Thursday, June 28, 2012
Eldred Rock
Eldred Rock is located in the center of Lynn Canal. The peaceful scene we enjoyed as we cruised past, with the charming lighthouse and other outbuildings, does not reflect the terrible accident which occurred here in 1918. This is the site of Alaska's worst maritime disaster. A steamer bound from Skagway to Juneau hit this reef and 350 people were lost. Sadly, Juneau authorites sent out rescue boats, but the weather prohibited them from offloading the passengers. When they returned to the reef the next morning, all that showed was a portion of the mast of the vessel~
CRABPOT JACKPOT!

Five Things Southeasterners Have to Give Up:
This is excerpted from an Alaska magazine:
1. Give up the idea that you are going to be able to pop into the store without seeing anyone you know.
2. Give up on having a perfect lawn.
3. Give up on planning an outdoor party.
4.Give up on wearing dressy clothing.
5.Give up weather envy: forget reading weather reports for other places!
After all, wishing to be elsewhere can't help you when the weather's bad. It's much better to think of other things we don't have, like tornadoes, ticks, or big snakes~
1. Give up the idea that you are going to be able to pop into the store without seeing anyone you know.
2. Give up on having a perfect lawn.
3. Give up on planning an outdoor party.
4.Give up on wearing dressy clothing.
5.Give up weather envy: forget reading weather reports for other places!
After all, wishing to be elsewhere can't help you when the weather's bad. It's much better to think of other things we don't have, like tornadoes, ticks, or big snakes~
On the hook in Haines, Alaska


Wednesday, June 20, 2012
A fishing we will go~
Bill bought an Alaskan fishing license and a salmon stamp, too, in hopes of getting halibut, salmon and crabs. We are equipped to do all three, but at this point have caught nothing. At the anchorage shown above we dropped the crab pot and put out the halibut pole, as you can see... However, we got nothing. As we have talked with locals about catching salmon we have been informed that you must troll at about 2 knots with your bait about 30 feet down. We cannot travel that slowly, so maybe one day Bill will try to catch a salmon using the dinghy. At any rate, we sure hope we catch SOMETHING. Otherwise, the out-of-state license will be a very expensive venture.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Three cheers for Juneau~
Dorothy and Alice have prowled the town and one day had lunch at the Red Dog Saloon, one of the remaining buildings from Gold Rush Days! Our local-made root beer and pulled pork sandwiches really hit the spot. Great service, too, even though a big sign on the wall said: " If you are not happy with our standards for food and service, then lower your standards!" As I am typing this blog in the downtown public library, I am also watching the fourth cruise ship of the day pull in towards the dock. We were here on the Zaandam in 2008. It sure is neat to be able to be doing Southeast on our own boat this year. What a different perspective it gives us!
On Traveling to Alaska...
"There is one word of advice to be given those intending to visit Alaska for pleasure, for sightseeing. If you are old, go by all means. But if you are young, wait. The scenery of Alaska is much grander than anything of the kind in the world, and it is not well to dull one's capacity for enjoyment by seeing the finest first." Henry Gannett 1899
Well, there you have it, folks! This must be why we are here... We ARE old and now we are seeing the finest the world has to offer! Mr. Gannet's quote was posted in the
Wrangell City Museum.
North and South Sawyer Glaciers

However, Bill's efforts were rewarded with the stunning view of South Sawyer Glacier, shown above! There was a pinkish cast to it, in addition to the traditional blue hue that glacial ice develops over time. This photo does not begin to do it justice. We have no idea how high the face of this glacier is, but do know that some are more than 100 feet tall. This one sure looks like it would be that or more~ This is not the end of our glacier adventure. We hope to see Mendenhall Glacier, just north of Juneau and Glacier Bay has a mere 12 tidewater glaciers and 4 more hanging glaciers (those which have receded to be landbound). There WILL be another chapter on glaciers...
Icebergs, Icebergs, Everywhere!



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