Another great week

At this time of year, the sun sets usually when I am driving Shelikof Straight. Every night is different. It is one of my favorite drives. This last trip we had Dahl Porpoises playing along the bow for 20 minutes or so.

The skiff is a great way to get around. There is only one other place to go. Makes it easy, not a lot of options.

Below we are tied up to the Homer Public Harbor.

I hope everyone can see the panoramic photo I took of Shelikof Straight. This is the route we have been taking and will continue for a while now. It is a great gig.  And occasionally. I can share some photos.

A panoramic of the wheelhouse

All is well so far

We arrived in Homer and had to wait out a -6 foot tide. For those of you in Hawaii, our tides change by a few feet, here it is extreme. We unloaded our cargo, brought more on board and headed back to Larsen Bay. Expecting 8 foot seas tonight.

Jeff in the wheelhouse

The black and white image of the deck is a new favorite

Summer 2016 is here.... and soon we will be living here....

Silver Dolphin in Petersburg, AK 2015

The summer tendering season is starting again. Before we head to Alaska, a quick aloha to all our family, friends and connections. More to come as the adventure begins again.

Joanna

On deck

Mahalo!

We are finished for the season! I have lots of photos and fun facts to weave into my writing, but first there is a ton to do before we cross the Gulf of Alaska again. For now, I had a chance last week to spend some time on solid ground - hiking with Cindy on this a beautiful day.

Surrounded by Muskeg, we relax and laugh about the season.

Good times in Petersburg!

Aloha,

Joanna

Rain, a trip to the hot springs and Dad's 6 week check up

It has been a fairly uneventful few days. Of course, we have had lots of rain and the forecast is for more rain. I have been using this as an excuse to read constantly, cook yummy, hearty meals, and write. This is my view from the little desk in our stateroom:

Rain, rain, rain. Southeast Alaska, July 2015

We were able to return to Baranof Warm Springs. Jeff and I enjoyed the tubs last night and I made a Pasta Bolognese. Prior to that, we had beef short ribs, double baked potatoes, fried rice, and a few frozen pizzas. Surprisingly, the guys like frozen pizza night. They would eat pizza once a day without complaint. It is the easiest meal for me, so I am happy to oblige and get back to my latest project. I certainly don't take it personally, everyone loves pizza! Unfortunately, the oven reached out and bit me the other night. I ended up with a triangular burn on my right forearm, complete with huge blisters that merged into one giant blister. Jeff doctored it for me and I am hoping it doesn't leave a scar. It doesn't hurt anymore as long as I keep it bandaged.

The most exciting event since my last post was the huge halibut Jeff caught. It measured 57" and weighed about 95 pounds!!! Impressively, he brought that fish up on 20 lb line. Check it out:

Jeff's halibut! 57 inches and 90 lbs!!!

This was an excellent catch. We were able to get about 50 lbs of nice fillets off of it for our home packs. At the end of the season we will be able to fill our freezer with some beautiful fish again.

It has been 68 days since we left home. We have been living on the boat the entire time, as you know. About this time in the season, I start to get a bit homesick and crave visits with family and friends. While we are getting along very well on the boat with just three of us, only the occasional issue, it is still an isolated existence. And of course, we miss our cat, Bootsie. 

Most importantly - good job DAD for recovering so well after open heart surgery! His 6 week check up was full of good news.  He has a clean bill of health.

Mom and Dad, July 28, 2015

Thanks to those who helped my parents during these difficult months. While many sent best wishes and checked in from out of town, I would like to thank those who did the heavy lifting, so to speak. Special thanks to John, Alaura, Chris, Scott, Tino, Michelle, Juanita and Ernie, Ky, the REG, Kathleen, Helen, Michael, Carlos, Janet and Al, Ron and Claudia, Anthony, Mike, and the folks at the Quarters who made sure he stuck to the doctors orders. It has been difficult to be far away and I am greatly appreciative to those who stayed with him at the hospital, came by the house to keep him company, dropped off food, drove him around, ran errands, and helped my MOM in big and little ways. Much gratitude and many thanks!

We enjoy emails and communications from family and friends... so thanks to those of you who stay in touch. It means a great deal to me and Jeff. 

Aloha,

Joanna

60 days and counting...

We have been on the boat for 60 days so far. Everyone is doing well here. Some mechanical issues and lots of long drives have made this an interesting season so far. We crossed the Gulf again and we are up in Valdez. It's a beautiful place and one of our favorite p[laces to tender. The folks up here are nice and the views breathtaking. The pictures I have taken do not capture the feeling but perhaps your imagination can help:

We are enjoying nice weather. The rain let up to blue skies. I have been cooking. Tonight was cheeseburger pie, a favorite with the guys. Made chicken soup, French toast, another quiche and some pretty good sandwiches over the past week. When we are driving long distances, we sleep in shifts and subsequently eat in shifts. So it's a challenge to cook items that we can all snack on as our shifts change. With only 3 on board this year, there is not as much need for lots of large meals. I have adapted my cooking for what we have going on in those next few days.

About to start another all-nighter, taking fish and then driving to a cannery. 

Entering the port of Valdez today. The seiners are setting their nets or lining up for a good spot.

Sending my best wishes to family and friends. A special shout out to Maren, hang in there. I'm behind you 100%. Whatever you need, just let me know. I'll be there.

Joanna

Crossed the Gulf

We have arrived in Petersburg. It was a nice trip across the Gulf. Walked through town and stopped at our favorite restaurant, Inga Galley.

We are about 1/2 way through the season now. 

Traveling along the coast, we eventually came across the La Perouse Glacier. 

We actually had a good view of it. It is usually covered in clouds, as you can see, it extends well above what we can see.

Glaciers. One of the most astounding, powerful, and breathtaking sights, and here in Alaska, they are every where. Amazing.

Joanna