August

I know that I am a little behind on my blog posts! It has been very very busy for the past few months around here! But I do want to share my stories and some pictures! 

The month of August was filled with beautiful sunshine days! Which meant lots of great days on the boat and lots of wonderful adventures on days off!! It started off with a beautiful 80 degree day that Tristan and I took advantage of a surprise day off and did one of our favorite hikes! We took the trail to Perseverance lake. This is one of the relatively flatter trails here in Ketchikan, hence why its one of my favorites! But it leads to a beautiful lake. We took advantage and spent the day sunbathing, and even soaking my feet in the lake.

Princess Siren posing for the picture

One morning at work we had to be in Metlakatla at 5AM to pick up a charter group. This unfortunately meant being at work at 3:30. But we were gifted with one of the most beautiful sunrises I have ever seen! The sky was painted with so many shades of pink and orange it caused tears to come to my eyes.

A Panoramic shot of the sky in the Met harbor.

Sunrise over the cannery. 

In August Molly moved over to deckhand on another boat so we gained Jazmin as our new deckhand. Jazmin is a wonderful free-spirited woman from Arizona! We all taught her the secrets of Alaska, and she taught us the art of fire dancing! It was wonderful getting to spend the last 2 months of the season getting to know her! We even got to do a little zip-lining!  

Jazmin being all Alaskan on a beautiful beach scouting day at work

Ziplining fun! 

Our last August adventure was another overnight camping trip for Tristan and I. We decided to camp on Brown mountain. It was a beautiful afternoon and night! I got to dance in the wildflowers and feast on mountain blueberries! We were also visited by some mountain goats! At some point in the night Siren decided she no longer wanted to be in the tent and decided to put a Siren size hole in the side. She then spent the night roaming the mountain and collecting sticks. 

View at Sunset over camp

The mountain goats on the side of the cliff

The next morning over coffee was one of the most magical moments I have ever experienced. As we sat with our coffee watching the mist roll in around the mountain, we heard wolves in the distance! It was an amazing sound! 

Down the trail into the mist we go...I promise there is a mountain down there! 

August was filled with Adventures, sunshine, whales, friends, and love! It is hard to put into words the beauty of what I get to experience everyday...so I'll just leave you with a few more pictures of the month! 

View of sunset from the Arctic for Molly's Birthday! 

Bailey's falls in the Misty's

Selfie with the captain day

Full moon rise 

And of course I can't end my post without this month's quote. These are beautiful words that I fell in love with a while ago: 
At the end of the day your feet should be dirty, your hair messy, and your eyes sparkling!

July

So just like June...July has been full of wonderful things. A lot of work and a lot of days filled with sunshine! We have seen many more whales, lots more tidepooling, and more mountains were climbed! And about halfway through July Tristan officially became a captain with Allen Marine...see I told you it was a busy month. 

Hammock time on our beach day

One of my favorite days this month was a visit to the Muskeg near Harriet Hunt lake. Tristan and I headed off in search of dragonflies and aquatic insects. We found some water beetles, dragon fly larvae, butterflies, spiders, dragonflies, and beautiful wildflowers! 

 

 

Tristan looking for little water beetles

Fireweed

Sundews

 I also had the opportunity to take our Port Engineer, Peter, and his family tidepooling! We found gunnels, sea stars, and sea cucumbers! We had a great time climbing over all of the rocks and finding all the new creatures! Plus I got to share my love with kids who were super excited which is always a bonus! Peter is also a great photographer, so he got some great shots that I'm getting prints made for our house! So of course all tidepool pictures by Peter...checkout his website or you can follow him on Facebook! 

Bloodstars on the Sea Lettuce

Tristan showing sea creatures off to Elaine

Gabe with his gumboot chiton

Katie with a sea cucumber

Acorn Barnacle

Purple Urchin

Kelp Crab that attached itself to me

Tristan, Siren, and I also climbed Brown Mountain with his friend Mike. This is my favorite mountain to climb because the views are amazing and the wildflower fields are so beautiful! 

View from the top

Wildflower fields

Indian Paintbrush

Monkshood

There have been more trips to the Misty's, more whales, and more beautiful sunshine as well! 

The Cirque

Punchbowl Cliffs

This month has been full of work, sunshine, and squeezing in adventures wherever possible! We have had get togethers with friends and Tristan's family (his sister was in town with her two adorable kids), bonfires on the beach, great sunsets, and good trips. Tristan is also now my captain so we get to spend most days together at work! Plus he earned his mickey ears! 

July flew by, and I feel like August is as well! I hope that everyone has had a great summer. I know that it isn't over for most of you, but the fireweed has lost its petals and is starting to turn orange marking the end of summer for us here in Ketchikan! 

This month's quote is:

We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm, and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open!

Month of June

The month of June has been pretty busy. There has been work and there have been lots of adventures.

Seastar with only 2 legs that we found on the dock!

At the beginning of the month my dad arrived with my little car and all of my stuff. He joined Tristan and I for a tidepooling adventure. Then we spent the afternoon on float plane adventures, looking for whales at Mountain Point, and scouting for bears! He also got to join me on tour for a morning! It was great to have him here, and I can't wait to see him again in September. 

Tristan and I in the Folatplane

Dad beside the floatplane for his adventure! 

Mountain Goats from the plane

Looking straight down Mahoney Falls from the plane

View back into town 

June was filled with whales, sunshine, and many adventures! There have been humpbacks that have been showing off for us almost everyday on tour. We have seen lunge feeding, Mom and calve, breaching, pectoral flipper slaps, and peduncle throws. Everyday is a new acrobatic show that truly amazes me. 

15 years ago I fell in love with Alaska for the first time when I saw my first Orca. Even now, I still get the same feeling that 11 year old me did . My eyes still fill with tears because of such beauty, power, and grace and I'm reminded of how small I am. This is a feeling that I hope never goes away no matter how many times I see them. 

So along with looking at whales on tour, I also did a little fishing. Molly, Nick, Brian, Amanda, and I took on fishing for Rockfish and Halibut. As a result I had yummy fish tacos and all other sorts fish foods!!  

I was excited for the first fish of the day...yummy Rockfish

Molly and I with our first Halibuts!!! 

I also went on my first hiking/camping adventure with Tristan. For our 1 year anniversary we decided to hike up Deer Mountain and camp for the night. It was absolutely beautiful. The wildflowers were amazing! The silence on top of a mountain at midnight is one of the most calming sounds one could ever hear! And watching the clouds roll through the mountains below over morning coffee is a breathtaking sight! It was so wonderful to be able to just get away from town and everyone else, even just for a night! 

Siren and I hanging out while Tristan made dinner

Wildflower fields

View of sunset behind our camp

The summit the next day

The best portion of your life will be small, nameless moments you spend smiling with someone you love! 

One of my favorite things in June was being able to cheer on my college baseball team in the World Series!! My Chants pulled out an amazing run and won it all on their first trip to Omaha ever! Chauncey joined me on many days at work so we could cheer on our boys with the beauty of Alaska all around us!  

Chauncey enjoying the views at work

Chauncey made it to the Misty's and enjoyed Punchbowl Cliffs

He even got to hang out in the wheelhouse with the captain! 

June was filled with many adventures!! And I'm sorry it has taken so long to get the post up! We have been super busy working 6 or 7 days a week, and trying to enjoy the sunshine in every moment that we were off! 

This months quotes comes from the great naturalist John Muir...
In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks!

Nature can be a wonderful way to clear your mind, remind you of whats important, and how to find beauty in the small things! And in todays world...I think that is something that everyone needs! Until next time...Get outside and have your own adventure!