South of Ketchikan

Woke up this morning several hours South of Petersburg, which we stopped at, along with Wrangell, in the night. I remember hearing the announcements that we were approaching each port, but slept right through. Slept quite well, actually, after watching a beautiful sunset over the striking coast of Baranof, then Admiralty Islands.

Another clear day, though we passed through some fog in the morning and then again after leaving Ketchikan. Only some cirrus clouds at the moment, with cumulus on the Eastern horizon, over the coastal range.

Big water here, but quite calm; not more than one foot waves. Hard to tell much about the coast because we're passing quite a ways off shore; probably two or three miles. But the upland looks quite gradual, so likely there are many good campsites on the beach in this area, though I will be paddling among spring tides when I pass through here next, and will have to find sites well above the high tide line.

Also good beaches for camping North of Ketchikan, between Behm Canal and Meyers Chuck, though much of that area is a little ugly because of heavy logging.

I had hoped to get some cell reception from Metlakatla before passing into Canada in an hour or so, but any reception is very spotty, and it's seeming unlikely that it's going to get better before we get a lot closer to Prince Rupert. That will give me an excuse to try out my Canadian cell phone, though.