GLORY be to God for dappled things— For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow; For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;
Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings; Landscape plotted and pieced—fold, fallow, and plough; And áll trádes, their gear and tackle and trim. All things counter, original, spare, strange; Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?) - Gerard Manley Hopkins
There comes a time when we must all admit defeat. My Alaskan adventure has come to an abrupt end-my passion to go out in search of more, has not. It is unfortunate that I will not be traveling back for work, but I plan to go back in my own time and head north in search of greater things. For those interested, I am in the process of beginning a photography website. I will also be organizing a gallery showing of my work in order to begin to sell my prints. Thank you for all your support. Until my next adventure...
"Sweet the coming on / Of grateful evening mild; then silent night / With this her solemn bird and this fair moon, / And these gems of heaven, her starry train."
There is something mystifying about these birds. They emerge from the darkness-a crashing, brimming with wind-much like a sail saturated with gust. They meet in the sky abruptly, talons entangled, screaming. Its as if I do not even exist. As I lay in the sun, a large shadow briefly covers my entire body. I hear a crushing in the sky. In a hurry I open my eyes and protect them from the blaring sun. As I strain my eyes to see, fifteen feet above my head two Eagles are clasped together, bending, turning, spinning in the air. I release my shutter, they release, and disappear- and I am left with nothing but a picture of solid blue sky-As if they never existed.
I have been sitting in my cabin for almost 3 days now, and the rain and drizzle of southeast Alaska has become dismal at best. I can still find some enjoyment in it though. As i create tonight's menu I do what no other Alaskan is doing- I listen to the sounds of Pavarotti singing Puccini's Turnadot. I would give just about anything at this point for a good glass of red, and a nice sized wedge of st. Agur or Humbolt Fog. We have been without guests for the week, narrowing our duties to simply feeding the crew. Tonight's dinner- Brined pork loin, stuffed with apples, blue cheese, walnuts, caramelized onions, and served over a potato risotto. I have learned temporarily to adjust my cooking style to suit the needs here. You can throw seasonal right out the cabin window here. It doesn't exist. The only things that's grown here is a hefty appetite. Just about everything here gets flown in by floatplane. Its quite a peaceful place, but I am already feeling the effects of my being shut off from the everyday gifts of living in a urban setting. I miss shopping at the market in the morning, making my way home to pull from a garden and retrieve the fresh eggs from the chickens. I will however enjoy it while I'm here. I consider this a great chapter in my life-something to bring me one step closer to the well rounded and seasoned man and chef that I desire to be. One last note to my friends and loved ones: wine bottles can be shipped here. Yes I am dropping hints.
I'd like to finally introduce you to our boys of mischief, brothers Storm and Coho. All they do is get into trouble. They once got lost in the woods for two weeks together. The entire crew figured that a bear got them, until they came waltzing back into town after their excursion.
This is what I look at everyday. I watch as Humpback whales pass by. Eagles fly and fight in the sky above me. I'm also posting the picture I captured that I promised to posted a week ago. It can tend to be lonely here at times. But when you feel like your just about to give up and head back into the cabin, something else decides to put on a show to hold your attention. Right now I am writing/journaling trying to figure out this place, and where my heart is. I have a lot on my heart. Right now Pierce Pettis is keeping me company. I love it. Feel like i'm relaxin' back home with the Grutleubs. Miss you all. Love you all. Thank you for all your support in my adventurous heart. Alaska will go by quick. I should be done by Sept. 1st. I will then probably head to Gainesville to hold little Valerie Jayne Larson. Maybe head to NY to visit some old friends from school. Then off to wherever calls me next.
