First Few Weeks at Home in Alaska

Pete setting up the come-along in the background to coax down a stuck tree that fell halfway. Bear doesn't seem too concerned by dad's hard work!

We are wrapping up our first month in Alaska and we are still feeling fantastic!

Pete and I went on a date night at Settlers Bay Lodge overlooking the inlet and reflected on our accomplishments. It was nice to get dressed up, experience some AC and devour locally caught fish!

Pete took the pickup into town to fill up on propane and fuel for the machines. We have learned we can go about one month on 40lbs of propane. As we add more machines and the like, I know our propane usage will go up. It'll be interesting logging our somewhat off-grid energy uses. 

Yesterday we went to Palmer to purchase a Hud-son sawmill. We are both excited to start milling up the logs Pete fell earlier this month. Early plans for the mill include a small bathroom in the structure, a shelter for the mill and lumber for the house. 
We are slowly organizing the structure too. It's nice to have some space to store tools and work in the shade. In the evenings we have been sitting in the garage, looking out over the property. A nice breeze blows through and it doesn't get too buggy because the heat from the day keeps them at bay. The call of the loons from the lake adds to the peacefulness as we watch the dogs follow their noses. We've added a garbage can to the shelter which is protected from the curious bears. It's easier to haul our garbage to the municipal dump now. 

This week we had our first moose on the property. It came up from the lake in the morning and the dogs saw it first. They took off after the young bull and chased it across the street into the woods. We are thankful it wasn't a cow with babies. The dogs would have been in a bit more danger. They sniffed the moose's trail he used coming up from the lake over and over. This past week also brought some continued high temperatures. There is currently a fire ban in our area through Monday. Even if you have a permit to burn, you are not allowed. Pete will continue to fell more timbers on the property. Most of the standing dead is from beetle kill. The spruce beetles make their appearance every 10-15 years. The females lay their eggs in the mature spruce trees which causes the tree to die. Though the big standing timbers will be missed, the wood is still great to harvest for burning or making some beautiful pieces with the blue-ish swirl pattern the beetles created. 

Looking forward to what July brings! The passing of June has totally transformed this property!

Once we get water to the property, we will create concrete level footers for the track of the mill. This will ensure our cuts are more accurate and keep the track up out of the always present piles of sawdust.

Beautiful birch slab Pete cut with his new sawmill.

We can 'shop' our own logs from the property. Pete is learning how to read the logs and how to properly cut for the different applications whether it's green or dry wood.

Rez patiently waits for a frisbee throw. It's his favorite thing.

All smiles while felling more trees! The one he is currently taking down is from a spruce beetle kill.

Fireweed showing it's first signs of blooming in our driveway. It's called fireweed because it's the first plant to sprout after a forest fire.