09/12/2009, Kodiak Alaska
We arrived on Monday the 7th with overcast sky' in the drizzling rain, a bit disappointed not to get to Geographic which is on the other side of the Strait, but like most of this trip, we were out running weather and heading to safe harbor because a low i.e. storm was heading our way.
We left Wide Bay before sunrise and were safely tucked into a bay on the west side of Kodiak/Whale Pass by 2am the next morning. Anchored, caught a few hours of sleep and then set off to Kodiak/Whale pass at daybreak.
In Whale Pass we motored between scores of sea otters, puffins and many other sea birds, we even passed a whale. The Sea otters were swimming on their backs eating fish and watching us pass like we were there for entertainment.The people in Kodiak met us with enthusiasm and hospitality. We met Rich and his wife Mickey, Rich is retired Navy and has went on to be one of the best weather informants in the area working for National Weather Service. They moved to Kodiak about 10 years ago. Rich was a great help with weather on this passage from Dutch Harbor.
Delivered smoked salmon to Nancy, Elaine's Mom from Adak.
We also met Captain Bill, he and his family moved here from the East Coast some 30 years ago and has several boats and his own fishing business.
His most recent Bear story; an Australian cruising couple (Jill and Matt) who have arrived just a few weeks ahead of us had went to a local bay North of Kodiak for a few days of exploring. On the morning they were getting ready to leave the anchorage there was a bear asleep on their mooring line tied to a tree ashore. They tried to shooo-ed him away but he was not budging. So Matt rowed ashore while Captain Bill kept a shotgun handy just in case the bear tried to attack Matt but fortunately the bear had little interest in Matt and wondered off into the forest.
Another Bear story from Matt and Jill; this took place in Geographic. While they were ashore and exploring a bear decided to have some fun after finding their inflatable kayaks on the beach. He snapped all four of the oars and also poked several holes in the vinyl while playing and tossing the boats around. Finally some people chased the bear away and his fun was over. Needless to say they had a time taping the boats up enough to get back to their sailboat and now have them ashore in Kodiak getting them repaired. I am looking forward to seeing one of these magnificent creatures in the wild. Hopefully bear pictures will follow....
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Comments [1]
If you see Chris Diaz in the clinc say hello. What took you to Adak? Did you miss the winds of WY?
Dave
09/05/2009, 57 26'N:156 12'W, Shelikolf Strait
September 5, 2009 We just dropped our hook by Coal Point, North of Wide Bay on the West side of Shelikof Strait. We were greeted by two sea otters as we approached and many sea birds. It feels like a summer's day here. The warm sun light casts shadows on the birds as we watched their reflections as they would swoop and glide on the water as they flew overhead.
I put a hook over the side to try my luck at catching a Halibut, well the next thing I knew the rod was almost bent in half and as I grabbed it I shouted for Steve to grab the gaff "cause I had a big one". Well I didn't appreciate just how big these fish get and luckily it snapped the line before we even got it close to being on board.
We were both quite relieved, however it was so exciting to see one up close and hook something that big.
Since then we spoke to another cruising couple that caught one and it created such a mess (fish slime all over) and thrashed around so much it almost knocked them off their Norhaven 45 aft deck. That made us twice as happy we didn't have a chance to land it.
They were told to either trail it behind to tire it out or shoot is before bringing it on deck. We are talking serious size here!
Steve is down getting weather for our passage across the strait into Kodiak.
After reading our Alaska bible, Coast Pilot #9 and speaking with several natives, we had anticipated a horrendous passage through the Shelikof strait and even though we are doing no sailing we feel quite blessed with the current weather thus far it has been great.
This life reminds me of my days on the farm when we lived mainly by mother natures rules, however here we also have currents, sea states and winds that drive our days. Well here's to a good nights sleep, after two beautiful nights of a full moon and calm seas passage-life is good!
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What equipment do you wish you had, or what would you change about the boat?
S/V Empress
09/04/2009, 54 45'N:161 14'W, South of the Alaska Peninsula
September 3, 2009 We tucked into a fine "hidey hole" last night on a little island called Sanak. The winds and seas were increasing; a small craft advisory had been issued for our area. It was a beat for about two hours into high seas and wind and as soon as we slipped behind the rock wall into our anchorage stillness and calm surrounded us, it was heaven. We put the anchor down by the light of the full moon after 10 pm, not long after the sun had sank behind the mountains. Night comes late to Alaska this time of year, the sunrise is 7am and sets around 10. So we are sailing tonight under the same beautiful full moon, after a 3pm departure this afternoon. The seas are down and we hope to travel on till we get closer to Kodiak. We haven't seen many whales a few spouts here and there, lots of birds, my favorites are the Puffins, they are like little fat hens that work so hard to get up out of the water to fly. We went through a flock of birds dive-bombing an entire area it was quite a site - I guess it was their way of fishing. Till next report we are happy and safe, love to you all.
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