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We're in Hoonah
(approximately across from Glacier Bay) with a cruise ship (that's
new!), cell phone signal in the harbor (that's
new), and a wifi connection [secure provider
for a per-period fee] (also new).
The
WIFI connection is what is making it possible
to send these pictures - from Hoonah!
Imagine being able to do that way up here.
Times are changing.
But just to keep things in perspective, here
is the sign in the Hoonah Laundromat.
This
is the kind of weather we have been experiencing
much of the time: glorious semi-sunny days with
flat water.
So
often when I turn my head another wonderful
image leaps into the frame of my vision.
I can't help but pass these sights on
to you.
This
is Mt. Edgecumbe near Sitka.
And
here it is later in the day, as viewed from
Sitka, wearing a hat and billowy scarf. Well...
pretend.
I'm
fascinated with boats of all kinds. This is
a purse seiner hard at work with their net
while in port.
And
how do you like this festival of buoys?
While
we were in Sitka we once more chanced upon
boaters we have met along the way. A group
of us walked to dinner together one evening.
When I saw them gathered on the dock I had
to get this picture of them using umbrellas.
I teased them saying that only tourists
use umbrellas in Southeast Alaska. They didn't
care: see the big smiles?
As
we left Sitka for the second time, the fast
ferry "Fairweather" climbed up our
tailpipe in Neva Strait. You can see in this
picture that it is a catamaran. And it does
go fast!
We
moved over so it could storm past us.
It's
not too easy to share this fairway at Whitestone
Narrows in Neva Strait. There
are lots of buoys and range markers to help
boaters stay in the center of the channel.
This
was an unusual sight in Neva Straits. A sailboat
actually under sail!
This
is the AK State Ferry. Be sure to notice all
the tents that are pitched on the back deck.
Yes, tents. People can actually camp out on
the ferry during their transit. And obviously
lots of people do it.
After
leaving Sitka we finally caught up with our
friends on M/V Pegasus, in Kalinin
Bay. We rafted together (one boat anchors,
then the other ties up to it). We almost
never raft up to another boat, however
Pat and Stew are great people and fine boaters
so we wanted to give it a try. But after
just a few hours the wind kicked up to
25 knot gusts in the bay and our
little raft-up started to drag anchor so we had
to part company. It was fun while it lasted.
Of course, after we both re-anchored, we weren't
far apart and our dinghies provided
great taxi service.
And
here is my prize picture for this email. This
is a female eagle. Getting a good picture of
a female is so hard to do because their
brown coloring always make them fade right
into the trees. Isn't she beautiful?
More
to come.
Linda
& Dave
M/V Royal Sounder
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