Today was my day off, so again I headed with the canoe up river to fish for rainbow and cutthroat trout. The current was hard to deal with, so after a good two hours of struggling to keep the boat steady, I nearly gave up. On one of my last casts, I hit a 14 inch Cutthroat. This of course lifted my spirits, and I stayed out longer only to hook a 20+ inch Rainbow, and lose it near the boat. She hit my lure just as I was bringing it in, and it was beautiful to watch her come out of nowhere and strike and run. She was the "big one that got away" as they say, though. However, I came home very happy and prepared my trout for dinner. Life is beautiful out here. And my pictures and stories could never do this place justice. It takes your breath away, everyday.
I have three days off this week, so I will try my best to update with what's going on, however I will be doing a lot of fishing during my small break. Speaking of fishing, we had a crew tournament yesterday. I've been waiting a long time to get out on the boats. I had a good crew team along. We caught the "most variety", which is not necessarily a compliment. The contest was biggest King Salmon, and Halibut closest to 40lb. We caught neither. We did catch the most rockfish... actually now that I think about it, we we're the only ones that caught rockfish. Those will be the ones on the floor (of least importance) in the crew tournament photo that I have attached. I caught the largest Lingcod, which is the ugly looking black fish on the lower left of the fish rack. They are good to eat though. They make excellent fish n' chips I am told.
I have been working hard to earn the trust of this bald eagle that I have been photographing throughout the week. He sits and closely watches me. He doesn't see me as a threat, because he knows...that he plays that role. I'm also attaching a photograph of him fighting with an adolescent bald eagle. I will have many more pictures of him soon.....I hope.
Unfortunately I was unable to update my blog last night as I had planned. I am having alot of computer issues right now.
Yesterday was my first day off, and It was quite an amazing day. I packed myself a lunch and the tools I would need for my long day on the river. I left the dock at about 12pm(Alaska time) because high tide would aid me through a specific part of the river that one cannot pass simply because it is too shallow. As I started down the river, seal would follow me and pop out of the water and almost laugh, then return under. I fished on my way out to the spot that was suggested by the fishing crew. The only thing I could land though were small perch. It was a thrill none the less to have any size fish tugging on my tackle on my first fishing experience here. It was without a doubt the most peaceful place I have ever witnessed. As I moved down the river a little further, I finally experienced my first close encounter with a Bald Eagle. As my canoe quietly cut through the water, the eagle glided along side my boat about 15 feet to my right along the water as if it were riding shotgun. My heart sunk in my chest. It was one of 24 + Bald Eagles that would follow my boat as I fished. It felt like I was in another world-a sanctuary. I fished for the next 5 hours. About 1 hour into my day, I caught my very first Cutthroat Trout. It was a 14 inch fish, which met the Alaskan State regulations to take home. However I released the fish assuming that if I was only in my first hour of fishing, there were many more to come. Sockeyes are beginning their run this week, so I was prepared to bring home a larger meal. That however would be the last fish of the day. Despite the slow day of fishing, it was the most incredible day of fishing to date for me. I did not take my camera in the canoe, but will be heading out into much deeper water on the large boats with the guides next week. The entire staff has an off week, so we are going to be taking all the boats out and have a staff fishing tournament. This is where the big fish come into play- 40-300 lb fish, if not bigger. I will have more updates soon, dependent upon my computer. I miss you all. Walt, if you're reading this, If they had racquetball courts out here I would invite you out. Of course you'd have to bring your sports bra. Panzy
I am honestly so tired from all the traveling and full days work so far, that i don't have a whole lot to say. I am settled in very well. I love the people here. It is without a doubt, the most beautiful place that I have ever had the privilege to experience. It's unreal. I've been up since 3:30 am, and I'm about to take a small nap before getting back to work for dinner service. Hopefully I'll have some pictures uploaded soon-maybe tonight. I shot a few pics from the float plane coming into the island, but I haven't really had a whole lot of time so far. I hit the ground running basically. Love you all.
Well today was quite an eclectic day. I had the opportunity to visit Safeco field today to watch the Mariners play the Giants. The weather was gorgeous. Probably about 69 F most of the day, and not a cloud in the sky. Ken Griffey Jr knocked one out of the park. I was shooting him at just the right time.
