Patrick's Next Big Adventure

I took the ferry Columbia from Sitka to Ketchikan yesterday, arriving this morning about 9:15. I've been a bit rundown the last few days, so I layed around trying to shake it.
Very low clouds and raining the entire way. Nothing to report except a whale did a complete breach of the water twice for us, then played with his mother as she lay on her side and slapped her massive flipper  on the water. Two excited watching to get my camera, got a blurry shot of the last breach with my iphone.
One brave soul pitched a tent on the exposed deck, but the rest of us stayed under the glass.

Tomorrow I leave for Misty Fjords National Monument when Jared from Southeast Exposure is going to drop me off at the forest service cabin on Winstanley Island. I'm going to stay there the night, then kayak over to Rudyerd Bay and set up camp in an area called The Punchbowl. From there I'm going to kayak and explore further in the arm of the fjord until the 29th, then packup and kayak back to the cabin. I'll explore around the island until the 2nd, when Jared will pick me up and take me back to Ketchikan.
I will be out of contact with all until the 2nd. I have a vhf radio in case I need help, and a personal locator beacon in case I really need help. As soon as I get in range I will email to let you know I am alive and well.

What can I say? At least I didn't say it was the Loch Ness Monster.

Love this sign on the wall of the solarium.

Sitting in the solarium, where I spent the night.

Peace and love to you all.

Happy Fathers Day

Nothing says Fathers Day like the sound of gunfire outside of my tent! Apparently some fathers want to shoot little clay pigeons to celebrate fatherhood. The skeet range is about 50 yards from my tent. Hopefully they will go away soon.
Anywho, here's a tip of the coffee cup to all the fathers (and mothers who have to be fathers too)!

I walk this earth truly blessed to have two magnificent sons, Jamie and Corey!

 "A father is a man who expects his children to be as good as he meant to be." -- Carol Coats

Li-k'ei to one and all.
(Tlingit)

Hiking About

I went biking to town and back in the morning, then drove up to the top of the Harbor Mountain road. On a whim, I decided to hike up to the top of the peak that I saw from the bottom of the parking lot. I wasn't really planning on a hike, but it just looked so darn inviting. I didn't know that there was an easier way to get most of the way up there until I was coming down. It was a gorgeous day again and a very peaceful summit.

Hard way up.

That's the Subaru circles in red, and I'm about halfway up.

A couple of fun guys on the trail.

Getting close to the top.

On top, walking towards the edge.

Views from the edge.

These old, weathered trees were very cool.

I liked the white wake contrasting with the blue water.

Found the easy way (for a good part of the way) up and down while I was going down. Not as exciting, but easier on the knees.

Heiwa my Friends.
(Peace in Japanese)

Another Day In Paradise

The weather broke today so I decided to take the yak out for a spin over to Middle Island. I saw an otter on the way, but apparently it can swim much faster than I can paddle, so it kept far enough ahead of me as to make a picture blurry at best. Still, I watched him cavort for a bit before he headed off for parts unknown. There are houses on the island, so I had to hunt for a place to put in for lunch. Found a nice little bay on the west side.

Heading out, saw this little fixer upper.

View towards Sitka docks, but I'm going to hang a right.

Heading towards Middle Island.

That's an otter. Trust me.

Heading around to the west side of the island.

Lunch spot!

Found a parking spot.

Looks like a table for one, no waiting!

Heading back, smooth as glass.

La Paix, my friends!

Cruising the Neighborhood

Captain Barb invited me to accompany her and Kirsty on a cruise around the neighborhood in her spiffy boat. I did my best to stay out of their way as they got the boat ready and we headed north from The Fisherman's Quay north passed Middle Island, Starrigavan Bay (where I'm camped), around Krestoff Island, behind the Magoun Islands, then back to the Quay. It was a gorgeous day on the water!

Two painstakingly recreated nautical charts.

Cap'n Barb (on the boat), and one half of the motley crew (me being the other half).

The ubiquitous coffee cup.

 Heading out.

On the way out, we saw the Coast Guard practicing rescues.

Lava flow from the last time Mt. Edgecumbe erupted.

Nice little shack on its own island.

Whales!!!!!

Sing along with me: "This ain't sea world, this is as real as it gets. I'm on a boat.....!"

Returning home.

The Quay.

Thanks Barb!!!!