Friday, June 11. 3:50 am. Departed Appleton Cove-bound for Baranof Warm Springs. As the saying goes, the early bird catches the worm, or in our case, the early vessel beats the wind. Our goal is to beat the impending storm. 5:00 am. Calm seas in Peril Straight. Once again we spotted the Humpbacks, such amazing animals. We slowed Steel Eagle to an idle and just watched the performance as their ballet unfolded. They are very difficult to catch on camera so we just watched from the distance in awe!

6:00 am. We entered Thatcher Channel and the wind, once again is not in our favour, 18 knots on our nose. SE Alaska is not for the avid sailor. 7:00 am. And out into Chatham Straight; wind 20 knots, on our nose. We just have to beat into the waves, there is no turning back.

10:00 am Approached Baranof dock but there is no room, so plan B is to drop the hook in the nearest bay. 12:30 pm as luck would have it, Beverly and Jerry aboard Silver Star, are already on the dock. Realizing, we are anchored in the bay, they sent out a radio call to advise us that a spot was now available and we could join them. We spent the next two days tied safely to the dock, out of the storm, while enjoying the great company and the very inviting Baranof Warm Springs.
On the dock we had the opportunity to meet one of the summer locals, Vic, and his puppy Lola. We shared some guitar jamming in the cockpit of his boat Allegra.
BARANOF FALLS AND VIC AND LOLA, Beverly and Jerry
Saturday June 12. Still blowing; up to 38 knots in the harbour. We will stay put today and test the warm springs.
Sunday June 13. Still blowing strong! Wendy searched out the children on the dock. Dusty, age 13 and Blue, 9,( celebrating her birthday today. Back to Steel Eagle to bake some chocolate chip muffins for a birthday treat on board. The girls were traveling with their parents Kip and Dawndie, and live in Whitehall, Montana. Nice Family, What Fun!
Monday June 14. The sun has finally shown his face once again. Steel Eagle and Silver Star decide it is time to poke their bows into Chatham Chanel. The storm has passed. We decided to travel together for a few days and check out the sites.
12:30 pm. Dropped the hook in Chapin Bay .This anchorage is locally known as “Hole in the Wall”.







Tuesday June 15. Left Chapin Bay at 6:00 am, so we could stop in at the new docks at Kake to rid ourselves of some garbage and stretch our legs. This Tlingit community, (used to be 715, now may have 320 residents) boasts Alaska’s tallest totem pole, at 132.5 feet. Not only is it the tallest, but can boast as having traveled to Japan to the World’s Fair. As we walked the mile and a half toward town a Durango passed us heading the other direction but soon was back and Clarence, a local native, offered to give us a ride. He toured us through the entire village giving an informative talk of not only past but present, and then dropped us back at our initial objective the store/hardware. He then hurried off to meet his wife for their anniversary lunch. Shopping done we did the one way hike back to our boats.











2:45 pm. We slipped the lines and departed to catch the rising tide to Summit Island in Rocky Pass. This passage has been our greatest navigational challenge and is not recommended by some of the cruising guides. At low water the channel has a least depth of five feet. The maze of Islands would make traditional navigation almost impossible.
PICTURE-Devils Elbow
Do not go here without a chart plotter and a recent paper chart. We anchored in Baidarka anchorage, half way through Rocky Pass to await high tide again the next morning. Sunday June 15 at 4:00 am we were off again to catch the ebb down through the Devil’s Elbow. The question is, where is it safe?
So nice to travel with Beverly and Jerry, on Silver Star. Local knowledge is always the best. They have been traveling these waters for close to 20 years. Thanks Silver Star.
6:30 am. Smooth sailing out on Sumner Straight.
7:30 am. We were rafted beside Silver Star in Port Protection. The town is still asleep as we slide onto the docks. Time for a nap!
Anchored inside Port Protection is the MV Georgia Lee. So if you don’t like the view from the water mates, just bring along your own helicopter.








2:15 pm. We decided the seas were just too calm to sit idle. Off again, as humpbacks feed happily
4:45 pm. This time we will spend the night in Exchange Cove and watch the crab boat pulling its pots!











5:00 am. Started the engine and we departed the captivating Exchange Cove to point the bow south.
11:30 am. Tied to the dock at the City of Thorne Bay?!