May 23, 2005 Head of Esther Bay to Nellie Juan Anchorage Day 84
While underweigh today I carefully placed Neptune’s expensive camera on the floor of the cockpit. Then I dropped a winch handle really loud to create the illusion the camera fell. Nep shot out of the cabin so fast I didn’t have time to put the winch handle away, however, and he quickly figured it out. Next time I’ll have to hide the camera and create a large splash. The water in Nellie Juan anchorage is a bright Kool-aid blue-green and looks very refreshing on a hot day like today. The water’s surface is dusted with bands and swirls of yellow pollen, drifted off from the surrounding forests. In some places it is extremely thick, and Silent Partner looks like she is anchored on a manicured golf course. Neptune and I went for a hike through the bear-track filled snowfields. Earlier in the day we saw a big old grizzly from the boat. My legs are extremely out of shape for hiking after being on the boat for 80 days. I stopped frequently to empty the snow from my boots (should’ve brought my snowshoes!) and drink from the streams.
