Saturday May 1 2010

Paul and I are warmly greeted at the ferry by our friend Carol. Carol and I have worked on several arts education projects in Beaufort over the past twenty years. Her parents, the Nelson's homesteaded in Haines. Now that they are deceased she has settled into the community and is shepherding the future of their land.

Carol is a visionary creative organizer/advocate for the arts. She supervises the food services at the newly opened Haines Assisted Living home. HAL's founder Lucy Harrel generously offered us a suite to live in while we are here for the month. Note: Lucy is 86, is an active river boat captain of a tugboat. Lucy is my new role model. Though bent and stiff with arthritis, she is still "captain of her own boat" bringing in food from the bounty of this land. We look forward to picking the crabs she will haul in for dinner! Right away we have been treated with local cuisine of moose sausage, moose stew, and salmon chowder Carol serves healthy food in healthy portions on small plates. Stay tuned for future recipes.

We are appreciative of the conscious and compassionate care that is give to the residents here. Indeed we are blessed with this experience of a special community who respect and care for the elders.

Saturday night was yet another opportunity to participate in community life as we joined Mandy and Scott Ramsey for a beachside bonfire picnic in honor and celebration of Scott's father's life. The smelt had been running the week before. We savored our first smoked smelt washed down with a local Haines brew. Dogs and people mingled and shared, kids explored the mudbanks then shedding their shoes warmed toes at the campfire. We learned from conversations with several people that if you decide to live in Haines you are considered "from Haines" In the spirit of the frontier town, ancestral heritage is irrelevant Everyone in a sense is a "newcomer" . There is a quality of equality and acceptance that is deep and ...well REAL.

Sunday May 2nd

We attended the service at St. Michael's Episcopal church. A magnificent view of the Lynn Canal below snow capped mountains provides the windowed backdrop for the altar. I must confess that my attention for the service was tempered by my desire to watch for a whale sighting during the service. Now that would be an extraordinary spiritual experience.

Later that afternoon we enjoyed a gallery opening in celebration of Cinco de Mayo at Extreme Dreams Gallery. The gallery is owned by John and Sharon Svenson. It is a marvelous collection of fine art and crafts by Alaskan artists.