Ketchikan to Meyer's Chuck - May 10

Easy Day!  Went for an early morning walk and ran into Emily on the almost deserted streets of Ketchikan.  Walked onto the City Float to greet Josh and to see Ursa Major.  We rode with Josh & Emily on Ursa Major in 2011 and had a wonderful trip.  Ursa is a 65' Malahide Trawler that was built in Norway in the early 70s although the superstructure was completed in Ireland a year later.  Beautiful boat and extraordinarily maintained.  A pleasure to see her up close.
Headed back to Thomas Basin to our boat but stopped at a local cafe for breakfast.  It really was a local hangout and it appeared we were the only non-locals there this morning.  The fact that this is Mother's Day
Departed for Meyer's Chuck at 7:50 fighting the end of the ebb tide.  The tide would not turn to flood (headed north) until after noon but we were reluctant to wait since the afternoon forecast was for winds on Clarence Strait.  We arrived at Meyer's Chuck at 1:30 and the winds were still calm.  Our entire trip up Clarence Strait was calm which is often not the case.  Much like Johnstone Strait opposing winds and tides can create a real maelstrom in this location so were were grateful for smooth sailing.  Plenty of room on the dock.  After we tied up Barrie settled in for a nap and I made banana bread.  We had our hearts set on the famous cinnamon rolls that are delivered directly to your boat but we were too early in the season.  Went for a walk ashore and chatted with some of the locals.  The big news is that the State of Alaska sold the dock to a private group and as of July 1, there will be fees for moorage.  Also, the community removed the old telephone booth and a new mailbox has been installed at the head of the dock.  For old time's sake, we posted a letter to Larry and Wilma Determan.  It will be picked up out of the mailbox on Tuesday and a float plane will pick up the mail on Wednesday.  Mail once a week, maybe that would solve the deficits of the postal service.
and the lack of cruise ships in port and the early hour might have had something to do with that!