Orcas in Kachemak Bay

Lauri writes:

"We have had unusually large numbers of Orcas gathering in Kachemak Bay this summer, and we got near one of the pods this rainy day. There were 20 or more, and the large fin is about six feet high, to give you an idea of its size. Next time there is a wildlife viewing, I vote for someone less emotional and shaky to hold the camera!"

Personally, I'd say she did a fabulous job. And we appreciate getting to see what crosses your path.

Fishing and crabbing and some really good eatin'

Well, it's summer and that means lots of activity. Lauri and Greg have been out on their boat, sometimes just the two of them, and occasionally they have a bit of help.

Lauri writes:
"Enjoyed a great week with friends, and a successful fishing day. Greg caught a large cod, which was delicious in a Veracruz sauce. I got the biggest of lots of little halibut. Greg wanted me to send the photo right after I hauled it, and I was exhausted and my face all puckery. Fortunately for all of you, he doesn't do the editing."


And a couple weeks later:
"Tanner crab fishing has opened! We are thrilled to be working with Zach and his years of expertise. Yummmo. He also had us try a cedar planked salmon which turned out so delicious. Enjoy!"


I love that Lauri also sends along pictures of what she sees as she goes about her life.

Set net fishing

Lauri writes:
"Doing our annual set net fishing on the beach has been slow, but good company.

First you get together and PULL the net in, then untangle the fish from the net!

Greg got the big one yesterday-- we do get a few kings each year.

The gulls get to do the cleaning up.

This morning at 6am we were the only families with nets out! Mt Redoubt is peeking in the background."

I'm pretty sure that at 6am I'm not going to be on the beach tugging on a net and untangling fish. I'm just saying. But count on me to show up if the grill gets lit. Heh heh.

Spring Tidepooling on the Island

Lauri writes on June 10th:
"Greg and I just spent a peaceful 12 days on the island, and every day was a low tide for tidepooling and seeing wonderous sea stars. Our neighbor, Nancy, was with us this day and loved all the colors and the fun brittle stars that are only seen at very low tides. And then, the weird and unusual " helmet' crab."

I find these sights amazing. I cannot imagine strolling along the beach and coming across something so beautiful AND so alien. (If you want to get a good look at any of these seastars, click on the image -- it'll get bigger.)

The island gets a greenhouse

Lauri and Greg continue to make the island home exactly what they want -- adding the new furniture that Greg made over the long winter and a greenhouse (I suspect for Lauri's 5 different kinds of tomatoes).

Lauri writes:
"All of Greg's winter wood projects, plus greenhouse pieces, bags of soil, a sofa, totes of pantry food, plus assorted odds and ends of Zachary's. The next day, we built the greenhouse! No wonder we sleep 9-10 hours at the island!"

Indeed!

The Kasilof beach

Lauri writes:

"Walking on the Kasilof beach today, it was just my neighbor Sandy and I. I know, all you people in the land of spring flowers are wondering when spring comes to Alaska? Next week we should have migratory birds; but the main thing to remember is that we get to walk on the beach all alone. No other people most days, and some days just someone else we might know. Priceless."

Happy Easter!

Lauri's been busy! And so has Greg.

Would you please just look at those cupcakes? Mmmmmmmm. Wait, there's more. See the incredible wood pieces in the back? Check out that inlaid work. Whew!

Lauri made the tasty Easter treats for the children of a friend. Greg made the cutting boards as thank you gifts for folks who have helped them out. Are these two amazing, or what?

Annual ice sculpture contest, Fairbanks

Laurie and Greg get to choose where to spend the winter months. Some years they head to California, some to Hawaii, but this year it was ROAD TRIIIIIP! They headed north to Denali and Fairbanks. For your amazement, here are photos from the 2008 World Ice Art Championships, held in Fairbanks February 26 - March 23. I'm blown away, how about you? (click on the images -- they get bigger)

Kayaking

Have you met winter?

Last October Lauri wrote:
“Greg and I hauled 3 trailer loads like this one from his place to Kasilof this week! ( Beetle killed trees.) I guess our 6 months of work on the island has us in good shape, as neither of us is sore or complaining! Yes, the full wood shed is a years' worth, and it feels soooo good. Let winter begin!”


So Lauri works on the milling equipment (mentioned in the island cabin building section) to cut up trees into fireplace/stove wood. And she and Greg proudly pose in front of the years' worth of wood. Of course, I'm looking at those pictures and thinking "Let winter begin? Isn't that snow I see? And aren't you pretty seriously bundled up there?" Well, what do I know? I live in Florida. Winter has many faces.


Like these. These look like genuine, sincere winter faces. The kind of winter that freezes your blood. The kind that turns your breath into frost on your beard. (Can that really happen? I've seen it in movies.) The first two pictures are along Kasilof Beach, where the constant moisture gathers and then freezes on the trees. The beautiful sunset is the view from Greg's parent's house and there actually is some ice there on the edge of the water (that's the Cook Inlet and Mount Iliamna on the other side).

Of the winter that Lauri is experiencing, she writes:
"Still colder than sh**. We cut up enough firewood for a reasonable winter, but we are going through 2 days worth in one day. Yikes. Every little crack or gap just spews cold and ice!"

Down here in Florida, we don't know anything about this kind of winter. I've lived in California, Arizona and now Florida for so many winters that I cannot remember the winters of my childhood that included snow. Of course, those winters of my childhood were about sledding and school being closed, not trying to keep a house warm, pipes from freezing, and your car able to start. Nope, I don't know those winters, never met them.

Visitors

How would you like to find these cute critters lounging around your front yard? I think it would be just fine.


Lauri writes:
"These two were sleeping just below the house today, and Greg thought the calf looked odd. Close up revealed he had started to grow one nub of an antler above his eye!"

Not to worry, he's fine. He's just a bit odd. Aren't we all?

I remember the first trip I took to Kasilof. I stayed with friends of Lauri's and slept in their living room, which had a huge picture window looking out over the Kasilof River. One morning as I was stretching and wishing for a cup of strong coffee, a bear sauntered through the yard and down to the river. My mouth was hanging open and my brain was trying hard to comprehend what I'd seen. This was no zoo. That bear was not in some well-designed enclosure. That sucker was right outside. Since nobody else seemed too awfully concerned, I didn't make a big deal about it. Alaska's funny that way.

He's quick

I no sooner posted "Greg's been busy" than I got a message from Lauri with this photo.


And in answer to the question "wonder what's next?" GuessWho (I think we know who you are) writes:
"Weeeellll, today he is putting the hand rubbed finish on the chairs.
Next, I will get him to clean the shop and take a break. Would like to drive to Fairbanks to watch some northern lights for a bit, as they are so much more spectacular there.
Then, he will gear up the shop for welding and build 2 small size wood stoves for the island cabins!"

Greg's been busy

In case you thought Greg just lazes around the house in the winter, think again. This guy has been very busy. I think I mentioned back when I wrote about the island cabin being built, that Greg and Lauri ended up acquiring milling equipment at their place in Kasilof. In other words, they have a kick-ass shop. Well, it gets put to extremely good use.

His most recent project is a birch table for the Hesketh Island cabin and, of course, chairs. Lauri writes:
"Greg has been keeping busy in his workshop the past 2 months. He made a picnic table and benches for the guest cabin. Then, a new door for our cabin to replace the drafty one. Now he has started on a birchwood dining set for our cabin--- this is the prototype chair. Wowee!"

He's finished the table and has cut all the pieces for the chairs. He'll have them done in no time, I'm sure, and then he'll pick another project. Hmmm, wonder what's next?