Day 80, 7/18: We left the anchorage and fished a couple places with no luck. We proceeded to an anchorage in Santa Anna Inlet where we anchored over rocks. One of our most recent learnings is don’t anchor over rock. As the boat turns and the anchor chain drags across the rock the sound comes up the chain and is loud at night. The chain locker is at the head of our bed. I think it is like cans and a string.

Day 81, 7/19: Talking last night, we decided to head to Ketchikan today. The morning weather update didn’t look good for Chatham Strait (4’ waves) but we could get closer if it does get too snotty. As soon as we leave the inlet, we are in 2’ waves and dense fog. I am sure we aren’t getting to Ketchikan today, so start reading about anchorages on the way. Well about 10 miles down Ernest Sound it started getting calmer the farther we went. I opened up the NOAA forecast and it had been updated with much less wind and less than 2’ seas. We did get to Ketchikan the water was great after the first hour. We saw a lot of jumping fish and a couple porpoises. The jumping fish are pinks or humpbacks in the 2-3 pound range. We ended the day with pizza and beer at a place close to the harbor.

Day 82, 7/20: We went downtown for Carolyn to do some shopping and rub shoulders with a few thousand fellow cruisers. We had lunch at a brewery at the dock and watched them release the lines and move the cruise ship off the dock. It looks so effortless for them.

Day 83, 7/21: Chore Day, laundry, provisioning, rinsing salt off, filling water tank, vacuuming. We did go out for dinner to the Oceanview Restaurant, a unique place with Mexican and Italian food. Before we had noted that there isn’t a lot of sit down restaurants where we have been. Most places have been, order at the window and they will bring it out or yell your name. If we go back to Ketchikan we will likely go back.

Day 84, 7/22: Left our slip and got fuel to head around Behm Canal. We decided to go and see Misty Fjords before leaving Alaska. It is a short jump to Marguerite Bay. It was a nice ride, as we were finishing up anchoring it started to sprinkle. Then it got windy with gusts in the high 20s and then the sky opened up dumping on us and lighting and thunder started. Nothing real close but too close at the same time. After the excitement and a couple hours of rain we can see across the bay, it is cloudy but calm.

The first few were misplaced from Petersburg.

A gate to a fenced yard

A unique sailboat

Many salmon died as we watched this group fishing

Phytoplankton Bloom called Noctiluca

You don't see orange water everyday

3 young eagles

Different 3 young eagles on the sea wall at the same time

More orange water

Navy facilities in Behm Canal