Ice bergs, waterfalls, seabirds, but no fish

Some of the best pictures of the last few weeks - All taken by Captain Jeff Rhodes

Salmon berries everywhere and a few blue berries

Valdez on a rainy day

Columbia Glacier icebergs in Columbia Bay

Iceberg with seabirds at the bottom.

The Wall in Valdez Narrows

The Wall, Valdez Narrows

Silver Dolphin at Gold Creek, Port Valdez, July 2016
Photo by Jeff Rhodes

Independence Day

Happy Independence Day! Our 4th of July has been busy and we arrived in Port Valdez late afternoon.

Here is a selection from some of our latest adventures. My favorite is the USCG the Healy.

USCG the Healy in Seward

We are finished transporting salmon and equipment to and from Larsen Bay and Homer. This is another photo of the 100+ year old cannery. 

Now the fishing has begun. And we are hauling fish from Prince William Sound to Seward for the time being.

There are sea otters in Resurrection Bay of course, but one was in the harbor, very busy.

This time of year is always difficult because we lost Nick 14 years ago on July 3, 2002. Some of my readers may not know about this tragedy, or may not think of it every Independence Day. Losing my big brother hurts all the time. 14 years seems like a long time, but it isn't - the pain doesn't go away. I miss the sound of his voice, especially his laugh. I miss knowing I could count on him if I needed help with anything, especially anything having to do with math or engineering. I know that just like my other 2 brothers, he would be there for me and support me. Most of the story can still be found on the internet:

http://abqjournal.com/news/metro/461753metro05-20-06.htm
http://www.abqjournal.com/news/metro/484335metro08-16-06.htm

Another sunset. There is something infinite about sunrises and sunsets over the open ocean. I find it comforting.

May Nick's memory be eternal.

Happy Independence Day

Joanna

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

Hello again...

We are headed out of Seward. Go, go, go!

I only have a few minutes. It's been raining. For about 24 hours or more. Beautiful clouds. 

All is well. Lots of sea birds, whales and dolphins. The fishing has picked up too. We are managing with the three of us: Jeff, Ty and me. The guys do most of the heavy lifting, but I'm on deck more, shoveled out the tanks with Ty one all-nighter, didn't hit our bunk til 07:00. Also spraying the tanks down and generally doing more work on deck. My back is holding up pretty well. I try not to overdo it. The guys handle things that are too heavy to lift. Very much appreciated. 

I've got to go. We were in town for 5 hours and it's time to secure the galley and our stateroom because there is a roll outside of Resurrection Bay. 

Quick shout out to my niece, Alex - I love you beautiful. And I'm always right behind you 100%, without question or hesitation. Will see you in the fall. 

Joanna 

Headed to Prince William Sound.

We had a great Fourth of July in Seward. Headed off to sit deliver supplies to the seiners in Prince William sound. 

I'm happy to announce my Dad is recovering nicely. I'm thinking about my niece, Alex, who is under the weather. She is a beautiful, intelligent and resilient woman. 

Jeff at the parade today:

The two of is at dinner- the food has been awesome!!!

Nick

I miss you desperately. I was doing ok until the fireworks. But not anymore. My big brother, how I wish you were not taken away from us 13 years ago. It still hurts like it happened last year. 

Nick. Nick. Nick. 

Loving life!

Hello all!

Quick update - everything is great! We are in Seward, one of my favorite towns in Alaska. We finished our Homer/Larsen Bay gig and we are ready to tender salmon.  The deck is all set up, supplies and groceries purchased, and we are ready to work. All we need now are fish... but there isn't a lot of fish.

But that's ok! I spent the day cleaning up, running errands and generally enjoying the freedom of no deadlines and mountain sunshine. I have also let go of some obligations I thought I had to hold onto - turns out there was no need! I am free of these obligations and even if I held onto them, it wasn't appreciated anyway! I feel like an enormous weight of needing to appease, apologize and accommodate has been lifted. Wow. What a wonderful feeling. I had no idea it was weighing me down so much for so long. And, as it turns out, it wasn't doing anyone any good but just hurting me and enabling people that don't really care about me anyway. Now that the burden is gone, I can breathe. I can relax and laugh. I can enjoy my husband and soak up this beautiful place we work in. Life is good!

