Quote from Olly. “How does Gramps have enough time to do 3 jobs”? Sam looked a bit confused, so he explained: “a Captain, a Gramps and a Daddy”? 🙂
Violet snacking on her favourite blueberries
Olly won a Minion at the fair
Emily looking ready for summer
Now you’ve been updated with the grandchildren, I can move on to Nautical matters. Before I do so, thank you for all your wonderful comments, quite frankly I was stunned to see so many “welcome back’ comments, it gladdens my heart that this blog is so well received.
Before I take you to Sitka, some interesting photos of Juneau as we left.
This is the ‘Rock Dump’, now a massive storage area and a Cruise ship dock. The rock is in fact the ‘tailings’ from the Gold mine, in the hill to the left of the picture, (no longer in use). One can only wonder how much gold actually came from it all.
Opposite the Rock dump on the other side of the Gastineau channel, is this strange building. It is in fact the top of a ventilation shaft, supplying the (old) mining tunnel beneath it.
Early in the morning, we rounded Cape Edgecombe and entered Sitka sound. The weather had changed overnight, the rain had moved east and the sun was threatening to come out, a wonderful change from the past 2 days.
Sometimes, being up early in the morning has its benefits.
The salmon are running and as a consequence the Sound and the seas near Sitka were full of fishing boats. Here they line-fish, no nets or trawls, instead running a long-line from both sides of the boat. On theses lines are hundreds of fish hooks and flashing ‘lures’ to attract the fish. Catching the salmon this way is akin to using a fishing rod, except larger of course. This method saves damage to the fish.
Outriggers out, towing the lines
Swinging at the ‘Twins’, we backed into the Inner anchorage. This is a ‘fine’ weather anchorage, only in the lightest wind conditions can one use this. The alternative anchorages 2 and 3 are far too distant from the tender pier ashore. It takes an age to take guests ashore, should one have to use them.
With 3 shackles of chain out (270 feet), we remained nicely in position during the day, using the joystick on ‘auto’ heading to keep her steady in the restricted anchorage area.
The orange circle is our swinging area while lying at anchor; the tender dock is astern of us, towards the 10 o’clock position and we backed in from the 4 o’clock position.
Lying at anchor
A ‘fish-packer’, they take fish from the boats to the canneries.
Sitka from the anchorage
Astern from the ship
One of the numerous islands, many with large houses and docks.
The coxswain’s position in the tender
Fishing boat harbour
My future residence? The ‘Pioneers’ Rest home
The main street, (yup, that’s all of it)
Tlingit Indian totem pole, erected on 1940 to celebrate the history of Sitka
A renovated Russian fort from the 1800’s
The natives of Alaska, the Tlingit were living here when the Russians arrived, their goal? Sea Otter pelts, they slaughtered hundreds of thousands of them for the fur, all awhile battling the Indian tribe. After several battles, the Russian left however they returned in force and overwhelmed the tribe. Thereafter they made an uneasy peace. Much of the area’s landmarks are named after Baron Baronov, who governed the area.
What a nice surprise to be receiving our Posts again. I really enjoy reading them. You give lots of insight to the places you go to and a bonus on including your charts and radar information with pictures which really makes us feel included in what you do as a Captain. I also I love when you include your updates on your lovely grandchildren and when your lovely Karen joins you. These are some of the many reasons why I love Holland America. You are above and beyond to continue writing your informative posts. As a reader, I really appreciate it and look forward to your adventures. Thank you very much for taking the time to keep us all in the loop. 🙂
oops, your not our.
Guess I’d better chime in! Love your blogs. Have done this trip on the Oosterdam — had better luck at Tracey Arm. Love your captain-speak about changing the route because of weather!
Really enjoyed seeing your lovely grandchildren. I’m not so sure I would be able to leave them. I’m sure it isn’t easy for you either. Dick and I enjoy reading your blog about Alaska, keep up the wonderful work. Glad your back.
Captain Grandpa Daddy,
A little Google time reveals that the Treadway mine produced 3,100,000 ounces of gold, and the Alaska Juneau Mine produced 2,900,000 ounces of gold. This agrees with what a guide told us when we were there in 2012. There were a lot of placer mines also.
Glad you are back!
Thank you for enlightening me Bill. That’s a heck of a lot of gold 🙂
I too welcome you back. Always enjoy reading your blog. Sitka photos are beautiful. We will be aboard the Amsterdam on the September 6th sailing and hope we will see the sun in Sitka during that week.
Alaska is on our bucket list, thanks for taking the time to post pictures. I’m enjoying watching your beautiful grandchildren grow.
looked like a good day. Thanks for the photo’s they recall memories
It is so totally awesome to have you back. I wish you had been at the helm when I sailed on the Amsterdam this past May 31. Maybe you would have given us a sunny day in Sitka.
I am so glad you are back! Love to read your reports and see the photos of your lovely grandchildren. By the way captain – those are blackberries that Violet is eating, not blueberries, LOL., A favourite of mine too.
Sitka is a beautiful place…when the sun is shining.
I’m glad you are posting again. I missed your daily posts since the World Cruise ended. Thanks for doing this and love to hear about your grandchildren.
Dot
I enjoy all your posts
I was on the Kodiak trip last year, very enjoyable 14 days
How fun to read your and cruise vicariously with you.
Are those beautiful little girls the ones I knitted the strawberry hats for while I was with you in February?
They are indeed Joey and they loved them ! 🙂
Capt. Jonathan, your posts are such a pleasure to read, that I am passing them on to my Husband. In 1967 he took a little cruise to Vietnam aboard a US Navy ammunition ship. Now, he much prefers Holland America – but he said he’d love to be next to you when your bringing the ship into port. We both appreciate seeing cruising from your point of view. Thank you.
Glad you are back. Followed you on the World Tour. Rather like being there. We boarded the Amsterdam in Fort Laudedale after your tour and dry dock. Nice ship we enjoyed it very much. Keep the blog coming!