July 15th Neka Bay and Hoonah

July 17^{th  Neka Bay}

Ada requested “panicakels” (pancakes) for breakfast and Pop-Pop happily obliged. Everyone except for me took the dinghy out to retrieve the crab pots. Uncle Butch hauled out the first one with two female crabs. When lifting it out of the water, a corner of it landed on Ada’s knee and a crab brushed her leg. Ashley said the crab freaked Ada out. She was surprised I had not heard her screaming.

Decided a half hour ride in the dinghy to Hoonah was going to be much too rough for pregnant Ashley so motored on down Icy Strait to Hoonah planning to anchor behind Pitt Island.  When we spotted a place on the public dock we called in to the Harbormaster and were given the green light to tie up.

Soon after securing the Belle, we took a walk to town. Headed for the Harbormaster’s office to pay the moorage and found that he was gone “running errands”. Discovered a coffee shop just on the other side of some major puddles which Ada joyfully stomp her way through. Mom and Ada enjoyed hot chocolate in the rain.

                                                           Puddle Heaven!

The Harbormaster was quite helpful with information about the cannery which we missed seeing when here with Diane and Mike. A cruise ship was due in tomorrow, and he suggested calling the town taxi to get us all there.

                                             Ada keeping her distance from the monster crab

We soon discovered that on Sunday very little was open in a town where there is very little. We met David at the grocery store and picked up some provisions. Had planned to go to the local bar and restaurant for pizza but was told that Ada could not be seated. Children were only allowed when the cruise ships were in. The woman there was very helpful calling The Lodge to see if they were still open and offered to call a taxi for us, but we decided to head back to the boat and dine on rockfish sandwiches.

Ada and I busied ourselves baking her strawberry birthday cake. She had chosen the mix at the store. Licking the beaters is the best part of baking.

So glad we were attached to a dock. The weather turned cold, windy, rainy and foggy.