Mother Goose awoke to a cheery morning at Meyers Chuck. Our morning was made even more cheerful by the appearance of Cassy, the harbor and post master, smiling and bearing a basket of freshly baked sticky buns! What a delight! Waving goodbye to Cassy we got underway for our final passage to Ketchikan.

At first the way was quiet, the channel empty but for black and white pigeon guillemots dotting the water. But slowly, and steadily, boat after boat appeared on the horizon. The appearance of one, then another and another cruise ship signaled our return to the beaten path of civilization. The closer our fleet got to Ketchikan the harder it was to find a quiet channel to communicate on; exuberant charter boat captains barked across one channel, while on another, old timers chatted in a friendly, knowing manner about weather, crossings or nothing at all. Maneuvering between tug boats and fishing skiffs, our fleet got in position to fuel up and then make one final docking at Ketchikan’s South Harbor. All crews joined in a last get together at Annabelle’s. Looking at our group, chatting over dinner, you would think we had known each other for much longer than ten days of cruising.  We all said our final farewells that night but no goodbyes. After all, a trip of a lifetime has a way of forging friendships for a lifetime.  Until we cruise with you again, fair winds and calm seas Goslings!