Eric:
Of course I'm watching and listening but didn't want to respond until the whole saga unfolded.
I enjoyed your journal, typos and all! Your description of *places I've never heard of wetted my appetite for cruising SE Alaska again. This time in a bigger boat (not mine) and with a complete summer to spend. There's no place like it in the world.
I must say that I am envious of your fuel burn but not your cruise speeds. When I venture out into open water, I want some speed in the teens that will assure me of making the weather window. You have more guts than I do.
Walt *