Alaska on my mind...

3rd Day

3rd Day 5-18

Hauled 4 gals. water and started work on garden-rained all A.M. until late P.M. worked until 11:30 P.M. tonight. Got strawberries – chives and one hill of rubarb (sic) in today. Noki is getting on my nerves already.

Dad’s Journal

Dad kept a small notepad for a journal during his first days out at Gray Cliffs. It was one of the more precious things to be found at the cabin. It was in the little cabin, mildewed and damp.

I love that I have this glimpse into the past and his thoughts as he begins his Alaska cabin journey. I thought that I would copy and share with you all.

Lot 306

Gray Cliff Sub.

1st Day May 16, 1987

Walked Bill &Barb back to beach & trk (truck) to say good-by, & watch the trk go down the beach-sense of alowness (sic) settles in.

Setting up camp in early P.M. Got to listen to radio for correct time and set my clock. 7pm

2nd Day 5-17

Started foundation and floor- got water, shot a spruce hen- worked on camp.

Isn’t enough hrs. in day when have to cook, clean and work. Got over 1st day rush- finally ate sup at 10:30 p.m.-tired.

silence

It has been too quiet around here. Since I got dunked in the inlet while fishing in June, lost my phone to the salt water’s powers, and no WordPress app, I haven’t posted much.

So now, new phone and preparing to launch epic posts. Prepare yourselves…

Orange is the New Black. errr nope, juice.

So we were gifted this nice box full of oranges. They are delicious, but even after eating on them for most of a week, we’ve barely made a dent. So today us Marmalade day and fresh OJ day.

All sliced up and ready go simmer for 40 mins.

3# 12 oz of sugar is a lot! Candy in a jar.

Whilst simmering the oranges we made juice. And hade a math lesson plus economics for the oldest.

Here’s Lil Bit making her own glass, totally self serve.

She likes it.

Here’s mine in a pretty glass of course.

Now, back to the marmalade. I’m using Alton Brown’s recipe.

10 jars of summer sunshine ready for winter’s darkness.

And I whittled that box of oranges down to this…

So if you come see me this fall/winter I’ll share with you.

Kenai River Festival Fun

Our third year attending the KRF. Lots of fun kid activities.

They all tried their hand at the archery booth. And learned how difficult it is to put a lifejacket on with cold hands

Thing 1 and I entered the Salvage Art show. She won two ribbons for her entries in the kids division.

We had high hopes of camping Memorial weekend at Capt Cook like last year, hiking the trails, running the beach, and a day trip into the cabin, but no such luck. A blowout on the trailer tire and showing up two hours later than last year meant no open spots. What to do, what to do….
We ended up at Swiftwater which is pretty nice and not at all crowded right now.
The kids spent their first night alone in a tent. Just steps outside of our motorhome of course. I am proud of them for toughing it out. It wasn’t too cold last night.
Now what to do today…
We went over to the beach in Kenai for some 4wheeling.

Saw a friend on the beach. Rode way out farther than I’ve gone before, almost to the LPG plant dock. Saw some cool old fish camp shacks.

And a few fellas panning for gold. Then we came back to camp. Took a long siesta. Then campfire time, roasting some hot dogs and “smarshmallows” as Lil Bit calls them. I made some chicken and beef kabobs that Dean grilled to perfection.