Rather Madan Bay

 

Tonight's sunset picture at 2302 (11:02 pm).   So cool, I had to put it at the top of the blog.    

Now back to our regularly scheduled program...

Wrestling with the single anchor bridle; spoiler, I won.   We use a bridle to absorb the shock on the anchor.   Shock could potentially unset the anchor and pull it free - that would be not good.

This bridle is about 35' long.  Once the anchor is out and set, I take that big chain hook and hook it to the chain.   Then I cleat the other end of the bridle to the big Samson post and let out more chain.   In fact, I put out about 50'-60' more chain (remember this bridle is only 35' long).   That creates a loop of heavy chain that acts as a kellet, further reducing shock loads on the anchoring gear.   BTW, if things look really rough, I have a double bridle I will use that threads through the two hawse holes on either side of the bow.   It is a PITA to use, but I've got it if needed.

If you genuinely want to know more about my anchoring techniques, just ask and I'm always happy to share what I've learned.

This morning was lazy.

We departed Frosty Bay at 1400 (2:00pm) to catch the favorable current up to Berg Bay.

It is as still as a millpond out here.  Just perfect with about a 1/2 knot favorable current pushing us northward towards Berg Bay.

This allowed me to run at 1080 rpm, make 7+ knots and only burn 2.2 gph.  I'll take that any day!!!
Typical for SE Alaska this time of year, overcast, fog, and drizzle.   Just wait until July and we will mostly have blue skies.
This photo is from just north of Anan Bay, which is a wonderful Bear Conservatory and Observatory.   We did not stop as it is still too early in the season.  August is optimal to watch the bears feed on salmon returning upstream to spawn.

A few years ago, we were within 20-30 feet of them as they fed.   We were ensconced in the "hide" all safe.
We passed a number of waterfalls that lined the fjord walls of Blake Channel which runs on the backside of Wrangell Island.
Look at those majestic peaks disappearing into the clouds.  Simply beautiful mountains.   These mountains form the backdrop for Berg Bay.

We did not stop in Berg Bay.   Berg Bay is relatively small and there were already two boats anchored in there.   So, we continued on to Madan Bay, 8 miles further around Blake Channel.

Only one small fishing boat in Madan Bay, a much larger bay than Berg Bay.

Why they chose to anchor in the exact middle of the bay is beyond me.    But to be clear, they were here first, so they get to pick their spot.

Because of their choice of locations, we had to sneak around them and find a spot closer to shore than I'd prefer.  

We are here and all is good.
The shoreline (at high tide) is only about 80 yards away.   We will see what it looks like in 6 more hours!
Note the blue colored stuff between the clouds.  Yea!   We even got a few moments of sun this evening.

Dinner is a spinach salad with my Goose Dressing.

1/2 cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice, including some pulp, 1/6 cup of apple cider vinegar (with mother), 1/6 cup of EVOO, 3 TBSP of coarse ground garlic, 2 TBSP of pureed garlic, 30 cranks of rainbow pepper from my high-volume grinder, and 5-10 cranks of Himalayan Sea salt.   Shake and serve.   It is better on days 2 & 3 as the flavors integrate and express.

Why the name Goose Dressing?   I was introduced to this on the s/v Spruce Goose in 1983 as we cruised Mexico.
The main course is lemon risotto with wild mushrooms and grilled chicken breast.   Throw in some broccoli to accompany it all and we have a complete sort-of-Mediterranean meal.

I paired that with the Long Cellars 2022 Savor which is 60% Merlot, 30% Cab Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Boushey/Quintessence Vineyard.   Very tasty indeed, though a bit big for this lighter main dish.  I should have grilled the ribeyes, but they are still frozen...







Looks like we may get a sunset tonight.   Fingers-crossed!
Finally!

Hasta Manana, My Friends.

Comments

  1. KipJune 9, 2026 at 11:08 AM

    Dean says you should come over here to sail the fjords of Norway. We would join you of course.

    ReplyDelete

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