July 18, Ketchikan

It is Raining, honest to goodness Alaska Rain and blowing. Were tied up to the pier in Ketchikan so were good but it is wet. This is the first real rain we have had since Shoal Bay back in May on our way up. Sherm, Nancy, better pack your rain gear on top of your luggage.

We got in about 1100 am this morning after crossing Clearance strait with 3 foot rollers and 20 knot winds. It was not bad since we got across with the flood tide so the current and wind were going the same direction. I can only imagine that it was quite a bit worse when the tide started ebbing and running against the winds.

Last night we went exploring an found the old indian viallageof Kassaan and the remains of the long house and the remaining totems on the beach. There were a few grave sites and lots of bear sign.

Our refrigeration problem is resolved. We were able to pick up a new refrigerator in town and they delivered it to the boat an hour later. Glen and I had it installed in an hour and were ready to go shopping and restock for the rest of the trip.

Unfortunately as we approached Ketchikan the Glending engine synchronizer stopped workin. We were just rounding the point into Tongas Channel when the port engine started loosing RPM's. My first thought was a plugged fuel filter. I shut off the synchronizer and the RPM's came back up. So tonight I am reviewing the manuals on the Glendening to see if I can troubleshoot the problem and get it running again. It is not as significant a problem as the refrigerator as we can run without it but it is nice to have it working.

Hopefully trouble only comes in threes because I have had the three allowed problems now. Tonight when we got back from dinner at the Ketchikan Yacht Club we were able to open the cabin door without any problem but when we went to open the door to head over the Glen and Liz's boat for our nightly movie the door would not open. the latch has broken and the door will not open. We will work on that tomorrow as well.