Mother Goose fleet awoke to a misty morning at Tracy Arm Cove. The fleet quickly bade the icebergs farewell and headed south towards Cannery Cove on glassy water. The calm, grey waters accentuated every murrelet, guillemot and scoter who broke the smooth surface.  About midday, a kayaker along the coast in Stephens Passage hailed Deception and requested assistance. It had started to rain, and the gentleman kayaking was concerned about crossing the windy channel alone. Captain Jordan was quick to respond and turned Deception off course to intercept the stranded kayaker. The rest of the fleet continued on at a reduced pace and much to their delight they were overtaken by a group of humpbacks! Two excellent cases of being in the right place at the right time. The fleet slowed to an idle and watch the humpbacks as they travel and breached. Meanwhile Deception’s crew dropped a very grateful kayaker off at Point Hugh to continue his travels. Deception rejoined the fleet and we carried on our way to Cannery Cove past Point Pybus Lodge.

The fleet anchored out individually, scattered about the misty cove. We arrived right at high tide which was the perfect time to hop in our dinghies and travel up the sege lined creek in search of bears. The evening was cool and the towering hemlocks laden with mist gave our ride up the trickling creek a mystical feel. No bear appeared on the shore, but we did sit for a time admiring a pair of bald eagles chittering and wheeling above. As Randy from Eldean said, “silent and listen have the same letters- this is a good trip to be and do both.” That evening, we sat in the calm creek, dinghy engines off, and savored listening to the wild silence of Alaska.