Juneau, Alaska

Day 34 June 24, 2008


Upon arrival at Juneau June 21st Saturday, it was high tide in Gastineau Channel, we decided to spend the night at the very nice Douglas Harbor on Douglas Island and wait for low tide in the morning to go under Douglas Bridge to spend the next few days in Harris Harbor nearer to downtown Juneau. Lori, my girlfriend, met us on the dock and welcomed us to Juneau. How exciting to see her and her husband Cliff again. They had built a new home a 3-4 years ago and I had seen it while it was being built and was excited to see the finished home. Lori had promised us a warm bed and hot shower!! **smile**And boy they both felt wonderful.

Sunday, Cliff and Lori and the 6 of us climbed inside their car ( 8 people in a 5 passenger car – you do the math) and took us for a wonderful tour of Mendenhall Glacier and the Shrine of St. Therese - Diocese of Juneau, Alaska. We then went to a late lunch at Bullwinkle’s Pizza Parlor for delicious sandwiches and pizza. They also drove us to see other areas we were thinking of staying in the next few days. Beautiful sights to see and we also watched an eagle grab a fish and fly right above our car as another eagle chased him. Wow what a sight. Amazing what you see in Juneau….It was a marvelously fun filled day.

Monday - John went to the Omega to do the routine maintenance and Daleen stayed at Cliff and Lori’s house to log the pictures and update the blog and website while Cliff and Lori went to work for a few hours. Around 1:30 Lori & Cliff arrived back at the house and they joined us for an afternoon sail aboard the Omega , beating our way down Gastineau Channel with light winds. We had a delightful afternoon sail. John and I returned to their home for a short evening of conversation and dinner and to bed.

June 24, 2008 Tuesday - Today we are tending to laundry and visiting downtown Juneau.

Juneau is the capitol of Alaska and after a tip from our friend Don Munson; we decided to visit the State Capitol for their very interesting tour and to also acquire the “walrus pin” (which I proudly wear on my lapel along with an Alaska state pin, a birthday gift from Don & Diane). Lori, Diane and I visited many interesting shops while John and Don found the most comfy benches inside and outside of the shops.

After a wonderful day, Lori drove John and Don back to the marina and then Lori, Diane and I relaxed and had some much needed girl down time at Lori and Cliff’s home.

John had to meet with the Wabasto Marine electrician at the Omega at 5:30, since our newly rebuilt forced air diesel furnace decided to quit working yesterday. After John did all the checks, he called Sure Marine in Seattle to get any ideas but it was determined both by John and Sure Marine that the flame detector probably had went out. Of course that part is not under warranty since it is like a light bulb, it works or doesn’t and it didn’t need replaced when they rebuilt the furnace. Sure Marine gave John the phone number for the local Wabasto repairman and he was able to come out to the Omega that evening. He had the part so after a few adjustments which John assisted we had a working furnace again. Nice thing to have in Alaska…..

Cliff had come home from work and decided it would be nice to help John and Don on the Omega so off he went with the guys and the gals had a nice relaxing evening.

Wednesday was our Costco day, so off Lori, Daleen, Diane and Judy went. It was a quick trip, which is probably always good at Costco, because since Douglas bridge is a fixed bridge and we had earlier moved to Harris Harbor north of the bridge (closer to downtown Juneau), it was suppose to be low at 12:08 pm, which you have 71 feet at zero tide. We wanted to get out early in the morning for calm seas and light winds; we decided to move back to Douglas harbor to get an early start. We need 51 feet, Saoirse need 58 feet and Code Blue needed 61 feet for our mast to clear the bridge. At high tide 51’ is the noted clearance so we really like a little more when going under the bridge. Thus our parade began…

Lori and Cliff have 2 beautiful cats, Blue and Buddy and what fun they were to play with. We miss them already… oh… Cliff and Lori too... **smile** Lori and I have talked over this past year about us coming to visit again but never before this year did I ever think it would be via our sailboat Omega. They were very gracious and accommodating and we had a great time. We love you both and Juneau.... Thank you!!!