January 2004
Happy New Year! We have at least two reasons to celebrate--the successful landing of a 400 pound craft on Mars, and the ownership of a digital camera.
Marvelling over today's technology, we always feel like we are at the back of the pack. The ease and speed of responding to requests for charters, through e-mails, continues to amaze us.
We are looking ahead full of optimism. If NASA can pull off a Mars landing, surely we can master a digital camera by summertime, to capture the magnificence of nature on Earth.
How odd to wait so longingly for February, then wish for it to be over with as soon as possible!
It has been another warm February with several days of temperatures in the 40s. We have one song sparrow at our bird feeders. Hopefully, more songbirds will show up to eat the 90 pounds of bird seed we bought for the year.
Ocean's been a little too rough to be out on, but I expect Kent will be testing the waters before the end of the month.
We have 10 to 12 hours of daylight this month. My only reason to procrastinate now, is knowing that it is going to get better next month!
March 2004
Our first, fresh king salmon supper of 2004, was just as expected--delicious! The ocean was nasty the first half of March, keeping us from our second, fresh king salmon supper.
The Department of Fish and Game is flying aerial surveys looking for large schools of herring. So far, the herring are playing hooky.
Our booking rate is more than double last year, so I asked a customer what was going on down below. She replied, "I think what's going on is everyone wants OUT--just like we do!"
Well, there is nothing quite like Alaska in the summertime...hope you can make it up.
April 2004
The herring spawned in early April...which seems like ages ago!
Our pace picked up considerably in mid-April as we ran our first fishing charter, with clients already planning to return next year!
Kent loves what he calls his new idiot-proof engine. It's quieter, more powerful, more fuel efficient, and tells him when it needs attention. All I know is when he's happy, I'm happy.
We are ready to roll!
May 2004
We are heading into our third week of fairly calm seas and no precipitation. Everyone is now wondering how much longer this will last!
People have been catching king salmon throughout the month. Halibut fishing has been slower, but that is expected for this time of year.
Bald eagles, puffins, murrelets, sparrows and hummingbirds are pairing up and starting to nest. A few humpback whales have returned from Hawaii, for their summer vacation.
June 2004
If every day was like today, with temperatures in the mid-70s, blue skies and calm seas, this would not be Alaska.
I wonder if the animals are enjoying the weather as much as we are. Hummingbirds and wrens have fledged early. Blueberries also seem to be ripening early.
No one dares to hold their breath. Summer will soon be half way over.
July 2004
The ocean has been very calm and skies have been mostly overcast and dry. We have had at least two scorcher days with temperatures reaching the 80's!
This summer reminds me of last summer. Birds and blueberries are fledging and ripening early.
We are still catching a few king salmon and trying to avoid the pink salmon to select for silver salmon. Halibut fishing has been slower than expected, but the fillets are thicker than expected for this time of the year.
August 2004
We have been panting as temperatures continue to reach into the 80s. The sun now keeps the same bedtime hours that we do.
We are still on the water, every day, with fishing and wildlife viewing charters.
The ocean has remained calm and warm....expect to see crocodiles at any time.
September 2004
As another season comes to a close, the air is noticeably crisper and the days are noticeably shorter.
It has been a remarkable summer, seeing returning clients and meeting so many new ones.
Until further notice, the best way to contact us is by sending an email to info@sitkasecret.com. If you use the postal service, allow up to three weeks for a reply.
If you want to talk with us, to paraphrase a saying, don't call us, send us your phone number and we'll call you!
