Sincerely, Denise

EIGHT FATHOM BIGHT TO ELFIN COVE

Monday, June 22^nd

Oh yes I can already feel the days getting shorter. Not really, it’s still light at 4AM, light until past 10PM. Today we pulled up stakes and departed for Elfin Cove, a darling tiny community on the edge of the Gulf of Alaska. It is built entirely on stilts and boardwalks, only about 20 people live here year ‘round, swelling to a couple hundred during the summer. Despite a population of 20 it has (I think) 4 fishing lodges here, one of which my son Jordan has been fortunate enough to come a couple of times (thanks Kevin!). The single linear dock is another “first come, first served” dock and only has room for 2-3 boats on either side so you never know for sure if you’ll get on the dock until you’re here. We had a Plan B anchorage picked out just in case. We arrived to find the dock full on one side and one space on the other which Abells were able to squeeze into. We motored away thinking we’d just go anchor out not far away, when Greg called and said a space had just opened up and there was room for us, so we did a 180 and got back to the dock and snagged the last spot! As always, we made our way up the boardwalk to find the local bar for a celebratory beer, and tour the town. Afterwards we did a little exploration of the surrounding coves in the whaler getting up close to the wild rocky shoreline and all its creatures – again many Eagles – and the Sea Lions like it here too. The fish are plentiful although not really running right now so everyone, including the wildlife, is waiting for the next run to surge through. Dinner was Chicken Chili and Cornbread and was delicious!