Sea Creatures

When the Nome boys came we clearly did a little bit of fishing.  A run north of Sitka found a few halibut and a nice lingcod.  Those lingcod sure look nasty and prehistoric but they cook up extremely well.  Ling are also a kick in the pants to catch.

G2 displaying our first days halibut. 

Like anyone who fishes you occasionally  need to prospect for some new secret holes.  We dropped anchor, plopped down some herring, and waited for the Mud Hole to produce.  G2 was the provider, and somehow caught an Octopus!  Extremely unexpected and hilarious.  I've since learned that this is excellent bait because it doesn't come off the hook.  Live and learn.  Nice creature G2.

 G2 scooped up this 'but in 50 ft of water using light tackle.  It was pretty funny.  I thought he had a rockfish or at best a nice lingcod.  He asked me if the rod would break, I shrugged off his comment.  Then he yards up this halibut.  Unbelievable.

The halibut was roughly the same size as G4!

The fishing was pretty good but the company was obviously great.  I've been promised a return visit in June.  We need to net some Kings.  June G2.  June.

Boating is the Life for Me

The Cajun Queen has had an active spring and start to summer. Andy's taken her out and brought home king and silver salmon, halibut, dungeness crabs and little tiger shrimp. We've also gone family camping a couple of times among other outings for the fun of it. What's exciting and different this year is that we got a harbor slip for the boat to live at. I'll have to take a picture of our set-up and share another time. It makes for ease and motivation to just head out.

Here's a brief glimpse into some outings over the last couple of months:

 Legal Keepers!

 This pic. is from Miss A's first overnight onboard. 

She looked like a little beached walrus in the warm sack on Andy.

 Tiger shrimp netted when we really want to get bigger prawns. 

Enough for a cocktail though!

 Waking up one morning we had the bay to ourselves.

 Excited to help Dad steer on Father's Day.

Perched sea lion. 

This past Saturday afternoon we saw part of an orca pod that was giving townfolk and boaters quite a show. We watched two of the whales rise and dive.  The weather was so hot and perfect that I could actual lay out and sun, while A gave me a short break. Throughout the nice weather I managed to sunburn my arms. The change in skin shade and familiar feeling of sting is actually a welcomed change of pace. We set a temperature record for June 23 in Sitka at 80 degrees. The spring was awful, not even hitting the average of 50 degrees. We're back to overcast and wet, but it felt glorious to just tool around with the boat after enjoying an overnight near a black sand beach with friends. Miss A played in that loose sand for a wee bit Saturday morning.

We love our time on the water and there's much more time to conquer this summer!

*Amy

Easter Weekend

We sure had a great holiday weekend. The uh-mazing weather really contributed to our enjoyment.
It was high time to get the boat back on the water and Captain Andy was very thorough. We stayed in close waters so he could check electrical connections and make sure everything was in top working order. Of course we were just excited to get Miss A afloat!  She started the boat ride a bit sleepy and ended it in full nap mode. The in-between time was happiness and much for her to look at.
At the start of our excursion she remained in her car seat. After waking she stayed put for awhile because she had a direct view of her daddy steering. She fully took him in her sights!

We cruised in front of our neighborhood, dubbed "the scar" or "hillslide." I can't remember exactly, but try to find our little blue abode next to the red one.

And in the basket for her end of boat journey nap. She didn't see Daddy's rockfish catch but without a doubt many fish will be seen this summer. It felt so nice to be back on our boat, becoming familiar with the routine again, and jumping into the scenery. I'm beyond excited for camping and exploring.

Then it was Easter Sunday and when we weren't chatting with family, we tried to be outside as much as possible--especially on our new patio furniture.

Skyping with Grandpa Joe and his beard!

Another lovely element to Easter in addition to Jesus' resurrection, the sunshine, family and the prime rib, was A's vocal range! Holy smokes did her voice take off that day! She was a music maker exploring her range.

And just a couple of days ago she chatted up the owl and moon in her book at the changing table.

Finally, this week she is now a Bumbo girl, in short bursts!

Plenty of fun still ahead as Miss A and I fly out to New Orleans tomorrow for a conference. Here's hoping her 2 test run trips to Anchorage last month prepped her for this longer, out of state trip.

*Amy

6 Months (26 week photo)

Today is 3 months away from our due date! Hooo-weee! How did we mark 6 months into pregnancy? By going fishing! Andy's mom has been with us all week, and Mother Nature gave us a break from the regular rain for a lovely, sunny weekend perfect for going on the boat.

This photo was taken last week at 26-weeks along. Excuse the fact I'm wiped from working two jobs for 11-hours, and then gorging on a fondue dinner.

Bebe girl Gorn has been moving regularly of course and I'm so excited that Andy has started feeling her too. Just the other day it seemed a long shot that he could connect with her little movements, but I put his hand to the right place on my belly and that's when he said she gave him "ten"--two quick high-fives. Needless to say I was touched and thrilled by the moment.

Back aches are starting in some usual places. I'm looking forward, naturally, to my upcoming prenatal massage. Maternity clothes purchased just a month and a half ago are already considerably smaller. The

"how can I get any bigger"-pondering has entered my mind often. 

So back to the day of fishing. Andy's mom reeled in two halibut--her first! And I managed one myself; a bitty one of 17 pounds. It could have 50 lbs. based on how it felt to pull the fish up from the ocean floor. I think it was a good arm exercise for a 6-month pregnant woman!

