August 15-16
Hi All,
We did leave Kukak finally at 6am on Wednesday 8/15…..yea!!! Beautiful sunrise at about 6:40am. Our course took us past the Hallo Bay (still in Katmai NP on the Alaskan Peninsula….about 25nm NE of Kukak) where we had a good view of the Hallo Glacier coming off Mt Stellar and Mt Kukak Volcano….yes, really, that is its name…both about 7000’…..a spectacular sight. Kathy read sometimes the bear tours from Homer come over here….we can understand why!!! We also came within 30nm of Mt Augustine in Kamishak Bay….over by the McNeil River Inlet which is its own State Game Sanctuary…..4,000′ high…13 eruptions in Feb 2006….maybe the most photographed volcano in the area…..iconic cone shape. At one point we were going to go over and anchor by the McNeil River Inlet but the weather and timing were off so no go!!! The volcano looked like steam was still coming out….whoa!!!
The passage was 100.4nm…..all in trawler like conditions….winds <10kts, seas <2’….13.25 hours….yep, a very long day. We ran at 1700 rpm….normal is 1600 rpm….avg 7.6 kts….ugh…should have been 8.3kts…..we fought a foul tidal current most of the way….speed ranged from 6.0-9.0kts….avg foul current was 0.7kt….ugh,, ugh, ugh!!!! We left in the Shelikof Strait and then crossed over the Cook Inlet….can be a nasty body of water in strong winds….a confluence of 3 major bodies of water….Shelikof, Cook and Gulf…..even in calm conditions there were some whirlpools, tidal waves et al….sometimes a 2.5 kt foul current….whoa!!! We were very happy to finally cross these waters and be on the Kenai Peninsula….it seems we have been trying to do this for about 3 weeks with all the delays!!!
We arrived in Port Chtaham around 7:15pm, anchor down, passage beers open by 7:30pm…..beautiful anchorage….surrounded by tree covered mountains….maybe 2-3,000′ high….no snow however and looks like some beetle/mite kill effecting many of the trees…..we will have to find out more!!! AND, we were surrounded by otters….ODG….maybe 20-30 throughout this big Bay…one hunted by our boat….30-50′ away….come up, on its back, feet up, chomp, chomp, chomp on a clam….then look around…sometimes right at us….said hello…want some clams…thanks, we just ate….then huge breath and dive, dive, dive….come up 2-3 min later and repeat….he seemed older….whitish face, few wrinkles….maybe gray….I can relate:)))
We left Port Chatham for Homer at 7am on Thursday, Aug 16…..and fought that darn foul tidal current AGAIN…..like the whole way….our timing could not have been worse…..arghhhhh!!!! 45nm, 6+ hours, all in very calm, ideal trawler like conditions…speed ranged from 5.3-8.7kts!!! We arrived in Homer at 1:15pm….plugged into shorepower and everything worked the fist time…..wow, had to pinch myself….then started water….then opened passage beers all by 2pm….LIG!!!!
The Plan: We will be in Homer for 4N/4D…..we have a bear/sightseeing float plane tour tomorrow, then 2 days to explore, provision and get a new crab pot. We hope to leave Monday, weather permitting to start to explore the Kenai Peninsula and Prince William Sound for 2-3 weeks!!!
Hope all is well!!
John
Mystic Moon
Rest Mystic Rest!!!
Otter in Port Chatham munching on a clam!!
View of Hallo Glacier off Shelikof Strait
Views at Geographic Harbor, Katmai NP
Mystic Moon at anchor in Geographic Harbor
Alaskan Brown (Grizzly) Bear…..mama and 2 cubs!!
Mama hunting for salmon why the cubs look on!!
Mama looking intently!!
These guys are huge!!
Got one!!!
Eggs Oscar……spinach, crab, tomato, and Bearnaise….and of course Jimmy Dean sausage….YUMMERS!!!
Views at Kukak Bay, Katmai NP
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John
I am headed to Soldotna tomorrow for the weekend–I think that is about 50 miles from Homer. Was planning to do some fishing, but it might be more fun to come down and see you and your lovely bride. Actually, I have that backwards. Left you a voicemail. Call me 719 671-2668