Well I am sitting in Newport Harbor California so I think it is about time I update my web page. I really need to do this before we get to Mexico and no longer have internet.

After leaving Juneau we headed north just a bit before turning south looking for sun. It has been a very cold and damp summer so far. We were unable to get fuel in Juneau because of the 5 boats waiting for fuel, the six cruise ships between me and the dock ,adn the float planes coming and going every which direction. It was too much for me so off we went. The next fuel stop us in a small Indian reservation town called Hoonah not only was fuel $5.00+ check out this dock they hand the they hand the filler hose down from .

Once you got your fuel you have to climb a rebar ladder to the top to pay. With 25ft tides this can be up to about 30ft. It was about 25ft today and Helen made the trip for me. Our next stop for overnight was a small cove called Pavlof on our way we had one of the must exciting and scary adventures yet. We  were fishing for halibut in some very calm water, in the background we had a pod of Humpback whales just feeding and swimming around. Every now and then they would bubble net feed. For those who don't know bubble net feeding, that's where all the whales shoot to the surface in a circle blowing bubbles and feeding on the disoriented fish. At the surface they often come 8 to 10 feet out of the water with there mouths wide open. Quite a site to see from a distance

As you might have guessed this ended up happening within about 100ft from our side. I didn't get and pictures that close, but shortly after while taking a video all nine whales turn and start swimming right towards the boat

These whales are only about 60 ft from the boat are are coming right for us. I thought we were so screwed. There have been a number of accounts of Humbacks sinking boats that have just been in the way. Helen sat down on the deck and prepared for impact. 5 to 10ft from the boat they slip under us. The boat does a gentle rock from their movement, directly on the other side they surface and continue on their way. We had three boats call us to make sure we were ok. It actually shook me up more than Helen but we survived un touched

When we arrived at Cosmos Cove that night  we found it totally full of fishing boats. In the very back we were able to find a place to set the hook. The next morning they were all gone, but not far. Right outside the cove they were everywhere. How they were able to stay out of each others space was amazing. They only had a three day season so they were getting it done.

 Or next stop on our way south was a very small on the beach town of Tenakee Springs. This more or less a fishing village of about 50 houses. The claim to fame is a hot springs bath. Men only then women only till midnight after which it is "California Style" according to the dock master. I was invited to soak (naked) with all the local guys, but I declined. The town was great and the pictures show just a little bit of the charm.

The flower gardens were impressive and well care for something we didn't see very often. The picture on the left is a scar crow I found in the only vegetable garden around. Who they are trying to scare might be up for debate.

Our trip down Baranoff Island was magical. We were never out of sight of at least one pod of whales, both Killer and Humpbacks. We continuously saw wild life on shore,  and eagles  seem to be everywhere. It amazed me to see so much snow. Some of it was at the water level and this was July.

The sunsets on after another were one of a kind.

It didn't seem to mater which way you looked it was just awe inspiring

We stopped at a small cove and community called Baranoff Warm Springs. The was no room at the dock so we anchored in an even small cove just to the side. They have the greatest warm springs I have seen on the trip. There are several pools located alongside a rushing river heading to a falls. Each pool is a different temperature. We didn't bring a suit and going natural is not our style but it was fun to visit.

While hiking to the warm springs we found the most picturesque mountain lake of the trip

Once we were back down the trail we found the kind of hot tub we like. Private but still with a view.

A cedar tub, the other rooms had watering troughs. We had a very nice soak

To save on down load time I will start a new web page. Check out Heading South part 2