They Let Us In!

 

Ross gets the coveted cover photo for this stunning picture of the marina at sunset tonight.

This narrow channel is the entrance/exit to the Foggy Bay anchorage.   It's maybe twice as wide as the boat, but it feels much tighter!

We departed Foggy Bay, right on time at 0812 this morning, bound for Prince Rupert, B.C.   It was pretty close to low tide.

We headed south across Dixon entrance.   And crossed the border.   I hope the Canadians let us in.

Note, if you were to enter Dixon entrance from the sea, if you turned to port (left) you'd be in Alaska.  If you turn right (starboard), you'd be in Canada.

We crossed from north to south when going from Ketchikan to Prince Rupert.

On the east side of Dundas Island just on south border of Dixon Entrance there is this really cool lighthouse on Green Island.

And whales all over the channel, not that any would grace us with a pose for a picture...

We were passed by this little boat.  Note that our boat is only a little larger than their tender, which they are towing...

We arrived at the entrance to Venn Passage, to the northwest of Prince Rupert right on time at high slack.  Slack is the point at which the tides change from rising to falling and vice-versa.   High slack is the best time to transit as there is more water and no current.

Here, an eagle sits atop one of the channel markers in Venn Passage.

Venn is a narrow, shallow, twisty channel.   We've transited it many times, but this was Ross' first time driving this particular passage.   No sweat, he's a pro.

Some more pictures from Venn Passage.

We saw three float planes at the end of Venn Passage, here's one of them taxiing for takeoff right next to us.

Yup, we really were that close.

We arrived in Prince Rupert and got the last slip at the Prince Rupert Rowing and Yacht Club marina.  Lucky for us, we can also clear customs here and we did so via phone.   What nice, courteous, and pleasant people Canda has working in their customs department.   Note the Selene on the right side (2nd boat), that is Rick and Pam's boat, Jean Marie.

I did ask Canadian Customs about stopping in Canada prior to clearing in, and they will tolerate that, but they discourage it.   Good thing we stopped in Foggy Bay, AK rather than Brundige Inlet on Dundas Island, B.C.

I didn't want to test our cross-border relations at the moment...

Once cleared in, we strolled town and went to the Visitors center to learn more about Prince Rupert.

Trivia time - Prince Rupert is the deepest natural port on the West coast of North America.

They have these cool whale's tail benches all over town.   So, pictures had to be taken...

And more.   Goofy Picture time...

Ross, taking a call in the former phone booth.

And you all think I'm weird...

We dined at the Crest Hotel's, Waterfront Restaurant this evening.   Lovely food.   Ross had rack of lamb, Karen had lobster and scallop pasta, I had the Indian Butter Chicken.   Delightful!

Then we walked to the local Safeway market for some flowers and other items, then home to Blue Redd.

More parting photos for you...   Looking behind us as we crossed Dixon Entrance.

Tonight's sunset from the end of the dock.

Dry bulk carrier gliding past our marina tonight.

My pillow is calling me.   Good Night, My Friends...