2013 Back on the Water

After visiting family over the winter we are safely back on the float house.  Jerry bought a truck and drove back with treasures from America, as he calls the lower 48.  He sure had fun shopping the Amish stores in northern Indiana.  He got to visit all his grandchildren as well.

Larry and I took a little more time coming back.  We visited more friends and family in South Carolina, Illinois, Texas, and California just to mention a few.  We soaked up some sunshine, new sights, and love, lots of love.

Sadly, I have to tell you that we lost our Dad over the winter.  Lynn Ryggs was a tremendous person, a friend to everybody he met.  We were lucky enough to have him spend two summers here in Alaska with us.  He was the first person up and in the boat every day.  No matter what we were off to do that day, he was up for it and loving it!  He will be missed.

We were lucky to have all been there together at his side when he passed.  We were able to be there for each other.  Loosing a loved one makes the rest of your family seem that much more precious.  Go out and let your loved ones know that they are loved.  We enjoy being here in wild Alaska but we miss our family.

We are also loosing Zach; but to opportunity.  He is visiting in Missouri now and will be returning to Alaska but to a different island.  He will be running an oyster nursery there.  We will miss him and wish him the best of luck.  If anyone knows of a strong young back that is willing to trade a summer of labor for the adventure of a lifetime, have them e-mail us soon!

Alaska had a mild winter season which is a good thing as we had to leave Zach as the sole winter caretaker.  Well, Zach and the boy!  The boy went on full time otter hunting.  He is a barking machine.  Unfortunately he is currently choosing to do that barking at night.

Then, as we returned and Zach flew off, winter hit.  It snowed every day, all day for the first week we were here.  We took turns shoveling it off the decks so that we stayed afloat.  Note to self: buy that extra floatation material and install it THIS year! 

My blood must of thinned during the sunny drive back north along the west coast.  I have been cold since we returned.  I am wearing my new Smart wool socks-thanks guys! and my long johns but I don't want to venture too far from the wood stove yet!  Larry seems fine.  He has a lot of projects in mind for the farm and has jumped right back in to things.

Just now we are having a chain of three sunny days.  Jerry got out and caught a halibut.  Larry and I started to plant a few things for this year's green house.  We are starting to move the baby oysters back out of cold storage on to the lines to work for the season.

Keep in touch and see how this year develops!