On another note- on the way home from the ballgame I witnessed my very first hit and run. The driver responsible slammed into an SUV, backed up then sped off. The vehicle hit followed him immediately. Traffic stopped and onlookers watched as the SUV chased the guilty party several times around the block.............. Somebody had priors.
P.s. My beloved Redsox have taken first place in their division.
It was a good day. I shook the hand of a potential employer-Chef Keith Luce of the Herbfarm in Woodinville, WA. As well, I hugged one of the cooks. Renae was her name, and she was the best friend of my ex-girlfriend during my studies at the Culinary. It is indeed a small world we live in. As we embraced, it struck the Chef to be very odd. It seemed however, to be an aid in opening up conversation with the Chef and owner and possibly getting a foot in the door for employment. We'll see what the future holds. For those that are interested, please check this place out. It is beautiful. It also beat out the French Laundry, as the best dining destination in the nation.
http://www.theherbfarm.com/
P.S. I experienced my first struggle with finding a public restroom in the city of Seattle. There were none.
Today I ventured back to the market to get my peach. After telling the vendor of my trials the previous day, he gave me a deal on some incredible pears. I tucked myself away in a quiet corner to eat my fruit while watching the people of Seattle pass by in such a hurry. They must not see what I see. It must have worn off long ago. They've lived here for too long.
Everything here just tastes better, and I don't know why. I think the saying goes..."Do windows really make coffee taste better"?? I think they do.
For the remainder of the day I simply roamed around the city. The friendliness of this place amazes me. A far cry from NY.
Today I wandered the streets of Seattle for the first time. It is, as I am told, the most beautiful time of the year here. It stopped raining the day before I arrived, and is due to begin again, shortly after my leaving. I started my day on Pike Ave, where I sat alone quietly with the newest issue of Nat. Geographic and a Reuben at a local sandwich shop, the Honey Hole. I worked my way downtown on Pike which led me to the famed Pike's Place Market. I was overwhelmed as I rummaged through piles of fresh morels, porcinis, English pea pods, fiddlehead ferns, jumbo aspargus...the list goes on. I thought to myself, ...this happens everyday here!!! One of the vendors, was coaxing in potential customers(as most of them do), by cutting a piece of their prized stock and feeding it to passers by. I was sold. Three ripe and ready to eat white peaches-the best I have ever tasted. I cradled them with excitement, fighting off any urge to eat them right away. I would save them for later. A big finale to come!
I took a brief rest at a small restaurant inside the market by the name of Athenian, where from my booth I enjoyed a cold locally brewed beer as I stared through an old glass window at the beauty of Mount Rainier amid the Cascade Mountain Range-It's peak still finished with snow. Shortly after, I made my way towards pier 70 where I met up with an old friend from highschool, which I haven't seen for aleast 12 years. It was surreal but fantastic to say the least. As I made my way through the city, I came upon the stores Patagonia and Mtn. Hardwear. To those who know me...I need say no more. Might I mention, that I purchased my very first pair of galoshes(personally recommended by the fishmongers at Pike's Market). They will come in handy on the boats in Alaska. After a few more hours of getting lost, I decided it was time to head home. Tonight's menu: Morel mushroom ragout, English pea risotto, Wild Alaskan Salmon...and of course...my three white peaches.
After waiting for the bus at the wrong stop for one hour, I headed to my new starting point, where when I arrived i was told by the very helpful citizens of Seattle, that I had just missed the 73, and it would be another hour wait. As I waited, i began thinking of my peaches again. But no!! I was not going to give in. Save them for later-I thought. My bus eventually arrived, and I boarded and headed home. When I arrived at my destination(2 hours late), I burst through the door with excitement and story. And as I rummaged through my bags to unearth my prized possesions, it was NOT peaches that I found, but peach puree.
That said...Goodnight. I have a long journey back to the market tomorrow to eat a peach.
