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Discovery and Hunkydory in South East Alaska 2015
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Hunkydory



Joined: 28 Mar 2005
Posts: 2652
City/Region: Cokeville, Wyoming
State or Province: WY
C-Dory Year: 2000
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Hunkydory
Photos: Hunkydory-Jay-and-Jolee
PostPosted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 9:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yesterday we slow cruised down the Lynn Canal for 95 miles & spent the night at Swanson harbor located at the junction of Icy Straits & the Lynn Canal. Today it's beautiful weather, the likes, we only saw twice in three months during our 2012 Alaska cruise. We are now going up Port Fredrick near Hoonah to spend the night at a old logging dock. My SPOT device quit working so follow us both on Brent & Dixie's Delorme In Reach. https://share.delorme.com/FBrentBetenson

Dixie hasn't been able to wifi connect & I can on the IPad so I'm filling in for now.

Had a nice night at the old forest service dock with a otter eating fish on the dock between the tied up boats & swimming around trying to figure out what we were or at least what we were dong on its dock. This morning a whale came up fairly close to the dock & provided good entertainment. Before leaving Jolee & I walked to a forest service cabin a half mile away while Brent & Dixie were fishing & was kept on our toes by extreme amount of fresh bear sign. Tonight we're at the Hoonah Marina having loaded up on fuel & are now going to hit the showers, so to be ready for the 40 mile run to Elfin Cove tomorrow. The weather is supposed to hold, so have plans to go out into the open Gulf of Alaska from Cross Sound, circling Yakobi Island & enter Lisianski Strait to Pelican in the reverse of our past routes. 16 miles today & 151 total.

Steve, no way we could forget your past hospitality & help or the assurance of more if needed.

Jay

_________________
Jay and Jolee 2000 22 CD cruiser Hunkydory
I will not waste my days in trying to prolong them------Jack London
https://share.delorme.com/JuliusByers
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Discovery



Joined: 08 Dec 2003
Posts: 1239
City/Region: LOA, UTAH
State or Province: UT
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Discovery
Photos: Discovery
PostPosted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 2:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Skagway is a beautiful little town at the base some very tall mountains on the British Columbia and Alaska border. You wind down about 3000 feet on a road that would give concern with bad brakes. Brent used the transmission on our truck to slow our descent and we had no difficulty with our three good brakes. We passed through the U.S. border crossing and Jay did fine—He didn’t have to tell the Americans where he lived. Skagway has one grocery store, one gas station, one bank, one post office and one liquor store and between mid-May and Mid-September, 20,000 of your closest friends from all over the world. There are four or five huge cruise ships there every day from morning until night. You can buy tranzinite, gold and every other type of jewelry—probably at least 20 jewelry stores— and every possible type of t-shirt and nic-nac shops. When cruise season is over, the summer workers leave, and Skagway becomes the quaint little town with 500 residents.

We celebrated Jolee’s birthday with a drive out to Dyea on friday. That is the place that the gold miners came to begin their hike over the Chilkoot trail to the Yukon during the gold rush. In 1898 there was an avalanche that came down and wiped out the men up on the chillkoot pass. Very interesting history there. After our road trip we had birthday cake.

We waited out the weather in Skagway until June 13th and left the harbor at 4:10 a.m. Yes, it was fully light. We traveled down the Lynn Canal for 98 miles running on one motor at a time at about 2000 rpm. We traveled for 13 hours—yes is was still fully light —and used 21 gallons of fuel. Along the way there were several pods of Dal Porpoise and several whales that appeared to be young humpback.There were also large humpbacks in the deepwater of the Lynn Canal. Jay led us to a very protected anchorage in Swanson Bay where we tied to a public dock with several other boats. We left after a restful night and headed across the east end of Icy Straights toward Hoonah. We didn’t need fuel or provisions yet so passed Hoonah and went into Port Frederick. There we tied to a dock provided by the Forest Service. We’ve seen silver salmon jumping and lots of whale blows but no clear whale sightings today.

Jay posted on our stay in eight fathom bite in Fredrick sound--good job Jay. We came back to Hoonah and bought fuel. We got 4.51 mpg on the Tom Cat--damn amazing and HunkyDory got 7 mpg--also damn amazing. The temperature is unseasonably warm--81 degress today. Our Wallas gave us scare--seems many a Wallas comes to Alaska to die--but it turned out to be okay with it being only a power issue. Thank you Wallas God!!

