A Last Day of Summer

As you know our summer was beyond terrible. Such rainy weather was never before seen during August and July! That made it all the more amazing when it dawned bright and warm last Tuesday morning. We simply couldn't believe it! It wasn't long before we found ourselves saying (while still being at work, mind you) "I think we need to go out and enjoy this weather!"

It took very little convincing for dad to pack everything up, and soon we were leaving the tramway - where we play shows eight times a day as the Alaska String Band - to go get the boat ready for a day at the beach. Lupin was the only one who seemed unhappy by this prospect, and it took quite a bit of pulling and lifting to get her into the boat.

Silly Lupin! We won't be in the boat for that long, we promise! Greta on the other hand was much more excited to get in the boat. She knew that it meant a sunny shore where she could run around unsupervised!

Soon we were off! Our friend Rebecca came along and she remarked "Wow, I think this is the first time your boat has started up without any problems!" Dad answered "Well...we aren't there yet. Don't hold your breath!" Oh dear! It's true that the boat has a rather bumpy reputation, but I am happy to report that we made it safely there and back again.

Abigail sits on the front of the boat as we cruise along. 

There's simply not a better view!

As I said, Greta was having a grand time until we reminded her that she needed to wear a life vest. We were blessed to be given a life vest in just the right size for her, though she doesn't really like it as you will see.

The best part about it is that it has a handle on the back so we can easily pick her up out of the water. She particularly dislikes this fact. She was wallowing in the back of the boat when Laura started to feel sorry for her. So of course she picked Greta up - by the handle on her vest - Greta was not amused.
 

Laura then got the idea to put Lupin in a life vest, though we didn't have any doggy vests for her, so she improvised. A PFD that no one ever wanted to wear was put around Lupin and she was all strapped in. She wallowed even more than Greta! Poor puppies, they simply can't take a joke.

As I was taking this picture of Lupin in her life jacket, Rebecca called "Emily! Over here is what you should really be taking a picture of!" Quinn had Greta in his arms and they were both leaning over the side of the boat, their heads in the wind. Greta wasn't too happy at first, but I think she warmed up to the idea.

 




















When we got to Portland Island, Quinn lowered Greta down into the water so that she could swim to shore. Laura threw Lupin over the side of the boat, rather unceremoniously, and laughed as she paddle to the sandy beach (very unhappily I might add).

We went ashore with our arms laden with food and blankets for the evening - though Rebecca's arms were overflowing with costumes and camera equipment (for she had some filming she needed to finish).

We had the whole beach to ourselves! 

We started the evening off with gathering firewood, most of it wet from the constant rain that has befallen us these last weeks. Abigail found a swing in the woods while collecting wood, and Rebecca found a few thimble berry bushes with a few berries still ripe.

Before starting our fire we decided to get Rebecca's filming over and done with. We weren't sure yet what exactly she was having us do, but we knew for a fact we would be standing in the water (for she always seems to have us in the water for her film shoots!). So we started getting dressed in the many layers of costumes she brought with her.

Rebecca, who told us then that we would be Irish peasants during the Dark Ages, gave us shells full of dirt and water to rub on our faces. in her exact words "Yes, here are your makeup pallets." and I added "Make sure to blend it down your neck too!" This was certainly making to be an interesting evening (I do believe Quinn's expression says it all, ha!).
Here's Abigail and Melissa in their costumes. I guess that old saying is true: "You could wear a potato sack and still look lovely!" Even with dirt on their faces these two ladies still look beautiful!

In Rebecca fashion, we were (of course) put out in the water for the shots she needed (yes, it was cold!). Some of us had our XtraTufs on, but for those in front - me, for instance - bare feet was needed.

It was then that Rebecca shared that we were the people of Ireland seen in a vision by Saint Patrick, who saw that God was calling him to Ireland to preach the gospel. All of this was very exciting! After all, how often to you get to act in costume on an island during a picnic? When Rebecca was all through with us we certainly looked like we were right out of the dark ages!

Quinn of course is having a little too much fun with his cape, but don't we look fantastic? Rebecca joking said that the photo should be our next album cover for the band - haha! Though I doubt that will be the case, it was still fun dressing up and stepping back into the Dark Ages for a short time (for updates on when Rebecca's new movie will be coming out, watch her website!). But back to the picnic!

A picnic table was set - with a nice tablecloth of course - and soon we were trying to start a campfire. Because of the wet wood it took quite a bit longer than normal to start flickering, but thankfully we didn't need to ask God to send down fire from heaven. Soon hot dogs were sizzling over the fire and everyone was starting to feel hungrier - including Lupin, who ignored all reminders to "...get off the quilt!"

Lupin won in the end, the quilt was officially hers (for no one wanted to sit on the wet and sandy thing now!), and she was quite smug about her victory I do believe.

As the evening wore on it got a tad bit cold, fall is certainly on it's way! Everyone crowded around the fire and talked and laughed as the sun danced inside and outside the clouds. Even though the sun wasn't always out, I had worn a sun hat I made earlier in the summer for my family vacation (and didn't it turn out darling?). I was certainly trying my hardest to soak up all the last bit of summer.

Laura may have photobombed a photo or two, ha! And soon Lupin was off running around somewhere, and Greta had taken her spot on the wet quilt. *sigh* These puppies just don't understand they're all wet and gross!

All too soon it was time to pack up and make the return journey home. Rebecca was due to fly the next morning back to sunny California (we all asked that she think of us when her thermometer read 90 - while ours was reading 50), and we needed to make sure she got some sleep for her early flight. 

