It seems that spring has barely started and already we are planning out our summer. As much as I just want to either, go out to the boat deck and scrape paint off of the rowboat or walk down to the boat shop and work on finishing the Whitehall, the siren call of the north is constantly whizzing around in the back of my mind.
Two years ago in July, I gave into the persistent invitations from my neighbor Chris to go with him out to Cape Decision, Alaska and spend a week volunteering my labor on their efforts to restore to its glory days an almost 80 year old lighthouse. I was bitten, not by the infamously large Alaskan mosquitoes, but by the S.E. Alaska bug. I now have the need to return every summer to get my fix.
Unfortunately my exposure has been limited to the area between the very southern tip of Kuiu Island (the location of the Cape Decision lighthouse) and as far north as Juno. Besides the incredible scenery and abundant wildlife, the experience of getting to stay and work on a historic piece of Alaskan history is quite a treat, not to mention the joy of just getting there.
I have had the quintessential Alaskan seaplane flight from Sitka to the lighthouse. Then, in 2008,the mail flight (by seaplane) from Sitka to Port Alexander (the locals just call it P.A.) followed by 2 hours of the roughest water I have ever experienced (10ft seas with a 3 ft. chop) across Chatham Straight in “Helga”, a 16 ft. skiff.
Now, for what may be the best of all, Rhonda, Chris and I will have the privilege of hitching a ride on a retired and converted fishing boat by the name of Cape Decision with Captain Jack Knutson. The trip is to be approximately 10 days from Fisherman’s Terminal on Lake Union Seattle WA. to the lighthouse at Cape Decision AK. We will spend the rest of our two weeks getting what work we can do done in the short time we have left, then make a mad dash for home and back to the beach where the rest of our distractions await.
The 4th of July, with is annual rowboat race only a couple of weeks from our return, birthdays, and an anniversary in August. The wooden boat festival is in September, and our commitment to each other to get away to do some hiking each month will add to the list.
Our good friend and neighbor Scott will be back from his latest stint on the tugboat he has been working on by early July. Watch for the re-launching party announcement for the Whitehall sometime in the mid-summer.
Meanwhile, we will start cutting into the big cedar log to see if there is any boat lumber inside, fishing season, Tuesday evening concerts at Skanzy Park in Gig Harbor, and great sunsets.
So, you can see that there is no lack of distractions here at the beach and it is a wonder we ever get anything done at all. But, we do stay busy. So don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for the Salmon Beach Boat House brand and we will see you on the trail.
Two years ago in July, I gave into the persistent invitations from my neighbor Chris to go with him out to Cape Decision, Alaska and spend a week volunteering my labor on their efforts to restore to its glory days an almost 80 year old lighthouse. I was bitten, not by the infamously large Alaskan mosquitoes, but by the S.E. Alaska bug. I now have the need to return every summer to get my fix.
Unfortunately my exposure has been limited to the area between the very southern tip of Kuiu Island (the location of the Cape Decision lighthouse) and as far north as Juno. Besides the incredible scenery and abundant wildlife, the experience of getting to stay and work on a historic piece of Alaskan history is quite a treat, not to mention the joy of just getting there.
I have had the quintessential Alaskan seaplane flight from Sitka to the lighthouse. Then, in 2008,the mail flight (by seaplane) from Sitka to Port Alexander (the locals just call it P.A.) followed by 2 hours of the roughest water I have ever experienced (10ft seas with a 3 ft. chop) across Chatham Straight in “Helga”, a 16 ft. skiff.
Now, for what may be the best of all, Rhonda, Chris and I will have the privilege of hitching a ride on a retired and converted fishing boat by the name of Cape Decision with Captain Jack Knutson. The trip is to be approximately 10 days from Fisherman’s Terminal on Lake Union Seattle WA. to the lighthouse at Cape Decision AK. We will spend the rest of our two weeks getting what work we can do done in the short time we have left, then make a mad dash for home and back to the beach where the rest of our distractions await.
The 4th of July, with is annual rowboat race only a couple of weeks from our return, birthdays, and an anniversary in August. The wooden boat festival is in September, and our commitment to each other to get away to do some hiking each month will add to the list.
Our good friend and neighbor Scott will be back from his latest stint on the tugboat he has been working on by early July. Watch for the re-launching party announcement for the Whitehall sometime in the mid-summer.
Meanwhile, we will start cutting into the big cedar log to see if there is any boat lumber inside, fishing season, Tuesday evening concerts at Skanzy Park in Gig Harbor, and great sunsets.
So, you can see that there is no lack of distractions here at the beach and it is a wonder we ever get anything done at all. But, we do stay busy. So don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for the Salmon Beach Boat House brand and we will see you on the trail.
You never told me about coming to Gig Harbor on Tuesdays. You need to let us know when you do that and we can meet. I love the summer and the beach. Your trip north sounds like it will be a great time. What an adventure for you two!
ReplyDelete