Our friends left us today. We are, again, empty nesters. How odd to have the boat so quiet. It's a love/hate thing. This was last night's dinner.
BBQ ribs, corn on the cob, and new potatoes in fake-butter and herbs.
We had two wines. First was a 2021 Merlot, Cab Franc, Cab Sauv blend from Long Cellars called Denner.
The second was a Merlot, Cab Franc, Cab Sauv blend form Chateau Fleur Cardinale, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru. WA State and Europe duking it out.
Both were quite good, but at opposite ends of the "good" spectrum. The Denner was big, powerful, well extracted, and packed with dark cherry fruit. The Saint-Emilion was more refined, complex, earthy, and paired much better with food.
We left Petersburg yesterday morning at 0700 as we had to time the Wrangell Narrows to get favorable currents.
We timed it pretty well arriving and the mid-point only 20 minutes behind schedule. That meant we had to deal with a wee bit of adverse (against us) current. It doesn't look like much, but this is the mid-point.
A fishing lodge/camp just south of the mid-point.
Bill & Nicki took Roe (our tender/dink) out for some fruitless fishing. Hence, the ribs for dinner; it's always good to have a Plan B.
And to top it off, Nicki baked fresh banana bread! Nicki, you are welcome here any time!!!
Today is a new day. We left Roosevelt Harbor for Wrangell, only 8 miles away. We had to get to Wrangell by about 1400 (2:00pm) so Bill & Nick could get to the airport for their flight home. Note the sculpture on the rock.
It was pretty flat coming across the Stikine Strait and we arrived about 1330 (1:30pm).
The Harbormaster put us in the Heritage Harbor Marina about a mile south of town. The harbor is eerily empty. Last year it was packed at this time.
On our way across, we had a really odd electrical problem. All of our pilothouse screens went blank for about 10-15 seconds, then they came back on. But nothing rebooted... This shouldn't be possible. So, I got to spend the afternoon troubleshooting. I still have no idea what happened...
After a pleasant and small dinner of salad & split pea/ham soup, Karen & I went for a walk around the marina.
We ended-up at the Wrangell Mariner's Memorial. A memorial to those souls lost at sea while fishing. This is a common memorial in many towns all across SE Alaska.
Here are a few more pictures from this memorial, looking west out over the Stikine Strait.
The title for today's blog is a riff on Rush's "A Farewell to Kings". Great band and a great tune!
Th-Th... That's All Folks!!!
Sounds like a lovely day … aside from the IT issues. Are your systems ok after rebooting? (Once IT support, always IT support). CManning
ReplyDeleteKathe and I are enjoying the pictures while we wait for her medical appointment. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures!!! :)
ReplyDeleteAll electrical issues seem to be at bay at the moment. Fingers-crossed.
ReplyDeleteAll my love to your Mom! I hope all goes well at the Doc's.
When the sun is out, and even when it's not, Alaska is just magical. Vistas everywhere, no crowds, just us, water, mountains, and sky. It is really something.