Posted by jessmil on 08/07/2006 11:21 am

The following posting is from Captain Bob, who is onboard in the Bering Sea..

Here it is the second day on our way from Dutch Harbor to Kodiak and we're another day closer to home. Winds are calm and the sea surface is flat. It's almost like a mirror. There are scattered clouds with unlimited visibility to the horizon. It’s another beautiful day going along the Alaskan Peninsula and weaving between the islands and back tracking the route that we took from Kodiak to Dutch. That is with one little exception. I took a little detour of about 4 miles to go through a “real” pass that had 8 full fathoms of water. That's unlike the one that my dear friend George had us go through that had ZERO FATHOMS under the boat. Thought I’d save myself the anxiety.

The shoreline of both the peninsula and the islands are very similar as one might expect. There are places that are sheer rugged and crumbly cliffs that then give way to some flat rolling hills. I'm reminded again of a couple of discussions we had the last few weeks about how there are no trees of any kind in any areas we visited. That includes all the islands we passed when we originally left Kodiak for Dutch Harbor. I think that’s a sign of how harsh things can be at other times while I'm enjoying the sunshine and beauty of today on this voyage home.

As I look out as far as I can see in all directions around the ship, I wish everyone could have the opportunity to see what I'm seeing. There are no clouds in the sky and there is a little fog rolling slowly over the mountains on the peninsula. We are passing about one half mile off the coast if a small but very tall Karpa Island. Its peak shows on the chart at 800 ft. The sides are sheer and there are thousands of birds soaring around the base and on up to the tallest heights. We had the fortune of seeing many of these sights during this expedition. I sit and look in total wonder of how I can see so much right here where I sit and how this is such a small fraction of what we saw and what there is still to see in this great place called Alaska.

I feel a connection to Alaska now that I didn’t have before. Alaska has become part of the fabric of my life and I think it's the color of royal blue. It makes me want to see more and do more to protect this treasure we have called earth. It makes me want to come back again and continue to be part of building on the foundation that was laid on this trip. I hope it works out that way.

- Captain Bob

Posted by jessmil on 08/07/2006 10:43 am

The following posting is from Captain Bob, who is onboard in the Bering Sea...

Well, we are on our way back to Newport, Oregon from Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Willie, the ships mechanic, came back to the boat night before last and it was really great to see him again. I’m sure glad he’s back for the return trip home.

Everyone but James flew out yesterday to their respective destinations after finishing up some last minute things around the community. With mixed happy and sad goodbyes the hugs and best wishes until next timewere abundant. James was the last one off the boat this morning and Willie and I got underway about 1045. On the way out of the harbor I called George on the radio to say our last goodbyes. It was good to hear his voice again one last time before we were out of radio range.

The winds were calm and the sky was overcast but the air was crystal clear and t-shirt comfortable. We made our way out of the harbor, around the spit and headed north out into Unalaska Bay. About two miles into the bay we spotted two small humpback whales showing off and waving their goodbyes as well. There was a lot of ship traffic as we were going out so we slightly changed courses a few times. No close calls or problems. The weather forecast for the different areas in our route to Kodiak sounds favorable so that's a good thing. I looked up the currents expected in a couple of the passes and straits we are to go through and they look a little marginal. We’ll have to see.

Later
As expected, going south through Akutan Pass was a challenge. We encountered a 6.3 kt current going north (head on) that had us down a couple of times to as low as 1.7 kts. We got tossed around a bit in the converging waters but not too bad. It took us some extra time through there but we made it just fine. We are now approaching Avatanak Strait and will cross Unimak Pass in about five hours. Kodiak will be our next stop where we will top off the fuel, get some fresh veggies and turn the pointy end of the ship toward Canada, then south to Newport.

We are on the south side of the island chain now and the seas and winds are calm. There’s some high fog that keeps us from seeing the mountain tops but everything is so beautiful anyway. We keep getting puffins flying by and checking us out or sitting in the water in front of the ship until the last minute. Then they start flapping their wings for all they're worth, trying to get airborne, while bouncing their chubby bellies off the water as they go on a heading still directly in front of us. I feel sorry for them having to work so hard while looking back over one side as they are “flying” and then the other and not being able to get away from us. Then finally they turn or land and dive at the last minute.

Passing close to Akutan Island we can see little waterfalls and a coupleof them were coming right out of the side and about half way down the cliff. I've not seen that before. There have been so many new things for me to see during this adventure. They will be like little treasures tucked away in my memory. Then thankfully, as I continue to get older, the photos will help me remember them. There were all the new people, places, cultural experiences and crew to add to my mental treasure chest. Then on top of all that it was a safe journey. There is so much to be thankful for.

We’ve been underway since June 22nd and to be headed home is a good feeling. I love the sea and being at sea and I’m definitely going to enjoy all the sites that we’ll have going home. However, my greatest love is already there waiting for me at home and I'm sure anxious to seeher. On the grand scale of things, it won't really be long now. It just seems that way.

It seems strangely quiet now with just Willie and me on the ship. The sun is still up. The little wind ripples on the water are sparkling like jewels and everything is beautiful. Life is good.