(54 deg 41.5′ N, 163 deg 05.5W)  We are underway; Shane is driving and we are seeing incredible scenery on Unimak Island. In clear view we see Shishaldin volcano, a snow-covered peak 9372′ above sea level with steam coming out of the top just in front of us. Next to that is a twin peak mountain 8135′ high call Isanotski Peaks, locally known as “Rugged Jack” (must be the American name.) We feel privileged to see these as the U.S. Coast Pilot tells us that they are cloud covered most of the time. The water is emerald green when shallow and dark blue when deep. Because it has been windy white froth has been whipped up on the water. Fortunately, so far the wind has been on our quarter or behind us.

In the past two days we have seen an incredible number of birds including hundreds of Puffins. Puffins are great and so funny to watch. They are skitterish and “run away”, walking on water while looking back at you. Because their beaks are orange and so are their feet, combined with a straight wing, it is sometimes hard to tell which way they are going. They don’t really fly much but with the aid of a head wind, they can.

Ed solo’d today (VFR) and did a really good job. There is a lot to learn (and constantly look at) to effectively run the boat. He is “earning” his bunk!

9:30 PM We are now safely at anchor in East Anchor Cove on the Ikatan Peninsula. We had a good day, but it is still a long run to Kodiak. Please pray for calm seas and a favorable current.

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8/9 6:30 AM We have the 1st real rain of the trip. Perhaps that is a welcome to SE AK. We have a welder coming this AM to fix the wet exhaust leak we have lived with from nearly the beginning of the trip. Then we will refuel, send Pat to the airport for a CityTeam Board meeting next week (plus he is very eager to see Kathy, “the wife of his life” -7 weeks is a very long time) and be on our way east. We won’t get very far today but we do hope to get through the pass to the other side of the Aleutians.

8/9 midnight We had the wet exhaust welded – another fix! They did the TIG welding in the boat. We refueled at North Pacific Fuel and departed Dutch Harbor at 1:40 PM. We went trough Akutan Pass. This pass is smaller than the Unimak Pass but we wanted out of the wind and waves; it worked. We are at a beautiful anchorage in Seredka Bay on Akun Island. Tomorrow we will head east crossing the Unimak Pass opening but not going through it. Dutch Harbor is a very busy port. They claim more seafood volume than any port in America & I believe it. We watched a processing boat come in; the fish were unloaded already boxed. The Aleutians are drop dead gorgeous when the fog allows you to see.

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(58 deg 20′ N, 164 deg 51′ W) Last night wasn’t as bad as forecasted. We had 15 – 20 kt from the SE instead of 20 kt from the NE. We continue to experience failures aboard Geraldine. Last night the blades from the defrost squirrel-cage blower broke off. Wow. I have never heard of that happening before – ever, but it did to us last night so we are without defrost. Fortunately, it is 55 degrees out so the need is not as great right now. In addition, the variable mechanical governor is still slow to respond even after elixirs were added to both the oil & diesel fuel in Nome. We hope to have it looked at in Dutch Harbor.

Today is Pat’s Birthday. He celebrated the first hour of his watch in bed! That was followed by a latte and singing of Happy Birthday (maybe that is why Geraldine is breaking… bad singing?) Kathy just called too which got him beaming.

We are currently about 275 miles north of Dutch Harbor. At our current rate we will arrive very late Sunday or early Monday. Please pray for favorable weather. We are exactly where the “World’s Deadliest Catch” was filmed. The entire Bering Sea seems to be 100′ deep – perfect for crabs but lousy for waves with a long fetch.

This morning Geraldine will have completed 6000 NM since departing Maine.

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We are now just between Nunivak Island (known for its reindeer herds – though we won’t see any with the fog and cloud cover) and Cape Vancouver in the Etolin Strait.  We have Southeast wind about 15 knots turning to Northwest tonight.  It is forecasted to be lousy through next Wednesday.  We are going to “run” for Dutch Harbor and try and stay in front of the worst – at least during the night.  All are doing fine.  Pat made another loaf of his now-famous bread – cracked wheat and rosemary – delicious!

10 PM update: It’s still daylight.  Seas are rough (59 deg 35′ N, 165 deg 19′ W).

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