Happy 2021! Congratulations, we made another trip around the sun together!

2020 started off like a dream- sailing the British Virgin Islands

Now that we are almost halfway through January, we thought we’d share a little family update (procrastination- the struggle is real.) We almost didn’t post anything at all; it’s a little hard to celebrate the interesting past 365 days. But, in looking back we realize there’s always a silver lining and the good news is that we had lots of family fun. A picture is worth 1000 words, so here are a few snapshots of our family this year we’d like to share. Since we left social media back in July, we thought this would be a nice way to catch you up.

Mitigation measures for simpler times- evacuation plan: grab beer, run like hell. Cow Wreck Beach, Anegada BVI.

Fishing season was quiet, as you may imagine. We had plenty of family time to focus on recreation, harvesting food, growing food, and harvesting more food. Luckily the bounty of the land provided, as always, and we were able to fill our freezer with Russian River sockeye salmon, and stock our pantry with Swan Lake fire morels, as well as some livestock and veggies from the garden at home.

_{Clockwise from upper left: morels harvested from Swan Lake fire burn, two tasty goats “Curry” and “Kebab”, Lake trout dinner harvested on Kenai Lake, the family garden in early season, harvest day for the ducks, boletes harvested in the neighborhood, family blueberry mission in the high country, our dogs doing their job- hauling out a subsistence harvest from Russian River.}

Kenai Lake served as our healing sanctuary all summer long. We spent many nights anchored up on the sailboat and swam more that we can ever remember. The girls and I filled in as John’s fishing clients many days and got to experience the Kenai River as quiet as we’ve ever seen it before. We also got out on the jon boat during the early season, hiked the mountains, paddled the canoe, and earned our certification as professional Alaska Hermits, level 5.

_{Clockwise from upper left: Spring jon boat adventues on Kenai Lake, Kenai Lake dingy fishing, family paddle on a local stream, C on the bow- Upper Kenai River, coming down the mountain after eating yummy clouds, C jumping off Olive, M & C giving mom a ride on Kenai Lake, best fishing buddies ever, Olive on anchor at our home away from home- Kenai Lake, M rowing the Upper Kenai River, M on top of the mountain (can you see the new hwy bypass?), out for a chilly walk on frozen lower Russian Lake.}

Our holidays this year were pretty low key. We started some new traditions- celebrating Dia de los Muertos and putting up our first family Ofrenda, and zooming our family from afar to celebrate just about everything else. We also continued some long standing traditions- an outdoor summer art class with our favorite artist Bruce Sink, celebrating Thanksgiving at the Barber Cabin, having the girls stalk and hunt/harvest the family tannenbaum, and eating lots of yummy homemade food!

_{Clockwise from upper left: the family Ofrenda, art class at the shop, on the way to Barber Cabin, Thanksgiving dinner, a delightful homemade from scratch gingerbread house creation (we are still slightly embarrassed by the savage way in which we consumed this!), M & C harvesting the family tree.}

Thank you everyone who came to fish with us in 2020. You guys made a weird summer a whole lot brighter! Some of you even came to see us multiple times. Our record holders for most fishing days won with 9 days on the water with us, runner up came in at 7 days fishing with us. To all of you who have been fishing with us now for 17 years (and some even longer!)- you have truly become part of our family and we can’t thank you enough for coming back to see us year after year. It means so much to us and we love you from the bottom of our hearts!

Cheers to an amazing 2021.

Much love and blessings to you all!

John, Heather, Monica & Cecilia

12 Comments

Mary Pearson on January 11, 2021 at 8:55 pm

Hi Pearson family,
In spite of the 2020 conundrum
You as a family found many wonderful ways to create happiness. So proud of you.
Hope to see your beautiful country in 2021
- mightykenai on January 11, 2021 at 9:14 pm
  
  Thank you so much! We hope to see your smiling faces in 2021 as well! XO
Katy, Brian and Teagan on January 11, 2021 at 9:59 pm

Thank you and happy new year Pearson Family! I love all the photos, and we miss your faces!!!
Here’s to a bright, safe, happy and healthy 2021!
- mightykenai on January 11, 2021 at 11:20 pm
  
  Thank you so much! Things can only get brighter from here 🙂
Monica Coakley on January 12, 2021 at 12:10 pm

Love you guys!!!!!
- mightykenai on January 12, 2021 at 4:00 pm
  
  We love you, sister! XO
Jerry Z on January 12, 2021 at 5:57 pm

You continue, every year, to add to my favorite experiences and exceptional memories in my 70 plus years fishing. Your family is an amazing testimony of how God intends for us to care for this earth and His people. We are already counting down the days until we can share this incredible earth and the Kenai with the Pearson’s. John, Heather, Monica and Cecilia, we pray for a fruitful coming year for you-all and thank you for richly blessing not only our lives but for all whom your lives touch and bless.
- mightykenai on January 12, 2021 at 6:06 pm
  
  Thank you so much for your kind words, Jerry! Your friendship is such a blessing to our family. We can’t thank you enough for all the years on the water with us and for your continued kindness and friendship. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Jan & Reagan Waskom on January 31, 2021 at 11:33 pm

That’s wonderful for you to have had extra family time in the year of COVID. Love the photos and explanations and your sharing what’s been going on. We so hope to get back up there on the river with you as soon as we can!
- mightykenai on February 9, 2021 at 12:41 am
  
  Thanks, Jan & Reagan. We look forward to getting you guys out on the Mighty Kenai again. Take care!
Michael Weiss on August 17, 2021 at 5:40 pm

Absolutely the most fun Adventure ever on our Alaska Trip. 13 miles down the Kenai. Thank you John and Heather for sharing your wonderful part of Alaska. Wow, Dolly Varden, Rainbows and Red Salmon. Several hook ups on those elusive Silvers 🎣. John your patience, enthusiasm, and knowledge made for a wonderful day. Don’t miss this if you make your way up to Coopers Landing. And thank you again, Heather and John!
- mightykenai on August 17, 2021 at 6:24 pm
  
  Thank you so much! It was a pleasure meeting you guys and sharing our favorite place with you. Take care and come see us again 🙂

Another Trip Around the Sun

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