 – Day 59   Heading to Goddard Hot Springs

 

Woke up to thick solid fog.  Could not see the other boats or shoreline.

 

The fog was clearing when Nelsea headed out at 7:30am.  They are in the fog on the left of this photo – you can’t see them.   

They are headed to Sitka as John is flying home to California today.  It’s been fun having him with us.   Bidarka and Magic will leave later and re-join Nelsea in near the Goddard Hot Springs this afternoon.

 

When the fog cleared I saw a bear on the beach where we went ashore to start yesterdays hike.  No photo.   Humm, glad it was not there (or at least visible) yesterday.

The population of bear is about 1 brown bear per sq mile here.  More when there are mom’s with cubs.  Interesting bear information - bear tend to live their entire life within about 10 miles of where they were born, males may travel 40 miles from their birthplace.  Most hibernate in winter without eating or voiding, so they must eat a years-worth the food and fatten up during the about 6-7 months they are awake.  They reportedly put on about 25% of their weight and add an 8-inch layer of fat to carry them over the winter.  If they don’t gain enough weight they may not survive the winter.

 

The group headed out about 9:30am.  The route wasn’t all sunny. 

 

Passed by Sitka headed for Goddard Hot Springs Bay.   Saw Maximo at the dock in Sitka and exchanged waves.

Change of plans.   The water was a bit bouncy with the waves coming toward the bow.  This would mean that when we make the turn we would be taking those waves directly to the starboard side, making for a rougher ride.  Glen being wise and knowing that I would not be happy, a decision was made to forego Goddard today.  We anchored in Pirate Cove instead. 

Steve, Michelle, and Tom went out fishing, and brought back some fish.  The rest of us did other things in the sun or inside.  The last couple days there have been Horse Flies buzzing around and trying to eat some of us alive.  Those flies don’t just bite, they take a chuck out of you.  There are also ‘No See Ums’ which are very small but also like to bite.  These bugs leave Glen alone but love me; I must be sweeter. 

 

Since we didn’t get there this trip here are some photos of Goddard Hot Springs from 2008

 

 

Top natural pool

 

 

 

From bottom pool looking out at Magic Moment