Tenakee Springs . . .

. . . is every bit as charming as I'd always heard. After staying three days in Auke Bay (because it was just too sunny and pretty and we kept forgetting to leave) we headed south towards Tenakee Springs and Sitka. As we left Auke Bay and rounded the north end of Admiralty Island, we gave the weather broadcast one last listen to see if the weather up the Lynn Canal had calmed down enough to permit a trip to Scagway and Haines. Although these two lovely small cities were on our original itinerary, the prospect of three days slogging northward with 25-30 knots of wind on our nose and the tides mostly against us dimmed our enthusiasm considerably. To cement our decision, an hour trying to sail in those conditions resulted in two very scared cats below decks puking everywhere. I mean everywhere.

So, Tenakee Springs it is. On our arrival at Tenakee's small boat harbor we were greeted by Sandra and Timo from S/V Ultima, a couple from Germany who are cruising the world, a few months at a time, and whom we had befriended over beer at the harbor in Auke Bay. They're traveling the same general route as we are and planning to leave Ultima in Petersburg for the winter while they go back to Europe to earn a few Euros to support their sailing habit.

After paying the Tenakee "harbor maven" (as she called herself) for a couple nights' moorage, we've strolled Tenakee's gravel path "main street", soaked ourselves in the famous hot bath (separate bath house hours for the boys and the girls), purchased a locally grown head of cabbage that will soon be a nice cole slaw, had a burger and some truly great hand-cut and cooked french fries at the Blue Moon Cafe (otherwise known as "Rosie's") and been given some fresh dungeness crab by Tom, a local gentleman who recognized our boat and came by to say that he knew Tom Clark, her prior owner. Small world, indeed. Maybe we'll pull out tomorrow and head for Sitka. Or maybe we'll stay a couple extra days.