MAY 14, 2022 – BAKER INLET TO KETCHIKAN - PART TWO

WOW, we could not have dreamed of a better day to cross the formidable Dixon Entrance. Was the best crossing of any strait I think we have ever had in recent memory. Sun was out all day, the snowy peaks of mainland Canada into Alaska gleaming. We had not intended to cross today – we had reservations for 1 night at Prince Rupert Rowing and Yacht Club, one of our MBYC reciprocal moorage locations - but after leaving Baker Inlet both captains began researching the upcoming forecast for Dixon and came to the mutual conclusion that we really should bypass Prince Rupert and steam ahead. The water was like glass for the first 6 hours while we were protected by islands to the west, then a slight ripple on occasion across the open water of Dixon, calming to very small ocean swells and barely a ripple. With the glorious sunshine streaming into our pilothouse, we soon had to crack open some windows to cool off! What a great problem to have. Just south of Ketchikan while I was at the helm I noticed this giant “log” sticking straight up in the water off my starboard bow. I picked up the binoculars and exclaimed to John “that’s a very nasty deadhead waiting for someone” then noticed it had EYES! It was the strangest looking creature I’ve seen – not a sea lion or seal, in fact at first I thought it was some sort of strange whale. After searching the internet endlessly for something that resembled what I saw, we concluded it was a walrus. No time to get a picture though! By 5:30 both boats were secured at the docks at Ketchikan Moorage, a very small facility we like better than the main boat harbor in Ketchikan. We are right down among the working boats and a seaplane launch. The most remarkable thing is that along the way up we saw relatively few eagles, and here along the waterfront they are circling the boats and chattering in their distinctive voice. At one point one contemplated landing on our bow rail but moved along. Dinner tonight was a welcome trip to Oceanview Restaurant, a combination Italian/Mexican restaurant, for enormous margaritas and Mexican food. All of us had the “sways” from being on the water all day and were pretty wiped out from a 12 hour run. But what a good decision to cross and get that behind us. Now we’re in Ketchikan for 5 nights, which will be a welcome respite.

Lighthouse north of Prince Rupert, Dundas Island I think

Looking west to the open ocean half way across Dixon, so smooth!

I found this ominous - a frowny cloud while finishing our Dixon crossing

Looking south, about 2 hours outside of Ketchikan, just glorious, Lucky Dog in the distance

Arriving into Ketchikan

Had to snap this picture given it's probably the only sunny day we'll get in Ketchikan! Such a colorful and picturesque town