Bob tried every avenue he could think of to hurry our package along, including stalking the cargo carrier at the tiny Wrangell airport; we finally got the part late Wednesday and the repair was quick. What a relief! We were more than ready to see new territory.

It had been 10 days since we’d had the boat out and we were headed into new waters, so there was a bit of nervous excitement as Bob did the engine room check and we readied Kama Hele for an early morning departure. We said good bye to Free Spirit, who are staying in Wrangell for repairs, donned eyemasks to block out the late evening sun, and went to bed.

We were up at 4:30 in order to catch a favorable current through Wrangell Narrows, another shallow passage easily navigable and unthreatening if you’ve done your homework. Sunrise was at 3:50 and we never considered visibility would be an issue, but the morning was foggy, so I stood on the bow watching and listening until there was a break in the fog. This is one of my favorite jobs. Bundled up with jackets, foul weather pants and a beanie, my eyes sweep the water for logs, debris or crab pots, and I listen for other boats, occasionally telling Bob to honk our horn if I think another vessel may be near us. Although we move unhurriedly in these conditions, it feels a bit like riding a quiet wave. Cruising slowly over the still water with the engines behind us, I can hear the fluttering of bird wings and the surfacing of sea life, like otters or seals. Alone on the bow with all my senses alert, I get to experience something few others do.

We got to Petersburg before 11, tied up, explored the town then went back to Kama Hele to nap. Brad and Laie arrive Saturday, and we’ll head out then to explore anchorages in Frederick Sound and Stephen’s Passage as we make our way to Juneau.