Settled weather, breathtaking views, wildlife sightings and laughter mark our time in Misty Fjords. John Muir compared Misty Fjords with Yosemite, and it’s an apt comparison. Steep, glacier carved granite walls reach to deep valleys and lingering snow remains on mountain peaks. The terrain becomes more dramatic the farther north we travel; pictures can’t adequately capture what we see.

Monday’s cruise was long. Leaving Ketchikan, we’d planned to anchor in Shoalwater Pass the first night, but Captain Bob deemed the entrance too shallow for comfort, so we pressed on to Punchbowl, spending a quiet night at anchor with waterfalls, loons and other shore birds as our music. We have passed only two other pleasure boaters, and it’s comforting to have Brian and JD, lifetime sailors, with us.

Tuesday we cruised up Rudyard Bay, then headed back to Behm Canal and set our course north, sighting humpbacks feeding along the steep cliff walls and Dahl Porpoises in mid channel. Initially undecided where to anchor, we decided to stay in Walker Bay when we spotted two grizzlies feeding in the late afternoon. It was a deep anchorage and we let out about 250 feet of chain over a rocky bottom, but there was no wind with only the gentle tidal flow moving us. We slept well and were up early to get a start on the long trip to Yes Bay.