Well, we're in Haines, Alaska. Almost 1000 miles north of Seattle. We've stayed in Haines a couple of day's longer than anticipated because the weather has been rough. Tomorrow the forecast is for better weather so we'll head out early for Skagway.
Previously on our route in the inside passage, we volunteered for the Coast Guard to rescue the boat, Ambrosia, it's owner (Rod) and his passenger (brother Jef). Rod's boat, Ambrosia, had gone dead in the water because of bad fuel. He told us later that his fuel had been polished but apparently the worker didn't get out all of the slug. An unfortunate occurance. His boat was non-functioning right in the middle of Stephens Passage which is the direct route into Juneau. As we were approaching their location in our boat, we heard a call over our VHF radio that a cruise ship was approaching our area. We had trouble spotting his boat. We asked him to turn on his anchor light. We still didn't see the Ambrosia. Next we asked him to light a flare. We still couldn't see the boat. It wasn't until he lit several flares that we were finally able to locate the Ambrosia. We went directly to them and rafted his boat to ours. It was getting dark and we needed to get moving to a secure location. We finally decided to go to Taku Bay which was further up the channel. We put a tow-line on the back to pull Rod's boat. Hours later we arrived in Taku. They didn't have any water, food, nor blankets on the Ambrosia. So we fed them, made the guest bed with fresh linens, and pushed water bottles into their hands. By the time we were ready for bed it was after 1 AM. None of us got much sleep. The next day we got underway and took them and the Ambrosia into Juneau. Before departing, we had made arrangements to have dinner with them tomorrow evening. John (my hubby) tied our dingy onto the Ambrosia so Rod could tie up his boat at the dock. Our boat was too big to go in that area so I stayed with our boat doing donuts until hubby's return.
The next day, during Jef's lunch hour, they both came bearing gifts! I couldn't believe it! Both are great guy's, and I'm just thankful they are here to tell their story. Later I got to thinking that the reality of their situation could of been deadly. We had trouble seeing them, and we were looking for them. Even if their small boat did show up on the cruise ship's radar most likely they wouldn't of been seen and taken for ground clutter. Had that cruise ship hit them, they both would of been toast! Not only that, we learned that their family thought we were only returning the Ambrosia without Rod & Jef. They called the Coast Guard and wasn't told we had two passenger's as well. So their family was all upset and rightfully so! I'm so happy both Rod and Jef were alive and returning to their family that loved them so much.
We had a wonderful time during our dinner with the brother's, visiting, and rejoicing in their lives before we had to depart for Haines. They helped us get our boat underway. We already missed them. Our lives were blessed with two new brother's in Juneau! A wonderful gift indeed!
Once we left Juneau, we were among a pod of whales. Such a fascinating sight of these wonderful, huge mammals. Awesome!! We spent the next two days anchored in William Henry Bay among the eagles and the snow-capped mountains. So gorgeous! There wasn't another soul around. It felt like we were the only two people on earth. We really didn't want to leave. LOL Once we approached Haines, there were many souls.......oh, darn! Reality set in. But this is a great place set in the middle of mountains. Such a beautiful place! Many talented artist's here, native's, and fishermen. We've had two days of heavy wind and rain. Today my hubby said come here, and he pointed to the mountains. There's new snow..........a sign fall is here. So tomorrow we're off to Skagway, and then Glacier Bay, and finally Sitka, hopefully returning before the big storms arrive. - Blessing to You!!!
