We left Dundas island early in the morning. Crossing Dixon entrance was miserable again, the admiral was seasick for a few hours. Once we crossed the entrance, conditions calmed down and the ride was easy. We arrived in Ketchikan to find 4 cruise ships in port and the marina we had booked was practically under the nose of a Norwegian ship. It also had a flat plane dock right next door. Ryan at Moorage Marina was very helpful when we docked, and he pointed us in the direction of everything we would be needing in town. 

We went to bed at about 21;30 and suddenly heard a bit of a commotion on the foredeck. As we came up the steps to the pilot house we saw 2 giant bald eagles scrambling around in the portuduese bridge. One flew off and the other went and perched on the railing giving us this beautiful image. Welcome to Alaska! The next morning we found a 10lb fish lying in the portuguese bridge. This was obviously what they were fighting over. We are still trying to get the blood stains out. 

We then took a leisurely cruise to Santa Anna Inlet. The Ketchikan fire department had issued a weather warning for a severe storm headed our way and this inlet would offer perfect protection. It was beautiful and peaceful and we were joined by N76 Seacret for a couple of days. 

Next we headed up to Wrangell. Contrary to the weather forecast, it was foggy, rainy and very Alaskan for the whole day. We had to miss the Anan Bear sanctuary but had beautiful misty scenes throughout Blake Channel and into the Eastern Passage. 

The marina in Wrangell was fairly empty when we arrived but the following afternoon, the lovely Kariwa was surrounded by fishing boats. Seems Monday is the day they all come in to port for various reasons. Wrangell is a typical small fishing town with a cruise terminal so most of the shops are geared to the cruising community. Nearly all the restaurants and coffee shops close at 2pm. We found this out when we arrived at The Wolf Shack (I think that's the correct name) at 14:02, very hungry, only to be told "sorry - we are closed".

Frank was not happy. Luckily the Stickine Inn was open and serving lunch. Frank had the Fish and chips, and I had the fish burger. The best fish burger I have ever had.

The following morning we left the dock in very thick fog. Visibility was less than a quarter mile. We drifted around for about an hour before it lifted enough for us to go to the fuel dock where we loaded up 800 gallons of fuel and 10 gallons of gas for the dinghy. Now for the Wrangell Narrows. 20 miles of narrow but but well marked fairways. The current was sometimes strong, and other times, very strong. We hurried to the entrance to beat the tug pulling a barge loaded with about 30 containers. Imagine being stuck behind them for the next 20 miles. It may have been interesting to see how they maneuver some of those tight turns. The scenery was very beautiful along the way. By the time we got to Petersburg, the current was almost 6kts against us. Good times.

When we entered Frederick Sound, the wind hit us. Gusting way over 35kts sometimes. Bringing with it confused seas of about 3ft and a couple of icebergs from Le Conte Glacier.

We are now anchored in Thomas Bay. It is calm and sunny and our neighbors have a helicopter on the aft deck.