By Larry Weingarth We all have our summer boating adventures to tell and, perhaps like fishermen, enlarge beyond truthfulness.  I can say honestly that Anne and I fully realized our nautical fantasy of many years: going north to Alaska in our own boat.  Aerie, Pelican, and Perigee left Nanaimo on May 24 on our “Journey to Juneau.” Our three boats, reasonably matched in speed, proceeded with dispatch up the Inside Passage to Prince Rupert.  The wind and sea were quite benign-except for some white-knuckle time passing Cape Caution.  Another exception was the night which found us in an exotic triple raft in Lowe Inlet with the prediction for gale force winds.  The Prince Rupert Rowing and Yacht Club-known for its wind and tricky current-did not disappoint.  Being the slowest boat of the trio and arriving last, there was no float space available for Pelican when it arrived.
While some boats were bucking like wild broncos, it was put up for a serene night in the only boathouse.  We were the envy of all in “our condo.” We crossed Dixon Entrance and anchored in Foggy Bay where we cleared U.S. Customs by phone using our I-68.  The next day found us in Ketchikan, which was hosting eight or nine (?) cruise ships and 12,000 or so tourists trying to have a wilderness experience in all the jewelry shops.  Needless to say we couldn't leave fast enough. Fleeing Ketchikan, we finally saw what we had come to see: the majesty of nature.  Whales, one grizzly bear, dolphins, eagles, leaping fish, and otters were framed by endless, glaciated mountains punctured by numberless fjords.  Tracy Arm and the entry to Fords Terror were awesome and alone worth the trip.  We spent a week of solid rain traversing the Behm Canal and Misty Fjords.  Move over our beloved Yosemite.  I could go on but must stop.
Perigee left us at Auk Bay as it had a more ambitious itinerary to follow.  Reluctantly, Aerie and Pelican turned south toward Sitka.  On the way we met a colorful harbormaster, J.C., and his dog, Dog, in Tenakee Springs-sorry, no cars or cruise ships are allowed here by these independent souls.  Dixon Entrance was again crossed without drama.  In Sointula on Malcolm Island we were pleasantly greeted by Peter & Babs McCorison.  We caught up on all the latest local gossip aboard Coho.  In all too few days we were home again on Orcas.  Once again we were impressed by what a truly enchanting place this island roost which we share is.