Petersburg 7/19-7/24
We arrived in Petersburg mid-day and got assigned a slip by the harbormaster. North Harbor slip 113 port tie. The harbor master was a female and ridiculously nice in regard to slip assignments and being very thoughtful with directions. This is appreciated when entering a new harbor, with current and lots of activity.
Our first night we decided we would eat out because it was 3 weeks on the hook and so we went to the first outdoor joint for a beer. We sat down and we were enjoying our local beer, “Pantypeelers” and John from Mrs. Treva walked up. We had run into him and his wife, Chase, several times, most recently in Tenakee but also as we were leaving Warm Springs. Chase joined us for dinner we decided to go next door to the Mexican restaurant, El Zarape. We had rockfish tacos that were delicious and with full bellies made our way back to Soulstice.
The town proper is tiny but with all the amenities! Laundry, grocery store, liquor store, places to eat, to shop, and even Friday night Bingo! We were encouraged to play on Friday night by a local but the in is $26.00, too steep for us cheap cruisers but I am sure a good time. I love Bingo and used to go play with my grandmother when she was alive. I love yelling “Biiinnnggooo!”
The next morning I did sneak in a great trail run. I seem to always be able to find a local trail. Petersburg has a series of trails, gravel, and boardwalk through Muskeg, with a few back and forth and loops I could make an hour's time go by. Afterward, Stephen and I did our chores, the usual. This also took up most of the day on the 20th.
Unfortunately, what we did discover is our uninsulated haul with the cold water temperature and muggy conditions have caused quite a bit of condensation inside of Soulstice. MORE than we ever remember. Like wood sweating and large drips and even a tiny puddle at some of the bases of our wood. AAAAHHHH!!!! We spent the entire day pulling clothes out of the closet, food, tools, etc… to try and dry the boat out. We never take power but did so Stephen could use a more high-powered vacuum to clean the Dickinson heater. Well, we got out my hair dryer and started using it to dry stuff out. Additionally, we marched over to the hardware store and bought a tiny 12 V heater to plug in.
This was one more thing on the list for a new boat: Insulated HULL! Pilothouse, bigger fuel tank! But for now, Soulstice is our home and we will continue to treat her well and do our best to make her a comfortable home. The hard part is that really the best solution to combat this is a dehumidifier. We do have one and have it set up when we are back in the slip-in Blaine. But while cruising, it is bulky and not realistic to carry around. We can’t use it on anchor which is 90% of our time.
Anywho… We will continue with white vinegar, 3M Mildew Block, using the heater when in port, and hope for less water/air temp that basically creates condensation.
Karen arrived on July 21 after 2 delays but still arrived around 6pm. The rest of our time in Petersburg included lots of walks around town and enjoying the trails through the muskeg. Karen got some shopping done in the local stores and I am a sucker for stickers and socks.
Judy and Victor, our boat neighbors on the dock, we initially met at the top of the dock when bringing back jerry jugs of fuel and became good friends. We ran into them several times and always had enlightening conversations. They keep a residence in AK but travel abroad quite a bit. Judy and Victor educated Stephen and me about metal boats, aluminum and steel, and the metal boat society. They are world boaters, having a boat stashed for their enjoyment strategically in multiple gorgeous locations like Scotland, Norway, Mexico…
Another couple we spent time with and really enjoyed their conversation with was John and Chase, on Mrs. Treva, a 51ft Nauticat. We got a tour of their boat and oh boy!!! What a fabulous boat! It is not only an aesthetic marvel but also constructed with features to make it an efficient and well-capable boat for any sea conditions. It would definitely be a dream boat for us but well out of our price range. John and Chase are both retired from the IT world and this is their 1st Inside Passage as well. Their home base is Poulsbo, WA. We will certainly see them again and probably as soon as Wrangell.
After our lovely stay in Petersburg, our longest stay in the port next to Juneau, we did the evening passage again through the Wrangell Narrows from north to south. We anchored in Saint Johns Bar this time as opposed to Deception Cove. That is where we noted our solenoid failure. Leaving the Petersburg harbor she would not crank over again but then finally did. Pheeeww but made us leery for how the next day would go. We wondered if all the condensation had anything to do with the delay in the turnover.
We had an uneventful narrow passage. We had such an incredible passage on our way up due to the glassy water and the lighting with the clouds but this passage did not carry the same dramatic texture of wind, water, and clouds. It still was a great evening and we arrived at our anchorage, Karen’s first, since arrival.
We made an Alfredo sauce with clams and pasta and settled into our first real sunset!!! We realized the time change was happening. We have not seen the sun set really because of the long days but this was proof the days were getting shorter, so it was a bitter-sweet end to the day.
The next morning was chill with a yummy breakfast casserole made by Karen. She is a pescatarian so our red meat eating habits are on hold and probably for the better - ha! She played Scrabble with me and Stephen fished off the stern catching several rockfish but all fairly small and non pelagic which are OFF limits if you are not an AK resident. We weighed anchor and I got HUGE starfish on the anchor. I was able to use the fish hook to release him.
Off to Wrangell, we go!
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