Day 59, 6/27: We left Elfin Cove and went back to Hoonah. There were a few whales but pretty uneventful trip. We did a little shopping and had a drink, that summed up the evening.

Day 60, 6/28: Leaving Hoonah for Pavlof Harbor we were listening to the tour boats calling in each other to a bear and a cub that they were watching. As the trip progressed, we had several sightings of Humpback’s and the whale watching boats were close behind. Shortly before getting to Pavlof the water got snotty and we were glad we were taking safe harbor soon. We were the second boat into the harbor and soon after another boat that left Hoonah came in and anchored out farther, it was 88’. About 9 PM a yacht came in and anchored right in front of us. This thing was 156’ and had another boat that was a charter fishing boat 30-35’ that tied to the mother ship. We did see a bear eating grass near the water. There was a nice waterfall/rapid that made the anchorage a nice place.

Day 61, 6/29: We had a long day planned, 63 miles, the wind never died down last night and the predictions weren’t great for waves but we went forward. The water wasn’t great but wasn’t scary, we did give the entire boat a saltwater bath several times. After an hour the water got much better and the rest of the trip was pleasant. We anchored in Deep Bay about 30 miles from Sitka. So far we have seen a bear, eagles, humming birds and hoping for fog and rain to go away.

A few more pictures from Elfin Cove.

Somebody has a sense of humor

Pavlof Harbor

On our way out at 6:40 AM

Deep Bay

Day 56, 6/24: An addition to last night we had wild life all around us. First 6 kayakers made camp near where we were anchored. After making camp they all came down to the water stripped down and took baths in the glacial water. Too cold for me. Then shortly after a bear came walking through very close to their camp site but I don’t think the kayakers even knew it was there.

We did a lot of miles with little satisfaction. The rain and fog hampered our ability to see much. We went from Reid Inlet in the West Arm all the way up the East Arm and back down to North Sandy Cove anchorage. Given that there was little to see through the fog there was only a few pictures.

Day 57, 6/25: We left the anchorage and headed to islands that we saw whales on the first day we entered the park. Good call! There was a pod there that was active. We spent an hour getting pictures and watching. There were also sea lions playing in the water following the whales and eventually our boat. The sealions were juveniles that stayed in a tight pack of maybe 6. Cute here not so cute on the Columbia River.

Day 58, 6/26: We had to exit the park today so we headed to Elfin Cove. It is a little west of Glacier Bay entrance and exposed to the Pacific and Cross Sound. There is a cute little town with a boardwalk that goes through town with most buildings being on pilings. There are a few commercial fishing boats here but there are several fishing lodges and guide services here as well. 

Odd look in the ice

Scratching on bush limb

Up Close 45minutes after pic below

Far away