(Read more about Wrangell & view the photos.)
Some said it couldn't be done - a full fleet of Grand Banks up the Inside Passage together, all the way from the US-Canadian border to Southeast Alaska. But here we are! It was a joyous arrival in Wrangell, tinged with the bittersweet realization that our time together is almost through. Two days in Wrangell and then we're off on our own separate journeys. At least we finally have Internet access again!...
6 a.m. The short leg to Wrangell from Santa Anna Inlet can go two different ways. Fleet organizers propose two options, a scenic route and a supposedly less scenic route. (I am left to wonder what "less scenic" actually means in this terrain.) As it turns out only two captains decide to follow the supposedly undramatic Zimossa Narrows. The narrows is a decidedly zig-zagged stretch of rocks, reefs, and funky, old names like the Village Islands. My boat for the day, Gypsy, is a 42 Europa captained by David and Heather who are remarkable in their cruising preparation. After years of sailboat racing and offshore cruising as far as Aukland, New Zealand, David and Heather treat me to an introductory course in tight navigation and a fine bowl of warm oatmeal. As a side note, if you decide to follow this route, then perhaps you can explain an aide to navigation in the middle of the channel reading heading north to Wrangell …
7 a.m. The rest of the fleet departs Santa Anna opting for the longer route around the east side of Wrangell Island. Reports from these folks indicate a pleasant 40 or so miles that tighten to a narrow passage on the northeast side of Wrangell. Unfortunately the weather was enshrouds the spectacular views of neighboring mountains and evergreen forests.
11:45 a.m. Arrival in Wrangell. The dockmaster seems to have everything under control despite the imminent arrival of 14 GBs and a handful of gil-netters that have decided to stay in port longer than expected. It is still pouring down rain which seems to provide a certain uniformity among its resident population, stated usually like this: welcome to the real Alaska!
3 p.m. Everyone settles in. Some are racked and stacked among the commercial fishers and others (the early ones) are lucky enough to secure a slip sans neighbors. An organized visit to Chief Shakes longhouse is followed by a cocktail party at the Nolan Center, highlighted by the presence of the mayor of Wrangell.
8 p.m. The clouds part momentarily and we are given a sign of things to hope for the next day. Tired, soggy, and sleepy, crews head back for a little rest and prepare for day two in Wrangell, complete with guided salmon fishing, a local golf scramble, and our Grand Tour closing dinner.
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- Day 1: Nanaimo
- Day 2: Pender Harbour
- Day 3: Prideaux Haven
- Day 4: Shoal Bay
- Day 5: Lagoon Cove
- Day 6: Sullivan Bay
- Day 7: Sullivan Bay
- Day 8: Sullivan Bay
- Day 9: Duncanby Landing
- Day 10: Shearwater
- Day 11: Khutze Inlet
- Day 12: Klewnuggit Inlet
- Day 13: Prince Rupert
- Day 14: Foggy Bay
- Day 15: Ketchikan
- Day 16: Ketchikan
- Day 17: Meyers Chuck
- Day 18: Santa Anna Inlet
- Day 19: Wrangell
- Day 20: Wrangell
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