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