It is so beautiful here. More info when we get wifi again.

_________________


Brent and Dixie,
1984 22' Classic sold 2003
2003 24' TomCat sold 2005
2006 TC255 Discovery Sold 2020
2006 CD 22' Angler Sold 2014
https://share.delorme.com/FBrentBetenson
"Free men do not ask permission to bear arms." ~ Thomas Jefferson
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jkidd



Joined: 23 Oct 2006
Posts: 1609
City/Region: Northern, Utah
State or Province: UT
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Voyager
Photos: Voyager (JK)
PostPosted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 8:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sure looks like a fun time. I see on the map you made it to Elfin Cove.
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Jody Kidd
KE7WNG
Northern, Utah

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Salmon Fisher



Joined: 07 Aug 2009
Posts: 799
City/Region: Arlington
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2004
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Kim Christine
Photos: Kim Christine
PostPosted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 8:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Are you guys going fishing out of the Elfin Cove area? I am so jealous, have seen a couple TV shows, Larry Czonka North to Alaska, who fished out of there. And Don on Knotty C has, too. Man, I need to get up there!
Can't wait for more posts and photos!

_________________
Patrick and Kim Walker

2004 25 Cruiser-Present

2000 22 Cruiser 2009-2014 (Sold)
2006 25 Cruiser 2014-2019 (Sold)
1985 22 Classic -2019 (Sold)
1991 19 Arima Sea Ranger-2019-2021 (Sold)
2015 27 Ranger Tug-2019-2023 (Sold)
1987 22 Cruiser -2021-2023 (Sold)

Honey, this REALLY will be my last boat, honest!
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jkidd



Joined: 23 Oct 2006
Posts: 1609
City/Region: Northern, Utah
State or Province: UT
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Voyager
Photos: Voyager (JK)
PostPosted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 10:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Could you guys up there turn on a web cam for a little while each night? Very Happy
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Hunkydory



Joined: 28 Mar 2005
Posts: 2652
City/Region: Cokeville, Wyoming
State or Province: WY
C-Dory Year: 2000
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Hunkydory
Photos: Hunkydory-Jay-and-Jolee
PostPosted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 10:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes Jody, we made it it to Elfin Cove. A bit choppy & into a three plus mph current the last 20 miles. They now have 3G AT&T here so can use the IPad & that now is from a wooden bench & walkway overlooking the narrow entrance to the inner cove. I took the Mokai up to the new facilities for Eagle Charters only to find Ken no longer works there. No doubt he has posted that, but somehow Brent & I missed it if he did. The weather report is calling for only 2 foot seas on the outer coast tomorrow, so hoping Brent gets some fishing in & us all a good run around Yakobi Island. The next few days are supposed to continue this unbelievably good weather & we hope to take advantage of it.

Jay
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Discovery



Joined: 08 Dec 2003
Posts: 1239
City/Region: LOA, UTAH
State or Province: UT
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Discovery
Photos: Discovery
PostPosted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 11:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

We left Hoonah at 7:00 am today with calm seas. We were heading to Elfin Cove via the Icy Strait and South Inian Pass. The tide and wind both hit us and it got really lumpy before we got here. We went 46 miles and used 18.4 gal. of fuel. Elfin cove is built in a protected canyon with the houses and shops constructed on the steep mountain side. There is a wooden boardwalk that connects everything together. Fishing lodges and commercial fishing are the total economy with the exception of the service industry to keep the lodges going. There are only 16 full time residents but the fishing lodges bring in 15,000 clients each year.

