August 6

Tomorrow we head on our flight home, but we had to hike a mountain before we left, and we certainly did! Barometer was a hard hike, but the views from the top were incredible. I am so excited that we got to see one more part of Alaska before leaving.

View from Barometer Mountain.

Kristy and I on top of Barometer Mountain.

The rest of the day will consist of packing and preparing to head home. I've also spent some time reflecting on my experience in Alaska. If you want to read about my thoughts on this adventure, go here.

Until I have the time and finances to go here again, Alaska.

August 5

Today we head home. It’s sad but I know great things are in store at for me in the future. Kristy and I finished packing, took one last look at the property, and then headed home on the skiff. 

Last view of Kupreanof Mountain.

Once we made it into town, Kristy and I unloaded our bags and started laundry (much needed). Ginger had a few errands to run and then she is headed back out to the homestead. It was hard saying goodbye to someone I’ve spent over two months with so far. 

Later in the afternoon Kristy and I attempted to hike up Barometer Mountain but couldn’t find the trail. We might try tomorrow, but both of us are pretty tired after walking around for an hour and a half.  

View on our attempted hike up Barometer Mountain.

August 4

Today was bittersweet because its my last day on the homestead. In the morning Kristy and I made homesteader’s honey from fireweed blossoms and salmonberry jam. The jam didn’t set again, but the honey turned out fantastic! These also made it into my home package.

Homesteader's honey made from fireweed blossoms.

My home package including the following: homesteader's honey, salmonberry jam, sage, oregano, mint, and chamomile herbs, apple pie water kefir.

The afternoon was spent enjoying the warm weather and sunshine. We all were out in swim suits reading or just relaxing. Later this evening Josh, Kelsey, and their two boys ( 2 and 5) came over for a banya. They just moved in across the strait on Kelsey’s mom’s property and it was nice to finally chat with them since they moved in. 

After the banya we had salad for dinner and watched a movie. It was sad to know this was my last night, but the sunset was gorgeous!

August 3

Today it was windy and overcast in the morning. Although I didn’t feel like doing much, I went outside anyway and did some small projects that needed finishing around the place before Kristy and I leave on the fifth. I started by putting the curtains back up in Halibut Hole that we washed yesterday. Then, I took a GPS route of main camp so I could make a map later. 

After lunch Kristy picked salmon berries while I picked fireweed blossoms for homesteader’s honey. Kristy plans on making salmon berry jam with her berries. 

Me picking fireweed blossoms

Ginger suggested we walk the face trail today as well so Kristy and I tagged along for that. We put up trail markers on the trail in a few places, but the trail was so overgrown that we could barely walk it ourselves. After reaching the water line, all three of us walked up it to check on the screens over the water tubs at the start of the water line. The water line trail was bad too. At some points the foliage was taller than we were! 

Ginger and I hiking the water line trail

We made our way back to main camp and then relaxed in the sun. The relaxing ended when we 

realized that Lucy hadn’t laid an egg in two days and she was acting strange. After we checked her out we saw that yolk was coming out of her bum and let me tell you that is not a good sign. Ginger got a latex glove and coconut oil in preparation for extracting the apparently broken egg. It was an interesting process to watch and eventually the broken and now limp egg shell was removed. Her bum now looked inflamed and the feathers were all lumpy but we’re hoping her canal is clear. Tomorrow should shed some light on her condition.  

Inspection of the Lucy's bum

For dinner we had a giant salad bar of greens from the garden and then popcorn with a movie. It was a good day that turned out beautiful despite the crappy beginning. Tomorrow is also our last day on the homestead so we will be sure to enjoy it to the fullest.