Saturday June 22, 2024
We left Tenakee Springs this morning at 5:00 a.m. I’m not a huge fan of super early out but some times you have to do it. The European model of Predict Wind was forecasting 4 knot winds with 13 knot gusts for the first couple hours of the journey, increasing to 15-17 knot gusts when we arrived at our anchorage. Buoyweather predicted smooth seas all the way to ELL Cove. Buoyweather was correct, and Predict Wind was totally off. This is why you have to consult multiple models, but taking off is always a leap of faith as to which one is going to be proven correct. Hope for the best, plan for the worst.
On our approach to ELL Cove we ran into pretty dense fog. We hate fog, however the radar on our new navigational system is so much easier to use and interpret we are less stressed this year than previous years.
Fog is never “fun”, and calls for continued vigilance of both Marlene and myself. It did make for more difficult entrance into ELL Cove, but thanks to GPS we made it in without incident.
Soon after we arrived the skies cleared and we had a sunny afternoon. We decided to go for a paddle around the cove. Marlene was the first one to spot the mother bear and her two cubs. We watched them walk the shoreline for about an hour. It was our first “bear encounter” this summer.
This made getting up early worth it. Ell Cove is a very small cove, probably good for about 3 boats but it is an extremely safe harbor, and since we were not sure of the sea conditions we opted to stop here. Below is a picture of our neighbor for the night.
The weather for the next two days looks good, even on what we now lovingly call the “Doomsday model” (formerly known as the European model). We are planning on going to Warm Springs which is a short 1.5 hour cruise.
Final note, I am still struggling with the VHF and MFD low voltage issue on our boat. When I switched the wires to get the VHF to stop the “Low Battery” chirping it worked, but it disabled our AIS. The wires have to be on the connection/transfer bus to work, but then I re-introduced the low voltage issue. Interestingly, if I run the generator the voltage is high enough then everything works. Hopefully running the inverter while the boat is underway will be enough to solve the problem in the short run until we get back to Petersburg. Tomorrow will tell.
I just caught up with a week’s worth of your adventures, and I’m so impressed at how you calmly solve problems. The photos are awesome! Alaska is truly a beautiful part of North America, which I am visiting vicariously through you two. Chas and I could never do what you’re doing. Thanks so much for sharing your adventure. Wishing you sunshine and calm seas.
I’ve loved all your pictures and tales of mechanical and nautical adventures. I want to hear about provisioning and cooking. Has your supply of home made jam still getting you fresh seafood? When you get up at 3, do you eat then? Inquiring minds want to know!