Now, I like to add a photo to every post, because photographs are fun. As an introduction to this photo, I have to tell you that I love bookstores, especially those with a resident cat. Well, the hardware store in Seward has a cat, Mufasa. While there purchasing bolts, duct tape and various items for the boat, I met the cat. Since I was not in a huge hurry, I sat by his scratching post and we played for a bit. Mufasa rolled over and let me rub his belly. We had a nice visit.

Mufasa, the hardware store cat

Every hardware store should have a cat. The folks there explain that he is a great mouser. Now when the guys need something from the hardware store, I am quick to volunteer. Unfortunately, Mufasa was out hunting mice today. Apparently he had already caught two from behind the store and brought them into the store. The staff was not pleased with his work, since his job is to get rid of them instead of hunt them down and bring them inside, still alive and twitching. He is such a cool cat, as you can see, I am sure he doesn't care.

Tonight will be the 3rd night in a row I do not have to cook dinner! I know, it just gets better and better. Jeff and I are headed out to one of our favorite restaurants. Eventually, we will be very busy and worn out, but in the meantime, I am going to soak it all up. Appreciate it. Live it. Love it.

Much aloha to my friends and family!

Joanna

Workin'

Well, we are in Larsen Bay after a few trips to and from Homer. All is well. There has been very little to report and no thrilling pictures to post. I have been photographing various ships that enter Larsen  Bay and Homer. Other than that, we have seen huge pods of Orcas and the occasional salmon jumping.

We should be heading to Seward soon. Just waiting to see if they still need us here.

Family and friends have been on my mind, most likely because we had BBQ ribs for dinner, making me think about the Quarters. I grew up on ribs. Tonight's meal was accompanied by twice-baked potatoes and a spinach salad. 

That is all. Just wanted to say hi.

Joanna

We were in Homer for 36 hours and it was great to take care of business: groceries, equipment for the  boat, and generally walk around on land. Jeff and I went to Vida Thai Restaurant, a fairly new place with a beautiful outdoor setting and great food. In order to go anywhere, I have to climb this ladder. I leave my heals at home because of this and many other obvious reasons. 

Date night in Homer June 13, 2015

We ended our evening at the Salty Dog, and met some great people from Maui. We toasted to my Dad's quick recovery with Coronas. Much Aloha to George and Ivana for a fun evening. Wishing them a good cruise through the Inside Passage.

The Salty Dog

Headed back to Larsen Bay, about a 15 hour drive from Homer. Aloha everyone!
Joanna

Leaving Larsen Bay!

It doesn't seem possible, but we are leaving Larsen Bay with a load of fish and propane tanks. We are headed to Homer to drop off the fish and trade the empty propane tanks out for full ones. It has been 9  long days. 9 DAYS!!! Stuck on anchor with very little to do and a slow internet connection. Ugh. WE head to Homer and then we come back to Larsen Bay.

But, our captivity is over now and we are leaving in a little while.  The good news is that my Dad is doing very well after his surgery. So, we are thankful for that and nothing else really matters.

Aloha,
Joanna

Here we are - in Larsen Bay! Big surprise...

There is not much to report. We remain in Larsen Bay, and it has been 8 days on anchor. We may be leaving tomorrow, but I am reluctant to count on it. The chances of leaving seems unlikely. There isn't a lot of fish. Regardless, we will be ready at 10:30 am with the high tide. We have three hours next tot he barge before the tide changes and we have to move.

