Memories - Good and ?

Back in September 1990 Serenity was dismasted about 140 miles from Ketchikan off Dixon Entrance in a sudden equinoctal storm with 80 knots of wind and 40 foot seas. Several fishing boats were lost in the same storm so in some ways we were lucky.

After 2 days of trying to get everything organized and operating on board we gave up and called for help. However we had no antennas but after several tries we reached a fishing vessel about 80 miles away and he relayed our distress message.

The USCG sent a helicopter from Sitka and the Cutter Naushon from Ketchikan.

Captain Tom Dickey commanded the boat then and he was so wonderful to us. He even invited us to lunch aboard the Naushon after towing us 140 nautical miles to Ketchikan.

So, understandably, when we saw her sitting at the Coast Guard base here in Ketchikan we decided to try to visit her.

We drove on to the base and then obtained permission to go aboard. We were given a tour of the ship and the crew listened to our saga.

The experience brought back a LOT of memories.

Salmon Falls Resort

Last night we were invited by Terry's friend, Judy, to join the family for their Father's day dinner at Salmon Falls Resort which is about 12 miles or so north of Ketchikan.

We had a lovely meal of halibut and salmon while eagles soared outside the windows of the resort.

I had to escape to try to get some shots of eagles and hoped I didn't offend anyone at the table.

The lighting wasn't great but I did manage to get a couple of decent photos of eagles along with the waterfall and the resort's charter boats.

Consulting job for Terry

A friend of Terry's, Fred, called him to work on his radar on his fishing boat - even though Terry doesn't have his business any more he helps people out when he can.

The three of us went down to the boat, I took a couple of photos then left Michael and Terry aboard with Fred to work on the radar.

While they were working I walked along Creek Street and in the marina snapping a few shots.

Sadly, he hasn't been able to fix the radar yet - we continued to work on it today - but he hasn't given up.

Ketchikan Creek Art

Saw this bicycle in Ketchikan Creek near the hatchery and started shooting it.

I love how the moving water makes it appear almost as an impressionist painting.

Trip to Ketchikan - part A

Today is Saturday, the temperature outside is 67 degrees and rising, the sky is blue and it is gorgeous!

Are we in Ketchikan?

Thursday we arrived and our friend Terry met us at the airport then we took the ferry over to Ketchikan. The picture of Michael and Terry on the ferry - Michael says I should write that the sun was behind them and it looks like he has more grey hair than he actually does.

Since we had brought a suitcase full of food from Costco (where else?) we went to Terry's condo first and filled his refrigerator and freezer.

Then we took a little tour around downtown Ketchikan with four(!) cruise ships in port. Downtown has changed tremendously since the last time we were here in 1993 and it reminded both Michael and me of St. Thomas. Same shops, same hawkers and same crowds but different weather. The Downtown is now filled with gift shops and services catering to cruise ship passengers and not the local people anymore.

We did stop at the Forest Service's Museum downtown and Michael's National Parks Senior Pass got us all in free - so - since Terry is now 62 we decided to buy him his very own park pass. He can now visit any National Park and take a carload of people with him free of charge for the rest of his life. The bargain of the century - $10 for the rest of your life.

When you get out of town Ketchikan still has great charm.

Stopped at a fish market and bought fresh caught white King Salmon for dinner which Michael cooked - it was great.

Yesterday we drove to Totem Bight and to Saxman to see more Totem Poles. Some of it we remembered but things have been ungraded for the cruise ships. Both places were devoid of tourists when we went and they were beautiful, peaceful and educational.

We had lunch at Cape Fox where we ate many years ago - trips down memory lane.

Then we went to the marina where Terry's son, Josh, has his charter boat and he gave us some fresh caught halibut for last night's dinner. The last time we saw Josh who is now 29 was in 1993. He now has a family with two children and is doing well in the charter business. Great boat!

Having a great time - the weather is fabulous - so far no rain! Unbelievable!

Old Cruising Friends

We received an email from our old cruising friends, Jeff and Christie, off of S/V Sharazad.

We met them in Hilo, Hawaii, July 1992.

They became fast friends and we've managed to stay in touch all these years. They are still cruising and their boat is in Fiji at the moment.

Jeff needed hip replacement surgery so he flew back to the states to Las Vegas where Christie's sister had a home.

We changed our travel plans home to stop in Las Vegas and spent a couple of nights with them before Jeff's surgery.

Since then his surgery went very well and he is recovering.

It was great to see them. We reminisced about our history together and discussed sailing and gear constantly.