Alaska or bust! Last year, after months of planning and preparation that included purchasing a "fast dinghy" (more on that later) and installing a water maker, our trip (and everyone's life) was put on hold. Dog Star had just been hauled out for bottom paint the day before the yard shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It would take 3 months to launch her again (a job that should have taken a week), but by then the border with Canada was closed and our trip cancelled. We continued to cruise Dog Star, including a month long winter trip to the San Juan Islands in January and an early Spring trip to South Sound. Then a text from Laura from Airship asked about our interest in transiting Canada quickly and cruising in SE Alaska this summer. Without hesitation, "We're in!" David and Jack rushed to install a new chart plotter and swap out the lead-acid AGM batteries for Lithium Iron Phosphate ones (lighter weight, deeper discharge cycle and faster recharge=more days at anchor) as we rushed to ready ourselves for departure on a true adventure.
Sunset from Westcott Bay on San Juan Island the night prior's to meeting up with our flotilla mates.
Left to Right: Airship, Rubicon, Bonita, Akeeva and Dog Star
We joined up with our flotilla in Prevost Harbor on Stuart Island. This is one of our favorite islands in the San Juans and is the very Northwestern most corner of the islands. To the north and west is the Canada border-so close, so inaccessible. The flotilla is lead by Airship and Akeeva of Slowboat.com (Laura, Kevin and Sam), who have led groups of boaters to Alaska and along the wild, western shore of Vancouver Island. Two years ago, we joined them for that trek around Vancouver Island and it was one of the most exciting adventures we had taken. Sam had been talking with the Canadian Border Patrol for weeks and it looked like transiting British Columbia to Alaska would be possible with a few caveats:
We must take the most direct route possible
No stopping except for safety (such as anchoring overnight)
No getting off the boat, no socializing with other members of the flotilla
Obtaining fuel is ok
So basically, a mad dash to Alaska.
Julie testing out the dinghy after a wiring repair. Seems to work fine.
We love wildlife and nature, so we spend a lot of time observing and photographing. Check out our Natural History section for some of our animal and nature photos. We try to get off the boat to hike through the woods and explore our anchorages with our new dinghy. The 20 hp outboard helps us get places fast! It's also set up for fishing, crabbing and shrimping with a downrigger and pot puller.
Harbor seal conversing with a Double-Crested Cormorant
I love all of this! Thank you for sharing how your adventure came to be (and almost didn't). Sometimes the hiccups make the achievements that much sweeter. Keep making those amazing moments and memories. Can't wait to hear all about it in person too!