Snug

7-14-09

We are anchored in a tight little cove, in the back of a bay which is in the back of another bay which is protected to a degree by some islands and rocks and reefs. We are pretty snug in here even though we are right on the Gulf of Alaska at the north west end of Chichagof Island.

We went ashore two days ago and saw lots of fresh brown bear sign, scats and some big tracks while we looked for glass balls. Also saw a Sitka Deer and a mink. The big .458 Winchester was nice to have with us.

Yesterday we surprised a huge rust orange Brown Bear with black hind quarters while we came around a big rock in the dinghy. He stood up on his hind legs and then tore off at a gallop across the grass and into the trees. Wow, what a magnificent animal!

Beautiful sunny days in Alaska, and we are totally alone up here.

Pelican

7-5-09
An old fashion 4th of July where literally everyone in town turned out for a day of family fun! The festivities began on July 3rd at 11:30 p.m. with a fireworks show over the water. The fireworks reverberated through the mountains and valleys all around us.

The morning of the 4th the town gathered around City Hall for a wedding. The bride walked the boardwalk to meet her groom who was waiting in the courtyard. After the ceremony the traditional parade began with the newlyweds acting as Grand Marshals.

The parade participants strutted their way down the entire boardwalk to the flats at the east end of town and concluded with a BBQ. Egg toss, 3 legged race, gunny sack race, penny in the hay and a town softball game provided something for everyone.

3:00 p.m. the town gathered at the marina for more activities. These events were met with gales of laughter. The first event Greased Pole- like its name a long pole was greased in Crisco, a small flag placed on the end, the pole hung horizontally over the water. The goal grab the flag win the money pot (which grows as the audience continues to give donations.) You can only image how many participants ended up in the water. The next two events were tame in comparison, the first Anything but a Boat race, where participates created something to row and raced against others. Finally Team Work, using a dinghy one person tells the rower who is blind folded where to row, they switch places and return to the start. Lots of laughs!!
The day ended with another feast in honor of the bride and groom.

Pelican is located on the northwest portion of Chichagof Island adjacent to more than 30 miles of protected "inside" waters.

Icy Strait Photos-Glacier Bay

Icy Strait Photos-

Icy Strait Photos- Hoonah

59º N

Glacier Bay was everything we expected and more.

We lifted the anchor early Saturday morning in Barlett Cove. It wasn't long before the Island Princess cruise ship hailed us on the radio to pass starboard to starboard. Jim immediately recognized the voice of John Larson from E dock at Shilshole. Small, small world. (At the end of the day we were able to meet briefly with John in Elfin Cove before he flew out.)

As soon as Cape St. James entered North Passage we were surrounded by humpback's. It was the show of a life time-that lasted for hours!

Heading south for the first time since we left Seattle took us to our next stop Elfin Cove. Elfin Cove is located on the Northwest corner of Chichagof Island and is only accessible by boat or float plane.

The community is estimated to have less than 50 residents which is due to the decline of commercial trolling. Elfin Cove has become a popular retreat for vacationers wishing to "return to nature." The entire residencies are tied together by boardwalks.

We are tied to the public dock in Elfin Cove and we can actually see the Fairweather Mountains and Brady Glacier from the dock. Spectacular!!!!

Each day I think there can't be anything more beautiful and everyday I am delightfully surprised!!

We're not in Kansas anymore!

6-17-09

In 1794 explorer Captain Vancouver sailed into Icy Strait. He found Glacier Bay covered with ice and barely noticeable. That ice was more than 4,000 feet thick. 1879 John Muir found that the ice had retreated 48 miles up the bay and by 1916 the Grand Pacific Glacier had retreated 65 miles from Glacier Bay's mouth. The rapid retreat is only found here in Southeast Alaska and scientists are studying the area to try and determine the cause.

Glacier Bay National Park includes 16 tidewater glaciers, 12 that actively calve icebergs into the bay. The glaciers seen today are remnants of a general ice advance "the Little Ice Age" that began about 4,000 years ago. We saw a total of 8 glaciers and hundreds of icebergs on our way to Grand Pacific Glacier today.

(Photos will be posted when Internet access becomes available.)