May 16 - 28, 2025 - Ketchikan

May 28, 2025

Lois woke early thinking about her trip arrangements to Amsterdam, so we decided to get an earlier start than the 6:30 AM planned start particularly as conditions we calm and settled, and we knew they would pick up in the afternoon. Nearing the exit of Walker Cove, we spotted a whale bubble feeding. And further down the Behm Canal we spotted Dahls Porpoise. Nearing Point Alva, conditions picked up with wind gusts and choppy seas – nothing too significant. We did notice a lot of fishing taking place in this vicinity. Pulling up to Bar Harbor, there were limited slips available, particularly for a 9-night stay – however, we did find the end of dock 12, North available (no power) for the stay. Later in the day, Empress (Todd Mackay) and their buddy boat Escapade (Mike, on a Nordhavn) arrived, followed by SaltHeart. Unfortunately, they were all on dock 9, South, and a bit of a walk to get there! However, Geary did have enough notice to walk over and help SaltHeart with their dock lines and soon were all gathered for a brief chat. This was Todd’s first trip north and was excited to visit Glacier Bay. And he had a new fish boat he was towing and had successfully caught a nice halibut outside of Foggy Bay! Upon returning to Raven Geary had realized he had sprained his left knee and was beginning to limp making the walk to Oceanview for dinner challenging.

Monday morning, Lois prepared for her trip home, and then onto Amsterdam while Geary stayed onboard and rested the knee. On Tuesday, checking with the Harbormaster, there was still not a slip available with 50 amp, but there was a 30-amp pedestal available on dock 12 – 3 slips away!

Wednesday morning Geary used two 30-amp cords to reach the pedestal for power! With the batteries getting a good charge, it was on to the Blue Line bus, up to the library, to use their wi-fi to download Brandt’s Rendezvous photos and update the Selene website Photo Gallery for the Rendezvous. On the return bus ride, exited near the A&P, to pick up half and half. After a brief rain shower, it was back to the A&P to pick up 1 ½ case of wine for the boat. The knee seemed to do better with the walking exercise – felt a bit looser.

Thursday morning was sunny and calm – good day to send the drone up before the weather changes. Then a walk up to the Safeway to pick-up another 1 ½ case of wine and the rest of the day was rest for the knee.

Friday and Saturday were spent hunkered down as the wind and rain arrived! Sunday offered a break in the weather pattern, off to Alaskan Fish House for a fish and chips lunch! Winds started to build, back to the boat in time to watch Lollygag come out of the fairway behind us, being blown on, and pulling into the slip (where we are attached to the power pedestal).

Monday Lois returned and was fortunate enough to get a ride from the airport with a couple of local folks, Paul and Alice, to the marina as it was raining with increasing winds (again). Tuesday, with more heavy rain and winds forecasted, we made a provisioning run to Safeway, in the rain as Wednesday was going to be worse! FOUR weather systems had passed through between Friday and Wednesday bringing gale force winds into Tongas Narrows. And now we have an “atmospheric river” bringing 2” to 4” of rain.

Thursday brought a break in the weather pattern and looked to be a good day to leave and head north. The Harbormasters Office reported 5” of rain fell in Ketchikan over the last 24-hour period.