The seasonal progression springs into summer aboard Jupiter. Then, when least expected, the impossibly long days of the short Alaskan summer fade into nautical twilight, reminding the crew to plan the voyage down-chart.
But not before the arrival of son Ben and grandson Benji, aboard for the last leg of Jupiter’s Alaskan escapade.
Joys of signing on shipmates is amplified when the crew is family. Ben, a photojournalist, brings his eye and lens to record the animation of life aboard Jupiter. Benji, a curious second grader, brings his interest in untangling all floating mysteries.
Ben the photographer, and Benji the cosmographer, are convivial and focused during a five-day cruise from Wrangell to Ketchikan.
Benji remembers every detail from the voyage, learns safety protocols, shipboard systems, operation of equipment, vessel anatomy, navigational devices, and many maritime wonders. The Q and A runs from the morning watch until the second dog watch and involves everyone and everything aboard.
Handling the davit remote, lowering the kayak, setting the crab trap, surging about in the tender makes an active day of skylarking at sea.
Kayaking becomes a routine activity with Locator beacon, GPS and VHF radio within reach. Father and son are soon paddling calm anchorages together.
Benji quickly becomes master of the ship’s log, recording location, time, distance and weather minutiae in a steady hand.
Three generations man two helms over five days of southbound cruising.
Cooking and dining aboard involves all hands and available seafood. Salmon, black cod, halibut, crabs and oysters are on the menu and fiercely consumed.
During our landing at charming and remote Myers Chuck, we scout forest trails and rocky shores, flexing, imaginations, and unearthing curious finds. During days at sea a “devilishly difficult” puzzle is completed.
From the outside in
From the inside out.
Jupiter points southeast, her crew yet unsated by summer feasts of friends aboard, the abundance of creatures from the watery world, and the unexpected.
The satisfaction of voyaging is great. After nearly three thousand miles during five months at sea, losing ourselves along rocky shores, up and down inlets, among islands, and within scores of solitary anchorages, we are grateful for friends and family, viewfinders aboard our little ship.
Most photos by Ben
