Our young explorer on whale watch duty
June 16th Ketchikan to
5 am departure 53
degrees sunny
The family was still asleep in “the cave” as we headed out
early this morning down Tongass Narrows paying close attention to any “floating
icebergs” which I call the cruise ships. We were heading for Meyer’s Chuck but
when we were setting ourselves up to head into the narrow opening of the bay,
we gazed in surprise at a boat stuck up on the rocks at the entrance,
a scenario we know too well. There were also two skiffs at the entrance near
the damaged boat. We thought it best to just move on. We were disappointed but
for safety sake, it was the best decision.
Lewis talking to Nana on the walkie talkie
Our second choice was Santa Anna in Ernest Sound. It was
another two hours of boating. They were calling for 15 mph winds today, but we
didn’t experience them. The tide was against us for most of the trip which
slowed us down to 6 kts. We had a balmy day of 70 degrees.
Lewis was on whale watch. Instead of a “big guy” sighting,
he was thrilled with the playful dolphins that join us at our bow. I loved
hearing his squeals of delight.
Santa Anna was the perfect refuge. Dropping crab pots was in
order and off Lewis went with Pop and Pop and Dad. I noticed that the motor was
sending off smoke signals…definitely distress signals, and once the first pot
was dropped, Dave and Bryan began paddling. Oh, dear, not good. Once they got
back to the boat, they checked the outboard motor. More oil was added and the
motor was allowed to cool down before trying it again. Houston, we have a
problem. Looks like Wrangell will be the place for repairs or the purchase of a
new motor. There’s always something.
Mama, Why are they paddling?
While sitting in the wheelhouse reading, I looked behind me
and saw the head of a man looking over our bow and then the head floated
alongside our boat. Bryan was on the boat deck talking with “the head”. I
couldn’t figure out how he was able to see over our bow, and giggled when I
realized that the man was standing up on a paddleboard!
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