Greetings! Today marks my 2 week anniversary since arriving to Alaska. Holy hell, let me tell you, what a crazy and mind blowing adventure it has been! Captain Stan and Ginger have a remote/ off the grid homestead and Eco village off the Kupreanof Straights that gives volunteer gardeners (WOOFER's) a chance to explore new land and put their skills and knowledge to use for several months on end. Now in my previous post, I mentioned the first couple of days were rather hard for me. I was missing home, the familiar faces that make my heart dance and basically just missing all familiararity that is no longer existent. I just needed a damn hug. Well, several days after getting settled on the boat, I met Kevin and Kari who will be living on the homestead as well. There's a coffee shop right up from the harbor that I frequent regularly to read, surf the internet or just zone out in a velvety cup of Java that I miss so much. That morning sitting in my usual corner, I looked over and saw an adorable couple glancing at a news paper while sipping their own bit of heaven in a cup. We definitely all noticed each other because we were all 20 something's, cleaned up and all looking a bit confused. Soon enough, I walked over to the shop to meet Stan and Ginger to get my daily assignment. In walks that same couple and from that moment on, a friendship and deep commrodery was born between us 3. We sat at the top of the dock and exchanged stories of how we all got to be standing in St. Paul Harbor in Kodiak, Alaska. They are both from the east coast and have woofed on a farm in Maine previously. I admired their courage to travel and experience this life as a couple and they were in aw of the fact I traveled solo with a captain of a fishing boat who I just met. 
I can't even begin to explain how happy I am to have met these two and to share in the craziness of this adventure that is so new to us all. We explored town a bit, found a little hole in the wall bar, turned Patsy Cline on the jukebox and danced like nobody was watching. When infant the whole bar was and we sure gave local Jim a run for his money. That evening, we all set sail in the skiff and headed for the homestead. Along the way, we saw flocks of puffins (so so cute and little) along with a ton of sea otters! Even some mamas who would float with their babies on their bellies. It reminded me how all Mothers out there, mammals or humans, have the strongest bond with their babies and will do anything to protect them. Even being a floating ship to coast their little ones across 38 degree oceans. It made me smile and miss MY Mama.
Arriving at the homestead was one of the best feelings I have ever felt. Pure joy surged through my body as we pulled up, let the bow ramp down and walked on the shore of my other new home away from home when I'm not on the boat. We spent the evening exploring the property and getting settled in my own little cabin with a big glass of vino.
The 4 days spent there consisted of turning and testing soil in and around the hoop houses, re-roofing one of them, gathering firewood by boat from different beaches and probably my favorite activity so far...the banya!!! If you've never bathed in a banya, I suggest you try it. Purely amazing.
We are back in the harbor now and will be picking up two crew members from the airport in the morning. I'm looking forward to meeting these other brave souls that will be my new co workers and bunk mates. Am I really in Alaska about to go commercial fishing??
Well, until next time my friends. Much love and cheers.
Arriving at the homestead was one of the best feelings I have ever felt. Pure joy surged through my body as we pulled up, let the bow ramp down and walked on the shore of my other new home away from home when I'm not on the boat. We spent the evening exploring the property and getting settled in my own little cabin with a big glass of vino.
The 4 days spent there consisted of turning and testing soil in and around the hoop houses, re-roofing one of them, gathering firewood by boat from different beaches and probably my favorite activity so far...the banya!!! If you've never bathed in a banya, I suggest you try it. Purely amazing.
We are back in the harbor now and will be picking up two crew members from the airport in the morning. I'm looking forward to meeting these other brave souls that will be my new co workers and bunk mates. Am I really in Alaska about to go commercial fishing??
Well, until next time my friends. Much love and cheers.
