Finally, We're Cruising

The green line with arrows shows our route up Discovery Channel as we begin the trip.

June 4

Discovery Harbor Marina to Farewell Harbor

0650 departure.

Bleakney Pass was active with a 5-knot current running against us as we entered. Whirlpools formed all over the place, but the Capt quickly moved us to the far shore to minimize any twisting and turning. We focused on suddenly turbulent water ahead. It wasn’t a whirlpool, so what caused all of the splashing?  A sea lion surfaced with a salmon flopping in its mouth. Two seagulls circled around his head and harassed him with no effect. Suddenly an eagle swooped down and grabbed a piece of the fish. The sea lion lunged upward after the eagle, thrusting the upper third of his body into the air before crashing back into the water. But the eagle pulled up sharply, soaring away as he used his beak to tear into that strip of fish held in his talons. Where did the birds come from so quickly? All of the action took place within seconds, not minutes, as this drama unfolded.

Several cruise ships traveled through Bleakney Pass at slack current, without the excitement of any whirlpools. I wonder if current impacts a huge ship in the turns through a tight passage. Here’s a view of the Celebrity Century seen from our inside anchorage in Farewell Harbor.

Eager to Depart

The Capt. spends a lot of hours below deck in the engine room. Does he have a recliner and TV hidden down there somewhere?

April 28 - June 3

Discovery Harbor at the dock

Some major, unplanned projects accounted for the extra weeks in Campbell River. Shipping delays were to blame for several weeks of waiting around as parts came from across the U.S., but the work itself went well. Rhapsody is now running smoothly - too bad the new iPhone died and the new Verizon HotSpot won’t work in Canada.

A high-pressure ridge is building offshore with sunshine and high winds predicted for the next 4 days. We’ll see. Environment Canada is very conservative when it comes to marine weather forecasts. I hope they’re right about the sunshine and wrong about the winds.

Quick Ketchikan Note

Hooray! We crossed the border and have arrived in Ketchikan... and do I have some stories and photos to share. But first I have to find a stronger wi-fi connection. The Harbor internet isn't working this weekend, and our mobile Verizon HotSpot isn't connecting. I might spend a lot of time sipping coffee at Safeway while trying to post some updates from the deli counter, or I'll catch up in Petersburg some other day. Catch you later.