Pacific NW

Expeditions

Today we slept in and had a lazy day! Last night, with the help of our new friend Roger, we obtained a grim weather forecast: wind from the north 40-45 knots all day. We awoke to a gusty wind shrieking through the shrouds, safe in the harbor. It was yet another clear, albeit windy, day. Roger and his wife live on a Nauticat in Ketchikan Yacht Club, and he was nice enough to share with us the keys to the kitchen and showers, and detailed weather faxes. Roger used to fly all over SE Alaska and was very knowledgeable about the weather patterns. He has also made the crossing from Prince William Sound to SE Alaska, which makes him the first person I’ve found who’s done it. He spoke encouraging words of Silent Partner. After breakfast Lee and Christoph set out to hike up a huge mountain directly behind Ketchikan. I stuck around home, cleaned the boat, and enjoyed being alone with Silent Partner for the afternoon. We deemed today a “fudge factor day”, in that we have roughly 5 extra days to do as we please and can still make it to Juneau in time to pick up my Dad. In one of Ketchikan’s many tourist candy shops, we bought one pound of fudge and received one pound for free. Off-season special! The fudge was promptly divided into 5 sections and we consumed the first of our “fudge factor” ration. It was a relaxing day, and I’d say we all deserved the rest, but in reality the whole trip has been pretty relaxing. Roger gave us the forecast in the evening: north winds 25-30 knots diminishing. Tomorrow we go. We have enjoyed our time in Ketchikan and are eager to set out into Alaska!