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Red Bluff Bay is a very unusual geological formation
on the east side of Baranof Island.
Our resident geologist, Mike, called it a melange.
(I hope I got that right.)
David and I were
both fascinated with his explanations. Trying
to follow all the terminology was a bit of
a challenge.
As we made our way
through the outer entrance, we stopped talking
and just gazed. Mike took the best photo of
this passage.
 Photo by Michael Thacker
Red Bluff Bay is several miles deep with this
nice anchorage at its head.
You pass this great waterfall on the way to the
anchorage.
We had this view
from the stern of our boat while we were at
anchor.
This is some of my best photo work. I owe it
to Mike, however, as he is the one who spotted
this gorgeous view and got excited about this
sharp-peaked beauty cloaked in snow.
I did get to cruise
around in the skiff now and then when the guys
were resting. Mike shot this photo of me coming
back from a slow perimeter cruise. No bears
this trip, but lots of bird life.
 Photo
by Michael Thacker
This was the usual scene in the skiff. The guys
are just returning from a very successful shrimping
expedition. We ALWAYS get shrimp when we set
our pots at Red Bluff Bay.
And here is the
nice haul.
Well, we think its
nice. I’m not so sure
Mike is very thrilled about holding this one
up for display.
But Dave gets right
into his work and is ripping heads off.
This was a rare afternoon
of sun, so Dave’s “red
pants of courage” (as he calls them) are
hanging from a handy antenna to dry.
The refrigerator
was too stuffed so we had to find an inventive
way to chill the wine we would be having with
our shrimp that evening. Into the fish net
it went, propped carefully. It was ready to
serve after only a half hour in the sea.
When we left the
anchorage, David made a trip to the shrimp
pots once again while Mike and I weighed the
anchor and drove out to meet him. Here is salty
Mike handling the wheel like a pro.
Baranof Warm Springs is another must-stop for
most cruisers. This is what the entrance looks
like. The dock is at the right.
The outflow from
the waterfall means you are either being pushed
onto or off the dock, so it is a bit of challenge
to dock here. Not bad, but it helps to know
to expect that current. And to watch for the
rock outcropping on the shoreside.
Creative minds turn
to all kinds of gourmet meals while on the
sea. Here is one of David’s
favorites. Mike thought it looked interesting
so he had some too. What is it? Toasted English
muffins with blueberry preserves and bananas.
Dave says: "If there had been some green
chili on it it would have been perfect."
Where would we be
without our texting time? Mike’s
iPhone and AT&T service worked just as well
as my Verizon service with an LG Voyager.
We had to be quick about connecting when we
were out in the open water at certain locations
(Kake, Baranof Warm Springs). Once inside the
bays, the signal is usually gone. I use mine
to update my Float Plan with our family as we
go along.
I often find eagles sitting on navigation markers.
The Royal Sounder is approaching Sergius Narrows
in Peril Strait at slack water. It looks pretty
open, but you need to stay between the markers.
Going west, the two reds are kept to port, the
green on the shore is kept to starboard.
Yes, we got through
Sergius Narrows a the right time. Smooth waters
for the Sounder and for the Devil.
We saw this rescued eagle at the Raptor Center
in Sitka.
Sitka
was also the end of our time with our guest
Michael. We toasted each other at the best
restaurant in Sitka: Ludvig’s Bistro.
We’re leaving
Sitka tomorrow for points unknown. We haven’t
decided where we're going yet. Any wifi connection
that is robust enough to do these kinds of
photo emails will probably be a long time in
coming. Maybe not until Ketchikan. We'll see.
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