  

As you might guess, Lupin was not excited to get back in the boat, and gave Quinn and Laura quite the run-around as they chased her all over the beach. 

"Lupin? Aren't you ready to go home?"

We finally got the dogs in the boat and started out. Both Lupin and Greta were shaking, cold from their romps in the water with the wind blowing through the boat. Lupin was wrapped up in the quilt she so loved, and Greta was bundled up in a beach towel and sat in my lap the whole way back to the boat launch. 

If there is anything to be said, it's that Lupin has certainly mastered the pitiful look. She's so funny!

I don't think any of us wanted to leave the beach, nor pull the boat up out of the water - knowing that it would be the last time. The wind blowing off the sea smelled like summer, but it was cold, and it was time to go home. 

As I am writing this Autumn has indeed come to Southeast Alaska. Though we don't have the lovely fall colors of the Interior, the temperatures are dropping and the rain is here to stay. I have put away my summer wardrobe and brought out the comfy sweaters and jackets for the coming season. Though I am a bit sad those lovely sunny days are over, I look with anticipation towards winter and the promise of music, projects, and stories to share with you soon. Until next time, dear reader!

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A Lost Boat

Autumn is soon approaching, and with it the leaves are falling, the sky is growing darker, and cooler temperatures will be nipping at our toes. But until autumn is fully here, lets hold on to summer as long as possible, shall we?

One sunny day after a very long day at work, Quinn and I gathered some of our dear friends together and loaded the sailboat up for an evening spent on the water and on a sandy, far away shore.

But before I share that story, I must share with you another...


One Sunday evening a week or two ago, Quinn and I went on a walk with Greta. We chose one of our favorite trails (the one pictured in the Roses blog post), and made our way through the dimming light and fog to look out over the sea. It was a very quiet night, and it was already quite dark - but out of the fog Quinn called, "Do you see the sailboat?"

No, I didn't. The previous day had been very windy and we decided - much to our worry - that the sailboat had dragged anchor in the wind and made its way elsewhere.

Well. There wasn't much we could do. You see, our dear father was away for the week with the only other boat, and since we had no idea where it had gone anyway, a day long search may not turn up anything. So, we decided to pray.

And so we did! We prayed a lot that week and asked that the boat be safe. A week passed and finally our father Paul returned. Out Quinn and Dad searched, finally finding it stuck fast 20 miles away in front of a string of houses. There was no damage to it, and OH! how we were so thankful!

 Avery and Greta on our way to Portland Island

Greta loves the boat! How she adores looking out 

over the side (much to my panic sometimes!).

And so, a very thankful bunch of good friends headed out into the sun drenched waves, talking and laughing and maybe singing a bar or two of a favorite song. And all the while, Quinn - ever the sea captain - motored us (for the wind was blowing in the wrong direction). 

Callie, Avery, and Aria.

Once we rounded Portland Island's rocky side, our favorite stretch of sandy beach sparked gold waiting to meet us. Of course, we had to get to that sandy stretch of beach first, and that proved a bit more difficult than first thought...

 Quinn paddles Callie and Rob to shore. 

Rob wasn't quite happy about it.

Those who didn't go the first time gathered the supplies that had been carefully packed inside the boat. It was at this time that Quinn's helpful reminder to me("Don't forget the wood and fire starters in the back of the car.") had me wishing I had written it down. Oh well...perhaps we could rub some sticks together to roast our marshmallows? No? Oh dear...

Avery and Greta, both looking very beautiful with the sea as the back ground.

 Avery to me: "Emily, I don't think I should eat this berry. It doesn't quite look like the others."

 Treasures gathered from the sand and seaweed.

She sells sea shells by the sea shore!

We made it safely to the beach, though the small boat we used was very tipsy and Aria shaking it around did not help my calm as Quinn rowed us to shore.

Once there we searched for firewood (since I had forgot the box of it back in the car) and found small sea treasures along the way. Callie also discovered thimble berries still ripe along the woods.

Rob started the fire while Quinn and Avery carved marshmallow roasting sticks. This would be a wonderful night, I was already sure.

 The big X on the side of the boat is from the Coast Guard, who saw the boat drifting and called dad (though there was nothing he could do about it yet.)

 We still managed to find some very nice wood in the forest, left by other campers we guessed.

Rob's silhouette looking out to the mountains beyond.

Yummy marshmallows being made over the fire, the best part of any summer time activity!

Greta decided her treat was a big shell, the perfect thing to chew on in her eyes.

And soon, before we knew it, it was time to sail back.

I love how Greta looks in this picture: peaking out around the corner.

I can't remember if Aria or Avery took this photo, but I love it. The glow of the clouds and mountains remind me of singing Farther On - to me it looks like Heaven could lie right over those mountains.

As we got back to the calm harbor, the shadows were growing long and the only thing left illuminated were the clouds far along the horizon. Quinn carefully paddled everyone back to the rocky shore of North Douglas and sleepy goodbyes were exchanged. It was time to go home. 

But how fondly we will remember memories like these when the cold winter sets in and the sun seems to have forgotten to rise in the morning. I will surely look back at these pictures and remember singing with my dear friends on the beach in the bright setting sun. No, I will not soon forget it.

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory, no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly."

Psalm 84:11

Dear Lord, help me to walk uprightly all the days of my life. Though the winds and waves roar around me, I pray that you would be my anchor. For you will not let them blow me astray. I will hold fast to you oh Lord. You are my sun and my shield. 

Amen

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