A busy, busy July

I had intended to update this blog more frequently, but as usually happens, we got super busy this month.  July in Alaska is mad scramble to make money, absorb sunshine, garden, fish and generally spend some time outdoors to offset the 8 months of dark, cold winter and 3 months of not so dark but still very cold winter. 



Kelley in her playpen 



Fish Camp



 July started out with my 2 year wedding anniversary, Kelley's 6 month birthday and my 31st birthday.  We didn't do too much celebrating as our focus was solely on leaving the real world and spending some time at our "fish camp," where my husband's family has commercial salmon fished for over 50 years!  Our fish camp is only accesible by airplane or boat (or snowmachine during the winter) and is blissfully set in the middle of absolutely nowhere.  The only other humans around are miles away in the tiny village of Tyonek or in the small bush planes traveling overhead.



Boats on the dock



My husband took the boat across the Cook Inlet, loaded with ice in anticipation of our first fishing day, or "opener."  In the past, the dogs and I had always traveled across on the boat with an occasional trip in the plane if weather deemed a boat crossing too dangerous, but because of Kelley, we were treated to a plane ride with gorgeous views.  The dogs were patient and used to the drone of the airplane taxiing.  Kelley, on the otherhand was quite surprised as the plane sped forward, whining loudly and suddenly left the ground.  I had to laugh at the shocked expression on her face... a mix of awe and "what the hell is going on!".

We arrived at fish camp and immediately began to clean.  Our camp is located on the mud flats, which means that everything is covered in silty dirt, caked deeply from the intense wind that sweeps across the flat, open shoreline.  I strapped Kelley on my back, as nothing was fit for a baby to sit on or in, and started scrubbing; floors, counters, tables, window sills and TV (we are spoiled).  The little one just relaxed on my back while I went from chore to chore.  It is so nice to be able to focus on a job (or 50) and know that Kelley is learning, listening and generally having fun while I labor. 

One of the old fish camp cabins



Family Photo 



Bear Poo!



Once all of the chores were finished, I decided to go for a walk to enjoy the awesome scenery that I had missed so much since last season.  I popped Kelley into the ring sling, grabbed my fanny pack with an extra diaper and water bottle and set off with the dogs romping insanely through the goose grass.  We walked for miles, coming across tons of different birds, some moose tracks and even a big pile of fresh bear poop.  It was time to turn around.  I didn't feel like meeting up with the bruin, who was most likely breaking in to one of the nearby duck hunting shacks. 

We stayed for two weeks, going on daily walks, once trekking a few miles out to where the guys were fishing, just off the beach.  The scenery never seems to be the same; some days the towering volcanoes are grandiose and bright whereas other days the fields of wildflowers catch the eye.  It was a joy to introduce Kelley to this place, although the mosquitoes really got the best of her.  We had planned to stay for more than two weeks, but with a bug bitten baby I decided to head home a bit earlier than expected. 



Volcanoes in the distance



Kelley, in front of "Sleeping Lady"

 

Off on our next adventure...



Plane Ride Home