Day 49

June 23. Filled the water tanks up as well as topped up the 10 lb propane tank. I am quite surprised at how long that small tank lasts. We’re cooking on it 3 times a day and the last time I filled it was in Port Hardy, 28 days ago and it wasn’t even totally empty for today’s top up. We do have another full 10 and 5 pounder, as backup. We walked an hour further towards Juneau proper, to get to a decent grocery store ( a Safeway and IGA) and stocked up with fresh vegetables and fruit etc. for the next few legs of our journey. We took a $20 taxi back to the marina, had lunch on the boat and left the marina at 1pm. It’s a very busy harbor with whale and glacier watching, fishing charters and commercial fishboats going in and out all day. Not to mention the constant overhead helicopter, floatplane and large aircraft traffic. Glad to be on our way on calm seas with a favourable marine forecast for the approximate 50 mile voyage to the outskirts of Glacier Bay National Park where we plan to wait for our entrance day on Tuesday June 25. About an hour into it, just in front of us, we witnessed a large humpy doing multiply three quarter breaches followed by one spectacular; fully out of the water with a complete 360 spin breach. Didn’t know they could do that! The Russian judge even gave it a “10”! About a third of the way; an unpredicted, strongish headwind greeted us and slowed our progress significantly. The seas were fairly rough but it didn’t seem to affect Laurence’s work on her laptop and even her cooking a nice dinner. We anchored at Pleasant Island Cove at a later than expected 11pm and were in bed by midnight. Twas still light enough to see ok at midnight and the seas had calmed. Wish I had had my camera/phone out for the whale breaching display. Hope there are other opportunities.