First Tracks and Pie

We celebrated a birthday up here on the island. Meghan and I took a sunny, snowy birthday hike on Saturday. And then she baked a pecan pie for me. Pecan became my favorite pie after a visit to Meghan's Grandparents in Arkansas a few years ago. We ate the pie for dessert after feasting on caribou lasagna at a friend's house. The next day I put on the skis for the first turns of year on Pyramid Mountain near town. The snow was soft on top over a layer of crust. It felt good to get the kinks out.

Kodiak Garden Phase I

This Sunday we prepared our garden for winter. The bed was covered with weeds, grass and many tiny carrots. Digging beneath the surface revealed several inches of dark rich soil. We first removed as many weeds as possible and then turned over the soil with pick and shovel.

We then went to the beach to collect kelp that had washed ashore -- six containers full. Meghan watched over my shoulder for bears as I filled the containers with the potent organic fertilizer. In the waters near shore we watched two seals as they fished, surfaced, and dove again. Up the tributary among the trees bald eagles perched on barren branches.

We will continue to add kelp, leaves, coffee grounds and other organic matter to the garden throughout the winter. The 14 lbs. chocolate dachshund who lives with us will administer pest control.