May 27 - 29, 2024 - Eagle Bay, Bradfield Canal

May 29, 2024

An uneventful departure from Santa Anna and up Seward Passage. Andromeda II, which left before us, was headed to Berg Bay and Liberty, coming down Bradfield Canal, headed for Blake Channel, behind Andromeda II. As we neared our destination, we spotted a grizzly and two cubs on the north shore. We headed towards them for a photo, but as we closed to ¼ mile, they scampered off before we took the photo. We approached Eagle Bay cautiously and found a nice location near the lagoon to anchor. Conditions are calm with occasional showers and Lois found a break in the rain and took a ¾ mile row, cautiously towards the lagoon, as we could see rushing water as the tide was flooding in on our arrival. When there was a break in the showers, Geary took a 1 ½ mile row into the lagoon. A beautiful area and would be more spectacular on a clear and sunny day.

The next morning, we awoke early to a sunny morning with patchy clouds. After breakfast, as low tide approached and the lagoon was virtually empty and could not be entered, Lois took Nevermore out for an hour row to check out the delta to our west. Geary followed and attempted to enter the stream of the delta only to find it too shallow. After a ¾ hour row, returned to Raven. Meanwhile, Lois spotted grizzly bear at the head of the drying lagoon! We had a nice lunch on the flybridge under calm conditions and sunshine. During the afternoon, we were subject to two rain squalls coming through with the winds gusting over 20 kts and shifting from the west to the south as they passed. Conditions calmed for a peaceful evening.

The next morning was cloudy with a light breeze, and by noon we had a repeat of the previous afternoon with winds out of the west, shifting south, and eventually rain then settling down as evening approached. The day was spent taking care of various chores on board Raven.