Captain’s Log: July 4th 2022 in Sitka!!

June 17 – July 7

Hi All,

We had a very relaxing and fun time in California visiting with family and friends. However at one point several of our neighbors were traveling and we found ourselves watching the various houses and taking out garbage et al….roles were definitely reversed…payback time!!! But, we continue to love it there….lots to do and good comradery!!

So how did the doc visits go….Ears fine, heart fine, blood work fine….joints….hmmmm….how’s it going John, the orthopedic asks….could be better….how’s the right knee, ok if I don’t use it….hmmm, it’s been 6+ months, time for the knife….ok….how’s the right shoulder…ok, if I don’t use it….hmmm, it’s been over a year, to the knife for that one too….but, I’m going back to Mystic July/Aug….not what I’d advise but ok, do you have enough Meloxicam and whiskey (he didn’t really say that but he should have:)))) So, right knee surgery late Sept, right shoulder surgery 4+ week after….arghhhhhh!!!! But wait, Left hip hurts….hmmmmm, maybe due to right knee, Chester, but…..x-rays came back ok…good news….did an MRI and shows inflamed tendons, but joint ok….take Meloxicam for 2 weeks, stretch and try to not over do it and hopefully it calms down….OK…..BUT wait, there’s more, left knee hurts…is it as bad as the right knee, no….like maybe right knee 5 years ago…ok, we’ll work on that after all your rehab on the other joints….whoa and oweee…getting old sucks a bit!!!!

We came back to Mystic on 7/2….hmmm….I’m not sure what we were thinking other than we wanted to be back for the July 4th small town celebration and fireworks. We just completely spaced on traveling over the 4th…duh….but, Alaska Air did ok…the Oakland flight was 30 minutes late to Seattle and by the time we made it to the Seattle flight it was boarding, but we made it and in fact the flight was 30 minutes early into Sitka!!! Unfortunately, the City of Sitka decided to do their big firework show on 7/1 versus the scheduled time of 7/3, so we missed it….arghhhhhh…..we still haven’t heard why the change in dates:((((

Covid: We wore masks the entire time we traveled even though it was all voluntary. I’d say maybe 50% were wearing masks. B.A. 4&5 are a bit concerning!!

Mark & Roseanne (mv Koinonia, a Selene 60) were here, actually got a slip as the Commercial troller salmon opened for outside waters on 7/1 which created a lot of room in the marina. We had opening ceremonies on their boat and they caught us up on there recent trip to/from Prince William Sound….which we will hopefully do again next year!!! Mystic was still in very good shape…thanks Tom the Boatwatcher!! We had dinner at the Mean Queen (local pub) Sunday night and then came back to Mystic for a few wee drams and wine and watched many local firework shows that started around 10:30pm and lasted to after 11:30pm…whoa. Monday, the 4th, had us downtown eating fresh fried halibut, walking the various shops then watching a 30 minute local parade, highlighted by the Coast Guard and 2 helicopter flyovers!!! We all then came back to our boats for a brief rest, then had closing ceremonies on Mystic….brats on the barbie…..wine and wee drams…..but it was an early night as M&R were getting up early to head out and do some fishing!!

Boat Projects: John-boy: 

– replaced the windshield wiper solenoid and plumbing connections….and drum roll…. it works with no leaks…for now….seems to have more pressure/water on the wipers so looking good for cleaning the windows

– replaced the Kabola defrost motor/blower….was able to screw in 3 of 5 screws….all are hidden and almost impossible to access…but, it seems secure so will go with it for now….and yes, maybe a few sailor words were thrown in:)))

– replaced both membranes on watermaker, ppm <100….yea….problem solved!!!!

– washed boat, got all the fishing gear ready 

Kathy:

– made the 3rd stateroom ready for the granddaughters, installed a guard rail on top bunk

– menu planned and provisioned

– childproofed boat as best one can:)))

The Plan: Dave, Dana, Kennedy and Roxie arrive on 7/11 and leave on 7/19. On Wednesday, we have a guide to take Dave and I fly fishing in the local rivers for trout. Other than that, we will hopefully go hunt for some whales, bears and salmon in very calm waters and enjoy Sitka (bird sanctuary, bear sanctuary and hatchery)!!

Hope all is well!!

John

Mystic Moon

PS: Pictures on the website completing our cruise in June: 

http://mysticmoonvoyages.com/photo-gallery/nggallery/main-album/peril-strait-to-sitka