Meyers Chuck

Meyers Chuck, AK

May 28, 2013

Latitude: N55.74305°

Longitude: W132.26163°

Yesterday while the boat was  stuck in the grid we spent some time going to the Laundromat doing was and the had lunch.  We moved over to Bar Harbor marina after we were afloat from the grid and thought we might have some quiet but between washing the boat and taking a shower it was dinner time. We ate dinner down the road the the Best Western by the airport. The food there was surprisingly good. After dinner we walked back to the boat and were treated to a lightning storm. The word is that electrical storms are rare in SE AK. This was quite a show. But I was tired and went to bed early since I had been up since 03:30.

This morning we slept in until 06:00 then had a leisurely breakfast of oatmeal with banana. About that time, Dan came by to say hello and goodby and to deliver Olivia's latest picture. I am told she draws one for Bob each year but there are only two presently displayed on Fremont.  

When things were cleaned up we went shopping at the Safeway by the docks and after loading up we set off for Meyers Chuck. This one of the places Bob really likes and he has several good friends that have homes or spend time there. It is a very cute but basic place with a Post Office that gets weekly service a small gallery with local art, including quilts and a small boat repair business.

Once we passed Caameno Point and entered Clarence Strait we passed the furthest place I have been in this part of SE Alaska. Even though this is my 3rd trip up the coast I have always headed home from Ketchikan but this trip I wanted to stay on longer to see more of the coast and now I am in new territory.

Bob's friends, Dan and Carol Higgins, have a house here that used to be a school but when there weren't any more kids living here it closed. They bought it and converted it to their home. We went up there for dinner. It is a beautiful home and Dan has done all the work to fix it up. He is a skilled woodworker as well as a fisherman. The house is big and airy but the spaces are simple and it is very comfortable with a big fireplace right in front where you look out to the Chuck. We had shrimp and crab that Dan had harvested from his pots and salad that Bob and I brought. Carol said that there was not much in the house and this was a simple dinner....I don't know what an extravagant feast would look like but it would have to be very impressive to better this one.

May 29,2013

Meyers Chuck, AK

17:00

Today was a hang out day at Meyers Chuck. We slept in a bit, made coffee and had our oatmeal. Then we hiked out to the point to see if we could find some useable cell service. It is modestly better out on the end of the point and the hike was nice. When I got back to the boat I took a shower and read for a time. We needed to run the generator for a while first to get hot water but that didn't take too long. 

After a light lunch we launched the big kayak and went paddling around to the "Inner Chuck" and visited a friend over there. The water was smooth and the paddling enjoyable. Greg Rice, Bob's friend on the Inner Chuck is a year round resident here who makes his living as a gill netter and a diver. He has a sawmill next to his house and he harvested all the wood to build his house. He also makes beautiful wooden bowls and furniture from the local wood and drift wood. The winters he spends at a Buddhist Center in Santa Fe. When we visited he was readying his boat for the upcoming fishing season but he let us look around the property.

When we returned to the boat I had some trouble getting out of the kayak (I am old and stiff) and I came close to upsetting and sending us both into the drink. Eventually I untangled my self and exited but it wasn't very graceful. Bob commented, "That was close." It was not my best effort.

Tonight Craig, Dan and Carol are coming over to the boat for appetizers and cocktails. Tomorrow we will set out early to allow some exploring and then go to Coffman Cove which is further up the Clarence Strait.