JUNE 9, 2022 – SWANSON HARBOR TO JUNEAU

We set out early this morning on our 6 hour run to Juneau because John needs maximum time to arrange for a haul out for the whaler so he can fix the impeller. Juneau is about 15 miles as the crow flies but a couple long islands and a drying channel keep us from a direct route. Whales are still everywhere right now, they are so active in this area. We saw many spouts and tails enroute! Around 8:30 when businesses started answering phones, we were able to arrange for Karl’s Auto and Marine Repair to haul us out on a trailer so John could do the fix, but it required that we pull into Auke Bay Harbor which is about 10 miles north of downtown Juneau, with the drying flats between Auke Bay and our moorage, which means we have to approach Juneau from the south, a 3 hour trip from Auke Bay down and around Douglas Island and back up the Gastineau Channel to Juneau. Anyway, we found a spot at Auke Bay to park Esperança at the very very end of the breakwater, and I went to meet the rental car folks that were picking me up while John drove the whaler across the bay to the haulout. It was exactly 1062 steps from the end of the breakwater to the car, I counted, as I walked that distance for 2 round trips – getting in my steps! A long haul. After getting possession of the car I drove out and retrieved the parts and supplies John needed for his “surgery” and met him back at the haul out. He finally got the drive removed to inspect the impeller and found it pristine! Well that puzzled him because the water that circulates to cool the engine was restricted and he was sure it was the impeller. But finding nothing wrong, he no choice but to reassemble and get it back in the water, after which it ran just fine! Circulated water was streaming out as it’s supposed to do, so whatever changed during the disassembly apparently cleared it out. A lot of hassle but we like those easy fixes. John then cast off for his 3 hour cruise to the moorage while I drove the car down to the docks, stopping along the way for some needless shopping and checking stuff out, along with a quick pit stop at the Alaska Brewing Company tasting room because it was SO HOT today, and I needed a beverage! We reunited at the IVF (Intermediate Vessel Float) which is right downtown and nestled among the cruise ships and giant yachts. We are the little boats on the float, which normally will only allow boats 65’ and over to moor here but we called early enough in the spring to secure reservations. We had cocktail hour topside in the sun with David and Shannon, then went out to dinner at The Hangar on the Wharf, a lively pub on the water not far from us. I was delighted by the Halibut Piccata which I never would have thought to order at a pub, but it was exceptionally good!