It’s now September and we’ve left the outer coast; we’re in outside waters, but once again in familiar surrounds.
This is a short stretch, but it includes two of four communities on Chichagof Island. Together, they top 100 residents.
The south end is hemmed by steep granite walls that rise abruptly above timberline. Many find this inlet oppressive, even ominous. But there’s a slow joy to it. It is new stone, pushed up along the fringe of the ring of fire. It’s youthful geology positively kicking up its heels.
As we sail north, mountains moderate. We spend several days in a cove at inlet’s end and visit its overlooking muskegs—peat bogs of tough and wizened diversity.
Cross Sound opens on the Gulf of Alaska, but a short hop sees us into a more sheltered stretch, shielded by another span of islands.
Then a stop to visit old friends and await conditions.
Dear Anke and Dave,
Thank you so much for these wonderful videos and for sharing your adventures with us. You put into practice the spirit and the values that people who, to quote the words that Ratty said to Mole, “That there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats,” especially in small boats. Looking forward to following the rest of your journey and having spent some time on boats in Southeast Alaska myself, I have the upmost respect for what you have done and the spirit with which you have undertaken it.
Hi Gene,
Thanks for the kind words. We’re certainly holding down the ‘messy’ end of that saying!
Glad you got to see Southeast for yourself. It is so much larger and more beautiful than we were able to capture. And, as an archipelago, there’s no better way to experience it than from the water.
Dave Z