Great day with Grandma Judy!

*Amy

Rough Days

Two weeks ago my old friend Lee flew up to Sitka from Portland to help me understand the finer details Sitka's waters. He just happened to fish here for many summers in a past lifetime. I of course, was all ears and eager to get his knowledge in my head (and GPS). The king salmon have found my line many times this but I hadn't yet given the halibut my attention. That changed with Lee's arrival. With a few pointers, the right gear, and a couple of secret spots, we pulled some halibut onto the Cajun Queen. The largest measured 61" long, which according to the book, weighed in at 114.8 lbs. I didn't have a scale, but my old arms could barely hold this fish up (don't let my smile fool you, I was struggling). This momma halibut head shook, dove, and made for an extremely fun catch. My first 100+ halibut, dynamite.

The king salmon and silver salmon fishing was pretty good as well. Strangely, it was easier to hook into a chinook than it was to find a coho. I'd imagine that has changed now that we are into August. It's probably time to get back out on the water to confirm. This king wasn't gigantic, but plenty legal for the freezer. Until next year Lee. Good times.

Captain's Log

Here's a photo reel of the last three weeks, mostly centered around visiting friends and the Cajun Queen. We went camping with Sitka friends and it was our first overnight onboard! Then, G & J came down from Anchorage and brought back home a filleted king salmon! Lastly, the Viators spent the holiday weekend with us, all the way from New York! They have the honor of catching the Queen's first halibut. I think the boat loves all the company and use. I know we do.

Click on all photos to view larger

Campsite on Strawberry Beach

Ladder Ball!

These tracks were discovered and made entirely by eagles. 

An eagle dance party.

Their talons are BIG!

First use of our dingy...heading out to grab the hot dog sticks on the boat.

Lone eagle Sunday morning. 2 mature and 1 juvenile eagle gave us their company for the camping trip.

I think they had the eagle beach party before we humans showed up.

Brushing teeth after a great night's sleep onboard. 

Check out that calm ocean water!

Totem Park with G & J

Yellow-eye rockfish in protected waters! Andy was stoked.

The Viators on water after a year in the desert overseas.

Welcome back to Alaska!

What a great June and start to July!

A Lemon, A Birthday and A Friend-ly Visit

Normally when you say "you've got a lemon" that's not very positive. My parents used to say when I was growing up that our station wagon was a lemon. It went to the car shop/garage a lot. But, for this week only having a lemon is pretty cool! That's the comparison size for the first baby Andy and I are expecting by 12/10/11! Yes, there's no going back--we are preparing (or, we will at some point!) for becoming parents just as our future baby is learning to make facial expressions this week---as the size of a lemon.

14.5 weeks along

We found out the life-changing and wonderful news on April's Fools day (about 5 weeks at that point) and kept the change to ourselves until a 10-week appt. when I got to see our little fishy. I'll share perspective soon about "how it's been" so far adjusting to pregnancy. Blog archives with excellent documentation and stories shared by my friends, Sara and Kati, more than a year ago have been really enjoyable for me to review and reference. (you're the experts ladies!)

So it was a special 31st birthday for me this Monday when both Andy & I went to the doctor for the 14-week appointment and heard baby's heartbeat! I nearly missed the moment as it took awhile for him to find it. I had to ask when it was found, at which time Andy and Doctor both said YES. Then I started listening really hard just before it disappeared. I'm such a novice. It won't be the last time for sure as one our friends in Sitka is locating her personal Doppler for us to borrow! The heartbeat was at.....140 beats. Which, according to insights shared to us by other parents in Sitka, and the old wives' tale that held true for my friend, Sara, it could be a boy. We'll find out next month and let you know!

As my co-worker said, it was a special birthday to spend with our entire family "to-be." :) We have been really blown away by the kindnesses and excitement shared by friends and family. Well wishes, lovely messages, thoughtful cards and even generous gifts for our news has really made this journey more real and special. Thank you!

I had a great weekend prior to my birthday with the visit of Liz. We both used to live in Nome and she just moved from there to Cordova. And guess what? She's pregnant too! Baby Guthier is due 1/2/12. So we indulged in comparing notes, discussing what to eat, how we feel and all that fun stuff since we're just 3 weeks apart.

We took those babies-to-be on board and cruised around with the Cajun Queen.

Blue-green water reflected in sunshine

Grilling Dinner Grub

Liz and I went to the Alaska Rapter Center, less than a mile from our house. It was amazing; I had never been to an animal rehabilitation center before. The presence and size of the eagles astounded us and pictures don't do justice.

Eagle and a football. Seems pretty American.

I call this one FedEx speedy!

What an eagle eye you have

Thank you for visiting us, Liz! I'll send you pictures soon.

Next up for baby? Joining the ranks of "navel orange" on Saturday. ha!

*Amy, plus lemon

Sitka Sound Cribs

Here's a video tour of the Cajun Queen's crib during her "baptism" with the Gorns weeks ago:

Since this first trip she's helped in the take of king salmon and some general touring of the "marine highway" around our Island.

On the way to the harbor

Layered up for the first windy trip out on the water

The weather was much warmer on another trip.

Our home is on the hillside just behind this visiting cruise ship.

Not only enjoying a day in a quiet bay,

but thinking ahead to summer camping trips