Hanging Out With the BIG BOATS

Thursday, June 3 – Saturday, June 5

Petersburg has to be one of the most picturesque towns in Alaska. It sits on 33 miles of road … that literally goes no where.

With brightly painted houses and floral shutters, beautifully manicured gardens and potted plants throughout town, Petersburg is famous for its Norwegian heritage … and proud of it.

Known as the halibut capital of Alaska, Petersburg’s harbors are filled with more than 800 fishing boats (which DWARF Engelenbak) … and that’s for a community with a population of just 3,000. Unlike Ketchikan, Juneau and many other Alaskan ports … cruise boats don’t land in Petersburg (the water is too shallow). Instead its economy depends on commercial fishing. As a result, there’s a much more relaxing and laid back atmosphere; it’s a town where people actually stop and ask you if you need a ride as they pass you on the road, and say hello as they pass you on a sidewalk

It’s a good thing we liked the town so much … a crack in the steel support rod holding up the alternator had us worried so we stayed two nights in Petersburg and found a machine shop to make a new support. Roland and Jim spent a good afternoon in the engine room, which I affectionately have dubbed the “Man Cave,” and with more than a few groans, grunts and lots of muscle … reinstalled the support and mounted the alternator.