Thomas Bay to Portage Cove

After returning from LeConte to Petersburg, we stayed at the dock for a couple of days. The wind always seems to blow up or down a strait or sound here in Alaska. So when we are heading north, it is either on Iolair's nose or tail. Add to that a strong tidal current that is either up or down the same body of water and it creates some uncomfortable traveling. Best situation is as follows:

1. The wind is blowing in the direction we want to go.

2. At some point during the daylight hours, the current is going the same direction as the wind. 

3. We have enough daylight to make it to our next anchorage. 

After a few days of small-town luxury, we started our journey north. Thomas Bay was the first stop. Nice little anchorage behind Ruth Island surrounded by very impressive peaks. Jay got to shore and had a good time playing chase in a gravel pit. Some locals keep cabins on the far shore. Stoked up a fire and sleep very well, even though legend has it this bay is haunted by something strange. In the morning we set out for Baird's glacier on the other end of the bay. The glacier has receded and left a larger terminal moraine that is now covered in brush. The ice never makes it to the ocean anymore. Rain was on the way, so we went back to Ruth Island and hunkered down.  

When it rains.....well it was continuous for 24 hours. Good time to scout out a few more nuisance leaks on this old boat. We got some chore stuff done below in the cabin until late afternoon. When it finally broke, Jay and I took another outing to shore. Had a little happy hour whiskey poured over our glacier ice, weighed the anchor, and took off in lite mist for a 2.5 hour journey up Fredrick Sound.  Next stop would be Portage Cove.

Portage Cove is a large anchorage on the north side of Kuprenof Island. An old, abandoned logging camp was a great place to walk and play. Anchor down at 8 PM with plenty of dusk left for a great King Salmon dinner, a quick trip to shore, then off to bed. Our stay here will be short as the wind is still in our favor. We head north tomorrow afternoon.

At anchor in Portage Cove