Sitka
After arriving in Sitka, we fueled up and got an end-tie in Eliason harbor for a few nights. We did laundry and some exploring, while taking some notes on places we wanted to revisit and had a nice dinner out. White King Salmon, steamer clams and rockfish fish and chips were shared with wine and Fresh Squeezed IPA. The place was a ghost town compared to any non-Covid summer day, but pretty dang nice for us and the food and service at the restaurant was really very good. As we wobbled home, a good night's sleep was in order after the big crossing and we slept in soundly. Lolo spent the next couple days working while Danny and I tackled some projects, then we headed out to Goddard Hot
Springs Saturday morning. The rain cleared and clouds parted as we watched numerous humpback whales breaching and tail-slapping, before arriving to a bright sunny calm anchorage at Goddard and waited our turn to hit the natural hot water pools. As we soaked in the upper pool/bathhouse, a gaggle of gals on a girl's day off took over the lower pool and had the time of their lives. Laughter spilled out in waves long after we left and I was sure there must have been some Champaign involved. We enjoyed some of the fresh halibut I'd previously caught in Seward with Tom and Jenny and made that al-la Marx Brothers style - Macadamia nut encrusted coconut curry. Had a great evening and again, slept well. We spent the next day trolling for salmon and had a couple on, but ended up accidentally catching two black
rockfish - which was awesome anyway as that's Danny's favorite fish. A couple more days, running errands and waiting for Lolo to finish her meetings, and we finished things off with a spectacular meal at Ludwig's Bistro. The food and deserts were amazing and a bit of a splurge as we'll be eating aboard for the next while. We then went for a spectacular walk after dinner through Totem Park. The paths led into a grove of giant trees and historic totem poles that were simply dwarfing. I'm so glad we got to see this spiritual quiet place and feel the history of its past. The totem artistry was ominous and fantastic!
We left Sitka today and transited Peril Straights and are now anchored in Appleton Cove - and old lugging camp. We watched a local fishing boat check his Dungeness crab pots, one of which he pulled 20 legal crabs from. Just one! I like this place. We may have to bribe him tomorrow with cash!