May 2009 Cruise News

We finally got away from the dock this month, if only for a few days.  It was time for a shakedown cruise to be sure everything was working as it should.  We motored off to an anchorage just 5 hours away to spend our time.  We thought we could start stocking up on our food stocks, (crab) before the commercial season started in a couple of weeks.  The first day we landed (cooked, picked, packaged and froze) 29 dungeness crabs.  That resulted in over ten pounds of crab meat.  This will certainly taste good in the future months when we can't get out and get fresh.

These 18 crabs are cooked and ready to be picked.

There was a commercial salmon fishing opening as we steamed along.  So far, the fish have not been plentiful.  Friends of ours fished for three days and caught nine Kings.  If they can only get nine fish in that length of time with 48 hooks down, just imagine our chances with two hooks.

This month the big cruise ships started coming to Sitka.  Chris had to set up her display in the Centennial building where the Baronof Arts and Crafts Association (BACA) sells their wares. This was her first foray into the artist vendor world.

Members of BACA have to either pay $80 for the season or volunteer 10 hours.  Chris voluteered to entertain the tourists with demonstrations rather than have her check reduced by $80.

We arrived back at Sitka with a short list of items that had to be taken care of before leaving on an extended cruise.  One item was to get some fishing reels repaired! Once we leave Sitka we will be gone for two months at a minimum with no stops to make repairs or buy food. 

May has been very rainy, but there have been signs of summer, such as a sunny day here and there.  The promise of good weather keeps our spirits up.  We are looking forward to Chris' sister arriving at the end of the month, visiting for a week and hoping for some good fishing.  We're hoping too! 

Have a great summer.

Chris and Chuck