Starbound

I boarded the Starbound on the 31st of April. It is a 240 ft fishing boat bound for the Bering sea. It drags a trawl net to catch Walleye Pollock, which is processed by the 100+ people on board.

On June first we left the dock in Seattle and entered the Ballard locks. It was an odd experience to look down on all the people gathered around to see the ships going through the locks. In their minds going off to sea is a big adventure. The thought of leaving home for months at a time seems incredible and exciting. They have no idea of the dreary monotony of crossing the Gulf of Alaska at 12 knots.

The weather has been good so far, the standards being windspeed and the resulting size of the waves. It has been mostly cloudy and cool, but that is irrelevant for most of the crew that stays mostly below decks looking out through the tiny port holes in the gally and only occasionally pops up for a smoke on deck.

Picture: A tug pulling the Starbound out of the locks

Working for Bella Energy

I have been filling in the days that I have off from REI working for Bella Energy. It is nice to work out side and on the roof. Many of the jobs have had great views of the Flatirons. It is a pretty laid back company and I am working with some good people. The as needed, and as available approach is working out alright so far.

The pictures are from a job that was done for Boulder Housing Partners, an organisation that provided low income housing in the Boulder area.

First picture: Me standing on the roof. Second: Jake on the peak where he stood to take my picture. Third: Patrick, fixing a problem on the next building.