Late Summer Moments in Kodiak

Loving our addition!

Cleared out yard for summer boat repairs!

Aunty Blondie with cousin Ally.

Would someone do something with that wood pile?

Lots of projects

Little doomed creature...

A day at the park

Bella is a kinder!

Oh my goodness- our little one is in elementary school! And boy, was she ready... Bella was so excited to be able to have the same wonderful kindergarten teacher that her sister had, the amazingly sweet and patient Anne Oliver, whom I went to school with and whose son I teach this year. It's a very special year....

Petroglyph Camp Part II

Inconsolable. Sobbing all the way to Akhiok about losing her boat..

Bye bye boat.

Our soggy camp


Carving in the rain

Heading to camp

Spiridon's little girl's baptism in Akhiok

Sandy Beach

Kids with their beach art sculpture of their favorite petroglyph

Seal face

Notice the clothing choices between the Kodiak kids and the Southern Belles!

Cape Alitak Petroglyph Camp

The first week of August brings the annual Alitak family camp. The girls have skipped a couple of years, but Sven has gone faithfully for I think 11 years! The camp is a different sort- people bring activities for the kids, but the kids aren't forced to participate and there is a lot of unstructured time for kids to play, carve, do art and connect to the beautiful place. The Alitak petroglyphs lie in a couple different locations on a long, skinny strip of land jutting out into the Shelikof straits. On one side the petroglyphs face the open sea and feature sea animals and whales, on the other side they face the bay and feature faces. There are various theories about why this is, but the theories evolve constantly as we find out more. Every year that Sven has gone he has learned something new, refined his map of the area, or found new petroglyphs!

This year's camp was (weather-wise) one of the most miserable in history. It rained every day except one (on which the kids dried clothing and went swimming). Tents, boots, clothing... everything was soggy and clammy. But kids rallied- wore raingear and played on the beach, sat by the fire and carved maskettes, helped to collect firewood and to cook meals. In the end, we were happy we went, but even happier to get home (after an unexpected delay in Akhiok because of weather).

Our noble leaders, Mitch and Judy Simeonoff!

Cousin Elijah with the Simeonoff dog, Blue.

Water color painting with Cecile.

Cecile doing a rubbing