Tomorrow we plan to go out Cross Sound and south around Yakobi Island in the big water. Our destination is a Forest Service dock in the Lisianski Strait. Having a great time! Jay is an excellent guide and we are lucky to have someone with so much experience leading us.
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Discovery



Joined: 08 Dec 2003
Posts: 1239
City/Region: LOA, UTAH
State or Province: UT
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Discovery
Photos: Discovery
PostPosted: Mon Jun 29, 2015 8:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

We have been in Pelican and then two weeks in the Chichagof Wilderness. Now in Sitka and back to phone service. Dixie will write-up and post the day by day stories later tonight or tomorrow.
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Discovery



Joined: 08 Dec 2003
Posts: 1239
City/Region: LOA, UTAH
State or Province: UT
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Discovery
Photos: Discovery
PostPosted: Mon Jun 29, 2015 11:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

6-17-2015

22.8 Miles today with 6.2 gal. of fuel used. Left Elfin Cove at 7:00. Weather negated the trip out to the big ocean—4 ft. waves with 15 kt. winds. Came up Liziansky inlet. Critters spotted included Sitka deer, sea otters, 2 grizzly bears, gray heron, lots of eagles and sea lions. Got into Pelican at 1:00 to fuel but no fuel until tomorrow. We took a slip in the harbor and toured the town. Another boardwalk town with the economy dependent on commercial and charter fishing. Quaint and gorgeous. Today was a big day because most provisions for town come by ferry and today was the delivery for the past two weeks. People ordered everything from groceries to a walk in freezer to be assembled. Lots of building supplies, furniture, and supplies for the stores. The stuff was unloaded and put in piles for the person taking delivery and they started hauling it away with 4-wheelers and all types of wagons and boats. The supplies come from Juneau and even though this is wild, primitive Alaska with no roads, people still get their Costco and Northern Bear orders. This was a really neat town and surely one of my favorite places.

6-18

Pelican out Lizianski inlet and Lizianski strait to Porcupine Bay on the outside of the islands. 26.9 miles and 7.3 gal of fuel. Set two shrimp traps outside Porcupine. Saw 2 sow grizzlies and 3 cubs and saw a pod of seven orca’s. Weather has been overcast and rainy but not windy. Calm seas, First night on the hook.
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Discovery



Joined: 08 Dec 2003
Posts: 1239
City/Region: LOA, UTAH
State or Province: UT
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Discovery
Photos: Discovery
PostPosted: Tue Jun 30, 2015 12:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

6-19

Today we left Porcupine to check out our shrimp traps—total failure! Too bad you can’t eat star fish. Putted up the coast in the big water to Mirror Harbor-West bay. The trail head is here for the hike over to White Sulfur Hot Springs—going tomorrow. The seas were calm and rolling at 3 ft. swells. Correction on Elfin Cove—I reported that 15,000 clients came to fish each year but really it was only 1,500. I bet they wish it was 15,000!

6-20

The highlight for today was definitely the hike on a one mile board walk to the White Sulfur Hot Springs. The board walk was an example of your tax dollars at work as it was completed by the Forest Service. It was rustic but let you know which way to go. It was a little intimidating to me to be led by our trusty captain with his shotgun, followed by the first mate and her bear spray and Brent brought up the rear with another shotgun. We didn’t see any bears but some bear signs (digging up plants etc. No people bones) At the Springs the Forest Service had built a nice one room cabin and enclosed the springs with a very nice building. The water was hot—but not too hot. It was very enjoyable.

We went back to the boats and went 10.8 miles on 2.7 gal. of fuel to Didrikson Bay in Portlock harbor. We dropped the shrimp traps on the way in—hoping for better luck.
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jkidd



Joined: 23 Oct 2006
Posts: 1609
City/Region: Northern, Utah
State or Province: UT
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Voyager
Photos: Voyager (JK)
PostPosted: Tue Jun 30, 2015 12:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the write-up I'll be good for a few more days now. Been following the Inreach tracks looking forward to a new WIFI signal. Have fun out there.
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Discovery



Joined: 08 Dec 2003
Posts: 1239
City/Region: LOA, UTAH
State or Province: UT
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Discovery
Photos: Discovery
PostPosted: Wed Jul 01, 2015 12:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

6-21-2015

Happy Father’s day! Can’t think of a better place to spend it. Today we picked up our shrimp traps on the way out of the bay and we saw 100% improvement. We went from catching no shrimp to catching ONE!!! That’s right—one freaking shrimp in two traps. At least we know the species exists here—we will get this figured out.

We went 20.9 miles today on 4.9 gal. of fuel to Klag Bay just off the old Chichagof gold mine site. We came down Ogden Passage, thru Smooth Passage and the Gate and the Elbow, to Klag. Beautiful weather, light winds and calm seas. We saw a big brown bear. Jay says there are not as many bear visible this year. May be due to weather being so good this spring and feed is plentiful. Still we have seen cool things every day. This wilderness is just beautiful.