Jeff and I walked around the harbor today. It is cold, windy and raining. But we are making the best of it. I have been cooking a few hearty meals: penne with bolognese and fresh parmesan cheese, Thai coconut chicken over rice, burritos with beef, black beans, rice and cheese, rib-eyes and asparagus on the grill with a nice green salad, fried rice and poached eggs on bagels with cheese. Jeff and Ty do the grilling and I love it.

Jeff and Joanna at Larsen Bay June 2015

The cooking has been fairly easy and keeps me busy. As it turns out, I am only cooking for 3 instead of 4 people. Our new greenhorn likes to cook his own meals. From what I can tell, it consists of hot dogs cut up and mixed in with instant noodles or, sometimes, it's scrambled eggs and hot dogs. He is very polite about it, and says he prefers Asian food. I didn't know hot dogs were a big part of the Asian diet. Even when I make something like stir fry or the ever popular Thai coconut chicken, he stays in his room. Oh well. At least he helps with the dishes.

Joanna surrounded by seine nets, Larsen Bay, June 2015

My Dad is doing well, thanks to everyone for their thoughts and best wishes. I wish I could be there to help out, but I know he has a lot of people looking after him. But it isn't the same, you know? I worry. I can't sleep and when I do, I have these awful nightmares. Jeff is my rock - he is patient and understanding while we wait for updates. My Dad is as tough as a $2 steak, as our dear friend Brian would say. He is doing great, and he is going to heal fast!

STILL sitting on anchor

We are STILL ON ANCHOR in Larsen Bay. It has been one week and we continue to wait and wait and wait. Here is our view:

the view from the boat of the cannery

We are waiting for the fish to come in.  The opener has been extended and we may be here for a few more days. 

Most important, my Dad had open heart surgery this morning - a valve and artery replaced successfully. We have been anxiously waiting for news all morning. It's good news because it went well and he is under observation in the cardiac ward at Presbyterian Hospital. He has a nurse dedicated to taking care of only him. My Mom is taking some time to rest. It all looks good. What a relief.

No one can prepare you for the helplessness and isolation of working on a boat and being hell and gone from everything. It is almost indescribable and beyond frustrating. It's closer to infuriating but with no outlet. We are trapped here. And if I needed to get home, it would take at least 24 hours and cost several thousand. Being away from the people Jeff and I love is by far the hardest part of this job. I think Jeff is more accustomed to this after 19 years as a fisherman, but I am not. 

My love to my family. I'm thinking of them and I may be far away but I am with them with all my heart. 

Nana

Sittin' on Anchor

Well, here we are at the early part of the season, waiting for fish, particularly king salmon. Everyone is waiting - the fishermen, the cannery and the tenders. But there is very little fish so far. So, we have been sitting in Larsen Bay, on anchor, for three days. We will continue to sit on anchor until there is enough fish to fill a van, and then we will haul it to Homer. We could be here for a while, perhaps 3 or 4 more days. Hopefully the fishing will pick up during the next opener.

The view from where I sit....

There isn't a lot to do. Some chores on the boat, good books to read, and lots of movies I've seen many, many times. We are in a connectivity black hole, so to speak, and have limited access to the outside world. I am sending this blog out quickly, before the boat swings again.  The tides are huge here, and the minus tide exposes clams, starfish and other sea creatures. We took the skiff out a few times today. The guys caught a few cod, but no king salmon.

Jeff and I having fun with the cartoon filter in Photo Booth

These are the slow times. It won't last, soon we will be racing around. Now is time to enjoy the quiet, even when it comes with a serious case of cabin fever. As you can see from our silly photo above - we try to stay busy and keep laughing during times like these. Of course, the down time has both of us thinking about family and how hard it is to be so far away. How we wish we could be there for the people we love so dearly.

At times like these, I think of the saying Maren introduced me to:

If wishes were fishes, we would all have something to fry.

So true!
Joanna

Going through the locks

We are almost out of here... I'm on the bow watching the line as the boat descends...

Here it is from my point of view:

And then we are out:

No problem!

We are now in Puget Sound heading north.