Sharry Miller

Salmon Seining 101

About a year ago, I wrote a post I called Longlining 101 to explain how we longline for halibut and sablefish. This past weekend, for the first time in what seems like forever, I got out on our boat, Kingfisher, for a day of pink salmon seining. I took loads of photos, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to give you a little primer on seining, if you're interested. Pink salmon Let's see, where... Read more →

Hiking Shoup Trail

After my last post, Lovin' Alaska, a friend commented that it's easier to love Alaska and appreciate its beauty when it's sunny out than it is when it's been rainy or snowy for weeks on end. I have to agree. I was grateful that today was another day that proved this opinion to be true. In honor of the sunshine, and as part of my Machu Picchu training, I hiked Shoup Trail to Gold Creek.... Read more →

Lovin' Alaska

You know that old saying, "absence makes the heart grow fonder?" Well, there's a related one: "familiarity breeds contempt." (Don't worry, husband, I'm not writing about you.) Perhaps in this case contempt is too strong a word, but ambivalence is certainly appropriate. Before I get too carried away here with verbal semantics, let me be clear in that I'm not talking about anything more serious than my surroundings: Alaska, The Great Land. I realize every... Read more →

Lamb's Quarters Pesto

It was such a delightful surprise. Ever since I took Janice Schofield's wild plants workshop, I've been searching Valdez for lamb's quarters. This unassuming little "weed" is vitamin-packed and delicious, and during the workshop we used it as a primary ingredient in several recipes. So, I searched as I pedaled out Dayville Road and along the Richardson Highway, and hiked up Solomon Gulch and behind my house. I couldn't find any lamb's quarters anywhere. Last... Read more →

Shoup Bay Sail

My plan had been to spend the day rigorously hiking as part of my Machu Picchu training, but all it took was a brief phone call from Emmie to blow my plans out of the water. Or maybe "onto the water" is more appropriate. After all, how could I turn down a chance to sail out to Shoup Bay on a hot, sunny day? It was 75 degrees by the time the Segel Stuga motored... Read more →

Smile When You Say That

An older couple was walking along the bike path, looking out towards the bay. Perhaps they were watching for seals or sea lions, and there was a good chance they’d see some since dozens congregate during the summer in the vicinity of the Solomon Gulch hatchery when salmon are returning. When I was about 75 feet or so behind them, I called out, “Coming up behind you.” Both of them jumped and moved quickly to... Read more →

Loving Wild Plants

View of the Copper River from the road to Chitina. As I pedaled, I peered at the brush along the bike path, hoping to spot some lamb’s quarters. Unfortunately, 14-mph botany isn’t much easier than 55-mph botany. All I could see was alders, fireweed, alders, yarrow, alders, and, oh, did I mention alders? Alder saplings are quite prolific along Dayville Road. What, you may ask, is lamb’s quarters, and why was I looking for it?... Read more →

Five Sentence Fiction - Locked

Busy life has intervened over the last several weeks, and as a result, I haven't written a bit of flash fiction for Five Sentence Fiction or Visual Dare in over a month. I've looked at the last few prompts, including this week's FSF, locked, but haven't been inspired. This morning, however, as I looked at the great photo Lillie McFerrin used to accompany "locked," I realized that inspiration was not going to happen on its... Read more →

Priorities and Compromises

Do you ever feel like there just isn't enough time in the day, the week, the month? I know, I know, stupid question. We all feel like that, some of us most of the time. It was a beautiful day in Valdez today. Sunny and warm, a perfect day for drying out after all the rain we'd had recently. I was stuck inside all day attending a meeting. When my work day was finally done,... Read more →

An Overabundance of Jam

Last year, Thane hoarded the apricot-pineapple jam I made. Even Rowan and I had to demand a spoonful at breakfast. Forget about giving any away. In response, I may have gone a bit overboard this year. Half a box of apricots, four cans of crushed pineapple, and 32 cups of sugar later, I have 36 jars of assorted sizes and a pottery dish full of sunshine. Oh, I do hope they all seal, or we'll... Read more →