6-22

We went 38.1 miles on 8.3 gal. of fuel to Falcon Arm of Slocum Arm. We saw a sow with 3 cubs on the south arm of Ford Arm and a sow with two cubs in Anna’s lake. We toured Anna’s lake and the opening to Sister Lake. It was not the right tide to enter but Jay couldn’t resist a “ride the rapids” experience with Hunky Dory to go ride the max ebb. He went in the opening a hundred yards or so and turned and rode the the rapids out. Wish you could have seen it—Hunky Dory was flying. It has been said that the ebb flow is around 12 knots. Discovery was too chicken to try it—lol!

We caught some rock fish for dinner tomorrow. Hunky Dory moored by a meadow with a resident bear. We tied to a mooring ball left by some kind soul in the past.
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Discovery



Joined: 08 Dec 2003
Posts: 1239
City/Region: LOA, UTAH
State or Province: UT
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Discovery
Photos: Discovery
PostPosted: Wed Jul 01, 2015 12:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Duplicate

Last edited by Discovery on Wed Jul 01, 2015 12:13 am; edited 1 time in total
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Discovery



Joined: 08 Dec 2003
Posts: 1239
City/Region: LOA, UTAH
State or Province: UT
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Discovery
Photos: Discovery
PostPosted: Wed Jul 01, 2015 12:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

6-23-2015

Hunky Dory figured their fuel consumption to this point in Falcon Bay and determined they are getting 8 mpg. Today Discovery traveled 13.1 miles and used 3 gal. of fuel. We moored in Hidden Cove at the end of Slocum Arm after exploring the Arm to the end. We had a group fish fry on Discovery—delicious and enjoyable. We were entertained by the sea otters. I am going through media withdrawal and expressed my desire to move back to civilization but we need to wait for the weather to be good for us to go. The forcast is for 8 to 11 ft. seas and we will wait until it’s safe for us to go.


6-24

22.6 miles today with 5.3 gal. of fuel. We went out through Piehle Passage to the ocean just for exposure to the route and to have a look at the rollers. Too big for my liking but after a little initiation we came back in to the sheltered water and did a little fishing on the way back in. Caught some bigger rock fish and a small ling cod that was too small to keep. Returned back to our moorage from the previous night on the mooring ball.


6-25

We stayed in Falcon Arm all day. The weather was rainy and we read and napped—generally lazy!! We did dingy to the shore where Jay had built a great camp fire. We set around and told each other lies and enjoyed the visit. During the night a big blow came up and Hunky Dory was in possible danger of loosing their anchorage. Finally a 3 a.m. they motored to near where we were moored and finally got a little rest.
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Discovery



Joined: 08 Dec 2003
Posts: 1239
City/Region: LOA, UTAH
State or Province: UT
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Discovery
Photos: Discovery
PostPosted: Wed Jul 01, 2015 12:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

6-26-2015

Hunky Dory went back over to tour Sister Lake. This is the favorite place in this area for Jay to see bear. Not many boaters ever go in because of the narrow entry. Discovery went out to the islands around Piehle Passage and explored the area. We watched a big boat from Sitka troll for Salmon—didn’t see any catching. We were able to hear the NOAA weather report and determined that we won’t be able to leave this area until at least monday due to weather. We traveled 18.2 miles with 4.1 gal. of fuel today.


6-27

Since we are going to be in this area a few more days, we all decided to go back to Sister Lake and spend the night. We went in on the slight flood and will spend 24 hours to go out on the ebb. These tides are important when they are such significant changes. Sister Lake was so beautiful and we saw a total of 11 bears while we were there. We had a great anchorage with calm waters and a restful night. We traveled 24.1 miles and used 5.9 gal. of fuel.

6-28

We traveled 19.8 miles on 4.8 gal. of fuel today. We left Sister Lake and traveled to Khazhead moorage in Piehle Passage. This will put us in good position to leave the area early tomorrow. Phones, internet, Facebook, C-Brats—woo-hoo! Good anchorage for the night with smooth water but rain.
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